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 original leather seat Neon. - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By clonehawk - April 12 - 9:25 pm

  I cant understand why the Focus ever beat this car in Consumer Reports given the high number of recalls the Focus has had. Replaced the factory tires, battery and have had the half of the factory speakers quit working. Other than that it has been trouble free. Dodge seems to have figured out how to make a reliable inexpensive car.

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  CAN I SAY HOT HOT HOT!!! Awesome Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jefferson - April 10 - 10:00 am

  Very impressive what Dodge created. I WAS a WRX fan but everything changed once i test drove this beast. Confortable seats (it grabs you). Awesome performance. By the second week I had to upgrade my racing challenges because not even a turbocharged civic could keep up with me. hehehehe...I have NO REGRETS...Awesome car...Its worth to grab life by the horns hahahaha i just look back and the mustangs just get smaller and smaller.

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  Dont let looks fool you - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Dont let LOOKS fool - April 10 - 1:55 am

  Bought used in 2000 and got rid of in 03.<(which is the best thing Ive ever done!) Bought to replace my aging 89 Corsica that I loved till the major breakdowns. Obviously, this car wasnt much better. Tons of problems. Was in the shop more than on the road. Oxygen sensor, battery, alternator just a few of the problems I had w/ it out of many. HIt 2 different deer w/ it and 2 different times. Had 3 different accidents w/ it w/ other vehicles. I think red is a magnet for things to want to attract too. That or bad luck, not sure which? Who knows, but it was always something going wrong. One good thing is that just going to/from work it got good mileage 28/39! Looks are deceiving.....

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  Great for the price - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Patrick - April 2 - 11:18 pm

  The power-to-weight ratio is great. I replaced the air filter with a K&N direct replacement, then pulled the OEM exhaust off and added a Flowmaster 30 series exhaust, and brought the intake air temperature readings down by 4.7k-ohms. The result? Basically, I bought a new 04 Neon, and added the $135 in parts above to it, and now I get about 40 mpg on 89 octane, not to mention the fact that I can run a 15.7 in the quarter-mile. The power/economy side of this car is very attractive. The interior is roomy for a compact, but not too flashy. The ride is comfortable and handling is tight. The external body lines are somewhat outdated, but acceptable, Overall, this is a great car for the money.

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  Almost 2 yrs later, 2nd review - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Sharon S - April 2 - 1:26 pm

  Well, It will be 2 yrs in June 2006 that I have owned this car. I love it still. I have not had any problems mechanically with it what so ever. It runs great.Does very well in snow and rain. Glad I purchased it. Will buy another one in the future.Good job Dodge!

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  SRT-4 - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By kc9id - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive! Awesome power that requires some skill to maximize. Handling is excellent with a touch of understeer. Finish and fit seems to be very good. This is not a quiet car to drive. It sounds like it runs, fast! I did not find the exhaust to be objectionable after a 1500 mile drive returning from Florida where I purchased it.

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  My Dodge is sexy! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Amber - March 28 - 5:38 pm

  I have been very pleased with the reliability of my Neon. No problems for a whole year after 17,000 miles added. Good gas mileage, sporty and fun, bright yellow is the way to go. Great first car for teens or students. Not the most spaious interior. Fun and easy to drive.

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  Piece of Junk, but still kinda fun - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Nathan - March 18 - 2:54 pm

  I owned my Neon for almost 3 years, I put 72,000 miles on it. It was OK for the first couple of months, but then the rotors started going bad, the right back speaker never would work, after being replaced 3 times, it was a very plain car with no bells and whistles. It was surprisingly peppy with the 2.0 L 4 cyl automatic, with 132 hp. Not much but I was younger and didnt need much. By the time I got rid of it its speedometer and all other gauges would quit working from time to time which made the mileage not always work, so it probably had about 1,000 miles more on it than what it said. I would not recommend this car to anyone who drives a lot.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Fun to drive - March 13 - 8:57 pm

  I just bought a 2003 R/T and its really fun to drive. Good performance from the engine, although it could use a little more power. Many aftermarket parts are available to increase horsepower if you want that though. This is a great car to drive that feels like a sports car, and at a low cost compared to others of the same type. An especially good value if you buy it used like I did, only 24,000 miles and a fraction of the original cost.

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  Better than its reviews - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jerois - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a better car than it gets credit for. It is not as refined as others but the bottom line is that it is a good car and it is more fun than a Honda or Toyota. We got a new one for $11,500, well equiped, and its way more than 2/3rds of the other cars in its class.