1998 Plymouth Neon Four Door Is Straightforward/Unpretentious...What You See Is What You Get.
7 January 1998
While the Dodge/Chrysler Neon coupes for 1998 may have more attractive "single person-wise" the new four door version from the Plymouth stable really makes a lot of sense. With a list price of $12,000 you get seating for four, a good sized trunk, five-speed gear box...a smooth one yet, good radio. airbags, 2-liter four cylinder mill,semi-peppy performance. In short it's a bunch of car for the buck. Plymouth says it is more or less of an entry level runabout however we think it would make a great second of third car...sort of an all new beater....around town car. The buyer for this model according to Chrysler research is: Age 25-35 Annual income $20,000 - $40,000 30 percent of Neon buyers are under 30 years of age and 40% are first time buyers...and 53% are female buyers. This Neon classified as a compact is built in Belvidere, Il and Toluca, Mexico. The front drive sedan is powered by a 121.8 cu.in four cylinder , 16 valve DOHC motor that pumps out 150 h.p. and this little jewel has an EPA rating of 29 city and 38 highway and has a 12.5 gal fuel capacity. We called it a four passenger four-door and Plymouth says you can stuff 3 people in the narrow back seat...maybe kids. Inside the handsome but fairly stark instrument panel has the usual gauges including a rear window defroster and a 120 mph speedo...and that's whistling Dixie. You can also order the "Expresso" package which gives you a 150 h.p. motor, special exterior graphics, 14 inch wheels, fog lamps and "Tango" cloth interior. For 1998 Plymouth refers to the "options" for their Neon as "Feature Availability" and the list is a long one...trick wheels, power windows, speed control, sunroof, low back bucket seats, power bulge hood and a bunch of radio variations. You want basic, peppy transportation, room for the kids/groceries/dog and a darn good warranty...at a low price then check out the Neon four-door. Bill Maloney The Auto Channel
