Both Dodge and Plymouth offered their version of the Neon, which was basically the same car. I can’t think of another time when two separate car companies offered the same car with the same name at the same time, but I know it’ll come to me once you all start throwing names out there. This ultra-low-mileage showroom condition 1996 Dodge Neon Highline is posted here on craigslist in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $4,450. Here is the original listing, and thanks to ultra-low-mile Rocco B. for the tip!
There were three trim levels of the Dodge Neon in this era: the base model, a Highline as seen here, and a Sport model. The base model had black side mirrors, as does the Highline, but the Highline has body color side moldings rather than black, so it’s pretty easy to decipher what model car you’re looking at. The Sport trim has body color mirrors and a few other features, but those are the easy ones to quickly identify the three different Neon models. The Sport model also has a blower sticking out of the hood, so that’s really easy to tell. Just kidding, of course.
The seller posted just 10 photos of what sounds like the world’s nicest Neon. I’d sure post as many as I could if I were trying to get the most money out of this car, but I’m weird. I also wouldn’t have posted half of those 10 photos as verticals, but again, I’m weird, as clearly most craigslist sellers prefer this method. We have to assume that the rear of the car looks as perfect as the three front photos show, and the trunk looks nice. Are those square things speakers? How about these solid rocker panels?! Here’s a 1995 Neon brochure, I couldn’t find a ’96 version.
The Lapis Blue exterior was available with two interior colors: Driftwood and Quartz, as seen here. As expected, the two interior photos (again, you’re trying to get the most money for your car on an online auction where buyers will only see photos) show what looks like a perfect interior. There is a photo showing the gauges with a six-digit odometer reading of 018,653, so this really is a low-mile car.
20 minutes of detailing would have done wonders here; this would be an easy engine to make look a lot better than it does. It’s Chrysler’s 2.0-liter SOHC inline-four with 132 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque. It’s passed through the automatic you saw in the interior photo, and rolls the front wheels. I’m assuming the AC works as all they say is that this car is in mint condition inside and out, and that works for me. Any thoughts on this Neon?
A very nice example. These were all over the place in Quebec during the 90’s and suddenly around early 2000’s they mostly dissappeared. At the parts counter i worked in that era we did keep a steady supplies of suspension and steering components as they seemed a weak spot.
For a very solid, original car only 30 yrs old this is what I call good basic transportation, NOT a collector piece. These Neons never did have any collectability–after all they are econoboxes of the 90’s. But for a car a parent could buy for their high-schooler, you can’t beat it. My only question is parts and service. What’s still available for these? Given it’s age, nothing from MoPar would be around today. Something to consider on any Neon a person might consider buying.