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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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By EX-Neon Owner - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I am trading my neon tomorrow. The milage is at 96,900 and it has cracked a third head gasket. The first one was under 36,000 the second at 80K and then this one two days ago. I asked my mechanic if I could leave the car in his lot over night with the keys in it, and pray somebody would be stupid enough to steal it! The car is comfortable inside, and cute outside, but that is it. I have had exhaust issues, had the valve cover gasket replaced, Oxygen sensor replaced, and other things that I cannor even remember. It has no "get up and go", brakes lock on wet roads, and goes throug head gaskets like socks.

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  Pretty Impressive for a domestic. - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By oberkell - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my Golf 1.8t for this vehicle. So far so good. For the price I dont see how you could pass on this, especially with the 2k rebate and 500 rebate from State Farm or Country Companies (Farm Bureau Member). Loaded with options. Brakes are top of the line. Better than the new Acura. Quick (not fast), handles great and gets outstanding gas mileage (35 mpg) first tank. Pretty roomy for a compact and has a big trunk. Doesnt look like anything on the road and there are a large number of aftermarket products on the market for this car. Replacement parts are also cheap, especially coming from a VW - 1,000.00 for a clutch and flywheel.

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  Excellent! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By adowdell - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I would highly recamend this car to anyone wanting to have fun!! Its extremely fast, handles great, and gets plenty of looks. I have no major quables except that I would not recamend anyone with over a 37" waiste to get the stock seats. There are huge seat bolsters which are awesome if you fit. It has some wheel hope if ran hard and wheels start to spin. Im gonna get some new harder engine mounts to help limit that though. other than that great car and lots of factory upgrades!

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  neons - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By neon - April 9 - 2:00 am

  I think that the neon is an alright car it doesnt have very fast acceleration and it really touchy but its fun to drive and you can improve it so its alright its definitly not a car that you would want to drive fast or hard

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  My Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Tina - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Never had any problems or complaints with this car! Dealer and manufacturer service has been excellent! Had lots of compliments on my car - would recommend owning a car like mine to anyone!

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  Great Car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By denny - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I just picked up my third Neon. I also have a 95 (150K) and a 98 (96K). The 2002 sxt with a 5 speed is fun to drive, has great acceleration and good fuel mileage. It is as solid as a rock. For a little car, its great. This car was loaded. It is quiet for a small car too.

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  New SXT model an improvement - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By jayjay610 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  a solid car for it price and class a good work and errands vehicle i dont reccomend it for long haul trips

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  Great Car. Not so great price. - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Justin - March 27 - 2:06 pm

  The car is by far the best car I have driven in the 20K range. The only thing is that you can not find it for that price (at least around here). Everywhere I look dealers are selling it for 27k +!! I love the car and would buy it right now if I could find one for 21k. I dont know if it is worth 27k.

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  OK Neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Johnny lLarue - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Solid overall performance. Dont like the frameless window

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  good car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By neon_lover - March 22 - 2:00 am

  For those who are knocking the 2001 Neon, just take a look at the maintenance costs compared to the Japanese models. I used to have a 1995 Neon which had some problems but it made it to 150K with the only costs being A/C issues and a bad head gasket design (new design worked okay). I previously had a Toyota Celica and replacing the muffler, tires, etc. was minimally double what it costs on the Neon. Yes, there were some nuisances, but they are all taken care of in the 2001 model. No rain through the door jam, no squeaky brakes when moist, road noise down almost completely, windows tight, more "containers", brighter headlamps, etc. I love my 2001 SE.