2001 Plymouth Neon Review
2001 Plymouth Neon Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Large interior, competent handling, attractive interior and exterior styling.
Cons
- Noisy engine, archaic three-speed automatic transmission, lack of feature content.
What’s new
Side-impact airbags and leather seats are now available in Plymouth's economy car. A center shoulder belt for the rear seat and an internal emergency trunk release further improve this Plymouth's safety consciousness. Both a Sun and Sound or a Value/Fun option group is available this year, each of which includes a sunroof. New interior and exterior options for the Neon pump some life in this fading brand, but 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
While fun to drive, the Neon lacks the polish and refinement found in other cars in the economy car segment.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) 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 $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$157/mo for Neon Base
Neon Base
vs
$174/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.
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 refinements to the air induction and intake manifold systems last year to provide torque over a broader rpm range while simultaneously quelling engine noise, but the powerplant still makes too much racket 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 Plymouth has the cojones to charge $600 for its lame-oid and out-of-date three-speed automatic while the cheaper Hyundai Elantra and Daewoo Nubira utilize four-speed autos.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. Utilizing a long wheelbase and wide track, the Neon also offers exceptional interior room and a stable ride.
Plymouth's version of the Neon comes in two models. Base Neons are simply called "Sedan" while upscale models benefit from "LX" badging. Standard items like a radio/cassette combo and four Big Gulp-sized cupholders are much appreciated, yet overall feature content is still lacking. You don't even get power rear windows, a tachometer, or cruise control as standard equipment on the "upscale" LX model. New options for 2001, including side-impact airbags and leather seats, have somewhat expanded the Neon's feature list. You can also get a sunroof as part of the Sun and Sound or Value/Fun option packages. We give Plymouth credit for creating an attractive cabin that appears very upscale and for offering a standard 132-horsepower engine, even in the base Neon.
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 2001 Plymouth Neon.
5 star(59%)
4 star(30%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
60 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
A little about my car and a comment on another post.
patrickl79, 08/23/2012
2001 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I purchased my 2001 used from a private seller.
It had 120,000 miles and I only paid $500 for it.
It was non - running the problem turned out to be bad battery terminals a easy fix for about $4.
I love my car, its quick and sporty, handles well and seems to be well built and very reliable requiring only standard maintenance, something that most people simple forget or dont care to do. My … only complaint is I wish the center console was bigger.
4.75 out of 5 stars
2001 Plymouth Neon A LOT OF LITTLE CAR
jamesrizzuti, 10/26/2013
2001 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
The little Plymouth Neon is fun to drive, feels very solid on the road, and in general has a well designed interior.
For a compact car, it has remarkable interior room for 4 adults, and the back seats fold down to allow more truck originated space.
It's probably the best little car I've ever driven.
4.25 out of 5 stars
STILL a good car!
ehbowen, 02/08/2010
2001 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I purchased my 2001 Neon new in November 2000 and kept it for more than eight years. It was the stickshift LX model, and I added a Chrysler-brand cruise control. Other than routine maintenance, the only service it needed was when the engine computer went into an error state. The car was still driveable and I drove it to the dealership, which repaired it under the emissions warranty even … though the car had over 60000 miles on it at the time. The only negative I have to say about the car is that it's a little too low-slung; very easy to scrape the front end on sloped driveways. I sold the car to my 16-yr old niece last year, and she loves it-- it's STILL a good car!
4.38 out of 5 stars
Good Car
Brown, 01/15/2009
2001 Plymouth Neon Highline 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I bought my 01 Neon a year and a half ago or so and I have loved it. My Neon was really basic, no power windows or other options but it was really reliable. I only replaced the battery and the tires on it so maintenance was low. I bought used but had regular service and it treated me well. A/C and heat worked perfectly. 2.0 liter gave it extra kick for a 4 cyl. Inside room was quite … large for the size of the car, back seat spacious for compact car. I wrecked it and have to buy a new car but would get another Neon anytime.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2001 Plymouth Neon, so we've included reviews for other years of the Neon since its last redesign.
2001 Neon Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $12,715 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $157/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
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
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic 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 – OriginalAcceptable
- 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
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