1995-1999 Plymouth and Dodge Neon cars

The first-generation Neon broke the rules: it was far faster than competitors, roomier inside, handled better, and, most of all, was cheaper to make, becoming the first American small car to make a profit in many years. The Plymouth and Dodge Neon were an instant success on the track, where the pair swept the front wheel drive stock car races with their revvy engine, sharp cornering, and ACR race-prep package.

The Neon made automakers to scramble to add horsepower and room and fun. It put cheap plastic smiles onto competing cars' faces and served as a detailed guide for the next year's Geo Metro exterior and Chevy Cavalier interior; and it forced other automakers to finally bump up their standard-engine horsepower into three-digit territory.

With a manual transmission, Chrysler said that the 1995 Neon was 13% faster 0-60 than the 2.5-liter Shadow, and 1.5% faster 0-60 than the 2.2 liter Omni/Horizon; 40-60 mph was identical to the 2.2 L-body and 4% faster than the 2.5 P-body. Grade % at 55 mph was identical to the P-body, and 5.6% faster than the L-body. With an automatic, 0-60 was 13.6% faster than the P-body, 21.6% faster than the L-body; grade and 40-60 times were similarly faster than the predecessors.

Neon performance

• The factory racing package: Neon ACR.
• Increasing your Neon's performance.
• Alan Dahl contributed Neon SCCA racing and model information.
• Chrysler PR sent us the Neon's racing successes.
• Suspension and brake details
• Mike V. contributed some information on drag racing (deep vs shallow staging).
• Horsepower vs torque discussion.

Repairs

• Noises
• Other problems and common repairs - including brake adjustments
• Step-by-step clutch replacement guide, with photos.
• Note: Howell Auto has export (amber) tail lights and other Neon replacement parts (we don't get a commission!).

Technical information

Click here to buy Haynes Dodge & Plymouth Neon, 1995-1999 - currently (when this was typed) 20% off.

• How the Neon does it: the suspension and brakes
• Neon IRC (chat) page
• Drivetrain info: Overview
• Environmental impact reduction
• Outer body engineering
• 2.0 liter SOHC engine
• 2.0 liter DOHC engine
• 1.8 liter SOHC engine
• Safety
• Manual transmission

General information - links

• The Neon ushered in a new era of participative design and engineering.
• Using computers to design the Neon.
• We now have a pictorial showing a 1995 Dodge Neon being assembled at the Belvidere plant
• We have three five-year ownership reviews of the 1995 Neon
• When the Neon first came out, it was to feature two-stroke engines. What happened?
• We have details on Neons outside the US and Canada from Brazil to the UK
• We also have technical details on the 2000 Neon as well as a review.
• Neon links
• A full page of first-generation Neon photos
• Brief video - extracts from the glove-compartment videotape

The competition (1995-99)

Comparisons with the Toyota Corolla | the 1961 Dodge Lancer | the Chevrolet Cavalier Convertible

Don't even bother looking at the sluggish, unreliable Escort. Neon had a nicer ride, better acceleration, and much more space. The Neon also beat the Civic, especially after the Civic dropped its double-wishbone suspension; and you had to get a Civic EX to get even close to the Neon's horsepower, without matching the Neon's torque in any way.

We strongly recommend a five-speed manual transmission with the Neon. If you get an automatic, you don't get the point. If you don't know how to drive a stick, learn.

The Neon's performance dominance has ended now, but as a used car, it still has a good balance of space, handling, acceleration, value, and comfort.

J. Kelsey wrote: "I am the proud owner of a 1997 Neon SOHC. I just tripped 300,000 miles today. I am a courier and race autocross on the weekends. I have a lead foot and dog my car out everywhere I go. In addition to this I neglect my car's maintenance needs to the point of disbelief. For instance the last time I changed my oil was at 262k. If I am careful I can still get close to 40 mpg and it will still catch rubber in second gear. It is however starting to show some of its miles....such as the struts that really need to be replaced... This is an exceptional car and I plan to put another 200k on it."

1998 changes

Neons outside of the US and Canada had a 1.8 liter engine based on the 2.0, with 115 hp but better mileage. It was available only with a five-speed manual transmission.

A Neon R/T model was added with a standard DOHC and a more aggressive five-speed. Side-impact protection was increased, and redesigned seat belts made operation easier and impacts safer. Window seals were improved, noise again reduced.  Gas mileage was up to 41 highway on (non-R/T, non-ACR) manual transmission models.

James Deane wrote that the Neon Style arrived late in the year, with a sunroof, leather steering wheel and shift knob, body color painted door handles, four doors, and tango cloth fabric interior without the color swatches. Few have ever seen one.

Sales figures

Michael Karesh provided these overall production numbers.

1995: 546,000 (model year started in January 1994 and ended in mid-1995)
1996: 277,000
1997: 265,000
1998: Total production unknown; U.S. sales were 211,000