didn't adam sandler write a song about a POS car LOL.

 

How much autocross experience do you have? Have you autocrossed a crossfire? Have you autocrossed an ACR? I have done both, and i have seen others do both. I am not taking anything too far.

As to Honda, no paradox at all. I have owned 3 Hondas and was not the least bit impressed with any of them. My Accord needed a tranny at 47K, and it was a very gently driven DD. My Prelude ate front pads every 15K, and again it was not raced or beaten on in any way. It was in the shop every few months, nickel and dimed me to death. Now, i guess i could call all hondas POS's based on my experience, but i don't do that. However, i do not worship at the altar of Honda unwavering reliability either. I owned 3 Neons, and all were very reliable. Yes, i did have the dreaded HG issue in my 95, but it was fixed for free, so i don't care. I am just tired of all the riced out Hon-DUHS, and like seeing other cars being modified and personalized by the younger guys and girls. THAT was the point i was making when i mentioned that.

MAYAman, what is it about the neon that makes it a POS? How many have you owned? What was wrong with them? I enjoy sharing info and swapping stories with fellow enthusiasts. I enjoy and appreciate enthusiasts like the starter of this thread, sharing their track experiences with their cars. What i really don't care for is "automotive elitism". I have respect for anyone with the expertise to modify their car correctly to increase it's performance. Doesn't matter to me if it's a Neon, a Focus, A Firebird, OR a Crossfire. (not to be confused with someone who puts a fart can and a 4 foot wing on something, thats just weird).

 

Just out of curiosity, what year Accord and Prelude did you have?

If you had a 1998-2002 Accord, they issued a recall-type letter to owners stating issues with the transmissions. The powertrain warranty was extended to 100,000 miles and if customers paid to have it fixed/replaced before the notification - they will reimburse you.
I've got a 2001 Accord EX V6 with 82,000 miles that has only been to the shop once in it's life - for a strange sounding power seat motor, which was replaced without issue.

Had a 1997 Prelude until 3/06. It had 129,000 miles on it and was extremely reliable. Only problem was the EGR valve at 115,000 miles which they replaced for free because Honda service dept. said 'Even though it is out of warranty, it should have lasted longer than that.' Preludes do eat brakes though, but mine went a lot longer than 15,000 miles.

I am not posting this to argue with anyone, I was just curious about your Hondas and I wanted to let you know about the trans issue.

As for the Neon subject. My only experience with a Neon is this: My junior prom - 1995. My girlfriend had just gotten a first gen Neon w/auto trans. On the way to the gym from the restaurant, my buddy had his mom's 93 or 94 Camaro V6. He wanted to race. Knowing that he would blow the doors off the Neon, I decided to amuse him, and we raced. It was on a 4 lane highway and we were going about 45-55 and raced up until about 80-85. The Neon came out ahead. He was pissed. Could have been a fluke, I don't know. That's my only experience with a Neon though.

 

My Accord was a '92 and my Prelude was a '95. Both purchased new. What your buddy with the Camaro didn't realize is that 40-80 is the sweet spot for an A3 Neon. They are slugs off the line due to a 3 speed auto+ the typical low torque of a 16V NA 4 banger. From a roll they pulled pretty hard.
I had a PT Cruiser that i bought new in 2001. I traded it in last fall. It never went to shop for anything other than routine stuff...oil changes, tires, brakes. Never had one single problem with it. Not one. Same with the Stratus i sold right before i bought my Crossfire. Some people would call both of those cars POS's, and that's part of my point.
I have been big into VW's all my life, and i see a lot of what i call "elitist" attitude on the VW forums. I just happen to disagree with that way of thinking, so i say so. I don't consider your posting, or anyone's, as arguing. It's all good...
I am hoping to get my Crossfire to the drag strip this summer, time will tell.