Chrysler - Plymouth - Dodge Neon 2000-2005
Neon SRT-4 | In-depth Neon 2000 reviews and competitive comparisons | 1995-99 Neon
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The last car ever made by Plymouth was a 2001 Plymouth Neon.
The Second Generation Neon - changes from the first generation
With the second generation, Chrysler sought to address shortcomings of the first generation without losing the character of the car (you can decide for yourself whether they succeeded). It was designed to feel solid, provide "unexpected delights," yet stay fun to drive; it was also made larger, as all small cars were during that era. The second generation cut noise, vibration, and harshness, expanded the interior and trunk, and generally provided a higher quality feel. Two major problems of the Neon, frameless windows and the noisy exhaust donut, were eliminated, while engine mounts were made sturdier and designed to smooth the idle and quiet the engine.
Using ACR gear ratios in the manual-transmission model (for 2000 and 2001) cut gas mileage and added highway noise, but made pickup better in fifth gear and kept performance parallel to the lighter 1995-99 models without adding engine upgrades (like variable valve timing or a dual-length intake).
The new Neon cost $703 million and 28 months to create, a relatively small investment. It was built in a single factory, Belvidere. To reduce its environmental impact, the Neon used waterborne paint, molded-in color fascias, asbestos-free brakes, and door water shields made from recycled plastic.
The body structure was made tighter, with 37% better bending stiffness and 26% better torsional stiffness for a smoother, quieter, more controlled ride. One-piece body-side aperture panels were used for better fit/finish; the sill and center pillar reinforcements were improved, the engine compartment strengthened, and the floor pan and instrument panel stiffening beads were revised. Sound insulation included additional bake-on mastic and expandable foam baffles. The steering column was isolated to cut noise.
The suspension was redesigned to improve ride quality; front and rear jounce travel was increased by 15% and 30% for a smoother ride and less chance of bottoming. The ride height was raised slightly, with lower-rate springs and better shock absorbers to increase comfort. A more effective front sway bar and a now-standard rear sway bar kept handling and balance close to the original.
Brakes got a better pedal feel; front discs were universal, with rear drums on base models and disc brakes with ABS (which also included electronic brake proportioning and traction control, both contributed nearly free by the SCORE program.) The new Teves ABS system had less brake pulsation.
Engine (2.0 liter) and performance
Power on the base engine (for the United States) remained at 132-133 hp (98 kW) at 5600 rpm, torque increased slightly to 130 ft-lb (177 Nm) at 4600 rpm. (66.2 bhp per liter). A 1.8 liter engine based on the 2.0 was available in numerous export markets; less common was a 1.6 liter engine designed jointly with Rover, which ended up in the Mini (in 2008, the factory that made those engines was sold to Fiat).
2.0 liter engine differences from the first generation, beyond those mentioned earlier, were:
- New air induction systems increased peak torque slightly while quieting the engine
- New exhaust manifold, cylinder head cover, and timing belt cover all reduced noise
- Double Start Override disengaged starter to prevent double starting
- Four-point engine mount system reduced vibration at idle and increased the engine mount lifespan
- Reduced the idle speed for better fuel economy
- Increased cooling capacity for engine, transaxle and power steering
- New, dual cycloidal automatic transaxle pump for quieter operation (early 1999 introduction)
In the May 2002 issue of Grassroots Motorsports, seven cars under $20,000 were tested; each was autocrossed, timed from 0-60, and put onto a chassis dynometer. The cars included the Mazda MP3, Volkswagen Golf GTI turbo, Nissan Sentra SE-R, Focus SVT, Civic Si, and the Hyundai Tiburon V6. The Neon ACR finished mid-pack for 0-60 (7.9 seconds), but finished the road course ahead of every other vehicle. They loved the handling, saying that with the car dialed in right (the ACR has adjustable suspension components), the Dodge Neon had as close to perfect handling as it gets in this class; they found some handling complaints with every other car in the test. The Neon ACR was also the cheapest car in the test, by a good margin. (Thanks, Tommy Boy)
Body changes, first to second generation Neon cars
- Rear floor pan lowered 1.0 inch, adding to increased trunk space (13.1 cubic feet vs.11.8)
- Base of windshield moved forward three inches
- More pronounced wheel arches for crisper appearance
- Overall length increased 2.6 inches to 174.4; wheelbase increased by 1.0 inch to 105.0; overall width increased by 0.2 inches to 67.4. Track increased 0.6 inch to 58.0. Ground clearance raised by 0.3 inches to 6.1 to accommodate longer suspension travel
- Full-frame doors for reduced wind noise and water leaks, improved door fit and window function. Triple-sealed doors with heavy-gauge silencers provide highly protective barrier against door cavity and wind noise
A 60/40 split rear folding seat with head restraints means that you can use an aftermarket child seat (or have two passengers) without losing trunk access. There is easier rear-seat access, as well as more shoulder room (0.9 inches front, 1.5 inches rear), hip room (1.6 inches front, 2.3 inches rear) and rear head room (0.3 inches). The higher front seat (0.5 inches) improves visibility. Oddly, Chrysler kept the old climate controls, which were also used in the PT Cruiser, though many owners mistakenly kept the fan in "air conditoning" mode (the blue zone) when they just wanted regular air (white zone).
