Ok. I'm at a stand still. I want to improve my handling of my 99 neon sohc, but i am a cheap bastard. I would like to lower it, however, i cannot afford the kit. so now, i just want to improve my handling. will sway bars, and/or strut tower bars help at all? like noticeably?

 

The tower braces and sway bars will help, but if you can't afford the springs @ like $200 then forget any suspension mods. The springs would be the biggest difference in handling.

 

Springs will definitley make the biggest difference, but any springs worth a damn (both start with "Mopar") are going to require you upgrading the struts as well (to Koni's, at $700+ for the set). Otherwise, you'll blow stock-based struts (including KYB GR-2's) in a hurry.

Sway bars would make the next biggest difference. The biggest I know of you can get from Vitor (www.neongoodies.net). Suspension Techniques still sells some, but I think most people go with just their front and get the Mopar rear. If you don't already have a rear sway bar, you'll have to get at least the frame brackets from the dealer or a salvage yard. You'll need the strut brackets (and dumbells) as well, but I wouldn't go with stock for either... www.deyemeracing.com sells aluminum replacement brackets (attach to the strut) and bothe Deyeme and Vitor sell different versions of replacement dumbells which are much more durable, even if you replace the crapy rubber bushings with poly.

I'd put tires and wheels ahead of strut tower bars. A grippy set of summer tires goes a long way. If all you want is handling, a larger diameter tire is nice for reducing the slip angle and all, but those of us that also enjoy acceleration try to stick with the lightest we can afford.

The tops of the strut towers are so close to lateral structural supports (firewall, speaker shelf) that strut tower bars are virtually pointless in Neons.

Best of luck!