'91 civic hatch dx or '04 neon sxt

Can someone just pick for me?

Both options are under 1g and in decent condition. They each are relatively stock and run and drive.

I'm leaning toward the civic hatch because it seems as if it would be easier to work on. And even though each would be cheap, I can't imagine anything being cheaper than a civic. The neon has the benefit of being 13 years newer.

The goal is to autox a stock class but if I end up somewhere else I don't care.

Any glaring reason to pick one over the other??

Neon + SRT swap

I vote Neon just because it's less likely to be stolen than any EG Civic

Now what if I said the hatch had 150k and the neon had 200k

The Civic is lighter and has better suspension geometry. It's definitely a better basis for motorsports.

Friend of mine just bought a EF Si hatch, and sold his 02 neon R/T shortly afterwards. He has marvelled at the size of the Honda aftermarket compared to the neon. Being a non-SRT neon means that the suspension, engine, and other parts are specific and don't crossover to the lower models. Even being the Chrysler "fanboy" I am at times, I'd get the civic.

And in an interesting turn of events the race is tied!

There is a fair chance one of these vehicles will end up in my driveway this weekend.

Having owned a Neon, I would say they are a fun car to beat on. Being into Autocross though, a 91 Civic would be a lot of fun. I think if it were a first gen DOHC Neon with a 5 speed I would take that, but since its second Gen Neon I would go with the Civic. The Second Gen, while more refined, meaning the windows arent frame less and the trunk is less likely to leak, is heavier and I dont feel like it could be as competitive in stock class. It would be easy to add RT parts to the first Gen, converting to an SRT4 is a bit more involved.

I vote civic

Im unsure of the stock classing for the Honda, but the neon will be in g street under scca rules. Itll never be competitive there.