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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  LOVE IT! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Eric Waterhouse - April 22 - 11:58 pm

  After purchase, I dropped it 2 inches and put on rims, intake, and exhaust. I took it to VA and got 34-36mpg in it. The intake and exhaust really brings that little motor to life. This is my second Neon and I think Im hooked.

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  My Review - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Tom - April 6 - 4:18 pm

  This is the car to have, if your not loaded with money and like a good American car. Take my word for it, the SRT-4 is such a fun car to drive. Its addicting...find out for yourself.

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  Great Car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By 71charger - April 5 - 4:43 pm

  I drove the heck out of this car for 13 months before trading it for an 04 R/T which I only did because I found out the R/Ts were discontinued. I traded an 00 Neon for the 03. Fabulous, and terribly underrated by automotive writers too heavily biased against American cars.

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  Good for the money... I guess - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By DarkPoter - April 5 - 12:58 am

  I got the car 2 years ago because I needed something more reliable to drive to work. It has done a fair job for much, much less then a Mazda.

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  Rocket ship - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By John - April 1 - 12:11 pm

  This car is so fast and fun I am suprised it is legal! I bought it in October of 04 with 4k miles on it. In the 5 months that I have had it I have put on 18000 miles without any problems. Even with all the performance I still get an average of 28 mpg. Everyone that has ridden in the SRT4 has been super impressed with the performance. The interior is quiet, comfortable and super supportive. The handling is good, the performance is awesome and the gas mileage is good and the stock stereo sounds pretty good too. What more could you ask for!

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  Neons are cute, but beware! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Carolyn - March 29 - 4:31 pm

  Bought my Neon in 2000 with only 24,000 mi on it. The dealership had already replaced a head gasket. Since then, I have had to replace the radiator, an O2 sensor, and the dash circuit board (my speedometer stopped working!) The brakes squeak constantly, it slips in the rain even with good tires (I wont even mention in the snow), and the doors/handles freeze solid in the cold. Rear speakers are blown, tape deck quit working. So many problems, and it only JUST passed 56,000 mi. AC isnt very cold, and sucks the life out the acceleration. When I first got the car, I loved how cute it was, but now I look at it and I cant wait to buy my Honda CR-V. No more Dodge products for me!

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  Great little car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Gil - March 24 - 6:31 pm

  Im 63" tall and I fit in this small car. It was one criteria when I purchased it. Great sounding audio system. The automatic is a bit doggy, but Im not a race driver. Easy to park with little front end thanks to the cab forward design. Taken it on long trips and even slept in it overnight. Wish it had power rear windows, though. Lots of head and legroom for tall people. Safety rating---I ride a motorcycle and no matter how it fared on the safety tests, its better than a bike. Has enough power to get out of its own way, so hopefully accidents can be avoided. Handles well in high winds and stops quickly when necessary.

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  great little car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By pat72880 - March 23 - 4:56 pm

  I bought this car over 2 years ago and have had no major problems with it. Handles great, no leaks, smooth ride, and easy to maintain. I have already 75K on this car and it seems to get better the more I drive it. Couple minor things, factory wheels are 195- 50-16s. Very had to find and expensive tire. Also, highway gas mileage runs from 30 to 40mpg plus. City mileage however is only 20 to 25. And it has a small 12 gallon gas tank. Sound system is great but my speakers blew out 3 months ago and I had to get new ones. Mostly my fault I guess. Overall, best car I have owned.

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  Love it Hate it - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Mkidd - March 10 - 3:30 pm

  I love driving my Neon but I am only 51, so it fits me great. But my husband is 63. Not so good for him and my tall son, so it needs more room. I have had my Neon for years, and it now has 100,000 miles on it. It has taken me all over the USA and at 100,000 miles the motor mounts went bad which made for a very shaky ride until the water pump and timing belt went out also. Lucky it was not too much to fix. It is a great starter car at a great price.

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  Fun Car At Great Price - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Larry S. - March 9 - 7:17 am

  The car only cost me $ 11,500 after rebates. A Honda Civic EX was $ 5,000 more! The car is quick with the manual tranny, looks sportier than Honda and others in this class of cars. No mechanical problems after 24 months and 22,000 miles, handles great (in snow). Where can you get a new car so cheap, with many of the gadgets offered on cars costing several thousand bucks more, and look better than all the competition in the market segment? I get about 28 mpg average (60% city).