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 car for the price, just not new! - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By flamingpinhead - March 14 - 2:00 am

  very fun to drive (5spd). not very fast on the straight but its great in the turns (autocrossed last year and loved every bit of it) the front seats are ok but get uncomfortable on long trips, they make my lower back ache after about an hour no matter how i position the seat. is at 75k miles and still gets over 30mpg consistently. looks stylish both inside and out. i keep it exceptionally clean inside and out. runs great after all those miles. had to have the tranny replace after 10k but the dealership was very good about getting it done quickly and giving me a loaner car automatic neon, once again reminding me why i got a 5spd.

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  Good for what it is. - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By big_dog - March 10 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new my only vehicle since 1999. Excellent gas mileage, fun to drive - faster than a 6 cylinder Mustang. Very nimble around town and a stable freeway cruiser. Of course, I also have the 5 speed and DOHC. Absolutely no problems and going on 80K miles. For comparison, I drove an Audi TT w/180hp and could not "feel" a difference in acceleration or handling (though I dont mean to suggest that the Neon is a better car!). However, the wind noise at 55mph or above is awful. I plan on keeping this vehicle to play with when I replace it with a new Audi or Porsche, etc.

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  4 Door Viper & A Daily Driver! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By SRT-4-Life - March 9 - 2:00 am

  My first "10 minute drive to the park"...took 4 minutes! I tapped the gas & the turbo smoothly launched this black beauty to hyper-space. Two cop cars did U-turns...just to get a closer look at it & my license plate. Want to reverse a bulging disc in your lower back? Four "snicks" thru the gears with a twitchy right foot & the appropriate amount of turbo boost... should do it! Awesome!!!!!

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  Very nice - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By GoodFriendOrion - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I havent had the car long, but it has been wonderful so far. The body design is sleek, the car runs beautifully, and the interior is quite comfortable (my last car was a 72 VW Beetle). Very much worth the money.

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  Great car, but... - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By humbleandlovable - March 8 - 2:00 am

  We love our new Neon. The payments are the most reasonable around. It is fun to drive. I have three teenagers ready to learn to drive and this car is just perfect for teaching them. When my husband first brought the Neon home, I hated it! I love old cars and wanted a 1967 Mustang Convertable, red with white interior. I wouldnt even drive the Neon for the first month. Then came a time I had to. Ive been sold ever since.

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  Lemon - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By FUNGUY - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Head gasket went after 38K, A/C repaired in 3rd year, electrical problems with signal lights, then radio. Paint pealing off roof and both wiper arms had paint peeling and they both have broken. On the highway the windows scream. Weather stripping around doors and trunk were coming off. Piece of crap!

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  my car sucks - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By thegame76 - March 2 - 2:00 am

  i have had it it the shop 7 or 8 timess still something wrong......tranmission problems, and rubbing engine noise

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  The Little Car That Cant - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By james720 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I dont own this car, just had the misfortune to rent it...However, I dislike it so much that I felt that I ought to write a review of it. This car has the loudest engine, the worst auto tranmission, crappy gas mileage, slow pickup, and horrible suspension. I drove my normal route on I-25 in CO and after getting out I felt like someone had put me in a paint mixer, this car needs a much smoother ride. It really lacks when compaired to a Corolla, Grand-Am, Civic, Stratus, or even a KIA.

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  Great car for a cheap price - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Oilman - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Great car for a cheap price. I purchased this car with 27K miles, now I have over 200,000 miles and it is still going strong. I have changed the head gasket once and had to replace a faulty turn signal switch, other then that, it has been a very solid car. Of course I change the oil on time and keep the tires in good shape. I still get over 35 miles per gallon on the freeway. My only complaint is the paint. It fell off in large chunks because of a bad base coat. I have asked the dealership to repaint it, but they refused. Hay, it only looks bad for Dodge, I do not care. I still drive this car about 1500 miles a month.

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  3rd Neon for me! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Dick Bert - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought my wife a 1998 neon with all the goodies, 5-sp, DOHC, moonroof, etc, and shes loved it. Couldnt talk her into trading for a Honda with a 6 cyclinder. Then it was totaled. Were now buying an 03 R/T with ALL the goodies for $14,500 drive-out, and shes excited. Leather, moonroof, etc. I put Bridgestone BT70S on her old Neon and it cornerd like it was on rails! Cant wait to slap Potenzas on this new car. Only problem I ever had with the 98 was the infamous headgasket, but it was fixed under warranty. Love to drive this car!