(Updated 10/10/2026) In my review of the Chrysler Cirrus, James noted, “I don’t really get all the hate for the second gen Neon.” I’m not sure I can explain it, either. I loved the original Neon. It was cute and fun even if it wasn’t all that refined or reliable. To me, this generation wasn’t cute or fun (except maybe in SRT-4 guise). While it was more refined than the original, it wasn’t as refined as the competition. Given that, what did it really have going for it?
My wife and I rented a 2004 with the four-speed automatic, available starting in 2002, on a trip to South Florida. Preferring the beach, we stayed in a hotel in Pompano and spent much of the week driving back and forth between the hotel and my mother’s house, which is about 25 minutes to an hour west depending on traffic. By the end of the trip I hated that damn Neon. It was a miserable trip anyway, as we spent virtually no time enjoying our beachfront hotel room or the beach. But the car didn’t help, and I can’t even explain exactly why it couldn’t endear itself to me. It’s like Henry Ford’s stated reason for firing Lee Iacocca, “I just don’t like the guy.”
The following review was written on June 27, 1999.
DaimlerChrysler (DC) obviously decided that times had changed enough that the Dodge/Plymouth Neon could go from cute and cheap to slick and refined. Completely redesigned for 2000, the Beetle-esque roundness (Ever notice the resemblance?) has been traded for angles and edges, and the Neon looks very much like a 5/8 scale Intrepid. Up front, ovoid headlamps replace round ones, and slanted half-moon tail lights provide a very distinctive derriere. Dimensions are marginally greater: 2.6 inches longer, 0.2 inches wider, and it rides on a one inch longer wheelbase. Further emphasizing the grown-up theme, the coupe has been canceled.
The interior also has a more expensive, sophisticated feel. Our ES had soft fabric on the seats and doors, and the feel and quality of the materials has definitely improved from last year’s model. DC also has added many nice touches, like multiple cupholders, a console deep enough to hold CDs, and a sunglass-case holder to the right of the instrument pod.
The 132-horsepower, 2.0 liter four cylinder engine has been given a thorough reworking and is now much smoother than before. While there are still some traces of thrashiness and a faint drone at highway speeds, this is nothing compared to the mariachi band that resided under the hood of its predecessor. The five-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and securely, but the clutch feels heavy and creaks when engaged, which may or may not be limited to our test car. In a bizarre move, a three-speed is the only available automatic transmission.
Newsflash: Four-speed automatics provide quicker acceleration, better mileage, and quieter highway cruising. Its absence WILL prevent some people, such as myself, from buying one. If DC wants the Neon to truly play with the big boys (Civic, Corolla, and Escort), it must match them gear-for-gear. As with its predecessor, handling and acceleration, with the manual, is above average. The R/T trim level and 150-horsepower engine will return next year.
Overall, the new Neon is a dramatic improvement. It is like seeing your favorite niece for the first time in five years and finding she’s turned from an awkward, rebellious teenager into a beautiful, sophisticated young woman.
For more information contact 1-800-4-A-DODGE
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Four-Door Sedan
Engine: 132 horsepower, 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
EPA Mileage: 27 city/36 highway
Tested Price: $15,955
Note: Another in a series of my reviews that appeared in the online version of African Americans On Wheels, a now defunct automotive magazine that was included as an insert in the Sunday newspapers of major cities.
Mr. Dixon,
Thanks for the shout-out!
Sincerely,
James
It’s rare that I see a Neon today, but I see it’s cousin the PT Cruiser almost every day.
More PT Cruisers were made and sold, and for many more years.
I did not know that, thanks.
Like your experience renting the 2004 Neon, my only experience with these was renting one back in 2000. Similar to your experience, I ended up hating that car.
The trip for which I had rented it was stressful to begin with. I lived in North Carolina at the time, and was looking for a new job, when I got a call to come up to Maryland for an interview on rather short notice. Unfortunately, I was having trouble with my own car at the time, so I rented one… the cheapest car on Thrifty’s lot, which was a Neon.
I was loud, uncomfortable, and slow – and that 3-speed automatic made the car feel like it was a time traveler from 1985. By the time I got to Maryland, I determined I hated that car. The car must have sensed my thoughts, because it gave me a flat tire that day… not that it was the car’s fault, but goodness, that was an unpleasant trip.
It might have been a dramatic improvement over the original, but at least the original had some novelty value to it. By 2000? Ugh.
The 3 speed auto was a no extra cost option on British bound Chrysler Means. Wonder why?… Perhaps the 70 year old + drivers went to bothered, a total different target group to university students the car was marketed to. In the US then.
I had a 2000 Neon for many years. One of our best cars to date but we had a five speed manual with higher trim.
I never rode in it, but my mom’s last car was a 2000 Neon two-door. The absolute, lowest priced new car she could get. She insisted on the 5-speed because she was deaf. She said she couldn’t “hear” the car, but the manual transmission allowed her to “feel“ it. Her commute was rather long, so she racked up about 130k miles by 2006, when she stopped driving. It was a completely trouble-free car she adored. She did take impeccable care of it, maintenance-wise.
I have fond memories of this car having replaced the K-cars stalled on the highway shoulder. Now they are all Calibers. I look forward to them all being Darts, because I kind of like them.
User name checks out.
I mean, if he’s talking K-cars here, he is clearly playing the long game.
Was a Neon builder at Belvidere for both the first & 2nd gen. When the 2nd gen started with pre production, was a tussle that the rear seat room was lacking. For a princely sum, additional room was allocated for rear seat comfort, and drove up cost. Unlike the 1st gen, only the 4 DR was offered. The front rails were bumped outboard to accommodate the Ultra Drive 4 speed automatic, still a tight fit. The sunroof mechanism was resourced to a better vendor. The SRT4 was coming, adding a bit more kick that was sorely needed. Launched in 99, was a whimper at best, quickly went south to a single shift, projections showed 150K/ yr, wildly optimistic. Meanwhile, the PT Cruiser was just getting underway and was hot. 4 times they assessed if the PT should be built in Belvidere, each time was rejected due to cost. By the time the last numbers came in, the shine was off the PT & additional build was not needed. Had an 05 SRT Design option, I called it the All show, no go pkg…had an SRT hood & high wing, but that was all. The plant went to changeover in Summer 2005 for better things…but that’s another story…..
I love this inside stuff. I have to ask, when the line transferred to the 2nd gen Neon did you think it was a significantly better car compared to the 98s built just before it?
I recall when the 2000 Neon debuted in the summer of ’99 I thought while I never considered the orginal worthy of purchase, the new Neon was now a valid contender on a shopping list.
The biggest improvement were the frames around the windows reducing wind noise. The rest were second gen improvements as on any car. IIRC, the 4 speed automatic didn’t come till late in the life cycle.
My only complaint was the elimination of the double overhead cam version of the engine. That and a 5 speed manual would have attracted a younger hip crowd.
Things had started off relatively well for their first real small cars—the Omni/Horizon—but ended badly with their final attempt at small cars.
Interesting, when the 1st. generation came out everyone was gaga over it now there’s saying ‘I hated it’ with no specifics as to why .
-Nate