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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  Disappointed - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By highly disappointed - May 7 - 3:01 pm

  So, I bought this car because it was all I could afford at the time. However, I wish someone had told me how cheap it was, not to mention that they are hot cars to steal. This car is made so cheap the interior doors were coming off (plastic). Most 95 have problems with oil leaking so I was told by a mechanic. I had my car stolen the police said they are easy to steal. HE was right! I could easily pry my fingers behind my window and unlock my doors. Other problems I encountered with this cheaply made vehicle were that the driver side lock was broke so in order to lock my car I had to go through the passenger side to get into the car. The radio would work occasionally.

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  good basic transportation - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By Chris - April 30 - 11:36 am

  I have owned my 99 neon sport for nearly 7 years. I purchased this car with 46k miles and have since put nearly 120k on it. It has been a very reliable car and has only left me stranded 2 times. First time was a radiator leak @ 130k miles and the second was just a loose neutral safety switch. Good in snow w/ snow tires. Performance is pretty good and cornering is a blast. Fuel economy ranged from 28mpg on low test in normal driving conditions to 39mpg on very long highway trips w/ high octane. Clear coat started to bubble up 2 years ago and headlights have fogged over due to sun exposure and need to be replaced. Over all, I feel that this has been a very good car.

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  flogging neons - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By dodge me - April 25 - 11:53 pm

  I have a 1995 neon with approximately 125,000 miles on it after getting it I found one gremlin in the instrument cluster (repaired ground) then built it for minor performance and fuel economy amazingly I was getting 55+ mpg highway from my .75 overdiven manual trans. 2.0l sohc only thing I have yet to find wrong has been the head gasket never had any problems up to the point I rebuilt the cylinder head for more perf. and no signs of leaks.

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  More than I expected - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Skipp - April 23 - 10:00 am

  This is probably the best decision I have ever made regarding a new car. When I first drove it, I noticed the car had a kind of "lets go" personalty. Very eager to accelerate. This has only gotten better with 9500 miles under its belt. The handling is very responsive and the ride is firm but not harsh. My particular car has a nice Black Leather interior that surprises my friends with its luxurious look and feel. The 6-Disc Changer in the dash is a cool setup that sounds great. And the new looks definately got my attention. If you are in the market for a great little fun to drive car this is it!

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  A good first new car... - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By JB - April 19 - 3:43 pm

  I bought my Neon new in 2003, and for the most part, enjoyed it. Ive had some rough idling issues which were covered under the powertrain warranty, but other than that no major repairs. Considering I spend about $12,000 for the car, its been well worth the money. Id definitely take a look at this car if youre looking for a commute vehicle. I probably average about 28 mpg with 85% highway/15% city driving. Not bad at all!

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  Better than my Honda - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Blk Neon - April 11 - 10:36 am

  Great car not the gas mileage I had hoped for. This car has a sporty look and handle very well. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun car to drive.

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  power for less - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By twinturbo1587 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  this car is sweet, very qiuck for $21000. 0-60 in 5.3 and 1/4 mile in 13.9: this car is best known for performance.

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  Funnnn - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By srt forlife - April 6 - 1:50 pm

  I have had this car for a year n bought it used but have had little issues with it mostly wear and tear. love the power and the look you get when u drive by someone lol. the gas milage isnt bad for what performance it puts out

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  A good first car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Shin - April 5 - 4:53 pm

  This is my first car Ive had this for almost 5 years now Im at 108k miles, Ive only had some minor issues. My car rough idles every once in a while and makes noises on the driver side front tire when I turn right, Ive had it checked out and everyone has told me that theres nothing wrong, they only found a leaky freeze plug that sits in the back engine, however had my dad look at it and told me that its old residue, nothing to worry about. I have a leaky valve cover issue as well, I love the interior design, the only problem inside is the bar between the door and windshield, it creates a major blindspot, also I get poor gas mileage, between 20-25mpg...overall a good starter car.

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  Not a bad car for the buck - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Michael - March 27 - 12:09 am

  I bought this car used a little over two years ago this month and I was well pleased with it. I fell for the style and the color of it. Mine is electric blue with a spoiler. A couple of things I dont like are that the car is very harsh over bumps and over exaggerates on any kind of road its on. Ive had to change the transmission at 75,000 miles which I was upset about. The interior is ok but I feel like Dodge could of taken it a little further than just cheap hard plastic. I like the seats in the neon as well however I cant stand that everything stains the seats (even water). Back seats sit 4 comfortably even 6,0 guys like me, the fronts seats are cramped. The car overall is a good buy