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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Neon vs. Golf, input requested

Jan. 24, 2011 10:31 a.m. Brett_Murphy Reader

I just towed home my latest car yesterday, one that I've wanted since I first saw it in 1995. My wife has dubbed this "My biggest automotive mistake, ever" beating out even my ill advised rusty BMW 325ix purchase a few years ago. This is mainly due to the color of the car.

It's a Nitro Yellow Green 2 door Neon Sport. It's in non-running but mostly complete condition.

Despite my latest car acquisitions seeming to follow recent GRM project cars, that isn't the case. Unlike some of my other cars, they made millions of these models, so these cars are at the right price point and are plentiful in you-pull-it yards.

I'm now faced with a dilemma. Use the 1995 Golf for Rallycross, as I'd intended and use the Neon for Autocross and possibly some HPDE duties, or switch them and use the Neon for Rallycross. I don't think either of the platforms is more robust than the other, and the Neon does have a pretty well documented autocross and racing pedigree, but the parts are getting hard to find.

I've purchased a bunch of maintenance items for the Golf to get it roadworthy, but haven't really committed any serious money to any upgrades, so I can jump either way.

What does the opinion of the GRM think tank? Rally Golf or Rally Neon?
Jan. 24, 2011 10:44 a.m. petegossett SuperDork

Well, it seems like the Golf is used more in stage rally. Not that Neons haven't been, or that stage rally = rally-x.

OTOH, Neons seemed to be a little more popular at road race, probably due to the contingency money though, so again, maybe not completely relevant.

I'd say set a priority for what's more important: autox/HDPE vs. rally-x. Once you decide that, see which car you can prepare to the desired level for less $$$, then work on the second car after the first one is done.
Jan. 24, 2011 11:27 a.m. Donebrokeit New Reader

Both are good cars for the money and are know to win in both event , I think the neon would be more suited for tarmac as they have a good selection of parts for road racing but I have not seen much support for them in rally X, the Golf on the other hand seems to have support in the rally world so it might be more suited for that arena.

Neon= Tarmac

Golf =Dirt

Paul B
Jan. 24, 2011 11:31 a.m. cghstang Reader

How smooth are your rallycross venues? The Golf wants to be on three wheels a lot... not fun for rallycross. The Neon I have ridden multiple times and driven once at a rallycross felt super planted compared to my ZX2, which itself feels much less tippy than the golf I've ridden in.

A stock Neon ACR works very well for rallycross. The plain versions aren't bad either.
Jan. 24, 2011 11:31 a.m. ZOO Dork

Well, a Golf is a Golf, but a Nitro Green Neon is . . . okay, still a Neon (unless it is an ACR). I'd keep the Neon for the pavement.
Jan. 24, 2011 11:57 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork
Jan. 24, 2011 12:21 p.m. NGTD HalfDork

As I understand, Neon's are fairly travel-limited, therefore if your rally-X venues are rough, that can be an issue. However if that is not an issue I think they definitely have a power-to-weight advantage.

GRM's rally-X Neon seemed to do well.
Jan. 24, 2011 12:33 p.m. Brett_Murphy Reader

They rallycross venues are in a cow field filled with ruts and bumps. I bottom out the suspension in my stock Forester XT with regularity.
Jan. 24, 2011 12:33 p.m. cghstang Reader

one more...
Jan. 24, 2011 12:55 p.m. Vigo Dork

im with the 90% majority here:

Neon for pavement. Golf for dirt.

The neon is EXTREMELY travel limited and i also dont think it will take hard hits in the suspension as well as the Golf. Not only that, but the power and weight advantage will be far more relevant on pavement, whereas i cant help but think there will be a durability advantage for the golf in the rough stuff.
Jan. 24, 2011 1:10 p.m. cghstang Reader

I'm starting to feel like a neon fanboi yo!

Seriously though, this (what car for rallycross?) just came up on a rallycross forum I frequent and this is what people who have been doing scca rallycross for several years had to say about the neon...
rx7/vw guy said:

If I had to start over with no "history" then I'd get a Neon, plain and simple. Tough, easy to drive, very torquey, cheap, and I wouldn't have to worry about it getting stolen like I would a Civic.

honduh guy said:
Ahh, the neon. Great inexpensive car with TONS of potential. Strong engine and trans, more torque than a honda, cheap and easy to fix, and a huge aftermarket.

Both the Neon and VW can be tons of fun in the dirt or on pavement. Try it with both and see which YOU like better? What do I know though? I rallycross a ZX-2
Jan. 24, 2011 1:51 p.m. Brett_Murphy Reader

In reply to cghstang:

My goal is to get both of them running, starting with the Golf, since I already have the parts I need. I'm scoping the used markets for things (like headers) that will work for either venue.

There's no question I'll go with what I think is more fun/enjoyable, but I like getting feedback form the masses on this. I figure I'm smart, but odds are good somebody smarter might have already done it and have some information I can use or build upon. Time is my great enemy, after all.

What rallycross forum are you on? I'd like to check it out.
Jan. 24, 2011 1:57 p.m. cghstang Reader

The forum generating those comments was the Detroit SCCA Forum.

I would consider the Dirty Impreza rallycross forum the most trafficked rallycross-specific forum that I know of. If anybody knows of a better one, or even another good one, I'd love to hear about it too.

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