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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Awsome 2004 SRT-4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
By big worm - February 18 - 10:00 ami have had the car since jan 13Th it has ben awsome!no problems.runs like hell on wheels.the gas milage is getting better as i go i am up to 27MPG average.if you want more smiles per mile you must drive one to belive it.
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all around functional vehicle - 2004 Dodge Neon
By pc074 - February 17 - 2:00 amThis vehicle is the commute Ive been looking for. I am not spenting 35 bucks a pop to fill-it. It gets me to and from where I want to go. It feels good to keep it simple. My SUV was driving me to the poor house! Instead I bought a townhouse in Florida with my gas and car savings.
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Best Bang For The Buck - 2004 Dodge Neon
By BigPimpin - February 17 - 2:00 amI just bought this car a few days ago. I had to wait like 3 weeks cuz it was incomming. I put a 500 deposit on it so know one could touch it. Well i got a stage 1 kit, got it lowered and got a BOV all by Mopar! They also put 18 inch SSR Comps on it for me. I just bought a Borla exhaust system and AEM intake. This car really blows my mind, its oh so fast and oh so fun.Gas mileage is good for me, cuz my other car is a 5.9 litre Dakota RT.
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SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
By SRT4Mom - February 15 - 5:10 pmI have fallen in love with driving my SRT-4. I am not quite the target demographic, but have had many comments made on how cool the car looks. I enjoy driving it, and love the power, and still am able to enjoy reasonable gas mileage. I have never had a problem with this car, and love the performance. It works well as a family ca,r as well as a fun car.
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Neon, Americas Little Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
By abcubbie - January 21 - 4:43 pmGreat car. It handles like its on rails, and is much better than that Toyota I had. Very smooth automatic transmission, not clunky and slow to shift like European cars.
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SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Jewell - January 17 - 7:26 amI didnt like the look of the SRT-4 and wasnt very into driving a Neon. However I decided to take it for a test drive because it was the fastest vehicle for the price I wanted to pay. Wow! This car is very fun to drive! Its fast and it does not drive the way you think a Neon does. It handles much sturdier than you think possible and can provide thrilling acceleration. I have owned a 2003 Ford Lightning and a 1996 Mustang GT. It is as quick, if not quicker, than both.
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NEON SXT Sun and Fun 5spd - 2004 Dodge Neon
By willchadfuller - January 5 - 2:00 amThe suspention is inbetween sporty and smooth. The engine has good power with the 5spd manual and it shifts fairly smooth. I get approx. 30.5 mpg. Interior room is good and the seats are much more comfortable than import models. The cloth the seats are made of is kind of cheap. Most cars i test drove in this price range had the same type of seat cloth or even worse of a material. This car is very fun to drive. The only negative things i have to say after owning the car for 1 month is there is a slight rattle coming from the rear deck when I play the stereo loud, the transmission is kind of loud and the road noise is kind of irritating.
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Very Happy SRT-4 Owner. - 2004 Dodge Neon
By Kojak - January 5 - 2:00 amThis vehicle has a great powertrain, very comfortable interior and a very sporty look. The sound system is very impressive for a stock system. You can feel the bass. The rear wing hardly takes any of the view, contrary to other reports. Buckets are supportive. Polished dress up kit looks sharp. I would recommend anyone interested in this car to take a test drive. You will fall in love. I know i did.
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Alot of bang for any buck - 2004 Dodge Neon
By Quick - December 31 - 10:00 amWell-rounded performance, period! Handling is very good. Brakes are excellent! Vicious power! Good-looking interior (except the door plastic). Zero defects. No squeaks or rattles on my car! Only the Mach 1, WRX(& STI), and EVO provide similar, but less "bang for the buck". Then you need to move into the $45,000 range to equal or surpass performance. The Mustang Cobra is around $38,000, but the stock handling and brakes are no better (maybe worse). Dodge does not advertise this car. Not many on the road where I live. Only "gear-heads" know about the car. Therefore, strangely exclusive.
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Quality Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Ivan Ardan - December 30 - 7:20 amOk, prior to my SRT4 I owned a WRX. I miss my WRX alot, mainly because of the AWD and respect that car has on the road. However, the SRT4 has done nothing but impress me. It has much better top end power than a WRX. I am interested in seing what a stage 2 mopar package is going to do for me. Since I live in CO, Im dreading the winter w/o AWD. However, when you let the horses loose on the 2.4L turbod engine from the on-ramp of I-25 (which is 75MPH) there is no differance of feeling from an SRT4 and an STI. the regular WRX actually feels slower!
