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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  Amazing! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By cooz123 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Yes, its like a broken record, but I have to agree with 90 percent of the posts here, this car is all that and more. Everything about the SRT-4 brings a smile to my face. I used to drive an 87 Mustang GT and that car doesnt come close to the fun factor I experience in my SRT. Stage 2 and new wheels and tires are in my forecast. I hope this car will go down in history as one of, If not the best bang for buck cars ever sold.

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  A step up from my cavalier - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By SummergrL1024 - September 23 - 10:00 am

  I had a cavalier for four years...lasted me from 97,000 miles to 129,000. I just bought a 2004 neon sxt and I am getting more for my money. For 18,000 (the same price as a sedan cavalier) I am getting a six cd changer, spoiler, sunroof/moonroof..options that would have pushed the price to 20,000 on a cavalier. And I got a great warranty!!! couldnt go wrong.

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  Not Bad for $500.00 - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Anyon - September 12 - 3:53 pm

  This little car has 133,000 miles on it and it still starts and drives very well. Very reliable, couple of gremlins, but nothing major. Lots of aftermarket parts available. Fun little project for the four banger enthusiast. Shaky idle (probably could benefit from a tune up).

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  Middle Age Crazy - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Bill9725 - September 10 - 11:20 pm

  Love the extreme power. Fun watching the Young that know what it is, the older types just think it is a body dress kit. Excellent engine and handling, even able to fit large size adults nicely. Has outstanding Mileage, Power, and Handling. Everyone that gets a ride in the car is amaized at the abilitys of a basic economy car.

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  Great Car...if you upgrade - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Jeff - August 30 - 11:17 pm

  I have had this car for three years now. Bought it with 44,000 miles on it and have taken it to 100,000. Really fun car to drive. As an experienced mech, i new that dodge parts are not even close to par, so i installed aftermarket parts for nearly every system on the car. Costly yes, but well worth it. The only original parts that have had to be replaced due to fault are the Cam position sensor (which all dodges are notorious for), EVAP canister(naturally due to mileage), and the timing belt(again, naturally due to mileage). Other than that, great car for the price. I would suggest you are at least somewhat of an experienced mech though. Parts are SOOOO cheap for this car. Labor is not.

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  Original owner & still driving it - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By oceangal313 - August 21 - 11:18 am

  This has been a great and fun car. I have replaced 2 front tie rods and the radio. I also replaced the radiator even though the dealer said I needed a tranny too, they lied. I bought some nice Elbrus wheels for it and Komho tires, added a spoiler and a faux hood scoop. My husband added a nice stripe to it and some V8 Hemi decals from an old Dodge truck. The car is awesome! With the Cars for Clunkers program I am thinking of trading in an old pickup and getting something new. If I do I am going to miss this car. It got me through my 40s :-)

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  Great Car for little over 10K - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Robert - August 18 - 9:24 pm

  Went from old 91 honda Civic to this. Wasnt sure about the car. But few friends had one so I gave it a try. Now I am still driving it with 145,000 miles on it. All I have had to do was scheduled maintenance and has been great. To me there is nothing wrong with the American Cars. They just got a bad rep and is hard to shake. I wish they still made the Neon would get a new one over the caliber.

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  Quiet Neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Mike L - August 17 - 7:51 pm

  Purchased the Neon SXT new in September 2005. This is August 2009 and not a bit of trouble. It rides, handles, and performs better that I expected for a small car. It has the deluxe insulation group and is quiet. I had the car rust proofed (Ziebart & Sound Barrier). At 56,000 miles replaced the tires with one size larger Goodyear ComforTred tires. The car is now very quiet (no..not exactly Lexus quiet)and even more comfortable for our drives across Michigan to see our grandkids. The car consistently returns 36-37 MPG on the freeway at 70 MPH. I have had a several people tell me what a nice, comfortable small car this is. We like this car very much.

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  FAST - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By dodgeman - August 16 - 2:14 am

  Bought this car site unseen on the recommendation of Mopar God Rick Ehrenberg. Huge leap of faith that paid off BIG TIME. Never regretted anything. Except maybe the upgrade to Goodyear Asymmetric tires, because the car is now twice as fast in corners and the fun factor is diminished. Need to drive at extremely dangerous speeds for same thrill. Car will accept full throttle upshifts without problems. Wonderful warranty. Minor turbo problem resulted in complete assembly replacement. Worn syncros, likely due to excessive driver exuberance and fatigue, resulted in warranty rebuild. Total cost of this service? $100! No better warranty possible! CV joints remain in good condition despite abuse.

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  Better Than I Expected!!!! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By daddyblue - August 13 - 11:43 am

  I bought my 95 Neon in Dec. of 2008, Since then, except for routine tune- ups, I havent had one problem out of the car that I bought for 300.00. I have been to out of state 17 times in the past 6 months on business, the car has helped me make almost a quarter million dollars, and she is still ticking. So now im going to return the favor a let someone buy the car for 300 dollars.