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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  trouble after 90,000 - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By tbal - October 21 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has bee a lot of trouble after we hit about 90,000 miles. Had to have transmission replaced and the A/C evaporator replaced. The engine is the 3.0 litre V6 and is now begging to smoke when started and makes the infamous "ticking" sound for several minutes when cold. Had problems with the belt tensioner. The electronics now seem to be giving out.... the intermitent wipers have stopped working and the instrument panel flashes on and off occasionally. The acceleration is adequate but somewhat lacking with the A/C on.

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  My First Car - 2000 Plymouth Neon
  By JustinP - August 11 - 9:53 am

  I bought this car for 1500 and despite having only one previous owner, this person didnt do ANY maintenance on the car, and left all of that up to the next owner, me. The front power windows havent worked since the purchase. A/C went out after 1 year. Chipping paint is pretty common on the front bumper. The front passenger speaker blew around 80k mi, and the in-dash speaker on the same side went as well around 92k. I have all aftermarket speakers in the car now. I had problems with the alternator twice, but only had to replace it once. It is comfy however; lots of room for 5 passengers. The CD changer broke on me when I tried playing burnt CDs, which lead to the replacement of the stereo.

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  1998 Plymouth Breeze - 2000 Plymouth Breeze
  By Carman444 - December 9 - 12:33 am

  The car was an overall exeptional vehicle. I liked the roominess. It was a joy to drive and I loved it. (although the transmission came apart after the first two months)

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  1998 Gr. Voyager - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By woodrow ban - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Like most chrysler products, this vehicle experiences problems well before one would expect. While comfortable for famlies on trips and for large loads (it holds a lot of stuff - good for moving daughters to college/first apartments). A tall vehicle, expect slow response, and difficulty in elevated/gusty winds. Delivers not-bad milage. Interior feels, looks and performs cheaply. Blown head gasket within 3/36 milage, but outside the 3 years. Chrysler wouldnt help. Dealership stepped up and shared the cost. Unfortunately, Chrysler makes the vans with the most desirable overall package.

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  done in too soon - 1999 Plymouth Voyager
  By nomo van - September 1 - 12:23 am

  bought this basic van new with 4 cyl and 3 sp auto. Never really loved this car, but used and abused it for over 10 years, and exactly 181000 miles, overloading it with college students stuff, and home remodel materials. expensive repairs limited to both rear wheel bearings, and seemingly too often brakes. look for rusted strut towers if looking at a used one. This is what killed mine. Lots of long trips and lots of snow and salt over the years.

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  Glad Plymouths are gone - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Plymouth gone - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought van from a dodge dealership, took it to a mechanic within 2 months of buying the car it had bad sway bar bushings. Then at 84,000 miles oil light comes on it was a bad oil pressure sensor. Next at 88,000 miles valve guide falls out of head and causes low compression in the number 2 combustion chamber, have head rebuilt for a total of $1000.00 6 months later at 102,000 miles it front main bursts and it throws a connecting rod on an interstate merge in D.C.. Numerous electrical problems to go along with the worst craftmanship in the world

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  Transmissions Suck & Eats Tires - 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Donewithchrysler - March 30 - 2:00 am

  We went through 3 transmissions in the first 75000 miles. Ive talked to several other owners and most or all have had transmission problems. Use one or more set of tires per year and their rated at 60k+ miles. Ive owned Chrysler mini-vans continuously since they came out in 1984. I wont buy anymore.

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  Same as any other used vehicle - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Cindy - January 24 - 3:16 am

  I LOVE the roominess of the van. I have a large family and needed the room and often haul bigger items in it. It has been GREAT for this. This is the 3rd Grand Voyager Ive owed. Ive replaced the transmission, the surpentine belt several times until I finally replaced the pully and solved that problem. When we replaced the battery, the interior lights started flashing and the cruise stopped working, the lights and the horn dont work. Like everyone has said, transmission and electrical is where you will sink your money into this used vehicle. But every used car has problems. Weve taken the rear seats out and had a nice bed when we drove from Idaho to Arizona twice with no problems.

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  Dont drive thru puddles - 1999 Plymouth Voyager
  By mike - December 18 - 9:13 pm

  While I like the comfortable seats and the size of my 1999 Plymouth Voyager, Im really mad about the serpintine belt coming off every rainy season. The Belt hydroplanes off of the pulley assembly when you go thru standing water of 4" or more. So we try not to drive this van when it is raining. Chryster acknowledges the problem but does nothing for you except to re-install the belt. I am selling this van this week and am not looking at another Dodge again. Theres got to be a better way.

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  98 Grand Voyager SE - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Dave Forbes - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Definitely needs 2 A/Cs. 3.0L engine very underpowered w/full load & A/C on. Could use stiffer suspension & larger wheels