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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  Not bad - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Archie - February 7 - 11:50 pm

  Almost 2 years of ownership and no major problems. The rear brakes squeak when damp--dealer says they all do that. Gas mileage consistently 33. Most comfortable seats of any car Ive owned--drove 12 hours straight without an ache! Sound system is awesome for the cars price. Ride is decent. Visibility out is poor--wide A-pillar high spoiler. Very solid--not a squeak or rattle. Great highway cruiser.

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  Awesome little car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By neonknighthawk - January 21 - 3:38 pm

  I have had my 2000 ES for almost 5 years and 121,000 miles now and its been an awesome drive so far. The only thing I can think of that has gone wrong was the factory stereo has been replaced twice in 5 years. Other than that, I love this car. Its always got me there and back and has never complained doing it. It looks awesome (has won me several trophies in local car shows) and people love the color.(Salsa Red) I have had lots of complements about my Neon. Its been the best car I have owned so far (since I started driving in 1984). I would highly recommend the Neon. All you need to do is take care of the maintenance to the letter, and you are set. My Neon also has all the factory options

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  Great performance, piece of junk - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Ashley - January 18 - 1:59 pm

  I currently own three Neons, a 99, a 99 R/tTand an 04 SRT. The SRT has been the most problematic by far. Problems on the SRT include an oil leak at 400 miles. Now i have 32,000 and it has yet to be fixed axle seal went at 6,000, numerous computer problems, steering problems, and the most recent problem has to deal with the throttle sticking open. I was very excited to get this SRT since Im a total Neon geek, however it was a huge let down. The performance is great and its fun to run at the track, but it would be great if the build and reliability of the vehicle matched its performance. Ive owned it for a year and Im ready to sell. Thanks Dodge.

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  Dont get it! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By samantha - January 13 - 9:10 pm

  I purchased it with 60000 miles, and after 7k miles it needed a head gasket and tires. The floor in the back always leaks, and in the winter the floor on the INSIDE freezes along with the trunk. I had to scrap the inside of the winsheild instead of the outside. The heat takes forever to kick in, and the paint started to chip.

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  Great Car! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Robert20876 - January 11 - 2:24 pm

  I bought car with 13,000 miles on it. Have driven it from Utah to Maryland 3 times with no problems! Cruises at 80 to 85 mph all day with no problem. 12 hr drive days are great, not tired at the end. Car has over 130,000 miles on it, and the interior still looks new! has the usual wear & tear. The only thing major was the tranny (I let the car set for 6 months while getting it licensed, this probably was not good for tranny.) I love the car. It has great handling, and gets great mileage (32 to 35 on highway, 28 around town.) Still looks good. I want to keep it for another 10 years! You cant go wrong with getting a 95 Neon!

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  Modern day muscle car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Crono - January 9 - 2:48 pm

  This is by far the most fun car I have ever driven. The power is unbelievable and the suspension is very tight while only being a little harsh. The brakes bring you back down to legal speeds in a hurry, which will be necessary if this car is driven like it shound be. The steering is quick but very heavy and a bit on the numb side. Being 66" I could use a little more headroom and legroom. Its not quite as roomy as my previous car, a Ford Focus ZX3. The heavily bolstered front seats are actually really comfortable while making sure you dont slide around when taking that "suggested" 30 mph off ramp at 70 mph. Best car buy ever.

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  Very surprised - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Pat Lippy - January 9 - 9:04 am

  Was looking for a daily driver for my wife. She had a 96 Ford Windstar and my kids are grown, so I was looking for something good on gas. After looking at Corolla, Scion, Protege, and Aveo, I decided on the Neon. Got the best price (leftover 2004), more of the "creature comforts" (CD player, AC, power everything) and the dealership was offering free maintenance and tires as long as you own the car - now how can you beat that? The resale of the car concerns me but my wife had her Windstar for nine years and never complained, so I hope to have this car as long. She is happy and so am I but I never, ever, thought I would own a Dodge - had a bad Omni experience years ago.

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  Fun to drive - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Doug - January 7 - 2:00 pm

  I bought the car to comute to work ($4200/63K miles). Ive done zero maintance in the two years Ive driven it (no oil changes). It has never broke down. I wash it twice a year whether it needs it or not. Its been the cheepest car Ive owned.

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  SRT-4 Rule - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Chris - January 5 - 6:45 pm

  i have put over 28,000 miles on it in less than a year.so ask yourself if you think it is fun to drive!

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  Excellent, Inexpensive and lots of style - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By dodge_gal - January 5 - 5:06 pm

  I have had this car for 16 months and 23000 miles. Ride and handling are very good. Very reliable, awesome styling, especially for a single mom with two boys ages 13 and 9. They LOVE this car. Mileage is great I routinely get 30+ mpg and that is normal driving, no highways. This car is a 5 speed. Im smiling all the way to the gas pumps! For a front wheel drive sporty car, it is the best handling car Ive had in the snow and winter weather. And this car does not have ABS either.