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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  Very Disappointed - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Very Disappointed - March 4 - 4:58 am

  I have had numerous problems since I bought this vehicle 6 years ago: the paint discolored on the hood and trunk twice the interior light works only when it wants to the break lights stayed on continuously the turn signal broke twice major head gasket leak: the dealer said the factory was offering a $100 deductable because it was an ongoing problem with this vehicle. No problems yet w/the new headgasketAC has gone bad 5 times now.

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  WORST CAR EVER MADE? - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By avoidneon - March 3 - 11:45 pm

  I bought a Neon new in 1994. This was the worst car I ever owned, with dozens of problems, like 4 replaced engine computers, loose exhaust, clunking suspension, leaking window seals (window are frameless, beware!), bad brakes, electrical probelms, etc, etc, etc. I sold this car at a significant loss in 1998, but I would have paid someone to take it off my hands.

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  Neon compact - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Soey - March 3 - 5:12 am

  Great comuter car, gets great gas economy and has great comfort for a little car, if you want a sports car, this may not be for you.lacks in performance. But if you want a decent priced gas miser with room for 4, try the all new dodge neon.

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  A fine car for the money. - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Chris Dickey - March 3 - 3:16 am

  I just bought my R/T. It was not my first choice, but being a Daimler-Chrysler employee I couldnt pass up the discount and rebate. Now that I have it I am delighted with it. It is much more fun to drive than I thought it would be. I find it very refined and comfortable. It came with a great warranty if needed. The build quality was much better than I expected. The fuel mileage is much greater than I expected. Over thirty miles to the gallon so far. Summary, I am happy with this car!

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  Good car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Nathan - March 2 - 12:50 am

  Ive had my 1998 Dodge Neon for five months now. So far its been great. I got in a wreck in which I went sideways into a twelve foot ditch. I came out completely fine. The car came out with a dent in the hood, a cracked bumper, and the driver side door was lowered a little bit. I got it fixed and now it is as fun to drive as ever. Even though it is an automatic it still gets great acceleration. It has a big engine sound to it too. Its pretty fast for a 4-cylinder.

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  A good value - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By chris - February 27 - 10:54 am

  After over 38000 miles in two years this car is still running great and a lot of people like the way it looks.

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  poor car - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By gman - February 26 - 11:51 pm

  too many repairs to the transmission.costly repairs to the struts.poor electrical system and noisy interior.

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  Buy the Stick! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By king ding-a-ling - February 26 - 7:37 pm

  If you are interested in a FUN little new car, I would suggest the Neon with the 5 speed. The only weakness with this car is the noisy engine. Handles great (tires dont squeal), good power (132HP), looks great (in silver with tint and factory 15" wheels), and is one of the rommiest in the class. Get ABS and TRAC (optional). Stock stereo is also very crisp. Been very reliable (even after accident!).

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  Great Car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Andre - February 26 - 3:59 am

  I purchased my Neon on April of 2000 and Ive put 35K miles in it. So far Ive not had any problem. The car handles beautifully on the road. Its extremely stable on the corners and it has plenty of grip. The Neon is pretty powerful for its size (5 speed manual) and shifting is pretty smooth. Breaking is also excellent. Ive been involved in an accident a year ago and the car handled it without a problem. Im very happy with it. Simply a great car.

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  This car rocks! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By civictd04 - February 23 - 2:00 am

  I decided to buy the SRT4 over the WRX. Test driving a WRX with STi exhaust I noticed more turbo lag and less acceleration. The SRT4 is a mean machine when it comes to performance. This car can out accelerate and corner more expensive cars. It looks great too. Inside the interior is a little better than a regular Neon with chrome trim gauges, silver and carbon fiber accent pieces, and boost gauge. The stock stereo sounds suprisingly good. Gas mileage is average, 22-30mpg, but considering the power this car has that is very good. Overall I am very satisfied with this car.