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 111 through 120 of 1,187.00-
no problems at all - 2003 Dodge Neon
By allan - January 3 - 1:22 amI bought this car in 2003 with 20000 miles on it.I drove it until 2009 and put an additional 90000 miles on it.Other than oil changes this car has been maintenance free for me.The 2003 Neon was the most reliable car Ive ever had.I would have bought another one but they stopped making the model 3 years ago. I recently traded it in and bought a 2007 Kia Spectra.Ill miss my Neon though. I had zero problems with it in 6 years of daily driving
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last neon I will ever own - 2002 Dodge Neon
By kandi - December 29 - 5:23 amNot very pleased with the overall performance of this vehicle, I had a previous 96 Neon that I enjoyed driving, was a fun and fast car with great fuel economy, especially for a Dodge product. This 02 has been in twice for the transmission, and the same part is broke again, it has developed an oil leak since my last oil change, and the value has dropped greatly in the past few months leaving me upside down in a car about the break.
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Awesome car - 2004 Dodge Neon
By ChrisSRT4 - December 29 - 2:00 amI own a 04 Electric Blue with the sunroof and Viper seats. The performance is just awesome! After 3500 miles, there have been no major problems. About the biggest complaint I have is the gas mileage. I can only get between 16-25 mpg. But thats not the point of this car...its all about the power!
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Great little car - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Brock - December 18 - 3:28 pmIve owned my dodge neon for just about four years now. I bought it brand new off the lot. Its a sxt model with an automatic transmission. The past two years, Ive been commuting eighty plus miles a day to work and home again. With the exception of a new battery and four new tires, my neon drives and performs well. I do all the maintenance my self. My neon has a few squeaks and rattles which is normal for the amount of miles it has, but it continues to serve me well.
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THink Before you buy this Problem.... - 2003 Dodge Neon
By John - December 18 - 11:51 amWe bought this car in 2003 BRAND NEW...No problems the 1st 40k miles, different story after that. We had to have a new transmission/radiator at 63k miles, then the car completely fell apart after that, seriously every month there was something else breaking...suspension/ignition/cooling system. This was BY FAR the worst car we ever owned....If you want a cheap car, consider a civic or corolla because in the long run, you will POUR MONEY into this car... We will be trading it in december 09 to buy a honda. I WOULD NOT recommend anyone buy a neon that has over 60k miles on it(dodge strategically made the powertrain warranty 50k)
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GREAT LITTLE CAR - 1999 Dodge Neon
By PAT - December 9 - 12:55 pmMy husband and I inherited this car in 2002 with about 10,000 mi. Now it is a little over 39,000 and has had very little problems. Is just starting to. Have a major oil leak & had new cam shank sensor put in. Getting 2 belts & new valve gasket. Is very good on gas. Ive driven highways long & short drives & it never failed me. If it only had a CD player and faster start-up it would be perfect! I chose to keep this car over 95 Nissan Maxima fully loaded to sell for husbands funeral, and am glad I chose to keep the Neon. Is a nice ride.
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happy in fresno - 2002 Dodge Neon
By tony nuccio - December 6 - 8:44 pmhappy with the car but disappointed that the paint did not hold it color though the years.
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Sweet Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
By j - December 2 - 4:10 pmThis car out of the box is fun to drive. Thanks to the SRT group for the atfermarket parts such as Stage 1,2,3.
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The silver bullet - 2002 Dodge Neon
By Robert - December 1 - 11:23 amin 2006 i bought a 02 r/t with 150k i have never had a problem out of the car and the previouse owner did not either. in fact the factory battery last up till the spring of 09. car is fun to drive very comforatable inside. has decent acceleration, not so bad MPG. for how much they cast it is a great car. beats the cost to own a 00- 03 civic to!
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Love my R/T - 1999 Dodge Neon
By scotr - November 19 - 7:58 pmIm more than happy with my 99 Neon R/T. It handles very nicely and with regular maintenance has been extremely reliable. I avg around 25 mpg in town and 37 mpg highway (all of which is at an elevation of 3500 ft or higher)on 87 octane reg gas. Head gasket blew at the 3 yr mark but dealer covered it. Headlights dull badly with age but aftermarket polishing helps. Seems to burn out an O-2 sensor every few years and the moonroof tracks have both broken once despite minimal use. Biggest problem (chronic to Neons) is the intermittent failure of the instrument cluster (due, Im told, to poor solder connections). All in all this car has been incredibly reliable, fun to drive and economical.
