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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  Sweet - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Christi3435 - June 6 - 6:15 pm

  Awesome car! Especially when swapped with a 2.4L! The SOHC engine that was in it was virtually indestructible. Interior was a little plain and goofy, but you can swap any year neon (including the SRT-4) seats into it.

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  Best Used Car for the Money - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By carnut - June 6 - 1:45 am

  I think that these Neons get a lot of negative publicity because of the Toyota/Nissan/Honda owners out there. For a used car though, I would rather buy a Neon for $4,000 than an Import for $7,000 any day. You cant beat it for the value and the more I drive mine, the more I like it. Mind you, it isnt worth buying new and if I did, Id buy the Honda Civic but resale value works in favor of the used car buyer too, and I lucked out with my Neon. I would definitely buy the Used Neon over the Used Civic any day.

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  Not so good - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By G - June 4 - 1:32 pm

  Have had this thing for about 2 years and bought it practically new(7000km) it now has 71,000. It has definintely not been my favorite car. I quality is very lacking. There are so many squeaks and things it drive me nuts. Power is on the weak side for me and I find the brakes are not the greatest either. The stock tires were garbage. I have a number of problems I dont feel I should have had. The engine is the most unrefined thing I have ever driven. Lots of vibrations at idle. In my opinion this is a cheap and cheaply made car. I would not buy another.

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  OK car, but not built to last - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By april - May 28 - 7:28 pm

  It is an OK car but mine leakes water from the roof around the front windshield and under the glove box. One of my doors doesnt close all the way so the door ajar light is always on. I have had a crack in my oil tank and had to have my transmission replaced. My air also doesnt work. It was good when I first got it but now it is falling apart.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Girlfriend - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a hot looking car for not being an import. It handles well and gets great gas milage.

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  Great car for the money - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Ed - May 10 - 1:00 pm

  Car is a blast to drive and outperforms many cars that cost more than twice as much. I have owned two SRT-4s and have found them to be very reliable. On the downside, the interior looks cheap and there are various squeaks and rattles. These surfaced very early on. Build quality - particularly the paint leaves something to be desired. Mechanically, Ive had no issues. The SRT-4 has many practical features and has been great as a daily commuter and is not bad on long trips. For the tuner crowd, the SRT-4 is well supported by the aftermarket and there are plenty of performance upgrades available.

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  Very underrated car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Rick - May 3 - 8:56 pm

  I purchased this car for my college-bound daughter after much debate vs. a small Honda or Toyota. Could not be happier with the decision. This car is stylish, fun to drive, trouble-free, and we saved a lot of money on the purchase vs. competitive models. We had a 1998 Neon and this redesign is a completely different automobile.

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  2 yrs, 30k miles, still love my SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Scott - May 3 - 3:24 pm

  This car was bought as my daily driver after I moved to the UK. Stock it has great power and handling. After about a month though modified it slightly. Increased hp/tq. Now it is my daily driver and track car. I take it to the track atleast once a month & put down over 300 hp & 350 tq (13.0 sec at 110 mph in 1/4 mile) on stock turbo. Mods are fairly priced. So far this has been the best car I have ever owned. 2 yrs, track days once a month, over 300 whp and you know what the best part is, it runs with zero problems everyday. Reliability is outstanding. People joke about "its a Dodge" or "its a Neon" but in the end my Neon is more reliable than their own cars.

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  So far so good - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By TooFast4You - April 27 - 5:45 pm

  I bought this car in Feb of 03. Now with 40k miles, no problems to report other then my 3rd synchro going out and multiple torque mounts breaking on me. Its really a love/hate thing with this specific car. Either you love it cause youre an OG neon owner like myself, or hate it cause it got caught with the old Neon stigma. Truthfully I dont think I will ever part with it. I love it that much!

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  Thumbs up - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By esperi - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Very practical for a family car, but has performance that screams. We average bout 25 MPG. Ive owned 25 cars over the past 6 years (not all new), including several muscle cars and high performance imports, and this is head over heels the most enjoyable, invigorating ride Ive ever been in. The radio is awesome, the noise is very tolerable and the space is very roomy- the back seat will not knock your knees at all! The trunk will also hold 2 dead bodies (hopfully no fruition there).