Overview & Reviews

Sport trim level disappears in favor of Sport Package for Highline models. Twin-cam engine is optional on Highline models. Federal side-impact standards are met for the first time. More work has been done to quiet the 1997 Dodge Neon's boisterous demeanor.

• Zippy engine, cute styling, roomy interior

• Cheap interior materials

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 58.00

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  Not a good car - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Frankie - December 24 - 7:22 pm

  I guess I should not have expected much when buying this car. Nothing special about it not even the mileage. The engine has horrible responsiveness and handles like a boat.

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  Dont buy this car! - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By KG - November 13 - 9:22 pm

  Like others, I bought this car b/c it was cheap. But the build quality is horrendous. Huge oil leak, squealing brakes, leaky trunk, a/c that isnt cold, turn signals dont work intermitantly, black rubber seals on door panels stain my clothes, side panel fell off after glue wore out, and such a rough transmission. Just a terribly executed small car.

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  Beware not a car to purchase - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By nfrn - July 29 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 97 Neon new in late 1996 and it has been nothing but trouble. The headgasket has been replaced twice , brakes 3 times and we had it laid up for six months in a garage because it wouldnt start and no one could find the problem ( eventually the third mechanic to look at it found the key chuck had snapped off the end of the cam ). It still has only has 70000 miles on it. For 50000 of those miles I would say oil was leaking from somewhere. The Dodge dealers in Texas were fair to deal with but back here in Newfoundland they were nothing but trouble so we eventually purchased a Saturn.

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  run in the exact opposite direction - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By sucka with a clunka - January 9 - 2:00 am

  the price sounded good. thats about it. they should pay the consumer to take the car from them. fun to drive when it runs right. those times are few and far between. bad head gaskets, fuel pumps, cam seal, bad brake life, light seals, not to mention all the noise. wind noise is annoying at highway speeds, occasional clunking from front end, and the rear struts always sound like theyre shot too. and the worst part is when the noises are checked by professionals they cant find anything wrong. if you enjoy getting taken then i suggest buying a dodge/plymouth neon.

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  NeoncoloredLEMON - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By nowahondadriver - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Off the lot was a piece of garbage. Went through 2 yrs of arb. w/ Chrysler eventually gave me a 75k warranty. More time in shop than in driveway. Clugging sound in suspension, head gasket blew, oil leaked first 2 months, seat cloth defective, bad accel. on automatic, trunk never stay open, blowout nearly killed me, funnel shaped gas tank, bad gas mileage, "alloy wheel" coating disintegrated, bad int. noise, deposit problem in choke and more. Got lucky, head gasket blew just b4 warranty expired so I sold it. Im still paying for the bad karma from its sale.

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  Junk Car - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By extremely unhappy - April 8 - 2:00 am

  This car has many problems. Head Gasket went, squeaky brakes, windows dont seal....seems to be a recurring problem. Like others, the "customer service" department didnt live up to thier name! I would NOT recommend buying a Neon!

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  dont buy the neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By antidodge - December 3 - 2:00 am

  during the three years that I have owned this vehicle Ive put over 6,000 dollars in repair. Ive replaced the head gasket, transmission, and the motor. This car does not even have 85,000 miles on it.

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  Costly to maintain - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Wiseguy357 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this car, I did not know that it had a lot of problems. The car was cheap when i got it($4500).I have had thousands of dollars worth of repairs done to it. I have had trouble with: head gasket,axle seals, barrings in the transmission,master cylinder, breaks, rotors, ac compressor, battery and minor electric problems. I have 12" subs in the trunk, and it really rattles when the bass hits.

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  JUNK! This car was a nightmare! - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Cshel - March 18 - 12:34 pm

  Bought this thing brand new...What a disappointment! Amen to the previous statement from another user about ELECTRICAL problems! Mine ate batteries like crazy...Usually the car was disabled because it would not start...Had a little transmission trouble, interior problems, seats splitting, dash cracking all under 20k...Traded for a FORD! (BTW the electrical problems were never fixed)Wanted rid of this piece of junk before the warranty expired!!!