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:

• 

  i love my black 2004 neon sxt - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By neon lover - November 10 - 10:00 am

  As you can see I love my neon. I have high aspirations of fixing it up with new side skirts and front and rear bumber. I already have a 7 color lcd underbody kit and I had a spoiler sunroof installed also. The one reason why I got the neon is that it is one of the most customizable cars on any lot. You can make your neon be whatever, look like whatever, and do whatever you want it to. Oh yea and did I tell you how much I love my neon! :)

• 

  SRT-4 Fun to Drive - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jess - November 10 - 9:15 am

  Im not a Neon fan, but I love turbo motors and Dodge built this one right! With minor mods, I was able to boost the SRT from 228HP and 253ft/tq at the wheels to 246HP and 276 ft/tb at the wheels. This car is by far the best bang for the buck sports sedan out there!

• 

  Red Rocket - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By jlball1727 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome. It is very fun to drive. Very good value for the price. Its NOT a NEON!!! It may resemble a neon, but you will have to drive one to truely understand.

• 

  2005 Dodge Neon SXT Sedan - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By IDG - October 21 - 5:43 pm

  I bought this late in 2006 after deciding that I needed a cheap, good fuel-economy small car to go to work with and take for occasional longer drives in the Northeast corridor. Ive been very satisfied with it so far. Its got strong brakes, is super-fun to drive, really stable on curves, and zips in and out of traffic like a dream. The kicker audio is just awesome and lets me keep the engine noise in check! Fuel economy is okay to good, but the tanks pretty small, about 12gallons. Id buy this car again if Dodge made some improvements and put this out on the market again, say, in 2008.

• 

  Fun at a small price - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By mbiker4u - October 18 - 10:43 am

  Ive been looking for a car like this since I bought the 1994/1995 Neon. I remember prototype turbocharged Neons that were in Car and Driver that must have evolved in to the SRT-4. I bought this car after a friend of mine took me for a ride in his red SRT- 4. I went to the dealer 1 week later and got the Orange Blast w/ACR package. I was not really crazy about the color, but it has grown on me so far. So far, build quality, performance, and overall enjoyment has made this purchase one of my favorite cars ever. Gas mileage has only been 22mpg at highway speeds below 80mph, but what do you expect from a car that can out-perform most V-8s?

• 

  Coupe competition - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By Troopx3 - October 15 - 11:32 pm

  The Neon is fast, but my fuel economy is bad. Other than that, the car is excellent. For a small car, it is roomy and comfortable.

• 

  Still Just a Dodge - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By CHOPS - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Performance wise this car is unbeatable for the money, but when it comes right down to it, this is still a Dodge with its poor craftsmanship & all the little problems that come when owning a Chrysler product. If you compare this to other vehicles in its class & drive it, you will fall in love with its superb performance & you will accept all the minor problems you will encounter.

• 

  Great car for the money - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By ambersheree - October 7 - 2:55 pm

  I bought this car almost 2 years ago with 27,000 miles on it for $4500. A Dodge Neon was the last thing that I thought I would buy, but it was in my price range, and I didnt have a lot of time to shop around. My Neon now has about 55,000 miles on it, and the only thing that Ive had to do to my car is new front brakes (normal) and new tires (I live in Michigan, Neons dont like snow). The tires were pretty expensive, but theres usually a less expensive option for them. Right now my car is making a pretty loud noise from the front axle, which ill be fixing soon (Im pretty sure its the wheel bearing). Overall Im very happy with my car. I only wish that it wasnt purple!

• 

  My very first new car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Gil Davis - October 5 - 1:50 pm

  I bought this car after owning a full- sized Dodge van. Im 63" tall, about 340 pounds...and I FIT! My girlfriend has a Hyundai and Im cramped. Ive taken the Neon on long road trips, the AC is FANTASTIC, get a little better than posted mileage (about 34 on a 4sp auto) on road trips, and have had no problems, other than some annoyances when it was new that were fixed immediately by the dealer. Because of the engine design (short piston skirts to save weight), however, it does tend to get a bit of piston slap when its really cold outside, but it does go away in about 30 seconds or so after the car idles. Not harmful, just annoying. It gets lots of attention when it does that! :-)

• 

  An absolute blast to drive - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Tim - October 4 - 10:54 am

  I bought this with the ACR package and from reading the other reviews, I am glad I did. 7 inch rims, adjustable struts and the ACR seats. Home-run! Mods are everywhere. I have a short-throw shifter that really improved shifting. This car takes curves with no sliding or squeal. Its a sports car, so to complain about ride would be an oxy-moron, your teeth will get rattled.