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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  Wouldnt Have Believed it - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By gonzoy5 - November 9 - 7:21 pm

  If someone would have told me how sweet this car was I wouldnt have believed it. But once I drove it I was hooked. Sure its a little rough around the edges, but its dead on where it counts. Outperforms cars that are thousands more right out of the dealer lot. Performance upgrades are cheap and easy. Racing style Seats are great after getting used to them. I took a 4 hour trip a month after getting the car and I didnt even think about them. Its a nice commuter car. Small enough to zip around town, fast enough to get away from the SUVs that dominate the roads. Small performance car designers should use this as a template.

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  Reliable, Fun car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By moneyshot - November 5 - 2:12 am

  This car has been an amazing vehicle. I have had it since new. It had a head gasket leak at 45000 miles, but the dealer took care of it for free. The sunroof broke on it 6 times. Those are the only problems I had with it. I had it in Germany with me, and spent lots of time in the governor (118 mph). I now have 120000 on it, and havent even had to replace the altenator, or anything else not mandated by the owners manual.

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  No complaints and a great car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Smelly - November 1 - 2:00 am

  My first new car and Im very pleased. Of course going from a 1993 Ford Escort station wagon to just about any new car is a great improvement. However Im very pleased with everything about this car. The accelleration is quick for 132hp (notice I got the manual trans) and braking is solid and responsive. Im 63 and the seats are very comfortable even for long drives and I have plenty of headroom. I love the car.

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  very fast - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By dodge srt4 - October 27 - 10:00 am

  this is 1 very fast car ..it stops on a dime ..set back and hold on..dodge did a great job for under 20k... keep up the good work

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  Better than Honda - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Better than old Hond - October 24 - 4:44 pm

  I was having so much trouble with my Honda Odyessy that i needed to buy a vehicle to drive while the Honda was getting its second transmission. I went next door to the Dodge dealership and bought this. I love it. It is more reliable than my Honda ever was. I thinking of selling the van and just driving this. I hated getting stranded in the van all of the time. I would buy another Dodge in a minute over a Japanese brand

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  I dont know - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By massachubbs - October 23 - 12:52 am

  The Neon is not a great car, however, for cheap transportation you cant beat it. Really, you cant beat it or it will break. but once you get used to the poor acceleration, which is a lack of low end torque, its an alright car to drive because it handles amazingly well. If you like to zig-zag in traffic, this car can be fun. The brake are kind of crappy, so watch out. And the car, not just as a domestic but rather as a Dodge, tends to break down a lot. I got the sport and blew a water pump as soon as I got it. Now the brain and the fuel pump have gone out, and its really not worth the fix. Good luck and God bless.

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  What am I doing in this car? - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Ray in Ohio - October 21 - 10:00 am

  I thought the last car I would be seen in is a Neon, but my opinion changed after looking at a Stratus at a Dodge dealer, deciding it was too much money (at my yearly mileage, leasing is not a good option) and test-driving a Neon SXT. With a power sunroof, 15" alloy wheels and an above average stereo, I was impressed. Very little wind noise with all the windows closed. Great handling, decent pickup and turning on the air conditioner didnt make the car bog down. I was aware of the other cars in my price range and was satisfied that this was the car for me.

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  God help us all - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By milent - October 19 - 10:57 pm

  I bought this car less than two years ago with 30k on it and as soon as I reached 36k and my warranty expired, this car was nothing but a pain. It leaks, had to replace radiator, transmission went bad at 52K. It became increasingly noisy. It goes fine when alone in it, but two more people get in and it seems like it is pulling the trailer. It is relatively cheap. I say relatively because you are going to spend a lot on repairs. never gonna buy another.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Artist in the Ambula - October 13 - 1:06 am

  I have owned this car for a year now and it has been great. Dodges build quality while not exceptional has been better than my "German" Jetta of just a year younger. The power of this car is amazing. However, that does come at a price, especially with FWD, but torque steer is minimal. Gas mileage though is much worse than advertised. I stay out of boost throughout most of my driving and I average around 17mpg in the city. Highway is much better though, about 26mpg which is good for the car. The car turns heads but mostly from the wrong crowd that try to race unfortunately. Get car to take onto the track/drag. No matter all the negatives the car has, I love this car and will have it forever.

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  Dont Buy One - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By BeckyP - October 12 - 6:21 pm

  Less than 4 years after purchase this car has been nothing but problems. I just recently had a head gasket replaced, the head itself, and now the solenoid pack in the transmission. Thankfully all covered under warranty. Brakes went-cost $800, battery, tires. I take extremely good care of this car. I always have the oil changed every 3000 miles, spark plugs done, tires rotated, alignment checked, etc. This car has cost me more for being brand new than my 1990 Toyota(bought it in 1995) that I had for 7 years and way over 100,000 miles ever did.