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With gas prices on the rise almost as fast as the odometer in our Challenger, and the need for a manual transmission
car for driver education for our next new driver, we started looking for something new to add to the collection.
I found this Flame Red '95 Neon Coupe at a used car dealership while visiting family.
While the mileage is high (about 175,000), the engine feels strong, and the transmission engages without issue. With its
2.0 SOHC engine and long-ratio 5-speed, it should get good mileage right away. Of course, we
don't plan on leaving it alone, and we'll be outfitting Project Ole Red with our engine mounts, radiator brackets,
and countless other goodies. Unlike Venom, this vehicle will be set up for maximum fuel economy as a commuter
car, and our learning experience with the electric vehicles (projects Evie and Thor) will come in handy for squeezing
maximum miles from every gallon. We're hoping that once the new Dodge Dart has had the bugs shaken out,
we'll be able to sell this car, much improved, and use the proceeds for the down payment on the Dart.
10/07/'12: Ole Red, with still lots of life left in her, has been sold to a new owner, to make room in the stable for the next project vehicle, a 2013 Dodge Dart. There were still items we didn't get a chance to tackle, but the car was running great and easily averaging 38mpg; something many modern economy cars have a hard time doing. |
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