My first car like many of you was a small compact car and if you lived in the era of fast and furious part 1 and the video game needed for speed underground you probably modified your car. For me it was a 1997 White Plymouth Neon, I couldn’t afford the Jeep Cherokee at the time. But I learned all of my DIY car Audio and electrical repair from this car. I loved that damn car and did so many amateaur upgrades, until I rear ended a Ford Aerostar on 8 mile and totaled it.
The Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth Neon is a front-engine, front-wheel drive compact that was introduced in January 1994 for model year 1995 by Chrysler Dodge and Plymouth divisions in two- and four-door body styles over two generations.
Marketed in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Egypt, Australia, and South America as a Chrysler, the Neon was offered in multiple versions and configurations over its production life, which ended after the 2005 model year.
The first generation Neon was introduced in January 1994 and manufactured until August 1999. It was available as a four-door and a two-door. Available engines were SOHC and DOHC versions of Chrysler’s 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine producing 132 hp (98 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 129 lb⋅ft (175 N⋅m) at 5,000 rpm or 150 hp (110 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 133 lb⋅ft (180 N⋅m) at 5,600 rpm, respectively; transaxle options were a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic or a five-speed manual
Neons had unconventional option availability, including the lack of power windows in the rear doors. Certain color base-model Neons, including red and black, had bumper covers molded in color rather than painted. These covers, while textured and not as glossy as paint, absorbed scuffs and scrapes with less visible damage. The mid-level Highline models in 1995 and 1996 used wheel covers with a bubble design. Initially, Neons were available in many bold colors including Nitro yellow-green, Lapis Blue, Aqua, and Magenta. Paint color choices became more subdued by the 1998-1999 model years, as the majority of buyers opted for more conventional tones.
Plymouth Neon: 1995–1999
- base – 1995-1995 – Standard features included thirteen-inch (13″) steel wheels with wheel covers, AM/FM stereo with 4 speakers, dual front SRS airbags, 2.0L Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, five-speed manual transmission.
- Highline – 1994–1999- Added to Base air conditioning, side molding, daytime lights, remote trunk release, painted bumper.
- Sport – 1994–1996- Added to Highline color-keyed wheel covers, AM/FM stereo with a cassette player, equalizer, CD changer controls, and 6 speakers.
- Expresso – 1995–1999- Added to Highline power front windows an AM/FM stereo with cassette player.
- EX – 1997–1999
- ACR – 1995–1999- Stood for American Club Racer, added alloy wheels to Base.
- Style – 1997–1999
Another Classic Dodge/Plymouth Neon
The first generation Neon was introduced at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show[13][14][15] and went on sale in January 1994 for the 1995 model year. It was available as a four-door notchback sedan and a two-door notchback coupe. Available engines were SOHC and DOHC versions of Chrysler’s 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine producing 132 hp (98 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 129 lb⋅ft (175 N⋅m) at 5,000 rpm or 150 hp (110 kW) at 6,500 rpm and 133 lb⋅ft (180 N⋅m) at 5,600 rpm, respectively; transmission options were a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic or a five-speed manual.
The car was badged and sold as both a Dodge and a Plymouth in the United States and Canada; in Mexico and Gulf Cooperation Council it was sold as a Dodge and a Chrysler, and in Europe, Australia, and other export markets it was sold as the Chrysler Neon. At the Neon’s release, then president of Chrysler Corporation Bob Lutz said, “There’s an old saying in Detroit: ‘Good, fast, or cheap. Pick any two.’ We refuse to accept that.”
The Japanese press touted the Neon as the “Japanese car killer”, due to a spiraling Yen due to the Japanese “bubble economy” crash and the lower production cost of the Neon.The Neon also became the first Chrysler small car sold in Japan but despite focused attention, only 994 were sold in Japan between June and December 1996. The Neon was classed in the larger “Normal sized Passenger vehicles” tax bracket according to the Japanese Government dimension regulations which obligated Japanese owners for additional yearly road taxes which affected sales. The Neon received praise for its appearance, price, and power when compared to competing cars such as the Honda Civic DX at 102 hp (76 kW), the Civic EX at 127 hp (95 kW), the Nissan Sentra at 115 hp (86 kW), the Ford Escort ZX2 at 130 hp (97 kW), the Toyota Corolla at 115 hp (86 kW), the Saturn S-Series at 100 hp (75 kW) for SOHC variants and 124 hp (92 kW) for DOHC variants, and the Chevrolet Cavalier Base and LS models at 120 hp (89 kW), among others. Car and Driver tested the DOHC 5-speed equipped Neon R/T and reported that it could run 0–60 in 7.6 seconds and 16.0 seconds in the quarter mile. First-generation Neon’s were competitive in SCCA Solo autocross and showroom-stock road racing.
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