Overview & Reviews
Building affordable yet appealing compact cars has often been a struggle for American automakers. Popular Japanese nameplates have done well as a result, and U.S. consumers are familiar with their reputations for quality and reliability. So Dodge took a different tack when it introduced the front-wheel-drive Dodge Neon sedan and coupe (alongside the identical Plymouth Neon) for the 1995 model year: The company made it fun to drive. The suspension and steering were carefully tuned to make the car handle well in the corners, and a pair of engines was available, including a 140-hp DOHC four-cylinder -- a lot of power for an economy car at that time. Of course, it didn't hurt that the Neon was cute as a bug and cheaper than most peers, either. It quickly caught on with budget-minded shoppers and was popular with young driving enthusiasts looking for a domestic alternative to import performance cars.
Unfortunately, Dodge lost its way when it redesigned the Neon for the 2000 model year. The car was a bit more refined than the original but was heavier, more expensive and no more powerful. The arrival of the turbocharged Neon SRT-4 sedan for 2003 brought some enthusiasts back into the fold, but by then most economy-car buyers had flocked to other brands. The Dodge Neon was discontinued after the 2005 model year; its successor is the Caliber four-door hatchback.
Most Recent Dodge Neon
Sold from 2000 to 2005 in sedan form only, the second-generation Dodge Neon offered a roomy interior, a smooth ride, nimble handling and strong brakes. Downsides included weak and unrefined engines, excessive wind and road noise, and an overall lack of polish and feature content compared to other economy cars. Crash test performance was mixed, as the Neon earned solid ratings in government tests but performed poorly in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing. Antilock brakes were optional on all model years; side airbags became an option in 2001.
Initially, buyers could get only a buzzy 132-horsepower, four-cylinder engine with either a five-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic. The performance-oriented Neon R/T and ACR models arrived for 2001 with a 150-hp four-cylinder. They were quicker than other Neons, but you could only get them with the manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic finally replaced the three-speed unit in 2002. The Plymouth version of this car was sold only in 2000 and 2001 and was never offered with the 150-hp engine or the four-speed auto.
The Neon SRT-4 sedan is one of the few bright spots in recent Dodge Neon history. Sold from 2003 to 2005, this scrappy econosport sedan represented the most performance you could buy for $20,000. Key ingredients were a high-boost turbocharged 2.4-liter engine good for 215-230 hp and 245-250 lb-ft of torque (output increased slightly from year to year) and a completely retuned, track-ready suspension. Not only could this Neon get you to 60 mph in under 6 seconds, it was a cinch to place in the turns, particularly the 2004 and 2005 models, which came with a limited-slip differential.
Past Dodge Neons
Sold from 1995 to 1999 in sedan and coupe form, the original Dodge Neon was smaller and cuter than its successor. It also offered a better combination of features and performance for its day. Refinement was never its strong suit, though, and Neons with the base 132-hp engine and three-speed automatic transmission were noisy and slow. However, when equipped with the optional twin-cam engine, the five-speed manual transmission, and the upgraded running gear offered on Sport and R/T models and Competition Group-equipped base models, the first-generation Neon could be a lot of fun to drive.
Resale value has always been a weak point of the Dodge Neon, so buying a used one will cost you very little. The flipside is that reliability is also below average on this car, so you should expect to put some money into repairs. A thorough check by a mechanic is recommended before you buy -- steer clear of any Neon with a history of engine or transmission problems.
User Reviews:
Showing 1011 through 1020 of 1,187.00-
must be the worst car ever made - 1995 Dodge Neon
By littleGST - July 4 - 2:00 amI got the neon cause i didnt want a honda. i shouldve bought a honda! the after 2 months of buying it, its been ground through repairs every single month! Every month something breaks! Good thing I had a dealer warranty, but even thats not worth it. I became a mechanic by necessity fixing many of these problems... and the car only has 50K!!! So I got a Eclipse GS-T and I havent had a problem with anything!
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I am scared to drive my car - 1998 Dodge Neon
By VeryDisappointed - July 3 - 2:00 amI bought this car new and have had nothing but problems with it. It has 34,000 miles on it and I already had it break down on me SEVERAL times. The transmission was replaced before the car even hit 30,000 miles. I am scared to drive my car most of the time because I am scared of what may happen.
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A Fun Lemon to Drive - 1996 Dodge Neon
By Geodon - July 1 - 2:00 amI bought my lemon....I mean Neon in 97 off of a lease. Problems began to surface immediately. I replaced the passenger power window. The brakes made these ungodly noises. It sounded like a garbage truck but this is normal. My battery cable disintegrated, followed by water flooding the rear passenger cabins floor every time it rained (bad weather stripping). Luckily this was under warranty. After the warranty, no major problems until 85,000mi. The head gasket blew leaking oil into the radiator, plugging it up. I sold it for way less than it was worth. It was fun to drive and race around in, but not reliable and very disappointing.
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Another tremendous sport compact - 2004 Dodge Neon
By Levey - June 26 - 10:00 amThe market right now is glutted with tremendous performance sport compacts. I really believe there is one to suit every personality out there. But if all out performance (and particularly acceleration) is what is most important to you, then there can be no other choice then the SRT-4. It can sprint like a V-8 Mustang and corner like a compact.
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Watch Out!! - 2000 Dodge Neon
By mad - June 25 - 2:00 amNot a bad car until about 43k miles (warranty runs out at 35k). Now, AT THE SAME TIME, the rear main seal blows and its spewing oil everywhere, AND the dealer tells me it needs a new steering rack. That adds up to over $1,000 worth of repairs and Im not even over 50k miles. Ill fix it then sell this stupid car before anything else goes wrong. I will never buy another Chrysler product again if I can help it.
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Neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
By byron_caroline - June 24 - 2:00 amMy Neon has held up relatively well over the years. Most of the ks are highway driving. I have, however, been extremely disappointed by Chrysler and their lack of help. I have had to have the seals on the rear lights replaced because water was leaking into the trunk. I have also had constant issues with the head gasket. In both cases, Chrysler has refused to help at all. I will not buy another Chrysler product.
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Nice Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
By RaiDeRz - June 19 - 10:00 amThe car is fun and has good handling going around curves. The car also has a decent sound system.
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Biggest Piece of Crap Ever - 1995 Dodge Neon
By Stay Away from Neons - June 18 - 2:00 amDO NOT buy this car. I bought this car with 60,000 miles on it. At 65k I had to replace the head gasket, then again at 73k, and again at 84k, and once more at 98k. A/C went and the whole thing needed to be replaced $1,500. Transmission problems at 100k, but it did have 100k.
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fun to drive - 2002 Dodge Neon
By TERRA - June 18 - 2:00 amI had a 1995 dodge neon and it had practically all new parts in it. I replaced the transmission twice and quite a few other things. I really didnt like that model. The new 2002 neon SXT that i have is so much fun to drive and it has a great warranty so if anything happens i guess they can pay to fix it.
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really good buy - 1999 Dodge Neon
By maidmarion - June 17 - 2:00 amwe love our little "hi" car.
