1996 Plymouth Breeze Review

Never mind the cuddly curves and "smiling-face" front end of the 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon Sport coupe. This $12,500 Chrysler Corp. speedster offers so much fun it seems wasteful to spend $25,000-plus for a car like a BMW 318is.

The made-in-Illinois Plymouth--and identical Dodge--Neon Sport is the zestful version of the regular, 132-horsepower Neon models. The car, which costs the same with either Dodge or Plymouth nameplates, can more than hold its own with much costlier American and foreign rivals, I found while testing a Plymouth Neon Sport coupe.

With its jewel-like, optional (just $150), dual-camshaft, 150-horsepower four-cylinder and supple sport suspension, the Neon Sport has quick acceleration and razor-sharp handling.

This front-wheel-drive subcompact also offers outstanding roominess and fuel economy that almost will make its owner a stranger at gasoline stations.

The Neon Sport zips to 60 m.p.h. in just 7.6 seconds, although its relatively small engine calls for lots of revs--and lots of shifting--to provide the best performance. But it delivers an EPA-estimated 28 m.p.h. in the city and 38 on highways with the standard five-speed manual transmission.

An optional, $600 three-speed automatic provides slightly less economy, but doesn't seriously dent performance of the strong, 16-valve engine.

The manual is somewhat notchy during quick shifts, but generally is fun to work. It's mated to a light, short-throw clutch to make driving in heavy traffic a relatively painless experience.

Just make sure you're in fourth gear in fast-moving expressway traffic because acceleration in the fifth (overdrive) gear is sluggish.

The Neon Sport also comes with four doors for $12,700, but both coupe and sedan easily seat four 6-footers. It's a hassle to enter or leave the rear of the coupe, and entry or exit from the sedan's rear seats call for a squeeze through narrow door openings.

A high rear parcel shelf makes it hard to parallel park, but the flat-floor, easily loaded trunk offers decent space--despite intrusion of rear wheel wells. Flip-down rear seatbacks that handily fold flat enhance cargo space.

Happily, Chrysler's efforts to refine the 1996 version of the Illinois-built car make it quieter and give it an appreciably more solid feel than previous Neons.

On the 1996 Plymouth Neon Sport couple I recently tested, paint and construction quality were excellent, and there were no squeaks or rattles--even on dreadful pavement. Interior materials also looked substantial in the quiet car.

Like base Neons, the Sport model has dual airbags, side-impact door beams and 5-m.p.h. energy absorbing bumpers. But the Sport also has such items as all-season performance tires, AM/FM stereo and power steering, outside mirrors and door locks.

Large, artfully designed front bucket sport seats look and feel as if they belong in a more expensive auto, and the rear seat is comfortable. A tall adult can sit in the middle of the back seat, but won't be comfortable there for long.

To lower the base price of the new Neon Sport models, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes and aluminum wheels are optional for 1996--$565 for the brakes and $355 for the wheels.

``Some people in the 1995 model year liked the Neon Sport's sportier appearance, but didn't want to pay the higher price caused by that model's then-standard anti-lock system and special wheels,'' said Chrysler spokesman Jeff Leestma.

The Neon Sport's quick steering offers a nice amount of power assist and good road feel. The car sits flat and steady while quickly negotiating curves.

The all-independent sport suspension of the 104-inch-wheelbase Neon Sport is on the firm side. But the chassis and performance tires work together like seasoned companions, providing a comfortable ride. Some of the nastier road imperfections, however, will jolt occupants.

The easily modulated brakes stop the car quickly and surely, even in situations that don't call for the anti-lock brake system to kick in.

The Neon Sport is for those with BMW tastes but limited budgets. Cars like that never existed just a few years ago.