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:
Showing 551 through 560 of 1,187.00-
Great Value - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Pete - March 6 - 2:15 pmI think this is a terrific little car, 28,000 Miles and no problems. Good gas mileage, handles well, much roomier that expected. For the price this vehicle should be at the top of every list!
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Not Dissapointed - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Davkuy - March 2 - 10:00 amI am a return Neon buyer who learned an important lesson recently about buying a car based on reliability alone. I tried to buy a 03 Corolla, and found that its reliable as long as you keep it out of the wind and off the highway. My 99 Neon did better in most respects. I now have a 03 Neon SXT, and I love it. I cant say it will last me as long as the Toyota would, but at least it will be an easier commute.
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cool car - 2003 Dodge Neon
By BaBe808 - February 24 - 10:00 ami love this car...i drive one
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This is a Great Car. - 2003 Dodge Neon
By kysfm - February 24 - 10:00 amThis a great car to drive. It looks like a sports car without the expense of owning one. It has a powerful engine for a 4 Cylinder car. I got my car from 0 to 60 in about 5 and 1/3 seconds. Good on turns. Nice Stereo system, six speakers, cd player, good range on FM and AM stations. Nice trunk space.
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Fun stuff - 2004 Dodge Neon
By STEVE44 - February 24 - 10:00 amIncreatible car. A must buy
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hot for the price - 2004 Dodge Neon
By IGOFAST - February 18 - 2:00 amtry it you will like it
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Great first car - 2000 Dodge Neon
By Josh B - February 14 - 1:30 pmA great first car. Good looking, friends love it. I got the stick shift and its a blast to drive. Handles great, except not in the rain so much, and it tends to get stuck a lot on large piles of snow. Easy to modify, I added a tachometer, foglights, and remote control locks. Great pickup and very fast, I beat my friends Saab 900 in a couple of races. All in all a great car, cheap to maintain. Ive put 12000 miles on it in the last 8 months (which brings it to 96000 miles) and havent had to do anything to it other than change the spark plugs. Id definitely buy another one.
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Problems experienced with my 2005 SRT 4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Charles - February 12 - 2:06 amI have not owned this car long but I have have had bad experience with this car.My first problems when i travling from L.A. to San Diego.Car started backfiring and losing a lot of power. This car had 1200 miles.The engine light came on.I was forced to leave the vehicle at a local dealership. I was stranded 50 miles from my destination.There roadside assistance was no help.My second bad experience when I was traveling to work same problem occurred.It appears the Barwick Auto Group tech did not fix the problem.I decided to bring the car to Rancho Auto grp. It apears the problems are coming from the crankcase sensor.I p/u car from Rancho Auto. Third time same problem-only 1800 mi on car.
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best new affordable car - 2005 Dodge Neon
By diane - February 11 - 2:03 pmWe bought our first new car. This car has plenty of room for our family. It is great on gas. The car is sporty lookiing and handles great. If you are looking for a nice looking car, buy this one. You wont regret it
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SRT-4 Commemorative Edition #35 - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Jay Brown - February 9 - 10:53 pmThis is my second SRT-4. This one replaces my 2004. My new 2005 is #35 of only 200 Commemorative Editions ever made. I love that car in just about every way. HUGE bang for the buck. The performance is ASTOUNDING!!! I bought another one, what else can be said that more positive than that.
