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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  The paint chipped Neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Billy - March 26 - 7:29 pm

  Well originally my father bought this car for himself and it had 140,000 miles on it from the dealer. It was in good shape one paint chip on the right side of the car behind the driver side door. The car never seemed to give to much trouble, a blown head gasket and a transmission leak were two very big problems, other then that the car has run fine and been dependable. When I got it as my first car it became a bit of a nightmare, with 166,000 miles and almost no paint left with an oil leak and a fried electrical system I couldnt expect much though being that it was worn out and my father gave it almost little to no service at all Id say it had a good run as a fun sporty car.

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  Outstanding Value - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By JR - March 25 - 12:27 am

  My Neon was purchased brand new with 38 test drive miles. I loved it in 2001 and I love it now. Value for the money and low maintance costs and upkeep is awesome. With 58000 miles I have put roughly $3500 worth of upkeep into. That includes tool purchase and tires.

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  I Like This Car! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By John - March 15 - 9:13 pm

  So far this 2005 Neon of mine has been a real jewel. The car is very attractive and clean. The interior is simple, but very roomy(Im 60") and pretty comfortable. I think the dash is very handsome too. Not too mention the trunk is very large and the gas mileage is unbelievable.

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  Great all around car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By quiksilver723 - March 15 - 1:07 pm

  Well Ive had this car for 3 years now and the thing has held up beautifully. I do enjoy the pick up and go that this car has, but I also like the fact that it has plenty of space for the weekly grocery store trip. On the downside though it is just a Neon so its not like a BMW in terms of elegance or styling. But for me, I really wanted to have performance at a low cost and the SRT-4 definitely fit that description. So if youre a gear head and want something to build, the SRT-4 is a great place to start. Its relatively cheap and there are a lot of aftermarket parts out there. And after a few modifications you can really hang with most of the bigger guys out there.

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  Fast for Cheap, Great Buy - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By SRTswizz - March 14 - 2:41 pm

  This is such a fun car. It is very quick from the factory and it has lots of aftermarket parts to make it faster. The interior actually isnt too bad. Just the long dash takes bit to get used to. The seats are amazing and make all other seats seem weak. The transmission is notchy, and stock throws are long. Stock ride is not too harsh but it is pretty bumpy but not any worse than my brothers G35 coupe. The exhaust sounds are unique and it sounds great. It is also pretty spacious for a small car, a lot better than WRX, especially rear seats. Makes me smile everytime I drive it.

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  Had to trash it - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By phantom - March 13 - 11:07 am

  I absolutely loved this car when I first bought it. Looked great and drove great. After 2 yrs the problems began. The obvious head gasket plus seals had to be replaced. Every sensor on the car pretty much malfunctioned at some point. Every year and yes I mean every year I had to get it serviced due to misfires. One electrical problem after another. Stereo went out. Door looks worked when they wanted to. Drivers side window was loose and leaked. Oddly enough in the 6 years that I owned that car I never replaced the exaust. Not even the muffler. This is a terrible vehicle and I will never buy a Dodge/Chrysler product again. Terrible!

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  Good Reliable Work Car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Bob - February 23 - 12:17 pm

  I bought this Neon from a dealer that use it for a loaner. It has been a very fun car to drive and very reliable. I am on the third set of tires and had to replace both front end wheel bearings, brakes and rotors around 50,000 miles. I have over 75,000 miles and get great fuel economy, around 32 overal with 36 on the highway and 28-30 in town.

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  SRT-4 wolf in sheeps clothing - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By deuxieme chance - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Actually traded in my Corvette to save money and needed a family car now too. This think is a blast to drive, practical too. Amazing to think that it seats 4, gets 22 mpg city and is nearly as fast as my Vette was. Plus, everyone thinks its just a Neon.

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  Fastest FWD Car Ever Made. - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By RTShadow - February 16 - 4:12 am

  I purchased a commemorative edition version, one of the last made. I had wanted this car for some time. I like Dodges, and when they came out with this car it was exciting. If you want a quiet car, a super luxurious cushy car, look elsewhere. If you want throw you back into your seat and scream down the road at astonishing speeds with a throaty exhaust, this is the car for you. This is the fastest FWD car ever built, and at the time, fastest new car you could buy under 25k. I highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a run reliable quick car. Youll find most people with problems have them from doing poor modification jobs.

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  Roller coaster - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Kesha - February 11 - 8:11 pm

  The Dodge Neon is the worst car I have ever had. I wanted the car because it was cheap. But the car repairs make up for the money that I was trying to save. I had to replace the head gasket. It cost me a thousand dollars to fix. The brakes are bad. They have to have a heavy duty liner on it to help it last a little longer. The car is loud when you drive it. The axle was bad. The heat doesnt work well at all. The clear coat on the paint is coming off. It just is a sad little car what can I say.