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:

• 

  wont get fooled again - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By gary d. - June 12 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car new for my wife with 3 kids in 5/98. Liked the size space and comfort. Those remain its primary assets. Reliability has become a problem. While never leaving us stranded it has required multiple repairs. Thank god we bought an extended warranty. However, we recently got hit with a head gasket, timing chain, transmission pan etc. When the warranty recently expired, the evaporator on the ac went ($1100), needs tires and probably a starter. We decided not to put more money into it and last week traded it in, despite it having plenty of life left. Happy to get $2000 in real money towards a Toyota.

• 

  Great Family Mobile - 1999 Plymouth Voyager
  By HacDog - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Great family auto. Numerous trips, in and out of town, pull out the back seats and you have a covered truck...The only extra needed is a DVD player in the back.

• 

  Money Pit - 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Fed Up Mom - April 28 - 12:33 am

  We purchased our 99 van in 00 with only 7,000 miles on it. The engine went in 2004. Since then we have replaced oil pump, fuel pump, radiator, and now the transmission is gone. The driver window doesnt work, as well as the left rear vent window. The power lock for the rear hatch stopped working in 2002. We have had trouble with the ac for the past 4 years. The vans rear left speaker caught fire in 2005 while I was driving to work. Thank God my children werent with me at the time. The bushings are shot and the brake system has always given us trouble. From the first year we purchased it the van leaked water into the front. I regret the day we bought this van.

• 

  Suites my needs - 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Saviore - April 27 - 2:00 am

  It rides well and it is roomy and comfortable, but I have a few caviats.

• 

  Good Car - 2001 Plymouth Neon
  By Brown - April 25 - 6:56 am

  I bought my 01 Neon a year and a half ago or so and I have loved it. My Neon was really basic, no power windows or other options but it was really reliable. I only replaced the battery and the tires on it so maintenance was low. I bought used but had regular service and it treated me well. A/C and heat worked perfectly. 2.0 liter gave it extra kick for a 4 cyl. Inside room was quite large for the size of the car, back seat spacious for compact car. I wrecked it and have to buy a new car but would get another Neon anytime.

• 

  Good all around Mini Van - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By jims0626 - April 10 - 12:50 pm

  Our minivan has been better than great, over 200k, no major problems to date, good ride, very good gas mileage, about 22/23 MPG (a blend of highway and local).

• 

  mixed feelings - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By prd to b an american - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle 5+ years, within 6 months had to replace the transmission under factory warrenty, it has been thru 3 batteries (the lights go off after 5 min. even if the doors are left open). Other than oil changes, transmission flushed, & new starter, it has been pretty reliable. I feel pretty lucky. My mixed feelings come from: what you know, what they say, and when will it happen to me. I have 72000k on it and plan on removing it from my ownership ASAP. I am going back to the other makers until America can build a reliable car.

• 

  Dependable car - 2001 Plymouth Neon
  By Michael Avery - March 15 - 9:23 am

  We have used this car very much in the last 4 years. It has been a very dependable car.

• 

  a great van! - 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By chauna - January 21 - 10:00 am

  we have had this van for almost 3 years, and it has been very reliable. even now, at 132,000 miles (!) it is just starting to have minor things like brakes going wrong. super reliability, easy to drive, smooth ride. i havent regretted this purchase for even a minute.

• 

  Transmission Problems - 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Skip - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle bought in February 2000 with 24,000 miles on it. It had been a reliable vehicle until the transmission "blew up" at 69,000 miles going 35mph. Lost total control of the vehicle. The differential blew a 6" by 3" whole in the casing completely distroying the transmission. A life threatening defect for anyone traveling at a high rate of speed. Incident happened outside of warranty. Reported to dealer and Chrysler but hey were only concerned with the warranty status.