Possible project Car: 95 Neon - What to do with it?

Hi y'all

I can have an old, but working Dodge Neon (base - no AC, no
frills) for free. It runs well, but has rust here and there. Some
mechanical work is required. But beside this, I am wondering what
to do with it? In fact, can I do anything creative with it? My
initial options are:

1) a simple restoration - nothing more (repair rust and engine)
2) pimp it (for fun)
3) using it the basis for a kit car conversion. This is my ideal
option, but I have no idea if one can even use the Neon for this?
Can you insight me if this is even possible? Are there any kit
car conversion that can make use of the Neon's mechanicals?

I want this to be a project for my 2 pre-teen boys and I (sharing
some quality time). Can you help?

Thanks for *any* and all suggestions!

Ice

 

How about automating the bejeepers out of it & make it a show
car?
Not just locks & windows; voice commands, proximity sensors/voice
responses, calls home, etc etc etc. It can get to be a long list
if so inclined. The technology all exists and isn't all that
expensive.
Of course, customize too.

Pop

 

I'd start with the basics, fix it up back to "original" condition so it
would be driveable for them when they're old enough. That alone will
probably keep them (and you) quite busy fixing all the little stuff,
most of which will be fairly cheap (sanding, adjusting, etc.)

You need to learn how to walk before you can run.


Then, if they're like most boys, they'll want a 5000W stereo and a
nitrous kit.

 

You are dealing with a "one-use, disposable" car here.......like a Gillette
"Good News" razor.

I wouldn't try to sharpen a disposable razor nor would I try to "restore" a
Neon with a little "....rust here and there....."

A little ".....rust here and there......" could, easily, include rust in
critical areas of a unibody design.....

A little ".....rust here and there...." in the rocker panels usually means
a very compromised structural integrity since the rockers - as a rule -
are the psuedo frame rails in a unibody.

Stuffing newspaper in the holes and covering it with body filler isn't,
exactly, "restoration" of the original structural integrity. Steel wool or
window screen offer no measurable improvement over the newspaper, either.

The only use I can think of for a "....no frills Neon..." with a little
"....rust here and there......" is a stripped-down woods bomber.

 

Do you live in an area where air conditioning isn't common and do you
need a basic transportation car? If so fix it up enough that it runs
and is reliable.

You will probably find that rust visible on the surface means lots more
potentially serious rust below. My guess is the car came from the snow
belt where lots of salt was used on the roads. If so expect lots of
under car damage.

That's an immature and disgusting descriptive.

Anything is possible, it's just a question of time and money. Most kit
cars are designed to be used with a specific range of cars, so you need
to decide which style kit car appeals and then contact the makers to
see if they have one that works with a Neon. To be honest the Neon
(aka Kneeon 'cause your knees usually hit the dash) was inexpensive to
begin with and most of them were run with little maintenance and
disposed of once problems began to surface.

Largely a waste of time considering the car. If a project car is of
interest then get something pre-computer that you can work on at home
and will be worth something when you finish. One other consideration,
the boys. If they don't have much of an interest in repairing cars,
don't be surprised, especially that car. Kids today don't get a very
good image of auto shop from school. It is treated as one of the
vocational classes that school failures are sent through, unlike when I
was in school.

Your kids may be different, but most of the kids I've seen don't know a
screwdriver from a socket and treat home auto repair with disdain.