| Compact car; Built in USA, Mexico |
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| Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,900* |
1995 Plymouth Neon 2-door coupe
1996 Plymouth Neon 4-door sedan
1995 Plymouth Neon 2-door coupe
1997 Plymouth Neon 4-door sedan
1997 Plymouth Neon 4-door sedan
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All told, whether it’s wearing a Plymouth or Dodge badge, Neon ranks as good value–and a sensible choice–among subcompact cars. Watch out for engine overheating or blown head gaskets. Both are expensive to repair.
Overview
Chrysler Corporation’s subcompact front-drive Neon was introduced as a very early 1995 model available in virtually identical form through both Dodge and Plymouth dealers. First offered only as a 4-door sedan, Neon gained a 2-door coupe running mate later in that year. While sedans have been sold in base, Highline, and Sport price levels, until 1996 the coupe came only in Highline and Sport. Early Neons all carried a 132-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 5-speed manual transmission was standard; 3-speed automatic optional. Dual airbags were standard, while antilock brakes were standard on Sport models and optional on others.
Yearly Updates
| 1996 Neon Base models now rode 14-inch tires (formerly 13-inch), and body-colored bumpers replaced the prior gray bumpers. A less-expensive base-model coupe joined the lineup, making each body style available in three levels: base, Highline, and Sport. Initially standard on Sport models, antilock brakes and a rear spoiler dropped to the option list on all Neons. The 150-horsepower engine was available on base coupes equipped with a Competition Group, which included 4-wheel disc brakes, aluminum wheels, quicker-ratio power steering, a stiffer suspension, heavy-duty radiator, and a tachometer. |
| 1997 Neon Neon Sport models disappeared after 1996, but a new Expresso package included fog lights, a rear spoiler, 14-inch wheel covers, and special body graphics. |
| 1998 Neon The Base model was dropped for ’98, leaving only Highline and Competition trim levels. |
| 1999 Neon An all-new Neon debuted in early 1999, but some 4-door and 2-door models of the old design remained on sale throughout ’99. DaimlerChrysler expected to drop the Plymouth-badged Neons after the 2001 model year, as part of the phaseout of the Plymouth brand. |
