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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  Great Tow Vehicle - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By pacerpapa - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was purchased to be towed behind our motorhome and used upon arrival at our destinations while travelling. It served us well for six years without a single problem. Just changed out the OEM battery after six and one-half years. No other repairs have been needed.

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  Fast fast fast - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Paul544 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  This car is fast. Its rating of 214hp is way low. This thing moves out like a big V8. Fun to drive and race. The worst thing about this car is the front seats. Unless you have one skinny ass, you just wont fit. I am working on ways of "bending" the hip huggers down because it is downright uncomfortable to drive as it is now. But other than that this car rocks!!!! Cant wait for the upgrades to hit the market. I think Dodge has only scraped the surface of this cars real performance. SMOKIN!!!!!

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  Beware not a car to purchase - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By nfrn - July 29 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 97 Neon new in late 1996 and it has been nothing but trouble. The headgasket has been replaced twice , brakes 3 times and we had it laid up for six months in a garage because it wouldnt start and no one could find the problem ( eventually the third mechanic to look at it found the key chuck had snapped off the end of the cam ). It still has only has 70000 miles on it. For 50000 of those miles I would say oil was leaking from somewhere. The Dodge dealers in Texas were fair to deal with but back here in Newfoundland they were nothing but trouble so we eventually purchased a Saturn.

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  a bargain for the price - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By donuts - July 26 - 2:00 am

  most underrated compact car. a good bargain for used car.

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  The greatest car I have ever owned - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Dave - July 25 - 1:10 am

  Being a previous owner of a 97 Neon, I couldnt wait to own an SRT-4. 2 years after the first one was sold, I finally bought one. The acceleration is phenomonal. The handling is incredible. The look of the car is sporty and mean from the front and back. The sound of the engine, by just removing the stock resonators, is awesome. The interior looks good with or w/o the optional Viper seats. The car stock is mid 14s, if you throw in a few thousand dollars of modifications, from MOPAR, your in the 11s. Try doing that with any other car from any other manufacturer that sells for under 25k. Dodge knew exactly what they were doing when they built and designed this car. Dont miss out.

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  Very good for price - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By CAB - July 19 - 12:33 pm

  I was looking for a second car, cheap and economical. (Replacing a Corolla 99). Its less refined in the interiors but meet the requirements. It is more fun to drive, better equiped, and has outstanding audio (almost U$ 5000 less than Corolla, Civic and Mazda3 in Puerto Rico)An excellent car for the price!

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  NEON - EXCELLENT, NEVER NEEDS REPAIRS! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By BNeon - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Car was bought new in 96. Car has never failed me yet. Only returned to the dealer once for the infamous headgasket leak at 47k miles. Even though the car was out of warranty Chrysler fixed it for free! Car starts on the coldest mornings, A/C blows extremely cold on the hottest days. Car is very quick with the manual transmission, and gas mileage is excellent, can get 40mpg+ over the highway. Cant be happier with a car, cost $9000 new and still going strong! What more can you ask for?

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  Never buy a Neon! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By ever - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Paint peeled, speedometer went, guages worked intermittently, had gauge transplant, oil warning still failed, CONSTANT problems w/ breakdowns -- oil leaks, gaskets, have poured money into fixing it -- dont want to add it up. Noisy, hard to get out of, cup holders impossible, no clock, no oil gauge, overhead light went on while driving & couldnt be fixed, same with radio hence no interior light (had to take out bulb) -- a PAIN!!!!!!

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  Blow Away Others-Not Your Budget - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By usaf69 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle after doing a lot of research on the internet. And you know what? They were right! This IS the most bang for the buck out there and a quality vehicle to boot. Its track or street ready right from the dealership and there is a ton of aftermarket items available to let you break the speed of sound.

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  SRT-4 = Compact muscle - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By halfhemi - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This car performs better than many cars that cost much more. It may have the shell of the Neon econobox rental, but its a totally different animal under the hood. Do not buy one of these cars unless you want to feel some g-force while under full throttle. They are true performance vehicles. Ive had 0 problems with this car. Im still amazed after 1-1/2 years of ownership :wink: