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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  pleasant surprise - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By thehidking - March 23 - 12:52 pm

  I have had the car now nine wonderful years. I have over 100K miles and honestly I have missed many service times and still the car runs and drives like it did when I bought it with only 2 miles on it. I have owned a honda civic and toyota corolla and hated both those cars in comparison. Parts are cheap and readily available almost anywhere. The ride is a touch stiff compared to a toyota but it is faster lighter and more fun to drive. the AC has never been touched and blows freezer like cold. My brakes seem to last almost three years with 80% left on the origional drum shoes in back. The factory sound system was nicer than the civic EX I had before this.

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  Theft for this car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Gina - March 23 - 11:29 am

  This car is a good car and is reliable and simple to fix if something is wrong but the theft on this car is terrible! Ive had my car for 5yrs and its been broken into 4times. And its not the area because Ive moved 3 times. Everytime I put in a police report, the police officers always say "you got to get rid of this car because its # 1 for theft". Thank god they did the upgrade.

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  Please stay away from Neons. - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Hikerman95 - March 14 - 5:33 pm

  I traded my Jeep Cherokee for a 2002 Neon R/T 4 cyl 5 speed. bad move. the gas milage was better, but the car was not. The wheel bearing needed replacing, all my electronics shut off one day on the highway, including my spedometer and gauges, on top of that, my e-brake failed, and the brakes were trash. I was just in an accident yesterday, and the whole front end was demolished. (at 25 mph) The airbags never deployed, and the brakes didnt want to work til the last second when it was too late. do yourself a favor and stay away from Neons. I thought the R/T would be a good one, but I was wrong. Thanks dodge.

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  Bias - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Dodgeboy - March 11 - 10:00 am

  The best car money can buy. Car handles like dream. Cheap thrill. Laughing all the way to the bank (use the difference toward saving at 4.3%). I never believe in the hype of Japasnse cars.

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  My 2nd Neon - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By ski1981 - February 28 - 8:07 pm

  I brought this vehicle used with 62,127mi on it at a dealer my older sister boyfriend works at, so i got a really good deal on it. My 1st Neon was a 97 Highlight and its life ended around 238k give or take 5k so, I thought I might get lucky with this as well.....omg, I was WRONG!! The heater was not working right, so i took to Dodge(it was still under warranty) they claimed it was the thermostat, but in the process of replacing this thermostat they broke a senser on the intake manifold which made the car idle very high, but they fix that. I STILL HAVE NO HEATER!!! I had to replace the radio about 4weeks after all of that drama. she has been good to me but I will be trading up some for a VW.

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  curvechasing - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By richard noggin - February 27 - 2:00 am

  after getting a new rt neon and changing the stock factory junk brakes the car handles fairly well,for cornering and countersteering the suspension is the same as the older neon acers after 10k miles of hard driving and 2 sets of front tires it still handles and feels like new.next car will be the srt4,this was just a wait for one to come down closer to 20

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  Still love it - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By ambersheree3 - February 23 - 9:44 pm

  I bought my Neon with 27,000 on it, it now has 92,000. Ive replaced 3 wheel bearrings (2 front, 1 rear), the starter, and have gone through 3 oil sending units (oil leaks from the wire harness plug) and I am still fine with driving this car! It still starts right up every morning and zooms through traffic! Even after $3000 worth of hail damage, and a enough other body damage to total the thing! Its definitely not the nicest looking car around, but its free (paid off) and is still great after 4 years of crazy driving.

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  Eh - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Jorus - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Frankly, this car really didnt light my fire. I really wouldve rather gone with a Ford Focus or Mazda Protege for the money.

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  Good Value - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By PA DAWG - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Car has worked real efficiently. I drive lots of miles each day and I needed a reliable inexpensive mode of transportation. It has a sporty feel and corners very well for an economy car. The sound system is impressive as well.

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  Best car Ive had for gas mileage - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By mopar4ever - February 14 - 2:52 am

  I bought my Neon in June of 2005 with 5,000 miles on it. It is now Feb of 2009 and I have a little over 105,000 miles on it. There has never been anything wrong with the car except routine work like oil, spark plugs, wires, etc. I did however have a transmission cooler liner split when it had 104,000 miles but that is a normal wear and tear item as well. My passenger CV shaft is acting up as well now but it has 105,000 miles on it plus with me doing the burnouts I do with it doesnt help. Overall it is a great car all in all.