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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  Good Car for the Dough - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Stain - August 13 - 2:00 am

  For the price it doesnt get much better. Comes with a very high top speed for smaller car. Very fun to drive. Only complaint is thins are starting to raddle at 13000 miles.

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  Should have been Recalled - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By feqmxa - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new. Had $8500 of body damage 2 weeks after I bought it. Insurance fixed it(should have totalled it). Head cover gasket started leaking oil around 65000 miles. Had it replaced at $600. Started leaking again around 80000 miles. Then head gasket blew. Donated it to charity.

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  2000 Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By kes - August 8 - 2:00 am

  it rides comfortably with good lumbar support and with a fairly comfortable backseat ride. Problems are the front seat space if you are very small people its fine but if you are on the large side you are constatnly bumping shoulders. The bars between the doors and windshiled cause a blind spot and are hazardous. Interior front and back windows are difficult to clean. Gas mileage for city driving is about 12 miles to the gallon but highway goes up to about 35. Mopar products are not dependable as in 3 batteries in 3 years. Minimal amounts of moisture in the air will cause the brakes to squeal, another Mopar product. Poor weatherstriping

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  neon - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By kyleowen - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Absolutley no problems. Exterior styling is ok, interior could use a little work (i.e. too many hard plastics). Power is above average for this class decent highway passing. 5 speed manual gear box linkage is abysmal, however.

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  Fuse problem road noise - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By CaliDriver - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used, when it was only one year old. Ive now owned it two years, and Im sort of holding my breath. So far Ive only replaced my brake pads due to squealing. However, I recently replaced the radio fuse, only to have the radio go out on me again after two weeks. Could be a short somewhere. Bad road noise.

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  The little neon that rocks - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By JerBear - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle on day while visitng a Dodge dealership with a friend interested in buying a truck. I had no intention of buying a new car. The Neon I bought was on the showroom floor and caught my eye immediately. I asked to sit in it. The dealership did me one better. They gave me the keys and told me to take it home for the night. Needless to say, it never made it back to the showroom floor. i signed the papers the next morning and have enjoyed this vehicled ever since. I pleasure to drive. Comfortable, plenty room, GREAT gas mileage and style is incredibly nice. A REAL nice car!!

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  awsome - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By gershon - July 31 - 2:00 am

  this car is fun to drive. Looks very fast the only complain would be that you cant install anything to the engine without messing up the censors.

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  98 Highline-Loved it & its xtra warranty - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By biogirl - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Im finally getting ready to trade in my 98 Neon Highline. I liked it more than I thought I would. Never thought Id buy Dodge after my parents Caravan fiasco, but was short on money. Salesman did not have what I like to call "Hey Little Lady Syndrome". I was smart & got the extended warranty. thru 100K miles - definitely worth it. Never had a problem until about 99,975, when my head gasket, A/C, rear main seal?, and another oil seal went. The service staff at a nearby dealership took care of it without any "Hey Little Lady Syndrome". They even invited me into the garage to show me what was wrong so I didnt think they were scamming me.

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  Dodge Neon ES - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By spartygirl - July 29 - 2:00 am

  My experience with this vehicle has been marginal at best. It is only 3 yrs old and has had steering column issues, power locks and windows failure (of course only front windows since the rear have no power at all!), other minor electrical prblems, and now needs a new AC compressor. Not something you would expect for a car with 50K miles and 3 yrs old. It also needed rear brake repairs at 20K. Admittedly fun to drive and has some pep, and nice looking, but I expect more out of a car - even if it is a Neon.

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  Fun car, but has some downfalls - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By jonjon5000 - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I drove a Neon for the past 3 months, and just upgraded to a Caddilac Catera. The Neon is as fast or faster than the 3.0L Catera with 200hp!! Handles awesome, and saved me from some fishtailing. Good, cheap car. Not smooth, though. American muscle without foreign finesse. Spacious trunk and interior. Fun to drive, but not too much comfort.