UNUSUAL CARS MODEL GUIDE
The Chrysler Neon arrived in Britain as an unusually bold alternative to the familiar family saloon. It was compact by American standards, brightly styled and generously equipped, with a large 2.0-litre engine where most European rivals relied on 1.6s. Britain received the four-door saloon rather than the Dodge-badged coupé, making surviving right-hand-drive cars a particularly distinctive sight.
Featured image: second-generation Chrysler Neon. Photograph by Ya, saya inBaliTimur, CC BY-SA 2.0; locally hosted and resized.
An American compact for British roads
Chrysler launched the Neon in the United States for the 1995 model year and brought it to Britain the following summer. The price of £12,995 for the LX made it look competitive beside similarly equipped European saloons, and the standard specification included equipment that often cost extra elsewhere. The styling was friendly and unmistakable, with oval headlamps, a low bonnet and a cab-forward profile.
The UK range was deliberately simple: a right-hand-drive four-door saloon with a 2.0-litre sixteen-valve engine. The related two-door body and smaller engines seen overseas were not official British offerings. Early cars felt quick and eager but attracted criticism for their interior finish, refinement and rear drum brakes. That mixture of performance, value and rough edges is central to the Neon’s character.
The second generation
A substantially redesigned Neon reached Britain in 1999. It retained the basic front-wheel-drive formula but gained a longer wheelbase, a more spacious cabin and a noticeably more solid feel. UK buyers could choose SE and better-equipped LX versions, followed by the sporting R/T in 2001. The regular engine produced 136 bhp; the R/T used a hotter 150 bhp version, firmer suspension and visual changes.
| UK specification | Neon 2.0 | Neon R/T |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,996cc 16-valve four-cylinder | 1,996cc high-output four-cylinder |
| Power | 136 bhp | 150 bhp |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual or three-speed automatic | Five-speed manual |
| 0–60 mph | About 10.8 seconds | About 9.4 seconds |
| Top speed | About 124 mph | About 132 mph |
What it is like to drive
The Neon’s strongest asset is its engine. Even the standard car has useful mid-range pull, and a healthy manual feels livelier than the official figures suggest. The steering is reasonably direct and the suspension gives the car an alert, slightly busy character. Refinement never matched the best European opposition, however, and the old three-speed automatic blunts both performance and economy.
The cabin is roomier than the modest exterior dimensions imply. Rear legroom is particularly good in the second-generation car, and the boot makes the Neon practical enough for everyday use. Materials are functional rather than luxurious, but the simple dashboard and high equipment level have aged into appealing period details.
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Buying guide
Rust is the first priority. Examine the sills, rear arches, subframes, suspension mounting areas and the floor around jacking points. Inspect the underside rather than relying on tidy paint above. Parts availability is more difficult than for a contemporary Ford or Vauxhall, so missing trim, damaged lamps and model-specific body panels matter.
The 2.0-litre engine is generally durable when serviced, but insist on evidence of timing-belt replacement and check carefully for coolant leaks, oil seepage and overheating. A rough idle can have several causes, including ignition components and vacuum leaks. Manual gearboxes should select cleanly; on automatics, delayed engagement or harsh shifts are warnings. Suspension bushes, anti-roll-bar links and wheel bearings are common age-related expenses.
Why it belongs here
The Neon was not rare when new, yet very few remain on British roads. Its large engine, American presentation and cheerful styling distinguished it from conventional small saloons, while the R/T added a genuinely interesting performance derivative. Buy the most complete, structurally sound example available; restoration costs can easily outrun values.
Research sources
- RAC Drive: Chrysler Neon used review
- Hagerty UK: the Chrysler Neon was a gutsy slice of American pie
- Honest John: Chrysler Neon overview
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