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:

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  shoulda bought a ford - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By nkcmetro - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my neon new 4yrs ago. i liked it tell 15000mi when the struts whent bad.from 15000mi to 38000mi I have replace the following headgasket,1000$ in machine work, head, lifters, rings, pistons, oil pump, timming belt, rotors, fuelpump, ecu, ing. system, inst. cluster, torque converter, and last but not least the wiper motor. the piece still needs a blower motor and window cranks. dodge sold me a piece of crap, they know it and dont care. I HATE DODGE!

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  Fast and Furious - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By seven oaks - May 28 - 2:00 am

  My first car and still loving every minute of it. Bought it in fire engine red color with manual transmission and it is loads of fun to drive. Had to do standard maintenance with oil changes every 3K, etc. Just had my timing belts changed at 102K.

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  Great little ride - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By SXTer - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Our first Neon was good but started falling apart (a/c, speedo/odo quit, and gas gauge quit, knobs started breaking etc) but the engine with 130K is still solid. NOW we have the SXT, had it a month and the engine is zippier w/132bhp. Gas milage is down from last Neon/38mpg to 33mpg. Gear shift is a little squishy but this aint a Ferrari. For the price with the rebate, to getta GOOD LOOKING car with 15 inch rims, a/c, cd player, power frt windows (having to manually roll down the rear is strange but hey-I ride in the front) , and a roomy interior is almost unheard of. Go price the competitors and itll make your head hurt.

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  flee from Daimler/Chrysler - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By beeblequix - May 25 - 2:00 am

  "If you take care of it, it will last you forever." Thats what the salesman said. Replaced sunroof 4 times, radio 3 times, head gasket went out @23K mi (they made me pay the coolant change when they changed HG), 8 visits to dealer to fix BAD GROUND under dash, each pwr window motor replaced, each pwr lock switch replaced more than twice.

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  I Love this Car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jaxzon - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Just finished putting the first 300 miles on the RT. It is one of the best handling cars Ive driven. The suspension is tight. The steering is firm. I got all the bells & whistles on this baby and it rocks. I would have purchased the SRT-4 if only they were available in my area. I would love the 230 HP (Mustang killer) under the hood on a 2700 LB body. The RTs only got 150 HP, but with all the aftermarket out there, man I cant wait til I save up for some performance parts.

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  A R Pocket Rocket - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Bob Tues - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This is flat out scary- a real pocket rocket! Reminds me of Carrol Shelby in his prime but sounds like the muscle car of the 60s. Seats let you know you are in a real sports car. Everythng in its size and class just watches as you go by. Not for the timid!

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  Fun little car! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Osoler - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a car for people that are on a bugget!Its all around a performer.

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  Amazed at a good Dodge product - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By frank - May 21 - 9:50 pm

  This car is awesome. Its very loud, but thats the only complaint Ive had so far. Most of the noise is due to the tires, which Ill replace once theyre worn out. Overall, incredibly fast, good handling, very comfortable ride. Lack some amenities inside, but for the price and performance, I dont miss them.

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  Love my Neon - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jim from PA - May 18 - 2:00 am

  As an owner of imports previously, I was impressed with the Neon. Overall design is the winning attribute which results in a quiet ride, low wind noise, does not get blown off the road, very comfortable seats, and high quality materials. Nothing looks cheap and have a nice quality feel to them. No rattles and is tight as a drum with excellent fit and finish, and smooth ride. Im getting 33 mpg. Would buy another.

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  Bad experience - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By susieQ - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in may of 1999. It drives great, but not even a couple of months later the horn needed to be replaced. Within the first 6 months i had the car the horn was replaced 5 times. A few months later the power steering pump was replaced. In june of 2001 the head gasket was replaced. Than in January 2002 the head blew and the timming chain broke and had to be replaced. Than in may of 2002 the main rear seal started leaking and now has to be replaced. There are to many problems with this make and model of car. m