SE ($13,615) is the base Neon, and it is basic, with wind-up windows, manual door locks, and 14-inch steel wheels. Air conditioning costs extra ($1,000). Mirrors and body-side moldings are black. However, SE does come with tilt steering, cloth front bucket seats, a 60/40 split folding back seat, AM/FM/cassette stereo with four speakers, and vanity mirrors. Options: AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers ($175), cruise control ($250).

SXT ($15,925) adds air conditioning, AM/FM/CD with six speakers, power front windows, power door locks (with speed-sensitive automatic locking), keyless remote, power mirrors, power trunk lid release, tachometer, map lights, 15-inch aluminum wheels, and body-color door handles and bodyside molding.

SXT options: power sunroof ($695), six-disc in-dash CD changer ($350), trunk-lid spoiler ($100), and a Sport Appearance group ($150) that includes the spoiler, fog lamps, body-color or satin-silver bezels for the instrument panel, center stack, and shifter, and differently styled 15-inch aluminum wheels. 2005 SXT models are also available with the SRT Design Package, which includes most of the Sport Appearance items and adds a power bulge on the hood, unique front fascia, and dual exhaust tips. Colors are limited to Blast Orange, Bright Silver, Flame Red, and Black.

SXT and SE come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 132 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional on the SE ($825); SXT buyers actually get a credit for the automatic (less $115). Power rack-and-pinion steering is standard on both models. Antilock four-wheel disc brakes (ABS) are optional $695) and come with electronic brake proportioning (EBD). We highly recommend opting for ABS as it allows the driver to maintain steering control in a panic-braking situation.

SRT-4 ($20,650) comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter dual-overhead cam inline-4 rated at 230 horsepower. SRT-4 also features a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, 17-inch aluminum wheels with 50-series ultra-high performance three-season tires, high-performance suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Viper-inspired sport seats, plus special trim inside and out, including bright pedal pads. A sunroof is optional ($695). SRT-4 is available only with manual transmission.

The Kicker audio package ($795) for SXT and SRT-4 consists of a 208-watt Kicker amplifier, eight speakers, sub-woofer, and six-disc CD changer.

Safety features: Seat-mounted side-impact air bags are optional ($390) on all Neons; we strongly recommend them. Three-point seat belts are provided for all three rear-seat positions. Always wear your seatbelts as they are your first line of defense in an accident. The LATCH child safety-seat anchor system, an emergency inside release for the trunk lid, and child-protection door locks are standard on all 2005 Dodge Neons.