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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  Cool little car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By lovin it - January 27 - 6:14 pm

  Well, this is a very fun car. The day after I bought it, it started blowing a fuse and shuting off on its own. I found out that one of the most common problems for the Neon is the O2 sensor wiring harness detatching. I had mine fixed and it cost $195.00, the auto electrician told me that most shops never tell you its some thing simple, they just fix the harness and charge you for a sensor! Beyond that one very badly timed breakdown, I would say this has been a great car. I love my Neon!

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  Great fun for $20,000 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By youngsrt4 - January 24 - 1:17 am

  This car is way too much fun. Get on the pedal and this baby will fly. I love that they added a limited slip ATB differential as it gives this powerhouse hardly any noticeable torque steer. Just point and hold on. I am also very pleased with the fuel economy for a car with this much performance. I have averaged about 26 mpg with it (getting 29 at least 4 times) even with the winter weather. This car also has far more performance that anything even close to its price range. Even my friend who is a foreign car lover (he drives nothing but Toyotas) loves it. He told me its like riding in a car from the Fast and the Furious. If I can get someone like that to love it, anyone can.

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  Going from Dodge truck to Dodge car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By jonesnco - January 22 - 3:19 am

  I have had my 2005 Neon SE for just over a month and feel it is a good car for the money - especially with rebates. I expected about 29 to 30 mpg given the EPA ratings but only got about 26 on the first take. It seems to have gained about 1 mpg every tank until it hit about 29.5 mpg. The performance is quite acceptable given the power of the engine although the transmission can shift oddly at slow speeds. I drove a manual for years so the behavior may be normal. My only complaints are some unattractive black styrofoam under the steering wheel column in the dash. It is visible and identifiable as styrofoam. There is no option to enable the power outlet when the ignition is off.

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  No complaints - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By cathy22w - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Had this car for about 5 weeks now - its been pretty good. Gear change is smooth, so is the ride. CD/speakers give good sound. Pretty good mpg. More than enough room inside and the space in the trunk is great. I got it in black and it looks lovely - especially just after being washed!

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  Positive Change - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Stanten M. - January 18 - 10:00 am

  This year it seems that DaimerChrysler has put a little more work into the Neons styling, especially in offering the new SXT model which incorporates many sporty features such as a cd player, 6-speaker stereo, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, aluminum wheels, keyless entry and a rear spoiler standard at a discounted price (compare price of equally equipped SE model). I opted to purchase the 5 Speed Manual transaxle for the extra acceleration it provides- almost 5 seconds faster to 60mph than the 4 Speed Automatic.

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  SRT-4 is awesome - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By PyroSRT-4 - January 17 - 3:58 am

  SRT-4 delivers more than anticipated, and with all of the mods you can buy make this car fun and exciting. Its very loud and very aggressive. Handling is very well. Drop the car about an inch or two will make the handling even better. Car is an awesome car that delivers as promised, and the gas mileage is really good. On average I get about 25 miles per gallon in the city and about 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

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  2004 Dodge Neon - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By PTLJo - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I just recently purchased my Dodge Neon and so far I have been pleased with its performance. Its nice and roomie on the inside for me and my friends. I think that the front seat comfort is better than backseat comfort. Sound system is great for my ears. I like having 6 disc CD changer as well as tape and AM/FM radio capabilities. Its gas mileage is not as good as previous car (Ford Festiva), but I will get used to it. Plus, I now drive slower to keep the RPMs down and use gas more wisely.

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  consumer - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By rudy celaya - January 15 - 10:00 am

  well, all i have to say it was an excellent purchase pleasure wise, on the other hand it doesnt hold its value as much as a honda, but still smokes the hondas! not to mention i race v-8s, wow! I nearly by atleast the minimum length of half a car, i lose to corvettes, porsches, and such. the boost the turbo puts out is incredible, the suspension is a nice ride. if i had one complaint, it would be too much torque steer, but the torque comes handy off the line, especially when the lsd does its job with the support of my bf goodrich g- force street slicks. its all about mopar!!!

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  SRT-4 performance - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By ListerofSmeg - January 13 - 4:36 am

  This car delivers power in all gears. I drove it to southern California and back to Seattle, Washington and averaged almost 31 MPG! I would never have believed a car with this much power could get that kind of mileage. All my friends are blown away by how amazingly tight this car corners. (some of them own WRXs)

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  I miss my 2000 5M Neon! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By JCE20902 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I had a purple 2000 Neon with the 5 speed. I bought it for commuting, but quickly discovered that it was a blast to drive. The interior is very intuitive and the cupholders are wonderful. The sound system was incredible for a base model. Why do people trash Neons and their owners???