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:
Showing 721 through 730 of 1,187.00-
srt-4 turbo - 2004 Dodge Neon
By zteeters - January 18 - 2:00 am35 and I love my srt-4 with mopar performance stage 1,2,3 kits available this baby rocks.
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2004 Electric Blue SRT-4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
By TwiztedNeon - January 18 - 2:00 amI love the car. The performance is awesome. The only downside is that it uses alot of Gas.
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2003 Dodge Neon SXT - 2003 Dodge Neon
By NoOneYouKnow - January 17 - 2:00 amA great overall car! I got mine at a great price because a friend works for Chrysler. Looks great, runs great, feels awesome! I get about 250 miles per tank, which is mostly city miles. Ive had it since Sept. 2003, and so no problems whatsoever! The only thing I would EVER change is a bigger engine, but then it would kill the fuel economy, and bump up the already cheap price-tag.
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Fun little inexpensive car - 2002 Dodge Neon
By Jwfirebird - January 14 - 2:00 amgood car for driving alot of miles good acceleration, handling
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michelles review - 2004 Dodge Neon
By chellebells5 - January 13 - 10:00 amExcellent car to drive.
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Fantastic car - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Sabersoul - January 11 - 2:00 amIts a great car, plenty of pep even with the 4-speed auto and for around $15K driveout you cant beat the room in the car for the money. Im 64" and have no problems sitting in any seat in the car.
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run in the exact opposite direction - 1997 Dodge Neon
By sucka with a clunka - January 9 - 2:00 amthe price sounded good. thats about it. they should pay the consumer to take the car from them. fun to drive when it runs right. those times are few and far between. bad head gaskets, fuel pumps, cam seal, bad brake life, light seals, not to mention all the noise. wind noise is annoying at highway speeds, occasional clunking from front end, and the rear struts always sound like theyre shot too. and the worst part is when the noises are checked by professionals they cant find anything wrong. if you enjoy getting taken then i suggest buying a dodge/plymouth neon.
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Disappointed - 2004 Dodge Neon
By swtmomma - January 8 - 10:00 amWe have had the car 10 months. In the last 2 months we have had the car back to the dealer because of airconditioning or transmission problems. They are uncertain and have had to bring in a chrysler specialist to help find the problem. This is the 3rd trip back, total days w/o car 15days. When the airconditioner is on the car seems to continuosley hesitate and jerk as if the car is gonna die out. We are afraid to drive anywhere long distance. Cute car, fun to drive, disappointing outcome.
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I love this car! - 1997 Dodge Neon
By mnewland2 - January 8 - 2:00 amExclusive owner for all 7 years, 67k miles. This was the fastest, best handling compact available at the time. The host of aftermarket performance parts available keeps it competitive. Not a cushy luxury car, but for the enthusiast on a budget. The ONLY reliability problems were the head gasket (fixed by dealer for $100), and the gauge panel (fixed under warranty.) Routinely get over 30 mpg in mixed driving.
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Most fun driving... ever! - 2002 Dodge Neon
By ScarletKnight - January 6 - 2:00 amCheap fun in plain clothing is the Neon ACR. The 150 horses moves that car faster than a Neon should, and it handles like cars costing three or four times as much. The only giveaway to your ACR status is dual exhaust tips. That, and showing your taillights to nearly any Honda that tries to pass you.
