Car Spot: 2005 Dodge Neon

Cab-forward in a small package

In the late 90s, Chrysler had hit a home run with its revolutionary cab-forward designs. The LH platform cars, the Chrysler Concorde, Chrysler LHS, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Intrepid, and Eagle Vision were considered way ahead of their time. That same concept also came in a smaller package, the Neon, and is the subject of this week’s spot.

When Chrysler bought American Motors in 1987, they did it mainly for Jeep but got a lot of other items they hadn’t counted on like AMC’s “platform team” concept close-knit cross-functional groups responsible for the whole vehicle. The Neon concept was designed by Chrysler designers who had joined the company from Chrysler’s buyout of American Motors Corporation. The goals for the former AMC designers were for a car that was “lightweight, fuel-efficient, powerful, and comfortable, cost no more than a bit under $4,000 to build, with a retail sales price of no more than $8,000”. Wow, that sounds like a lot. However, they kept going and also incorporated recycled materials or components throughout the car that could be recycled.

When it debuted in January of 94, it was sold both as a Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth. It was available as a four-door notchback sedan and a two-door notchback coupe. There were two engine options: SOHC and DOHC versions of Chrysler’s 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine, which produced 132 hp or 150 hp mated to a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. At the release, then president of Chrysler Corporation Bob Lutz said, “There’s an old saying in Detroit: ‘Good, fast, or cheap. Pick any two.’ We refuse to accept that.”

RELATED Spot: Faster yet, the Dodge Viper GTS.

The automotive press loved it. Car and Drive wrote, “First on the Neon’s list of radical—common sense?—details is low price. After years of hearing that Detroit couldn’t make money on small cars, Neon steps into the ring with a base price of $9457, $850 under the cheapest four-door Saturn, and $1450 less than the Escort LX. Wow. And Chrysler insists that Neon will make money.” The car had plenty of headroom too. It was a tall car that looked stylish they said. Compared to the Honda Civic was three inches taller than that and all its other mainstream competitors.

In 2003, Dodge being Dodge introduced the Neon SRT-4. A turbocharged 2.4 liter inline-4 215 hp engine was used along with a 5-speed manual that could do 0-6 in under six seconds. Other goodies were added and at the time it was the second fastest stock production vehicle in the Chrysler/Dodge lineup, second only to the Viper. Initially, Dodge expected to sell only 2,500 units per year, but during the three-year production run, 03-05, more than 25,000 Neon SRT-4s were produced and are the most sought-after Neon selling for just $7-$11,000.

But because of Dodge’s iffy quality and owners heavily modified and then beat the crap out of them, one in good shape will be tough to find. The ones like this, again hard to find are going for pocket change. 2005 was the last year the Neon rolled off the Belvedere, IL assembly line being then replaced by the Dodge Caliber. Over its run, over two million Neons were sold. A fun car for a different time. Will we see something like this in the near future from Dodge? Thanks to its current owner, Stellantis, probably not and they are doing a bang-up job of destroying the brand.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this spot. I’ll be back next week with another that I’ve found along my travels and include some of its history. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and a great weekend.