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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  Been in the shop 4 times. - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By AMP - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car to drive back and forth from college and home which is a 400 mile trip. This car was fine for the first eight months of ownership. It has real hesitation starting sometimes, chugs and has been in the shop 4 times because the engine light comes on. I feel this car has faulty craftsmanship and low quality parts.

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  Awful, just awful! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Bobby - November 18 - 9:53 am

  Run away from this car as soon as you see it. I thought I was getting a good deal because of the price and it is the worst buy I made! Resale value is horrendous and it is in the shop more than on the road.

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  Fun and inexpensive - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By wax - November 18 - 8:51 am

  This is my second Neon. I love it. I blast around full throttle and still get close to 35 mpg. I think we drove every small car made before we made our decision. The only one that even came close to the performance of the Neon was the Mazda. I drive a lot of miles, and buy new cars often.

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  Neon SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Whiteacrsrt05 - November 7 - 11:32 am

  This car has been a blast to drive. I have hit a tree doing 80mph in the left rear, and walked away with no problems. I used to own a nissan sentra SER Spec V....I thought that car was fun untill I test drove my Neon, Fun factor of 10!

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  Entry Level is Entry Level - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By kksulli - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle in an emergency. Nothing drew me to this car, other than the fact that it was in my price range and that I could receive an employee discount on it. The SXT package provides a value for the features you get. Engine power is adequate, however, the automatic transmission severely hampers performance - it is not a good gearbox. Build quality seems in line, however Noise/vibration/harshness level is high in comparison to others in its segment. Have not had any mechanical/electrical or trim problems. Have experienced worse fuel economy than expected. Averaging 24 mpg combined city/hwy and small fuel tank restricts range (around 300 miles).

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  Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Gary - October 24 - 10:44 pm

  My 2003 Dodge Neon, built to my specs and delivered to me early 2004 (less than 40k miles) has already experienced timing belt problems and a bad transmission. I only drive infrequently and I have the oil changed regularly and had my 30k tune-up done on schedule. It boggles the mind to see any vehicle crap out so quickly. The 2003 Dodge Neon is loud on the highway, gets poor gas mileage and a gutless engine. Initially I told myself this didnt matter as it looked nice, but after the engine/transmission problems started hitting home, I dont see how anybody can put a shine on this turd of a car.

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  BUY CHEAP....BUY TWICE!! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Bob in Ohio - October 23 - 10:11 am

  Cheap made economy car. Gets you from point A to point B and thats all the good things I have to say about it. Fuel economy is not very good for this size of car. BRAKES, BRAKES, BRAKES THEY SOUND LIKE A TRAIN COMING TO A STOP !!!!

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  Best car Ive owned - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Allen - October 18 - 3:35 pm

  Bought the 5speed manual version new in fall of 1997, for my 50 mile commute. Has never quit on me. No repairs, just normal maintenance. The dealer called me in to replace the head gasket early on. Now has 233,000 miles and it just keeps going. I check my gas mileage every fillup, and its averaged 35mpg. This car has got to rank up there as one of the best automotive values in history.

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  Neon in Neutral - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Macadew - October 16 - 6:43 pm

  The Neon has been fairly reliable and gets excellent gas mileage. Its a five speed which helps with mileage and makes it more valuable.The car has held up well overall and now has 103,000 miles. It makes a loud whining sound whenever turning the steering wheel which is obnoxious. The ride isnt very smooth, but I guess thats the case with most small cars.

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  Wisp - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By William Freisinger - October 16 - 8:10 am

  Handles well. Has good pickup speed. Comfortable seating. Excellent sound system.