SECOND PLACE:
MAZDA PROTÉGÉ
A t a base price $ I 1,970, it is probably the one
car here that deserves far more attention than it
gets. Now, I will be the first to acknowledge that
with 105 horsepower it is easily the slowest car
o f this group. But Mazda has packed a whole lot
o f goodness into it. The Protégé is quite hand­
some. In fact, it looks far more expensive than it
is.
"The Protégé is a refined and stylish sedan that
delivers good value for the money. It deserves to
be on more shopping lists,” says Eisenstein.
Cross summed it up this way: "The new 99 Protégé is a
knockout in form & function...It’s as good as a Honda or a
Toyota and it beats them both in price." Senior Editor Blair
Walker says "to buy the Protégé is to buy peace o f mind,
given Mazda’s reputation for bolting together dependable
cars.”
Indeed. Mazda has so much faith in the Protégé that they
offer a 50,000-mile warranty. The Protégé also has the largest
cabin in its class and a very long list o f standard features.
Again, it's a little on the slow side, but it will taxe you 30 miles
on every gallon o f gas you put in it, and, in my opinion, its the
best looking sedan here.
TIED FOR TH IR D PLACE:
DODGE/PLYMOUTH NEON
The $12,890 Neon is all-new for 2000. You may recall that
in Spring's First Impressions I wrote that the new Neon is more
comfortable more spacious and quieter than the car it
replaces. Neons are remarkable in that they manage to be a
capable driver’s car. while still providing excellent value as an
economy car The suspension clings tenaciously when corner­
ing and provides a smooth, well-damped ride.The Neon is one
o f those rare cases in life where you can have your economy
and enjoy it too.
Brown said The New Neon is "an excellent revision o f an
originally good idea (and) a knockout small car engine and
transmission.” Walker says the roomy Neon is the epitome of
an econobox with attitude.. .whats not to love?
Eisenstein says "the latest incarnation (of the Neon) suggests
that DaimlerChrysler has done its homework. The car is qui­
eter more comfortable, more refined. It's not a breakthrough
design, but sometimes evolution is better than revolution..
What's interesting about the 2000 Neon is how the com­
pany has "grown the car." The interior looks like it was taken
from an LH sedan and sort o f shrunk to fit the Neon. In fact,
the same can be said for the overall look o f the car. The new
body brings the car more in line with the overall styling themes
prevalent at DaimlerChrysler these days. To me that's a good
thing: DaimlerChryslers are some o f the most distinctive look­
ing cars on the road.
Ford's Escort ZX2 is the sports car o f our budget-minded
group. Check out these numbers - the ZX2 goes from zero to
60 in 8.4 seconds: the BMW 3 18ti does it in 8.3 seconds. The
slalom: Escort ZX2, 62.8 mph: BMW 3 18ti, 62.4 mph. Base
price: Escort ZX2. $ I 1,6 10 - BMW 3 18ti. $23,300.
just something to think about.
"This is light years better than any other Escort ever made."
says Cross. "It is a good blend o f inexpensive stuff to make a
livable, almost lovable sporty car"
No doubt, the Escort ZX2 is a must consider for anybody
in this price range. It's fun to drive, has a zippy engine, dis­
tinctive style and it won't break you.
That truly is the ZX2's story. Basically, Ford was trying give
people an alternative to the usual sedans and hatchbacks
that you encounter shopping in this market. By combining
off-the-shelf pieces with some innovative engineering. Ford
was able to build a sports car for the rest o f us. The ZX2's
engine gives good performance over its entire range and it
shuts the a/c compressor off when you accelerate the car
hard (to help it keep up with that BMW). And. it delivers 30
MPG to boot.
AFRICAN AMERICANS ON WHEELS
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