Overview & Reviews

In its day, Plymouth was one of the best-selling and most beloved brands in the U.S. Owned first by Chrysler and then by DaimlerChrysler, the marque existed for more than 70 years before being discontinued in 2001.

The Plymouth Motor Corporation was born in May of 1928 as a marketing subsidiary of the Chrysler Corporation, with Walter Chrysler as its president. The first Plymouth, the Plymouth 4, followed soon thereafter, cruising into showrooms in 1929. The car was based on a Chrysler model, the Chrysler 4. Its low price and solid quality established Plymouth as the brand to beat for consumers seeking affordable transportation.

The 1930s saw Plymouth investing in the development of a new vehicle; the Plymouth PA was launched in 1931. Featuring then-innovative rubber engine mounts, the car was a hit, and helped Plymouth sail past more established brands like Buick to nab the 3rd-place spot in national car sales, behind Ford and Chevrolet. By 1939, more than 3 million Plymouths had been built, and its name had been officially changed to the Plymouth Division.

In the years following World War II, Plymouth introduced models like the Cambridge, Suburban and Cranbrook. The look of the vehicles was a departure from the prevailing aesthetic of the time. They were chunky and tall whereas the most popular vehicles were long, lean and low. V8 engines and automatic transmissions were also new additions to the Plymouth brand in the '50s. By the time the decade drew to a close, more than 12 million Plymouths had been built.

The '60s saw the birth of the pony car, and Plymouth was at the forefront of the movement with its legendary Barracuda, which was initially based on the Valiant compact when it was introduced in 1964. As the years went on, the Barracuda offered a range of powerful V8 engines and a choice of body styles, including a convertible. The decade also saw the introduction of a pair of muscle cars based on the midsize Belvedere: the bare-bones Road Runner and the more luxurious GTX. The psychedelic era also gave rise to the brand's potent 426 Hemi V8 engine.

The fuel crisis of the mid-1970s spelled trouble for Plymouth, as high fuel prices caused poor sales for its larger models. Plymouth saw some success with its Valiant, Duster and Volare compacts. But the lone shining star on the sales charts was the subcompact Horizon. Otherwise, the company suffered slow sales due to an aged and dwindling lineup. Things didn't get much better for Plymouth during the '80s. In spite of the debut of the popular Voyager minivan and a couple of other new models like the Caravelle and Sundance, the brand continued to struggle.

By the time the '90s rolled around, Plymouth was no longer a full-line make. Chrysler had plans to reinvigorate the brand with the introduction of new models, but all that changed after the company's merger with Daimler at the end of the decade. At the close of the '90s, Plymouth's lineup had been reduced to just five vehicles: the Voyager and Grand Voyager minivans, the Breeze sedan, the Neon compact and the Prowler sports car. DaimlerChrysler soon decided to pull the plug on the long-neglected brand, with the last Plymouths being made in model-year 2001.

User Reviews:

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  Voyager 2000 - 2000 Plymouth Voyager
  By dgm - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Nice price, style, and interior room. Weird shifting when climbing small hills and mountains.

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  Perfect $4.00 a Gallon Car - 2000 Plymouth Neon
  By MadScotsMan - September 29 - 6:43 am

  We purchased the Neon in 2002 with 12,000 miles. It now has 113,000 miles and contrary to what some might say, this has been a reliable, fun and economical car. I still average over 30 mpg, my best being 39.9 on a long highway trip. There have been no unusual repairs, just the normal repairs. At 113k, I have finally replaced the springs, struts and stabilizer bars (went with SRT4 springs/bars/STS)and am in need of brakes. Thats it. This is the fifth Neon in my family and Id definitely buy another if they were still made. Great car, a blast to drive, good in snow and really reliable...and I am in no way easy on cars!

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  Loved my first car - 2000 Plymouth Neon
  By lmatracia - September 28 - 1:55 pm

  My dad got my first car, 2000 Plymouth Neon, with 44k for $3500 in 2010. The only major problem I ever encountered was the radiator went out at about 60k (which is VERY typical). I also had the tie rod end snap, but that was only because when the original owner replaced it they put the wrong part on. Overall I loved this car, i never worried about it breaking down and it got great mpg. Very reliable and worth the money. Unfortunately it was wrecked in the front end when someone hit me in a truck head on and drove off, i only had state minimum so was unable to fix the car. :( was very sad to see it go. I now drive a 2000 pt cruiser (which i also enjoy driving)

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  dependable, roomy family mover - 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Jason - September 13 - 9:16 pm

  The 3.3l v6 is responsive, and gets pretty good mileage for a car this size. The seats are easily removed, if a little heavy once out, and comfortable. There is a lot of good in this car.

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  Family Five - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Sam - August 21 - 6:23 pm

  The major problems Ive had with my Plymouth Grand Voyager in three years of ownership are: 1)a short out of the entire instrument cluster, 2)a bad head gasket on the 3.3L V6, and 3)an annoying rattle from the luggage rack on windy days. Other thanthat, the Grand Voyager is comfortable, responsive, easy to drive and pretty reliable.

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  Pleased with my Neon - 2000 Plymouth Neon
  By satifsfied neon owne - May 30 - 5:00 pm

  I bought my 2000 Plymouth Neon in 2001 with 26,000 miles on it. It now has 113,000 miles! I am pleased with it, considering I only paid $8,500 for it in 2001. When I got it, I had three different people tell me that I made a mistake when I bought it, so I was scared. After 4.5 years, I am pleased. I had an oil leak and replaced a valve cover gasket, cam sensor, and rear seal. It fixed it. That cost around $350-$400 to fix. I have changed the brake pads, spark plugs/wires, air filters and oil changes. This is all I have done to car. Hopefully the car will last me another year or two.

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  Plymouth Grand Voyager - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By marshall jones - March 3 - 3:43 pm

  Good vehicle overall. Plan to buy another one soon. Owned a Dodge Grand Caravan previously.

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  Great Family Car - 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Coda - January 22 - 11:06 pm

  The van has not been a problem. From my wifes point of view she has loved it. She likes the interior, very comfy and big. For tall people it is not a knee smasher or neck bender to get in. Very nice design. From a Mechanics point of view, it has been dependable. Transmission has held up, I change the trans fluid and filter every 40,000. The engine has no problems, change oil and run synthetic every 5,000. Braking is no problem for a van...this van is not a lamborgina, but if I wanted a lamb...then I would have bought it. The headlamps like all cars now are of plastic, keep them buffed or they dull the intesity of the headlights considerably. Do the maintenance,the van will take care you.

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  Nice car - 2000 Plymouth Neon
  By mechcanix - November 23 - 10:16 am

  Bought car used 8 years ago now have 180,000 mi. A bit noisy at highway speeds. Engine has rear main oil leak and sprak plug tubes leak oil but the car is very depenable always starts. Ive taken it on long trips. Great mileage

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  BadBrakes2 - 2001 Plymouth Neon
  By notmyneon - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car the middle of last year and had to replace the brakes already once, the repair shop couldnt believe that they had already worn out! Neither could I. They also squeal almost everytime you push on them from slowing dow, my rating on the brakes? .02!