2001 Dodge Neon R/T review from North America

Nothing has gone wrong so far.

This car is an incredible surprise to everyone, with unbelievable performance in such a plain-looking package.

The R/T may not be as fast in a straight line as a V8 muscle car, but it can handle the curves as well as cars twice its price (or more, in some cases.) A right turn can easily be negotiated at 40 MPH, and nothing is funnier than the sight of a Mustang losing control in the mirror.

The suspension has been given a healthy dose of Viagra when compared with that of the base Neon, and steering is a bit tighter as well.

Even though the 60-profile tires are rather clumsy for a sport compact, handling on winding roads is acceptable, thanks to traction control: the great equalizer.

While I have never attained speeds above 110 MPH, this car seems capable of burying the needle at its 140 MPH terminus.

As for all those who prefer automatic trannies, this car is not for you. The R/T only comes with a close-ratio manual box. Don't be upset, automatic boy: it's for your own good. This is more car than you're ready for.

The only drawback to the R/T is its thirst for the good stuff - 93 octane fuel. The reason for this: a camshaft designed for high-rpm performance. A tank of 87 octane will not kill the car, but the performance above 4000 RPM is pathetic.

Teenage punks in Honda Civics (or any other "tuned" car with a fart-pipe) deserve to see only one thing: taillights. Noise does not equal performance, R/T equals performance.