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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  My first car was a disaster - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By acd88 - December 1 - 9:14 pm

  Needed a car to get to work and college. Bought a used 2003 Dodge Neon from dealership with 54,000 miles on it. Ran great for the first few months. Then it idled rough so I replaced spark plugs and wires. Ran good for a while. Had trans flushed at 62,000 miles and things went downhill. Radiator ruptured two months later. Trans fluid leaked out, coolant fluid contaminated the trans. Replaced radiator. At 68,500 miles had AAMCO inspect it. Said trans was good but needed to replace motor mounts.The day before Thanksgiving the transmission went(71,000 miles) Mechanic says the coolant fluid that got in the trans, destroyed it. Thought it would be an easy maintenance first car. Boy was I wrong!

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  Do not buy this vehicle! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Nicole - November 29 - 1:23 pm

  Despite taking great care of my car, Ive had nothing but problems with it. My brakes have needed work on multiple occasions. Ive had to call AAA three times in the past 6 months alone due to the car breaking down and leaving me stranded, all at less than 55,000 miles. Dodge acknowledges there are many issues with the cars radiator, but they wont do anything to help you, even when the problematic radiator fries your transmission and needs costly repair work. My Neon has eaten 2 radiators in the past month alone, and Ive given up on it at this point. Avoid this car completely unless you want to spend $500+ each year on costly repairs that a reliable vehicle wouldnt even need.

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  Very fast for price - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By dougie - November 21 - 4:50 pm

  I have owned 2 SRT-4s. I love the power. A sleeper car that can run with cars that cost twice as much. Has issues on takeoffs but no problem on highways. Great for the family man that wants to have fun and have a family. Fell in love with the car first time I drove it.

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  I Like It - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By mdlunde - November 14 - 2:00 am

  To date, I have had no problems. I wish I would have ordered the cruise control though.

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  Kicks Butt! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By oOMocKerOo - November 14 - 2:00 am

  My experience with Neons didnt start off that great. I had a 1997 Plymouth Neon DOHC 150-hp engine. It was fun to drive and I frequently smoked Hondas and Focuses. The big problem I had was reliability. This doesnt seem to be a problem with my new 2003 R/T. Very sleek and great looking. I recommend it to all!

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  2001 Neon ACR - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By HazMatt24 - November 13 - 9:53 am

  Loud, rude, and crude. Just the way I like it. I have used this car for a daily driver and autocross/time trial car. The handling is great for a front driver and acceleration is great for only 150 HP. Adjustible struts realy make a difference when driving at the limits. No mechanical problems to speak of yet. Fun little car to play with.

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  Dimples has been great to me so far - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By kldtoto - November 7 - 9:26 am

  I have the SRT body and it is the 5 speed trans. I love this car and have over 100,000 miles on it so far. I have had no problems beside annual maintenance. When it is warm out, sometimes I have to try a couple of times before the car starts, but it is not an every day occurance. I travel across country 2-3 times a year and commute 100 miles a day (total) for work. I would recommend this car to anyone. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.

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  Great Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Rocky - November 5 - 10:23 am

  This is a great and reliable car. I get awesome visibility from all angles. I like to maintain my own car and everything under the hood has easy access and comfort. I dont have to fight to fit my arm down tight spots. It has great handling and maneuverability. Its cheap to maintain and has great miles to the gallon in both city and highway. I only wish it had more space in the trunk and the back seats.

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  My SRT - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By DodgeRacer - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for about 6 weeks, and I am loving every minute of it. Dodge really knows how to design and bolt a car together. The power is awesome. The interior is better than I expected on a economy car. The car looks awesome.

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  Do not buy! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By UNHAPPY - October 26 - 9:54 pm

  This is the worst vehicle that I have ever known. Granted, I bought it salvage title due to a small dent. It only had 70k and I figured it was a champ, by the sound of the engine. $3,000 later, I hate myself for it. Ive been through every system of this car. The head gasket, the alternator, the fuel pump, etc. I loath Dodge. Never buy a Neon. Reviews like this are common for this model. I am junking it tomorrow for less than I bought it.