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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  Bad Car! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Stef4551 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a piece of garbage! Ever since I have Had mine it has been nothing but problems. It has been in the shop 5 times. The car shakes everytime you come to a stop, it has had to have 2 batteries replaced in it, it has completly shut-off after it is started, ( Happened twice), and the a/c constantly runs, even when in the off position. I would not suggest any one to by this car.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Lex696988 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought my SRT4 in June of 2003 and since then I have put 12000 miles on it and it is still holding up strong and believe me I drive my car hard. This car for a 4 cyclinder turbo really gets the job done!! I have showed up 2003 Mustang GTs and especially my favorite are the 5.0s they hate to see me pass them ;-). But for the money I spent on this car and what it can do there is nothing like it for the price and not only that I dont see anyone with my car. I LOVE BEING THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS ONE. But to end this on the best note, DODGE FINALLY WOKE UP AND STARTED TO MAKE SOME DETROIT MUSCLE AGAIN!!!

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  Nice Design, low quality - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By metamatrix - March 20 - 2:00 am

  This car drives nice, has excellent gas mileage, is very roomy, and has good handling and decent acceleration for an economy car. The downside is quality. Everything rusts very quickly, I have already fixed the front brakes once, the rear drums twice, and several minor things have gone wrong. Although it has never broke down and always starts, I dont have confidence in this car after 3 years and 24k miles.

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  My little race car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Gstock - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This is the ACR competition model a factory racecar intended for SCCA Road Racing and Solo competition. Keep that in mind if you consider and ACR. Great handling - but even with the suspension set on full soft (all 4 struts are adjustable for both rebound and compression) it’s a very firm ride. The pay off is it handles like it’s on rails! The power is adequate, 150 hp in a 2600 lb car. As for reliability, the battery went out at 20K but other than that it’s been good. It’s my daily commuter, my long distance hauler and it’s my racecar for SCCA Solo II Autocross events. And for the price I still can’t beat the performance. It’s a fun car.

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  Never buy a Neon - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Jinx-y - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Dodge Neon used with 40,000 miles. Now, at 70,000 miles, I cannot wait to get it off my hands. The car is poorly constructed. Ive spent way too much of my free time fixing the car. Only 3 months ago I dropped almost a grand on a tune-up. Now, the head gasket is broken and I have engine damage. Why did Dodge continue to make this car when they knew the head gaskets would go with so few miles? Its a very expensive thing to fix. For a little more money, I could have had a reliable car and peace of mind.

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  Ignore the nay-sayers! - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By JeremyJ - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Far better than any other entry-level vehicle Ive ever experienced, especially the Honda Civic. This car has a great aftermarket following and is capable of very impressive performance. I have modified mine greatly and I still get an average of 31mpg. Excellent build quality and reliability. Fast and fun. I highly recommend it.

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  Need more time with it but loving it. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By JustGotMine - March 9 - 10:00 am

  When I got in the car to test drive it there was 17 miles on the Odometer. I have it home and have run a few errands but need to spend more time with it. I have the alternate (non-viper style) front seats and really like them. I really like the cloth centers in the seats for a more comfortable california summer.

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  I like it - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By bdwhite - March 9 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle has been driven in both hot summers and cold winters and operates very well providing excellent interior temperature control. Gas mileage has ben good

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  a real neon - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By crunkone - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This car was my favorite car. It held up very very well. It was fast, nimble, and very sporty. The onlt thing this car didnt have was leather and a CD player, then it would be perfect. It also had lots of room for its size. It was hard to find and after my brother wrecked mine, I couldnt find it again. I ended up with a 2001 but I was very dissapointed. Its weak and gets terrible gas mileage. And half of the problems I have, the dealer either cant or wont fix it. Like a sulphuric smell that nausiates me.

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  Neons - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By babygurl87 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I love the dodge neons. They are very comfortable and I enjoying driving it. They are very convenient for somebody who is looking for a new car but want something easy to manage and also on a low budget. I would recommend that neon to anybody.