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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  106,000 strong and still going - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By John - December 2 - 8:11 pm

  I bought this as my first car back in may 2001. This can be a good first car for a teenager, college student or anyone looking for affordable transportation at a low price. The fuel economy is very good for this car. It has been very reliable for the 5 years that I have owned it so far. I had to replace the cylinder head gasket, rotors, brakes,electrical soleniod, and pcm. I regularly maintain it with oil changes, tire rotations, and tune ups. Even though certain things may break in this car, the maintenance costs sre very low. The acceleration is good and the braking and turning radius are good.

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  Beware at 50k - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By jb - December 1 - 4:54 pm

  This car was an absolute steal when I got it and I had it dubbed as the best compact Ive ever owned and Ive had em all. Until 50k - major short in the electrical system causes brainbox fuse to blow during, now get this rt hand turns only! 30 labor hours already (800.00) invested and still no one can find the fix. Cant wait until its repaired and back to normal because it was a great car until 50k.

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  Fast, Comfortable, Very Dependable. - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By donaldrocks - November 29 - 9:07 pm

  This is my daily driver, and has been for awhile. This car has never left me stranded, or broken down. Its taken 7 trips from michigan to flordia, and never hesitated to do anything, including stopping, dpeeding up quickly, taking curves at high speeds, and always has gotton good gas mileage. I had bought this car after its acident in 2004, and the lot fixed it, and I drove it off the lot, and have had alot of fun with this car in the summer, and it handles great in the winter. By the way, teh heat in these little Neons rocks! A+

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  I love my car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By DEB - November 29 - 8:46 pm

  I purchased my car a few weeks ago and just love everything about it. The handling is great, the dash is easy to read, the stereo is awsome, and plenty of interior room for my family. I usually drive a van or a full size pickup buy really enjoy the size of this car. It is easy to manuver in parking lots. The only thing negative I have to say is the the front end is hard to see from the drivers seat. Judging the front will come in time, but for now I have to watch out for it.

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  Good car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By good car - November 25 - 2:41 pm

  I really do like this car. The only thing is that I dont like the ride quality at a stop. It shakes too much but it makes up for that in the banging system you get for such a cheap price. This car also has a sporty feel to it

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  Neon Love - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Neon Love - November 23 - 7:00 pm

  I am a 2 time owner of the Neon R/T model. First was a 99 R/T sedan, which I loved. The car was great, only issue was the head gasket. Now Ive had my 03 for over a year and Im as in love with this car more and more every day. Reliability GREAT, Looks GREAT, Performance GREAT, Options GREAT. I love to drive, but I also have a family. This car puts a smile on your face through the twisties and hulls the family in class and comfort. Class is something the 99 fell short on, but not this little lady. Buy one you wont regret it.

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  Wonderful car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By armywife10 - November 22 - 7:06 am

  A wonderful car, I love the amount of trunk space, and I am a fairly tall person and there is more than enough leg room. The back seat holds 2 large car seats with plenty of extra room. The stereo system is awesome. It handles great at any speed.

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  Great Car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Wolfman in AL - November 19 - 10:00 am

  This is an exceptionally FUN car to drive!! It does handle like a sports car. I have put 11K miles on it in 4 1/2 months, and have had NO problems, most of this is Hi-way driving at 75+MPH and Im getting aprox 27+MPG. The interior is well laid out and has great ergonomics. The road noise at hi- way speeds is a little loud (but the stereo makes it disappear ;) ). Overall GREAT CAR

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  Suprised - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By iggy - November 17 - 10:20 pm

  Was suprised at the performance of the Neon. The fact that the rear windows arent power doesnt bother me at all because I have a little one that could hit the down button a lot easier then she could roll one down manually. As far as gas mileage goes, I probably average 30 mpg and I drive more city than hwy, doing almost 3000 miles a month. For a nice car, but low payment, a Neon is well worth it.

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  Dont buy this car! - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By KG - November 13 - 9:22 pm

  Like others, I bought this car b/c it was cheap. But the build quality is horrendous. Huge oil leak, squealing brakes, leaky trunk, a/c that isnt cold, turn signals dont work intermitantly, black rubber seals on door panels stain my clothes, side panel fell off after glue wore out, and such a rough transmission. Just a terribly executed small car.