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 751 through 760 of 1,187.00-
What was I thinking? - 2002 Dodge Neon
By mommymobile - November 19 - 2:00 amI liked it at first, dont get me wrong. Ive had the car for a year. The sunroof has already broken once. My volume radio gets louder when I try to turn it down. The brakes squeak something awful. And whats up with the rattling? It sounds like my used Cavalier I had seven years ago!!
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Build Quality - 2002 Dodge Neon
By gonwildondatyfs - November 8 - 2:00 amThe Neon is one of the best cars ive been in when it comes to wrecks. On Nov.7 2003 i was in a wreck in one the guy that hit us was doing 40 mph and distroyed his car and held up like othing ive ever seen. it broke the back bumper and put a little buckle in the quarter panels but other then that it held up nice. If your a family person trying to find a safe car the neon is it.
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Needs refinement - 2003 Dodge Neon
By radioheadmilk - November 6 - 2:00 amThe seats are uncomfortable. My lower back begins to hurt after driving it for more than an hour at a time.
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05 Dodge Neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
By Karen B - November 6 - 1:10 amI have to admit I wasnt impressed by the Neons appearance the first time I saw it. Since buying one, I have thoroughly enjoyed the comfortable interior and sporty feel. Im also very impressed with the power it has compared to our other car (also 4 cyl, but only 1.4L engine.) And I have to admit for stock speakers- they can really put out the bass.
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Lemon - 2003 Dodge Neon
By Karen Jones - November 5 - 2:00 amI have had my Neons Transmission fall completely out three times in the last three weeks. It locked completely up and put my family and myself in great danger. I have only had lies and grief from not only Daytona Beach Dodge in the repair of this car and from Diamond Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, MI as well. This car is advertised with a 7 year/70000 mile warranty on the power train. BE VERY AWARE!!!!!Chrysler Corporation told me that it is subject to change (daily). You may be driving one right now with no warranty. Shame on you Daytona Dodge and Chrysler Corporation, shame on you....
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Another good one - 2002 Dodge Neon
By jefferson - November 4 - 2:00 amI bought this car about a year ago with 17K. No repairs have been needed, just routine maint. It is really at its best on curvy roads, the suspension/tire combination handles the sharp turns well. Nice power when it is just me in the car but when it is loaded down I miss my99 with the DOHC engine.
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99 Dodge R/T - 1999 Dodge Neon
By Kevin K - November 3 - 2:00 amGreat car so far.
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Best Bang for Buck! - 2001 Dodge Neon
By 2001NeonES - October 26 - 1:00 amWhen deciding on a small car to transport my newborn child and keep that mess out of my show car I looked at all the small compacts. After driving them all I drove a Neon. When you get in the car you forget youre in a "Neon" and it resembles a high end sedan. Engine power is ok, but with a few bolt ons the car will easily hang with the everyday Honda. Handling rivals my old mustang and the looks of this car are definatly Mopar. I love the looks I get when passing people on the highway or when Im in a parking lot and have people ask "Is that a Neon?!"
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Great Little Car - 2000 Dodge Neon
By Wigglet - October 25 - 2:00 amThis car is so great to drive. This is my first car. I feel great in it. Its such a cute car. Although it isnt that great on gas, it still gets me around. It can go fast, and handles very well. I reccomend this car to anyone, especially for a teen agers first car. They are not that expensive, and they still look good.
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Fun and Reliable - 2000 Dodge Neon
By DragonDon - October 22 - 2:00 amThe only problem we had was the trunk rust at the pinch-welds. Was replaced under warranty. The oddball tire size and then charge $200 CDN per tire is ridiculous. Winter traction was horrid. I remedied this and used a slightly over-sized tire in the summer time (nice performance tire on new set of rims) and a separate set of tires for the winters. The car has been quite reliable. Never stranded us and even 3 years later, all the original bulbs are functioning perfectly. The car is the best powered in its class for its year. The Neon has the largest sunroof of just about any car Ive seen. The 3spd tranny was sluggish at certain speeds.
