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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  a good fixer upper - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By alexx - October 9 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car just this year for 300 dollars it had been hit in the front and needs both fenders and a hood, other then that im ery happy with this car, nice and peppy with the air intake installed i love the little deep engine tone, fun and does GREAT on gas, car has 115,876 miles on it and all i had to do to it was fix the back brakes,got a little tranny problem to but after i get past 20 mph i can floor it or do whatever, the stereo sounds nice but it takes a while to read cdrs, but it will work eventually, i will be adding altezza lights to the back z3 fenders and maybe some rims and for sure some tint it will look nice great car for what i paid for it

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  owner - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Lane Holt - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Very responsive handling, feels very solid & secure at highway speeds. Light weight results in better performance than the more expensive mid- size car with standard engine.

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  SXT-4 - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By asrock - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Great dependable car, with good pick-up and go.

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  pimpin - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By jarrod - October 1 - 2:00 am

  this car is totally awesome for the money, nothing else in this price range even comes close, my dad has a 2001 ws6 t/a, with a hurst 6 speed and this car is nearly as quick for $13000 less

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  At 11K - So Far So Good! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By NeonGuy - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Neon SXT back in March of this year, and thus far, all is going well! The basic design, comfort and build quality are excellent for the price point. The seats and interior room house my 63" frame quite well, and the dash layout is a model of organization (if not materials quality). The auto tranny is awful however, and the gas mileage has never risen to my expectations for the car. Beyond all such simple reviews however, has been the cars durability and build quality. While I have only placed 11,000 miles on the odometer, those miles have been squeek, rattle and mechanical failings free. If the car remains reliable, I would wholeheartedly reccomend this car!

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  It just so happens.. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By JeepBoy - September 30 - 2:00 am

  When a sports car enthusiast spends $40K on any performance car, then additional $10K on tuning, functionality and looks, he does not want to be overtaken while accelerating on a highway onramp. But this is exactly what happens when that "sports car" is lined up with this SRT-4. I will put this car against any $40K+ ride any day, and rest easy knowing that I paid more than 50% less for showing him what my rear looks like. Why? SRT-4 told me to do it. No really - car wants to be driven fast fast fast. I Tried to explain that to the authorities too.

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  Good car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By jason21210 - September 29 - 2:00 am

  I think this car is a wonderful car if you are looking for something that is compact and good on fuel.

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  R/T Neon 2001 - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By kenroberts11 - September 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Neon & all have been very good cars. NO problems of any import. Great gas mileage, good pep & nice comfortable seating. For the money, cant be beat.

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  NEON SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By MARK - September 20 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS BALSA AWSOME POWER AND TOURQ THE TRANY IS TIGHT BUT COULD BE CLOSER BUT ITS GOOD FOR NOW.

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  A Self Destruct car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Beezer6801 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Neon, the first was a 95 and I ran it 95K and had one major problem a blown head gasket. The 2001 now has 63K miles and is in self destruct mode, I dont know where to start with all the problems I have with this car. I just spent clost to $500 for rear brakes cylinders, leaked terribly new AC temp sensor, new engine balancers unlike most straight cylinder engines which use hormonic balancers, Dodge uses rubber mounts enclosed in steel and bolted to the body, I now have a check engine lite, the third one in 6 months, the O2 sensor have been replaced.