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:

• 

  Yeah Dodge - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By yeahdodge - September 4 - 10:35 pm

  I just got rid of a 89 Oldsmobile, so this is my first "real" car, and I love it. It is a blast to drive, and the looks on peoples faces because they think that it is "just a neon" and you fly by them and shift and the turbo blasts into their window and they think twice about it being a neon. This little rocket has more power than any car I have ever driven. It also has great handling. This car has a great center point of gravity, cause when you take corners you dont feel the car lean to one side or the other. I would recommend anyone that asks to buy one. If they can find one left anymore!

• 

  love it. - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By CarmaxSRT4 - August 20 - 4:01 pm

  I have not had the car long. but i have a sad story. i bought the car on a saturday. by tuesday the trans was blown. it was nothing i did but previous owner neglect. i love the car and cant wait to get it back. the only thing i wish is that the parts were more available

• 

  Big Guy/Little Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Thomas - August 19 - 1:41 am

  Bought this one after getting a 96 strictly for fuel economy. I am 64" the wife is 61" and we can travel without having our knees in our chest. Good response to throttle, handling great, and again fuel economy, all in a little car that so far has been VERY reliable. The stereo is great for a car that retailed for only $16,000, especially when you see luxury cars with stereos that arent much better. Will definitely buy another to "play" with and keep this one for peace of mind on trips. By the way, standing 1/4 mile is 80 MPH, not bad for a economy car.

• 

  More Civilized Than I Thought - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Actual Owner - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I knew it would be fun, but the SRT4 also had a better ride than I thought it would (it is very stiff, but not jarring, and fine on the highway). The clutch, transmission, and throttle are more direct than our 03 SXT Neon, which makes it easier to get going from stoplights, and for matching revs when downshifting from 5th to 4th. We compared it with the Mini, WRX STI, and Evo, and for us found it had the best fun-to-drive-for-the-buck ratio, and also the most usable back seat.

• 

  Suprise, Surprise, Surpise!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Carmen - August 2 - 10:42 am

  I went to the dealer looking for a different car. Well, not so good credit landed me my neon. WOW!!! I am so happy that I got it. Ive had it for about 4 years and only took it to the garage once. The mechanic was not too happy to hear it was a Neon, well after he test drove it after the fix, he was in love with MY car!! No complaints, but that for a small car its not very fuel efficient. Other than that, I recommend this car. LOVE IT!

• 

  Love this car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Love this car - July 25 - 9:50 pm

  I loved this car I never had a problem with it. I owned it for eight months and put 45,000 miles on it. I was not good to it. I never change the oil on time. I drove a lot of dirt roads. It never failed me. It was one of my fav.

• 

  Could have done better - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By elysian_7 - July 25 - 9:08 pm

  Had mine 4 years, put 75,000 miles on it and bought it brand new. Its a good car. I have really had no problems until recently, but it has yet to leave me stranded. Im getting strange codes and my transmission is acting berserk. The 6 disk changer was a mistake and Im very upset with performance. Ive lost several cds into the unknown in there and had to replace the thing twice. Other than that its a smooth ride, once i get my current problem fixed (still dont know what it is). Great speakers, cool look, smooth ride, almost no blind spots. Great first car. I wont get another though. Sorry dodge, but i cant take the electrical problems.

• 

  a great little car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By neonguy528 - July 24 - 12:47 pm

  Bought my 03 neon new 9-02. I baby this car because I work hard for my money and want it to last. I love this car. This car design inspired many copycats from other companies. The new mazdas for one. In 6 years I have been stranded once with a busted alternator belt at 58,000 miles. I have had 5 or 6 times where the car has lost power while driving. My mechanic has checked it out and could not find anything wrong on the diagnostic machine. He said it was probably a glitch with the computer. I have 61,000 miles now and it is running perfect. I do need front control arm bushings. I love my neon and will never part with it. It has been a great car. And money well spent. I get 24-29 city. 39 or more hwy.

• 

  Fun but big-time TROUBLE - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Paul - July 24 - 12:04 am

  When I found my Neon R/T, white with blue stripes, I thought I had gone to heaven. And there is no question that it is a fun car to drive when it runs but I have had nothing but trouble since I bought it. I have had the engine rebuilt twice and numerous things replaced, much more than I would expect even for a car that has over 150,000 miles on the odometer (I bought it at 94,000 miles). The trunk and right rear seat area leaks buckets of water in every rain or snow storm. If it wasnt for the consistent 30 mpg I would dump the car ASAP.

• 

  NEON SXT - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By srt10dodgeviper - July 22 - 11:09 am

  Im a car salesman and bought a neon. Its a pretty good car overall. I get between 27-33 mpg depending if Im driving on the highway or in the city. Im a neat freak because I was a detail shop manager for years. The neon would be better if the seat fabric was better and could be cleaned easier. The trim moldings fade really easily too. I bought the car for what the dealership paid and its value is dropping daily. Overall it is a really good dependable car, but the re-sale isnt there. If youre looking for a really basic, reliable car I would say buy a neon. If your a resale buyer I would stay away from it.