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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TWICE AS NICE - 2004 Dodge Neon
By NEW YORK - September 19 - 2:00 amI purchased my first neon in 2000 and was pleasantly surprised. It handles great in the snow. I was in need of a car for my 21 year old daughter and bought her the 2004 neon. I thought the reliability, design, comfort and price was perfect.Great colors to choose from. The neon had all the options/safety features I wanted for a car. My daught loved the car, even more with all the compliments she received.
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Most under-rated car out there - 2003 Dodge Neon
By 71charger_fan - September 18 - 2:00 am13 months of flawless performance. No squeaks, no rattles. The only things replaced were the oil, oil filter, and wiper blades.
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a very Bad Choice - 2000 Dodge Neon
By Jarett_87 - September 18 - 2:00 amWhen I first bought this car it worked and ran great for about two weeks then the starter stoped working at 43200 miles. This car was converted to propane before I bought it I thought that it would be good for the inviroment but the car gets less than ten miles per gallon.The car rides ruff i feel every bump on the highway and theres a whole lot in missouri. Another problem with the car is that there are no ash trays.
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Homer - 2004 Dodge Neon
By Davjohn - September 18 - 2:00 amVery fun to drive. Good controls layout and excellent stereo.
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Little Buttercup - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Richard S - September 17 - 2:00 amFabulous fun car that is also practical (4-dr sedan). This is a great commute car when there are no traffic jams. Added custom orange and red graphics (real paint) really dress up this little yellow sedan.
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American Cars are Better! - 2004 Dodge Neon
By SHIRTandTIE - September 17 - 2:00 amJapanese Cars are so over-played. Everyone owns a car made in Nippon! But now it is time to come back to Gold Old American Muscle, but in the year of 2004! The Dodge SRT-4 is the car to drive and it made me come back to Chrysler and away from Ford. Japanese cars are not even in my mind anymore because they all look the same, perform well but get tired and old fast. Do yourself a favour, just get off the Japanese Bandwagon and find an American Car that you like because the Options are out there. Look again! This was a smart move by Dodge and Daimler and People are going to forget about Subaru and cheap a car that is cheap and fast and not expensive!
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A Good Buy - 2004 Dodge Neon
By neonsoxt - September 13 - 2:00 amI bought this car brand new off the lot in April 2004. The features are great for the MSRP, including a great stereo, ice cold air, and power windows up front. While the rear windows are crank, its not a big deal because theyre easy to roll down with only a few cranks. The build materials seem pretty durable and tight so far as I have put about 4500 miles on it and there hasnt been one rattle or squeek. The suspension seems like a good comprimise between a touring ride and good handling. The engine can be what some would consider choppy at idle, but it has a nice sound and a great sweet spot right around 4000 RPM.
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Sporty Fun - 2004 Dodge Neon
By Kuzza - September 11 - 2:00 amAlways loved Dodge cars. Previously owned the last 1999 2 door Neon Coupe with very standard features, but I liked it. My new 2004 Neon SXT Sedan is definitley a step up and found vast improvements, especially with audio & smoother ride. Very stylish with fog lamps and rear spoiler. Enjoy driving this vehicle very much. Trying to learn the CD controls is a bit of a challenge. The best feature is the smooth braking. Money-wise, it was a good deal, especially if you can get rebats like I did ($3500), plus with a trade-in, the final cost was lower than what I paid for my 1999 Neon brand new. I cant complain, I love this car.
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fun compact - 2004 Dodge Neon
By strack350 - September 11 - 2:00 amdodge has taken a good car and made it better. The second generation neon is not as performance minded as the first, but it is far more comforatable to drive, and is far more refined.
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200 Horses of Iron - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Kevin Parrish - September 7 - 10:00 amI rote a review on the Mazdaspeed Protege and well this Dodge is the Best car ever. Its fast its quick its cofrontable. Its nice lokkin. Its the perfect car for American people. Dont go after Japaneese or European carz. Help Americas econimy by uying American Muscle. The real Muscle Carr.