- Increased interior volume (103.4 cu. ft. vs.101.7) for more usable space throughout
- Easier rear seat entry and exit, 60/40 split rear folding seats with head restraints
- Revised front seat position (0.5 inch higher, track rearward by 0.4 inch)
- More shoulder room (0.9 inch front, 1.5 inch rear)
- More hip room (1.6 inch front, 2.3 inch rear)
- More rear head room (0.3 inch)
- New instrument panel with circular gauges
- More robust, dimensionally stable instrument panel structure
- Hydroformed steel cross-car beam with magnesium steering column support
- PC ABS base panel, self centering passenger air bag module
- Safety features:
- Next-generation air bags with less forceful inflators
- Seat belts with constant force retractors and adjustable turning loops
- Standard adjustable, locking front head restraints
- Adjustable, locking rear head restraints (optional)
- Head impact countermeasures in hard and soft trim
Standard equipment was upgraded to include a six-speaker cassette player, self-dimming interior lamps that faded out, a locking glove box with molded-in pen and tire gauges, a chime replacing the buzzer, and a battery saver that shut the dome light automatically.
European and other export Neons
The Neon was sold at a price premium outside the United States, competing against cars which Americans would never consider alongside the humble Neon. While it did have some competitive advantages - space and air conditioning, for example - fuel economy and small-engine acceleration worked against it.
Christopher Krisocki (WebTV user) wrote provided some information from a German 2002 car guide. The 1.6-liter engine in the Neon was listed as making 115hp (85kW) @ 5500 rpm, and 157 Nm torque @ 4550. A 2.0-liter Neon cost only 608 Euros more than a 1.6!
European version of the Chrysler Neon. |
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In the UK, Chrysler wrote: "The five speed manual transmission version returns 44.8 mpg on the extra urban cycle and 35.3 mpg on the combined cycle, due in part to the lower idle speed (30.7 mpg combined cycle and 39.8 mpg extra urban for the automatic). Performance is lively, with a top speed of 124 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 10.8 seconds for the five speed manual, and 114 mph top speed and 0-62 mph in 12 seconds for the automatic." These are Imperial gallons so if we do the conversion, we have about 35 mpg highway, 28 combined - at the cost of 2 seconds, zero to sixty. That's not a great improvement on the domestic which gets 0-60 times of about 8 seconds, with 28 city, 34 highway mileage (US gallons).
2001 Dodge Neon changes
For 2001, the Neon R/T and ACR (ACR hadn’t been made in 2000) came with a new SOHC Magnum engine — with 150 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque, roughly matching the old DOHC engine. EPA fuel economy ratings were 28 city, 35 highway (manual transmission), the same as the stanard engine; the differences were a different camshaft, electronically controlled dual-plenum intake, and dual exhaust/mufflers which include a 2.25 inch diameter exhaust pipe and stainless steel header. Both the Neon R/T and ACR were powered by the Magnum engine and had a trunk lid-mounted spoiler. The R/T had fog lights and black headlamp bezels, as well as a color-keyed instrument panel, and low-back bucket seats. The ES model also had a Sport version, with a rear spoiler, 16-inch aluminum wheels, and performance suspension. Leather and side airbags were optional on the Neon ES and Neon R/T.
