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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  buy gm: - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Bushleague - January 18 - 2:00 am

  An absolute lemon, lousy ride uncomfortable seats. How many head gaskets can you replace? Nearly get killed trying to accelerate on the highway.

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  dawn - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Dawn - January 17 - 2:00 am

  runs good looks good

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  dawn - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By dawn - January 17 - 2:00 am

  runs good looks good

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  An OK car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Swine - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Neon R/Ts are fun to drive horrible to maintain. The sunroof broke (in the open position) twice under warranty, and again out of the warranty (I refuse to fix it). Transmission broke 10,000 miles past warranty due to "defective gasket." Head gasket blew at 65,000. Currently, mine overheats, regardless of what the outside temperature, due to what my mechanic describes as "poor engineering." Also, one window rolls down faster than the other. (??)

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  Surprise, surprise!! - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Blue beast - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought as a simple commuting vehicle. I soon discovered how much fun it is to drive. The 5 speed trans and DOHC engine were more than sufficient. However, a polished and ported head, racing cams, headers, bigger throttle body and exhaust make for a truly exciting driving experience. A body kit is being added so looks match performance.

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  Good car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By boodog - January 14 - 2:00 am

  All in all a good little car. Fun to drive and king in corners.

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  Great Car for Small $$$ - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Apex - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for a little over a year. 0 Problems with it. Great Fit and Finish, great interior fabrics. Overall very nice layout. Would recommend this car to anyone looking for a small car with midsize interior room, fun to drive, with great reliability.

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  Excellent car for $$ conscious buyer - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Kboyle - January 13 - 2:00 am

  The Neon SE is a significant step up from the Geo it replaced. I drive it up and down the eastern seaboard once a month to visit my daughter, and the car performs well on the highway. The cargo room is immense for a car this size, and it has a lot better pickup than other cars I test drove. The biggest problem I have is the gear ratios. I have a manual tranny, and I find that I am constantly looking for a 6th gear once I get to around 70 on the highway. The engine noise can be significant at higher speeds, but the exceptional audio system easily overcomes it. Ive put 71.5K miles on in 2.5 years, and the only problems Ive had were from accidents -- which were easily fixed.

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  Reliable Transportation - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Ozgurozayvar - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Cheap,reliable vehicle.I have 14.000 miles without any problem.

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  SRT-4 Review - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By EIDE - January 11 - 10:00 am

  The SRT-4 is a true American Sports Car. The SRT-4 has extreme amounts of power. When you get on the gas it wants to boogy. The exhausts are totally awsome; they are music to everyones ears. The brakes are very sensitive and never give up at all. It handles very nicely; and has a comfortable ride for a sports car. The Viper seats really hold you in. It has a great sound system that booms. This car is "UNBEATABLE" for the price. It also gets good gas mileage. The boost gauge is sensitve to every movement of your foot. It tells all. The interior is nice with the silver accents. The gauges are great.