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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  I love this Car.....! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By beecoolbreeze - September 9 - 4:53 am

  I have a 2003 SE with the 4 speed automatic even though I couldnt choose auto in the model type so I put manual and I love it. I bought it with 44,200 and It has 47,655 miles on it without any problems except oil change. The car is structurally and mechanically sound. No problems at all.

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  1999 Dodge Neon highline AUTOMATIC - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By samanthawade - September 5 - 4:21 pm

  I just want to start off by saying, this car has been very great since Ive had it. I have had it for almost 2 years. It is a 1999 and it only has 65,000 miles as of right now. The only problem that has happened since, is a leak in the break line, which was a very cheap fix. The car has great MPG and trunk space. I would recommend to an elderly woman or new driver! The only thing I cannot stand about this car is the size. ITS SO SMALL. I am not an extremely large person, but I am not tiny. It is very uncomfortable to drive. I am in the market for a new car because I cant handle how small this car is. I do not recommend this car to anyone who is a little overweight.

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  So far so good :D - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By kennysdead - July 12 - 10:02 pm

  The reviews Ive read were either amazing or money pit. I got lucky and so far nothing is wrong with it and its at 100,000 on engine. I did buy this from a mechanic though so I could trust that it wouldnt break down. This was my first car too.

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  "Lets run em!!" MOPAR OR NO CAR!!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By imboosted - June 29 - 9:33 pm

  At first i wanted an MS3, theyre great cars. Only problem is, theyre as plentiful and as common as roaches!! Every1 i know has on and it sucked for me in making my nxt performance decision. I looked at the cobalt ss supercharged, but then i remembered my brother had 1 and i was always told to stay away from civics. so the nxt logical choice was the srt-4. I cant tell you how glad I am to be the owner of this car. IT IS AWESOME!! picked mine up, she was stock. added a few things..(Mpx exhaust,, BIG front mount, greddy turbo timer, AEM intake, and AGP wastegate) and now shes unstoppable. I eat stngs, comaros, Zs, WRXs, GTIs, MS3s for breakfast!! I can even hang with GS vettes. Great car!!

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  My Favorite Car of All Time - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By dezern - June 6 - 9:59 pm

  Ive always loved the SRT-4s, and when I was finally given the chance to get one I jumped on it fast. I love this car more than any other Ive ever owned or driven before, shes incredibly smooth at high speeds, sticks to the road like you wouldnt believe, and will blow the minds of anyone foolish enough to think shes just a Neon. I have very minimal mods and the only thing thats given me any trouble was a 2013 Mustang GT that had been built quite a bit. 5.0s, S2ks, WRXs, Ive never lost to them before with this mean little car. If you want something fast and practical, buy this car! Also, it is the meanest sounding four cylinder ever! Put a 3 inch side exhaust on her and she sounds evil

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  So far so good! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By aaronrdavis - May 31 - 6:43 pm

  Had this baby for little over 2 years and I love it, not sure what most people are complaint about if you keep up with normal maintenance it should be fine in my two years of owning it Ive put almost 30,000 miles on it and havent had a thing go wrong with it except changing the battery. Great car to start with as long as its an 02 or newer neon. Ill agree with the others, I wish they kept making it I would buy another one :)

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  Best first car ever...I love you "Bertha"!! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By bmore410 - May 10 - 10:02 pm

  Probably my favorite out of all the cars Ive ever driven. I love this car to death. Ive done all I can to keep it running and its still running like new. I definitely plan to keep this car well into college. Not only is it stylish, but it just has character. Theres just something about it that I love so much about it. Ive really developed a "connection" with "Bertha", shes a part of the family:) I highly recommend this a teens first car.

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  Love my lil Neon. - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By simplyme - May 5 - 10:07 pm

  Love this lil thing! bought for 1800 as a commuter for school. Accidentally got a 3spd auto. but for living in a small town it does fine, I just avoid all hwys. Parts are reasonably priced its burnt orange manual everything cept auto obviously, but this lil nellie gets the job done no rain issues lights stay off =)

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  Dont Ever Buy A Doge Neon!!! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By dodgeneonsux - May 2 - 4:11 pm

  i bought my 2003 doge neon with 98k miles on it. i thought this would be a perfect car if i took care of it, and always did the normal maintenance. i was VERY WRONG! this car is nothing but a money pit. and you will put every cent you have into garage bills. i only owned this car for one year. and i probably spent $15 thousand dollars in repairs. it was breaking down at least once a month. when it hit 120k miles the tranny went. when the mechanic told me it will cost $2000 to fix it. i decided to sell it. TRUST ME WHATEVER YOU DO DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Neon not safe - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By drummer69 - April 27 - 1:05 am

  I keep hearing about the Dodeg Neon that its a fun, safe little car. Well, Im here to tell you thats its not. Anyone who thinks that this car is safe, needs to listen to me. My girlfriend was driving a Neon when she was T boned hit broadside on the passanger side when she was driving, and she was killed instantly. The car crumbled up like a tin car. The biggest piece of crap that was ever made. The unsafest car ever made, period!