2000 Plymouth Neon Review
2000 Plymouth Neon Review
View more photos
Used Neon for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Large interior, competent handling, dirt-cheap.
Cons
- Peppy DOHC engine gone, low roofline, no more coupe.
What’s new
Side-impact airbags and leather seats are now available in Plymouth's economy car. If you've got a hankering for the Plymouth nameplate, act fast; as of 2002 Plymouth will be closing shop and subsuming its identity to the gods of DaimlerChrysler.
Edmunds says
Even though it's been redesigned, the Neon retains strengths such as its spunky attitude and weaknesses such as a lack of powertrain refinement - - the optional automatic tranny is still a primitive three-speed unit.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.57 per gallon for regular unleaded in New Hampshire.
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Hampshire
$164/mo for Neon Highline
Neon Highline
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
DaimlerChrysler is billing the current-generation Neon as "quiet, sophisticated and still a lot of fun." Fun seems to be the catchword for the Neon. It's used repeatedly by the manufacturer including, "fun-to-drive handling and steering" and "fun-to-drive attributes." Its maker obviously wants people to know that while the Neon has grown up, it hasn't grown old. It's probably worthwhile for them to stress the fun factor, since the coupe version has been absent since the 2000-model-year redesign, meaning that a four-door sedan will have to suffice for all those economy car thrill-seekers out there.
While a fun factor still exists when piloting the Plymouth Neon, the "quiet, sophisticated" aspects are nowhere to be found. The standard 132-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four received improvements to the air induction and intake manifold systems last year to provide torque over a broader rpm range, but the powerplant still makes too much noise at high rpms.
A word of advice: make sure you stick with the standard equipment five-speed manual transmission. Plymouth has the cojones to charge $600 for its lame-ass and out-of-date three-speed automatic while the cheaper Hyundai Elantra and Daewoo Nubira offer four-speed autos. Whatever.
With a refined suspension that offers plenty of wheel travel, the Neon's ride is smooth, and it's further enhanced with premium shock absorbers and rear sway bars. The power rack-and-pinion steering and precisely tuned suspension also contribute to the Neon's cruising quality while making it an absolute blast when canyon carving. Stopping power comes from a front disc/rear drum combo, but buyers may want to opt for four-wheel discs with ABS and traction control.
We genuinely like the Neon's exterior features that include jewel-like headlamps, a sleek roofline, and large tail lamps. With a long wheelbase and wide track, the Neon also offers exceptional interior room and a stable ride.
Items like a radio/cassette combo and four Big Gulp-sized cupholders are much appreciated, yet overall feature content is still lacking. You can't even get power rear windows or cruise control as standard equipment. New options for 2001, including side-impact airbags and leather seats, have somewhat expanded the Neon's feature list. We also give Plymouth credit for creating an attractive cabin with available white-faced gauges and a swoopy dash that appears very upscale.
Unfortunately, competitors like the Ford Focus, Mazda Protege and Nissan Sentra offer more bang for the buck in terms of both refinement and content while still providing enthusiasts with a fun-to-drive car. We bid a fond adieu to Plymouth.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 Plymouth Neon.
5 star(62%)
4 star(26%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(0%)
42 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
It's a shame they stopped making these!
MadScotsMan, 12/05/2008
2000 Plymouth Neon LX 4dr Sedan
This car was originally purchased for my wife in 2002. I have been driving it regularly since 2006. It has 122,000 miles on it it runs like a champ. No major issues at all. I drive about 50% dirt roads and it handles great in all road/weather conditions...particularly good in snow with good tires. I drive in some pretty awful conditions and am quite confident in the Neon. This has proven … to be one of the most reliable, fun to drive and economical cars I've ever purchased. The only problem I've had is leaky window and trunk seals. I look forward to many more enjoyable miles out of this fun and terribly underrated car. Excellent rally-cross capabilities!
5 out of 5 stars
Best for the MONEY!!
elite_iv, 06/28/2003
2000 Plymouth Neon LX 4dr Sedan
Many people are of the opinion that
Neons are junk, but I tell you I have
had one for three years and have never
had a problem with it. They revamped
the Neon in 2000 to make a statement in
both styling and performance. The car
is solid handles well and is enjoyable
to drive. If you are looking for a
sporty little 4 door with a nice
factory sound system this is the … car
for you.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great Car.
ecd2d, 05/07/2005
2000 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan
I bought my Neon 4 years ago, for most of those years, I put 20,000+ miles plus per year, the car is now at 108,000, just had timing belt replaced, the car runs magically. Compared to my husband's Honda, the Neon is doing better.
4.63 out of 5 stars
2000 Plymouth Neon
Gary Bader, 06/28/2008
2000 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan
It is a great car. I had very little problems with it. I would buy another one. Great in the snow.
2000 Neon Highlights
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 27 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $164/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2000 Plymouth Neon info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Nissan Armada 2013
- Used Volvo XC60 2010
- Used Ram Promaster City 2015
- Used Scion XD 2010
- Used Volkswagen Rabbit 2014
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Hyundai Elantra 2023
- 2023 Chevrolet Equinox
- 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
- 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD
- 2025 Honda Accord News
- 02 Lexus Es300
- Nissan Truck 2024
- 2025 Chevrolet Corvette News
- 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric
- BMW 4 Series 440I Gran Coupe
Other models
- Used Mazda CX-9 in Greenwood, MS
- New BMW Ix for Sale in Coventry, RI
- New Subaru BRZ for Sale in Granite City, IL
- Used Buick Lucerne in Athens, GA
- New Subaru Ascent for Sale in Salinas, CA
- Used Buick Lucerne in China, TX
- Used Mercedes-Benz Cls-Class in Inver Grove Heights, MN
- Used Lexus LC-500 in Mexico, ME
- New Genesis GV70 for Sale in Palatka, FL
- Used Mercury Milan in Brunswick, GA