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 141 through 150 of 1,187.00-
29/36 mpg? yeah right! - 2004 Dodge Neon
By Johnnym909 - August 12 - 10:00 amI drive me neon sxt to and from work, all highway. At night when there is no traffic I set the cfruise control at 70, and the best gas mileage I ever got was 31 mpg! I cant believe dodge claims 36 on the highway; not even possible. Other than that, this car has been good to me, except that the trade-in value after a year already puts me $4,000 in the hole on my loan.
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sporty - 2004 Dodge Neon
By streetdown - August 12 - 10:00 amgreat power fun to drive
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Dodge Hot Rod - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Kurt - August 8 - 9:40 pmThis car is sharp looking. Has the sport suspension, wheels, tires, fog lights. Lots of power for the money. Fun to drive. Very responsive.
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Fun , Fun, Fun! - 2005 Dodge Neon
By bennydojo - August 6 - 2:35 pmI got mine brand spanking new, I can tell you other than a couple of warranty fixes early on it has been very reliable. This car is load of fun, when that turbo kicks in you better hold on tight to the steering wheel.
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GM Dependable. Who would have thought? - 2001 Dodge Neon
By bdiddy1 - August 1 - 8:18 amI bought this as a used car with 40K on it in 2003. It now has only 68K in the last 5 years. Except for one splurge for new car parts which has extended its life, I have to say Im really pleased with this car. Its not great in the snow but it can handle most things. I really like the moon roof although there are some issues with the switch. If you dont have to drive a lot and just want a reliable car with some sporty features, then this is a solid, good car. Its not a clunker because of its gas mileage and thats another good feature. With some eco driving, its a fairly clean car.
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Why did they discontinue the Neon? - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Dodge Man! - July 31 - 4:10 pmI bought this car new when the 2004 were coming out. Got a great deal from the dealership in Gurnee, Illinois. The car has been very reliable with regular maintenance. I have 145,000 miles on it and just got it paid off last year. I use this as a commuter car and I have a newer family car Subaru, Tribeca for longer trips. I plan on driving the Neon until the wheels fall off for commuting 65 miles one way to work. I was going to have the timing belt changed at 100000 miles but I was told it didnt need to be replaced. Only major repair was the clutch at 90000 miles for 800 bucks.
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Surprisingly Great Little Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Luann - July 30 - 9:13 amI bought this car because it was a super clean, low-mileage trade-in at the dealership. It fit my budget and commuting needs. This car corners well and has good giddy-up when I need to excel to get onto the freeway or pass another car. It turns on a dime so parking is a breeze. Great stereo sound is a plus. I love this car! The reading lamps are great too, housed within the rear-view mirror, like those a lot!
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Continuous Headache - 2002 Dodge Neon
By Mags - July 23 - 6:59 amI have had multiple problems with this car ever since I bought it. A few months after I got it, we had heavy rains and I discovered it leaks around the tires, the belts squeal when they get wet (going through a puddle on the road), and it smelled (probably from previous owner). The CD player is temperamental, the automatic starter rarely works, and I have had multiple transmission problems. Had to completely replace it this past spring, and now the gears dont line up quite right. Not to mention the alloy wheel rims will dent on the slightest hole, and rims were impossible to find because of the size. Cute car. Fun to drive. Not worth the headache!
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Buy extended warranty - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Jeff - July 16 - 6:52 amTraded a 99 model for this 05,mainly for upgrades.At 19000 miles the temperature gauge quit working.Gauge is part of $515 instrument cluster. Had Chrysler max care extended warranty so cost me $100 to fix. These cars were after all the cheapest Chrysler made,so an extended warranty is a good idea.Also they were most likely the only cars Chrysler actually made any money on and stopping production was kind of stupid in my opinion. Not saying it would have kept them out of bankruptcy procedings but who knows. Maybe they will bring it back as a Fiat!
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Our neon named "Dimples" - 2005 Dodge Neon
By koneill - July 3 - 8:30 pmBought it new back in 2005 and now in 2009 it has 115,000 miles and have had no problems so far (knock on wood). Take yearly trips cross country with the kids and get good gas mileage. The only complaint is all the dents from wildlife running into it, polls jumping in front of it and carts that are attracted to it. I am waiting for everything to start falling apart on it Dimples, but so far, I have love this car and am attached to it.
