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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  Whats up with those damned brakes???? - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Andy Allison - January 5 - 9:19 am

  I really love my car & the way it drives. Its quick, responsive, & fun. The engine is perfect for this car...it has just enough power for performance without a great fuel cost, all of which leaves me to wonder why Daimler put such a flawed & NOISY brake system on em. When I first start her up , regardless of environmental conditions, as soon as I step on the brakes I hear the most awful grinding/squealing sound coming from the wheels. With every subsequent stop the noise is reduced bit until several miles into my journey it stops all together. I have taken it into the dealership just to be told that the brakes are fine & there is nothing that can be done. Whats up with that?

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  WOW!! This car hauls ass!!!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By K.J. - January 4 - 8:38 pm

  All I have to say is that this vehicle is one fast ride! There is no turbo lag, just sheer power when you need it. Even without using the recommended 91 octane, the car still puts out 11psi of boost and pulls nicely. The handling is excellent and the ride quality is very good considering the abilities of the vehicle. The brakes do an excellent job of stopping the vehicle under heavy braking without ever fading. The exhaust is somewhat loud due to lack of mufflers, but to a car enthusiast such as myself, its music to my ears. The seats are wonderfully supportive during hard cornering but having the wide side bolsters makes is somewhat difficult to get in. An excellent ride for under 22K!

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  Great Little Car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By happywithneon - January 3 - 6:43 pm

  Somewhere along the way I heard the Neon is a throw-away car. Something to get you from point A to B...no frills. Well I was wrong! This car has been wonderful the past year. The little car really has some get up and go for a 2.0! Nothing like the doggy 1.9 liter in a Ford or Saturn. It gets good gas milage about 26mpg. The radio sounds great! Not tinny like in some cheaper cars. This car is as dependable as it is fun! I live in MN where it has gotten to -15 and the car still started with no problems. It even handles good in the snow and ice.

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  Awesome - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By TurboQueen - January 1 - 4:13 pm

  This car is awesome. There is not one thing I can complain about. It will blow the doors off any other car for the price. Next to the WRX and EVO, its one of the best sport compact cars out right now.

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  Its A Great Little Car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Paul - December 29 - 10:36 pm

  I bought my 95 Neon sport with 17k miles in 1995 and it now has 200,000 miles. I replaced the timing belt twice as well as a water pump and O2 sensor and nothing else. I am still driving with the original clutch. Of course I did tune ups, brake jobs and performed basic maintance. The car has been one of the most reliable cars Ive owned and has always been a blast to drive. I would not however recommend the automatic. I dont understand why this car has such a poor resale value and poor reputation. It certainly exceeded my expectations in every way.

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  Very poorly built car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Twizted - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had the 2004 Dogde neon car for about 7 months.When I first test drove it,it was an excellent choice for my wife.But after a few weeks of driving it we found out it wasnt as good of a car as it seemed.We started hearing funny noises in the engine compartement,which isnt normal and the car shifted afully.We took the car back to the dealership but they asured us there was nothing wrong with it.This was nothing new after getting extremley poor sevice from the delership to begin with.

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  Visibility quite poor - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By gigi - December 24 - 10:05 am

  For shorter drivers I feel as if Im sitting on the floor, I cannot see hood and visibility, frame thickness between windows, has almost cost me 3 wrecks in 1 1/2 years. The gas milage they advertise is not quite accurate.-( And it has locked me out with car running with the electronic door lock settings! Please keep spare key handy!When cold the engine has a loud tick as if ready to throw a rod and the brakes squeal when wet or cold. They say this is normal? Why only front power windows? And the front window keeps coming off track. Glove box too small can barely fit gloves and owners manual inside! And a real neck breaker to view cd changer.Impossible to clean between front seats.

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  Ooomph says it all - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Rhiannon - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Great lil stylish car that just happens to have a lil oomph. With the overdrive you feel as though you should be in a higher gear than what you really need to be. But its great once you get use to it. But then again I say that about all manual transmissions.

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  Great Little Car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By celtica98 - December 10 - 1:08 pm

  Have had great fun with this car....super looking exterior, comfortable interior, good gas mileage. Very reliable, none of the ittle glitches you sometimes get with new cars. The dealership is excellent as well, convenient, friendly.

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  I Love this Car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Fastfrt1 - December 3 - 11:22 pm

  What a great car!!! Fun Car to drive, I get about 27-28 mpg. I run it to just under a 1/4 tank and it only takes 7.4 gallons! Great sound system!