Neon models were now SE, ES, R/T, and ACR. The SE had Goodyear Eagle GA tires (P185/65R14), with optional (standard on ES) P185/60R15 Eagle LS tires. The R/T came with P195/50R16H Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, an excellent combination (note the 16" wheels and low aspect ratio). The ACR came with P185/60R15 Goodyear NCT3 tires. All models except the SE came with ABS brakes.
Running changes from July 2000 include a modified manual transaxle with new second-and fourth-gear ratios, and child seat anchors. For 2001 rear center passengers got a shoulder harness, and people locked in the trunk got an emergency trunk lid release.
2002 Dodge Neon updates
2002 saw a four-speed automatic with gearing can best be described as "not well thought out." (This changed in 2003.) [2002 Dodge Neon SXT review]
2003 Dodge Neon updates
- The astounding Neon SRT-4 was unleashed with a turbocharger and over 200 horsepower.
- New front end styling arrived, with a Caravan-style grille area and lowered hood. New tail lamps and a new license plate surround in back were also rolled out.
- The
automatic transmission was retuned, with a new engine/transmission computer and quieter engine mounts. The new four-speed ratios had less hesitation, better acceleration, and better mileage. If you’re buying a second-generation Neon automatic, get a 2003 or newer model for this reason.
- Manual transmission returned to original (non-ACR) gear ratios, increasing gas mileage and lowering highway noise at the cost of some acceleration.
- The SXT replaced the ES, and the SRT-4 replaced the ACR.
- Dodge sayid 83% of first-time buyers would buy another Neon.
- New steering wheel with an aluminum Dodge medallion, new wheels and covers, six-disc in-dash CD player available on SXT and R/T.
- Sentry Key makes it hard to start the engine without the "real" key.
2004 Neon updates
The SRT-4 got a new computer for a wider torque range, revised power (230 hp / 172 kW at 5,300 rpm and 250 lb-ft / 339 Nm of torque from 2,200 to 4,400 rpm), as well as a new torque-sensing limited-slip differential as standard equipment. BF Goodrich KDW2 three-season tires and bright metal pedal pads were added, and an optional sun roof package became available, and electric blue replaced solar yellow paint. The SE, SXT, and R/T models only had the addition of midnight blue paint.
Second generation Dodge Neon Specifications
More specifications and comparisons to the Civic and Corolla
| Engine | 2.0 liter SOHC 16-valve in-line four cylinder |
| Construction | Cast iron block and bedplate, aluminum alloy head, structural aluminum oil pan |
| Power (SAE net) | 132 bhp (98 kW) @ 5600 rpm (66.2 bhp/liter) |
| Torque (SAE net) | 130 lb.-ft. (177 N-m) @ 4600 rpm |
| Maximum Engine Speed | 6750 rpm manual trans., 6720 automatic, electronically limited |
| Fuel | Unleaded regular gasoline, 87 octane |
| Wheelbase | 105.0 inches (2667 mm) |
| Track (Rear) | 58.1 inches (1476 mm) |
| Overall Length | 174.4 (4430) |
| Overall Width | 67.4 (1711) |
| Overall Height (a) | 56.0 (1421) |
| Curb Weight, lbs. (kg) | 2567 (1164) - higher |
| SAE Interior Volume | 90.3 cu. ft. (2.56 cu. m.) |
| Cargo Volume | 13.1 cu. ft. (371 L) |
| EPA Interior Volume Index | 103.4 cu. ft. (2.93 cu. m.) |
- Changes from 1999, technical details, specifications, more!
- First generation Neon
- Sales and production figures, 1995-2004 (on the “both generations” page)
- SRT-4
- 2001 Neon R/T information and review
- Neon 2000 reviews and competitive comparisons
- 2002-2003 Neon SXT automatic reviews
- Neon forum
Key Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge Neon car links
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