2001 Plymouth Neon Plymouth Neon 2001 Plymouth Neon Highline Sedan Sedan Sedan FWD USA 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. Large interior, competent handling, attractive interior and exterior styling. Noisy engine, archaic three-speed automatic transmission, lack of feature content. 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 Plymouth has the cojones to charge $600 for its lame-oid and out-of-date three-speed automatic while the cheaper Hyundai Elantra and Daewoo Nubira utilize four-speed autos.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. Chevrolet Cavalier Ford Focus Honda Civic Toyota Corolla 336,000 336,000 336,000 5100,000 NA NA NA 4 2 liters Inline 132 hp @ 5600 rpm 130 ft-lbs. @ 4600 rpm 174.4 in. 67.4 in. 56 in. 2567 lbs. 105 in. 39.1 in. 36.8 in. 53.4 in. 52.8 in. 52.4 in. 52.9 in. 42.4 in. 34.8 in. 11.8 cu.ft. Optional Standard Not Available Optional Not Available Optional Not Available Rating = Good Rating = Good Average Average Not Tested Not Tested 12.5 gal. 27 mpg / 33 mpg 24 mpg / 31 mpg 338 mi. / 413 mi. 300 mi. / 388 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $11,856 $12,715 7.35% $490 N/A 3% of the Total MSRP HIGHLINE (5M): 2L I4 SOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 450 amp battery with rundown protection; 83 amp alternator; front-wheel drive, 3.55 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering, power steering fluid cooler; front disc/rear drum brakes; 12.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's black outside mirrors, driver's manual remote outside mirror, passenger's manual outside mirror; 14" x 5.5" black steel wheels; P185/65TR14 BSW A/S touring tires; compact steel spare wheel; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan feature, cassette player, CD changer pre-wiring, 6 speakers, fixed antenna; child-safety rear door locks; 1 power accessoryoutlet; instrumentation display includes water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows, manual front and rear windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seat includes 4-way adjustment; 60/40 folding rear bench seat with fixed headrests; height-adjustable front seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, deluxe sound insulation; interior lights include dome light with fade; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; passenger's side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, front and rear cupholders, instrument panel bin, dashboard storage,driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo light; black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles. -- Side Air Bags $312 $350 21G Quick Order Package 21G $2,212 $2,485 22G Quick Order Package 22G $2,212 $2,485 ADA Light Group $116 $130 ADR Antilock Brake Group $748 $840 ADR Antilock Brake Group $659 $740 AGS Sun and Sound Group $1,064 $1,195 AJP Power Convenience Group $338 $380 AJX Sentry Key Security Group $668 $750 ALF Value Fun Group $645 $725 CGS Supplemental Side Air Bags $312 $350 DGC Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic $534 $600 HAA Air Conditioning $890 $1,000 NHK Engine Block Heater $18 $20 NHM Speed Control $209 $235 RDW 4-Disc In-Dash CD Changer $334 $375 WJA Wheels: 15" Aluminum $316 $355 WJA Wheels: 15" Aluminum $365 $410 XL Leather Lowback Bucket Seats $899 $1,010