I recently said in another area that Momma Mopar needs a cheap affordable sports car. I now want to add that what we also need is a VERY cheap reliable everyday car. Something like what a Yugo was supposed to be without the jokeable reality. Now don't laugh at me, hear me out. Back in 1990 or something like that Chrysler kept trying to stop production of Omni/Horizons in favor of the Shadow/Sundance. Trouble was they sold too damn well. Finaly it couldn't be put off any longer and the call was made to stop production. Also about this time the Kenosha,WI plant was announced to be closed down. The UAW members there figured out that any job with Chrysler was going to be better for them then McDonalds so the union made an incredible offer to take substantial pay and benefit cuts to keep the plant open. Also stated was that this plant would be used to continue production of Omni Americas. As the tooling was long paid for and the UAW would work for less(Though a helluva lot more then at MikkieDs I'm sure) the car would be able to be delivered to the public with a 2.2/5sp, air, and a decent stereo for under six grand. List for one at that time was closer to 10Gs so it was a real price attention grabber. Why did Chrysler turn this down? Has anyone else heard this? Is it true? If true, maybe the profit margin would have not been enough or it would very likley have stole sales from the Shadows, yet still, can you imagine how many would still be on the road today? WHAT IF we could still find the tooling out there in a warehouse somewhere and get it rolling again. Talk about a modern Model T for the masses. A nice alterative to a crummy Kia or the such for young people just getting started or a college car, second/third car, etc. Hell, most autos are made in the third world anyway, make them in Mexico or something. Could we still do it for 6 or 7 grand? Hell, I'd buy another one. Don't get me wrong, my 2004 SXT Neon is a great car, but a 4 door Omni would be great for all kinds of stuff. In the early 80's I owned a 1.7 1979 4 door with a factory sun roof. My kids never saw that car but love it just from the pictures. It had great room and I hauled all sorts of stuff in the very practical hatchback. The only reason I junked it out was because it had 200000 miles I lost my 4th gear. Mopar could be famous in the modern age for not only making ultra slick high end cars but also mass production of utilitarian vehicles too. Say, a Volkswagen Bug for the new century. Any ideas? Would we bring back the neat 3 doors? 2.5 engines? The 2.2/2.5 were once quoted in an auto mag. as being "the small block of the 80's", I guess cheap gasoline killed that, though we did get various turbos and a few multivalved heads for it. They are a low stressed engine in stock form,( not unlike the good ol' SLANT SIX(!!!) )and last almost forever. We would have to fix those lousy damn cheap breakable door handles(Anyone remember those). Would a 2.0 Neon engine be better or would it push up the price too much? The 2.5s had great low end power, so maybe that would be a good and a cheap compromise over the 2.2 vs. a modern 2.0. A new car for the price of a so/so used car, now there is an idea. Not much for styling, but practical, great milege, reliable, fairly comfortable, what more could you ask for? If Chrysler won't do it, maybe someone out there with the bucks could aquire the tooling and make them. I for one would invest in such a venture, of course then who would sell and service them? All things to think about. Call me wierd.

 

I remember those cars. The only one I ever drove was a GLH. At the time I had a turbo Shadow. The current Neon is a much better car, better looking, more comfortable, and safer. s we all know too, the Neon ONLY come in a 4-dr. Damn that sucks. In a way I do miss those cars, but not enough for them to come back. I think the days of el cheapo cars like that are over unless somebody imports one.

Not too wierd.[sm=itsok.gif]

 

You have the cheapo Korean cars like Hyundai and Kia.[sm=icon_rofl.gif]

The first generation Neons ('94-'99) had a 2 door coupe version for every version (Sport, ACR, Expresso, R/T, etc.), but I'm thinking that the first year only had a 4 door version. It wasn't until the second generation that they eliminated the 2 door coupe version and left only the 4 door sedans, even in it's best ever form....the SRT-4.[sm=badidea.gif][sm=nothatway.gif][sm=wakeup.gif][sm=icon_beat.gif]

 

I have a 98 neon 2-dr.

 

I'd settle for someone finding the tooling for just the floors.......we need floors badly if we are going to restore any of these cars like the GLH/GLHS/Shelby Charger?Rampage.

BTW...I'm restoring my own GLH and need floors....can ya tell?