Well it's been about 4 months so my Neon was due for its tri-annual breakdown. This time there was a grinding screaming noise coming from the trans, increased with rpm not vehicle speed. So I thought maybe it was a bad input shaft bushing.
Turned out to be my starter. It didn't disengage after cranking, and when the engine was running it got into an argument with my flywheel teeth.
Spent the morning under the car, spent the day at Pick Your Part, spent the afternoon under the car... now she works again. If only the Neon were as reliable as my 35 year old Corvette, I wouldn't hate Dodge so much.
