Conference terri::cars_uk

    I spoke to Lease Plan on Monday about the Neon and was told that they
    were sorting out Dealer discounts etc. and would be publishing the prices 
    as soon as they had them.
    
    Doug

    CAR magazine (July) road tests a Neon against an Escort and a Mondeo.
    The Neon competes with both of the Fords on the grounds of price (you
    pay Escort money for one) and overall size (it's as big as a Mondeo).
    
    I havnae' read the article yet as I only got the magazine this
    morning... Just thought I'd mention this for interested parties.
    
    Stephen

    Last weeks autocar magazine carried a review of the new Neon - well the
    upper of the two models available here - it is a shade over 13,000 but
    includes air conditioning, electric windows, mirrors, abs, cup holders,
    airbags etc,etc. An automatic gearbox is available at no cost.
    
    IT has 131bhp from its two litre engine and the manual does 0-60 in
    9.1sec, apparantly the automatic is faster to 60 in that it does it in
    8.8 seconds. They said it was comfortable, although had poor rear head
    room, it was fast, except in 5th gear because of its strange ratio and
    had better fuel economy than a 1.6 escort.
    
    They did say it didn't handle very well though. Interior is a little
    cheap looking but well specified - overall quite good.
    
    I drove one a year or so ago as a hire car whilst in the US - nippy but
    somewhat wobbly round bends. I could live with one, although I prefer
    my Primera.
    
    Richard Barrett
    

Am I correct in assuming that, from the order of your listing of accessories, 
that cup holders are more vital than air bags?  :)

Chris.

    Well Chris, which would you prefer, your head smashed against the
    steering wheel/dashboard or a cup of hot coffee in your lap?
    
    Clive

    re 2522.4
    
    I just thought I'd use a cup holder more often - afterall you only get
    to use the airbag once !!
    
    

    Neon was on the news last night (on U.S.-Seattle based TV station).
    
    I missed begining of it so I don't know why it made news but lest
    did not sound very good.
    They were talking about problems and were naming other cars in the
    same class or price range as alternative choices.
    It was odd listening to a newscaster sounding like a car salesman.
    They also pointed out that the Consumer's Digest listed Neon as a
    'value for money car' but it was -not- the "CONSUMER's MAGAZINE".
    Chrysler added left side drive version of Neon and planning to sell
    4000 per month in Japan. I wonder how it goes.
    
    Mitz
    

    re .1 >Lease Plan ... would be publishing the prices as soon as they
           had them.
    
    Out of idle interest, can you post the lease costs when they are
    available.
    
    Thanks
    
    Royston

    The following prices appear on LPDirect for the Neon:-
    
    4dr 2.0i LE		3925
    4dr 2.0i LE Auto	3983
    
    4dr 2.0i LX		4283
    4dr 2.0i LX Auto	4351
    
    I`m not sure why there is a price difference between the auto and
    non-auto as according to the adverts `auto' is a no cost option.

    I spoke to LP today, asking why the cheaper Neon, is dearer than the
    more expensive Cavalier, on the lease scheme?. Also why were there
    two differing prices for a manual, and an automatic, for a car that
    advertises that man/auto gearbox, is a no cost option??.
    The answer I got was that when it came to selling on ex lease cars,
    Vauxhall has a good resellable value, where as the Neon has no known
    resell value?, at present. This was also a similar answer for the different
    price for the man/auto gearbox, they said that people generally go for a 
    manual over an automatic, hence the price difference?. I was also told
    that they only get a 5% discount from Chrysler, as opposed to a 25% 
    discount from Vauxhall??.
    I asked that if the Neon proved to be a good resellable ex lease car,
    would the driver price on the scheme be reduced?, I will leave you to
    work out the answer................
    
    colin.

    
    My question is why would you expect any Neon to be cheaper than a
    Cavalier? Surely the whole point of going Vauxhall a couple of years
    agoe was to get Vauxhall's cheaper (whether they are cheaper than they
    were, say, three years ago, is another argument).
    
    One example of the Vauxhall 'deal' is that my Frontera Diamond is #1000
    more list price than a standard Frontera. On the lease scheme it is
    cheaper than the basic Diamond. It's also about #1000 cheaper than the
    equivilant Discovery.
    
    Richard

    Seeing the notes re the Neon...I test drove one last weekend in very
    bad weather conditions and it seemed to handle pretty well.  Not much
    of a guide tho', 'cos I was obviously unfamiliar with the car.  Agree
    with comment about interior being a bit 'placky', but overall, seemed
    quite good value for money.  Fuel consumption is high, tho'.
    
    Irene
     

    Saw one a Neon on the road recently and noticed it had amber front side
    lights (or day time lights like Volvos as it was a bright day).
    
    I realise this is an American car but isn't there Type Approval that
    requires a certain standard for lights and indicators in the UK ?
    If not I'm surprised there isn't more variations on a theme by other
    manufacturers.
    
    Royston