The Neon was a small compact car sold across all Chrysler brands from 1995 to 2005. It was an internationally marketed car, so its audience wasn’t strictly the U.S. and Canada. And it was only produced as a sedan with either two or four doors (no hatchbacks or wagons). The seller has the Plymouth-badged version of a 1996 Neon, and it had some work done before it was parked indoors a few months ago. Located in Endeavor, Wisconsin, it looks pretty good, though it still needs more tinkering, and it’s available here on craigslist for $4,300. Thanks for the tip, Jack M.!
First-generation Neons were sold through 1999. It used the engineering of the day, which included front-wheel drive and two versions of a 2.0-liter inline-4. The seller’s car has the 132 hp SOHC iteration, though a 150 hp DOHC was also available, and it has an automatic transmission, while a 5-speed was standard. Perhaps because Plymouth was nearing its expiration point at Chrysler, the Dodge version of the Neon was the better seller of the three brands.
The seller bought this Mopar off its original owner in 2024 with just 17,000 miles. The seller used it for a while as a daily driver and at least doubled that figure, though some issues with the odometer suggest it may be closer to 40,000 now. The water and fuel pumps were replaced last year along with the head gasket, but the seller stopped using it and parked it inside his garage. A leaking cam oil seal was also repaired, but there are remnants of that oil on the undercarriage.
While the body and dark green paint look good, the seller says there are a few little dings and scratches. But if you plan to use the vehicle as a 2nd or 3rd car, that won’t matter. The interior looks sharp, but we’re told there is a rip in the back seat, not in the photos. Besides the odometer being a little wacky, the fuel gauge shares that same affliction. The car is also going to need new rear brakes, and the seller has the parts. There were a lot of these Neons on the road 25-30 years ago, but not many anymore. And you could buy one new for $15,000!
A ’96 Dodge Neon on this site? Jeez, now I know I’m getting old.
Nobody should hate on the Plymouth brand. They were good. I hope the next owner fixes all the problems this car has because it has potential to be a reliable one for a long time yet and great canadate for rad wood car show.
Pricey. Rare, now doesn’t equate to increased value, it has too many problems for the asking price. The sellers emotional attachment doesn’t get a buyers premium.
Steve R
That’s a $1,500 car (maybe) with all the problems. If there were zero issues and the body/paint/interior were near perfect, (body defects & seat rip) maybe $2,500-$3,500, more if it was a five speed..
We had a 1996 as well. It was white with a gray interior and the plastic hubcaps were white. It was the cab forward styling of the day from Chrysler and it did look nice. I thought the two doors looked nicer though. What I absolutely hated about this vehicle was that it set too low. There was near a foot of unused headroom above me and I kept wishing that the seat could’ve been higher. I’m 5’11”. To me, it seemed the latest version of a K-car. There were no mechanical issues with it, but I couldn’t wait to get rid of it because of the seating position.
neon noodle needs more than TLC
Recalls were, but not limited to: Throttle body PCV freezing, causing jammed throttle, suspension had inadequate welding on the control arms, causing loss of control, brakes, starter motor fires, and inadequate child restraint, but other than that, not a bad car. Again, these are the cars parked outside mobile home parks.
My mom had one. I was well past the point of the “inadequate child restraint” affecting me, in fact my first major grown-son thing done for her was to go online and confirm via the Neon owner forum, the existence of the secret extended warranty on the head gasket. It required having the work done by the dealer, paying upfront and contacting Chrysler in writing with the paperwork.
I ended up wishing I had the skills to DIY, or the money at that point to carry her through the lean month until the check from Auburn Hills arrived, but it did.
Wow, this car brings back some bad memories…same color too! What was I thinking?
I have raced a Neon for more than 20 years. Great platform with relatively minor tweaks. I won three NASA regional championships in my Neon, two of which were in different classes in the same year. When NASA cancelled Spec Neon series (rumor has it that Ford insisted because the Neon spanked Spec Focus at the National Championship), another racer and I decided to run a Neon with the 24 Hours of Lemons. Our Lemons was prepared legitimately for $400 ($100 under the supposed $500 limit). Finish 8th overall out of 108 entries at Buttonwillow with outside temperatures near 100 degrees. Switched series a couple time; now running with Lucky Dog. Two DNF over 15 years; mutiple outright wins including one 24 hour race where we finished 11 laps ahead of second place. Still have one and plan on keeping it.
The ‘Bic” disposable lighter of cars.
The ad campaign “Hi” is all I can think of when I see one of these.
Weird way to market a car.