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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  Damn fun SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Tom Wyse - October 7 - 1:03 pm

  Just plain fun to drive! Nothing like performance AND mileage. I have gotten as good as 29 MPG and as low as 22 (driven with fun and gusto). Id read a complaint about poor visibility with the rear spoiler, but find it fine unless I want to see over a 1/2 mile back. Now I want the SRT-10 pickup. The biggest single modification I made was to replace the engine mounts, that ELIMINATED any wheel hop.

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  Wonderful baby - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By An-Drew Boger - October 1 - 2:28 pm

  Wonderful baby. I had a 1995 coupe and it sold me to purchase this 2002 sedan r/t. I love everything about it. Great car for interior and exterior room, gas mileage, handling and head-room. This is a very stylish car too. The price for this car is great for everyones average budget. I strongly recommend it for everyone.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By SRT4 - September 30 - 4:50 am

  Great Performance without the big V8s A sleeper car in Europe. Only the Americans are driving SRT4s. Its fun to see a persons face who paid 3 times what you paid, when passing them on the Autobahn.

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  thank you dodge - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By pauldmedic16 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY SRT-4 FAST,GOOD LOOKING DID I SAY FAST. THIS CAR IS FUN TO DRIVE TURNS HEADS AND I LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT DONT KNOW ABOUT THE CAR BECAUSE THEY LOOK AT IT AND THINK ITS JUST LIKE A NEON AND THERE THINKING THESE NO WAY THIS CAR CAN BE FAST. THEY THINK THERE IS JUST AN AFTER MARKET EXHAUST THAT MAKES IT SOUND GOOD..SURPRISE WHEN IM GONE BEFORE THEY CAN GET INTO SECOND GEAR..I LIKE THAT DODGE LET THE INTERCOOLER SHOW INSTEAD OF PAINTING IT. AND DODGE MADE A CAR THAT I CAN PAY FOR, TONS OF AFTER MARKET PARTS HANDLES CORNERS ON RAILS STOPS ON A DIME. AGAIN THANK YOU DODGE FOR MAKING THIS CAR..

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  Great car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By BOOSTED - September 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for about a month now, and absolutely love it. The sound and feeling you get when the turbo spools is great. Also there is nothing like pulling up to a Mustang GT and pulling a couple cars on him. Handling is great, but the power can be overwellming coming out of turns, but thats a good complaint to have. Love the looks everone gives me when they think to themselves "did i just get beat by a neon?"

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  My Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By dolphins79 - September 16 - 10:00 am

  If your looking for a "very fast" but also "very fun" car, then the Dodge Neon SRT-4 is definately the right choice. Although getting in and out of the drivers seat is definately a chore, the passenger gets to get in and enjoy a very fun and exciting ride, only to jump out and admire the design of the car. That and reminiscing about the ride that left them gripping their seats. See. Now I think Im gonna go for a cruise..... To all consumers...ENJOY!!!!

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  Great performance and handling - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Tracy Morgan - September 11 - 2:36 pm

  I loved this car. I had it for years. Timing belt broke at about 210,000 miles. Spent about $1300 dollars. Drove it a month and now it is smoking lilke a freight train. I want it fixed. I love the car. I drove a newer neon and the comfort, handling and performance was nowhere near as good as my Neon.

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  A great car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By ChrisSt - September 10 - 6:49 pm

  I bought my Neon new in 03 and continue to use it as a daily driver. Dont be fooled by nay-sayers who want to project the first gens problems on the second gen car. My car has been rock solid and reliable. It is as quiet today as it was when new, no squeaks or rattles. And its a steal on the used car market.

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  Nice car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Neons_rock - September 10 - 5:03 pm

  I have owned my Neon for about 2 months now and Ive never had any trouble with it. I bought this car with a bad transmission because it was really beaten and was in a wreck. I purchased a used transmission and it was good to go. Its really zippy and a great driving car. It is a little bit noisy but its a great deep fun car noise.

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  So far so good - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Angnwy - August 28 - 10:00 am

  My neon so far has been alright. However at 42 miles I noticed a small transmission lea k so I took it to the dealership to have it looked at and it turned out that the casing around the transmission was to porus and it was seeping fluid though. TO repair the problem they had to replace the whole transmission I am a little scared that I might have gotton a lemon but I am remaining hopeful.