CHEAP THRILLS, WITH DARN GOOD LOOKS

       It's time for thinking like a kid again, because I guess that's what this car demands.
       Imagine, then, a 20-something man sitting and dreaming as his office hours tick away, lost in a trance of his own. He has no motivation to work despite the boss's deadlines. Does he sound familiar?
       It's his first job, and he spends a lot of time dreaming of a big salary, being the boss, flashing a company credit card and, most of all, driving an impressive car. But he's been at work long enough to know nothing comes easily; there's a long way to go, and it seems he's mired in mediocrity. How much would a good car change his attitude?
       The grim reality is his ony choices for a new car that won't make him "save on that Coke" at lunch are a Honda or a Toyota. And if he feels the need to modify it to turn a few heads, that'll cost a little more.
       The solution may be (and here comes the reason for all of this) the Proton Neo CPS.
       The CPS is a slightly higher-performance version of its little sister, the Neo - a car that looks good and feels great to drive but has poor acceleration. When Phranakorn Auto Sales, the Proton distributor in Thailand, realised many buyers of standard Neos Neos modified their cars, it seemed logical they should bring in a hotshot version.
       The Neo CPS comes with every addition to slacken the jaws of boy racers. Possibly the first most obvious modification is the huge spoilder that sticks out at the rear. Then there is an agressive body kit that includes a front bumper, rear diffuser and side skirts. It makes the Neo CPS a far more menacing sight in a rear-view mirror than the standard model.
       What may be a little overdone are the large wheel arches with bolts on them. While the intention was to lend the Neo CPS a sence of power, the small wheels mena it looks more like a scrawny teenager wearing his daddy's suit. However, new 16-inch alloy wheels attempt to improve the look. On the inside, the modifications are more limited. There is red trim on the seats, door handles and gear lever. "Premium" is a word that simply does not apply in this case. Some might even call it tacky.
       However, the modifications that have created the Neo CPS are not all superficial gloss. The front track has been narrowed by 3 millimetres, while the rear has been widened by 13mm - a change made because Proton accepts that the standard Neo suffers from a little too much oversteer. The 1.6-litre engine produces 125 horsepower, compared with 110hp in the standard Neo.
       As I mentioned earlier, the standard Neo is already a good car to drive. Its weakest link is the engine, which is simply underpowered. You'd think the 15hp addition would make things better with the CPS, but dig deeper into the spec sheet, and you'll see a weight increase of 43 kilograms.
       It's when trying to ovetake that you realise how sluggish the Neo CPS sremains. Like a barking dog with no bite, the Neo CPS will growl all the way to 160kph. But unless you've got a good few minutes and long stretch of empty road, don't try it. The Neo CPS is most comfortable at speeds of 80-110kph. Another annoying fact is that at any point above 2,500rpm, the engine is tool loud for comfort, and you become sligthly tone deaf at speeds of 120-140kph.
       At the rear of the Neo CPS, there's a badge that says: "Handling by Lotus." This signifies that the British sports-car company owned by Proton was involved in beefing up the car's handling. The Neo CPS does handle sharper and holds it ground well in corners.
       But while it can still be considered a driver's car, what the Neo CPS lacks are the little details that lead to perfection. Like a 170-centimentre shorty like me. You head is too close to the roof, and not being low enough diminished the dricing experience. Then there are low-quality plastics and a sound system that can turn some buyers away.
       If I've given you negative impressions of the Neo CPS, then let me turn that around with a number: Bt698,000. That makes it the cheapest and best-looking driver;s car available in the Thai market. But there remainsa dilemma. A standard Neo costs Bt564,000, a whole Bt134,000 cheaper. Is it better value to buy a standard version and slap on some modifications later? Considering the car's cost is similar to that of a Yaris or a Jazz, it may become an emotional decision.
       If you're that 20-something man mentioned above, go for the CPS and drive the wheels off of it! You're sure to be satisfied, if not on the road, then certainly emotionally.