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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  I love my R/T - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By becksr/t - July 13 - 12:24 am

  If you like to pull onto the highway with confidence that you can merge without getting rear ended, this car is for you. I havent taken it to the 1/4 mile yet, but it has all kinds of power. If you want to lay down some rubber youll have to push the trac-off button. But the traction control will be a big plus when I do hit the strip, in a couple weeks. If you are over six feet you might not be comfortable. The wheels arent that hard to clean. Theyre clear coat so just spray on some mean green scrub for 10 seconds with a sponge & hose off good. For a compact car, you couldnt ask for more, sporty, fast, yet toddler friendly.

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  Great little car! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Chanda - July 2 - 10:34 pm

  I have had my Neon since May 5, 1997. Shes only let me down once due to a freak problem with the idler pulley causing the timing belt to disintegrate at 87,000 miles. We rebuilt her and shes stronger than ever. She was hit on the front passenger corner in November of 2005 and was declared a total loss by the insurance company. We bought her back, fixed her up, and she lives yet again. Shes a great car that gets awesome mileage while being a total blast to drive! Shes a hoot on the autocross course, too )

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  Fast for Cheap, Sleeper from Factory - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By CMonsterGT - July 2 - 6:41 pm

  Im a 300 lb guy. I wanted a fast car that was relatively easy to get in and out of. At first in my car shopping experience, the SRT4 didnt even show up in my searches due to the fact that it only comes in a 4 door. Its one of the sharpest 4 doors Ive ever seen. Even better looking than the WRX and Evo8. It still needs to be dropped at least an inch, though. This car is fast and fun, and with 4 doors, you can still have a family and enjoy this car! Plenty of room and plenty of sound from the kicker sound package. Make sure you get the sunroof! It feels great to drive, and its hard to keep your foot out of the gas. Plenty of room in the trunk, and the Viper seats keep you planted!

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  A pretty fair car - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By Miramichier - June 29 - 4:55 am

  I bought my 1999 Neon with the idea of saving money on gas and maintance,which I must say I was right in that respect, for gas mileage and easy maintance this (so far) had been a great little car, but(and there always is a but) on a drive over 25 miles the seats are really uncomfortable. They feel like you are sitting on two pieces of plywood. My car has a/c and that really doesn`t have the capacity to really cool the interior of the car on a really hot day (and yes I did have the service ppl at my local a/c shop look at it and they say it`s as good as it can be.)

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  05 Dodge Neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Joe602 - June 7 - 12:40 pm

  Car has comfortable setting and I really like the front grille.The car gets great gas mileage and with the way gas prices are going, Im glad it takes very little money to fill it up.

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  Pocket Rocket - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By *~*LT*~* - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Best car under $21,000

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  This is the best!!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Kcarneiro - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I have only had my car about for abouut 2 1/2 weeks and I love it! It looks, good runs good, and great on gas. What else could you ask for!! The radio sounds awsome.

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  Hate to say it. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Carlos - May 29 - 10:58 pm

  I have seen nothing but good reviews and thats why I bought this car. I have put 7k on it. Turbo leaks are infamous. The tranny is a headache also. Many many people report tranny issues and Im one of them. This car is a blast to drive but I feel like its going to fall apart anyday now. It has a stubborn transmission and shifts like crap especially in the cold. Maybe I got unlucky.

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  Awesome car but... - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Bryan P. - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Awesome car, I love it. Its fun to drive, sporty, and fast. Bought the bright silver, looks great in the sun, rims are nice, dont look too stock like, interior nice enough that it doesnt look cheap.

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  Great car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By wonderwoman9255 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  It has a lot of pep for a 4 cylinder. It has a roomy back seat. Front seats are comfortable and visibilty is great for a short person like me. I like the tilt wheel and automatic door locks. The air conditioning is very efficient and the service I receive from the dealership is excellent.