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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  HEAD GASKET - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By neonrt - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Dodge seriously needs to get off the butt and recall the dodge neon head gasket. Im getting ready to replace mine, but the repair is costly and i really dont want to do the work but im not going to pay someone for something that i can do. Dodge on the other hand has had many complaints though different people and still no response from dodge. Its bullshit and dodge needs to show customer support. I will never buy another dodge and i hope that if you have a neon and have replaced the head gasket, to call dodge and complain, also if you have a neon and have not replaced the head gasket, get ready to do so!

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  13.8 in 1/4 mile all stock! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By pectorals - January 6 - 10:00 am

  Very fast and stylish for the money even with dealer mark-ups. I would recommend this car over WRX and EVO.

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  too many repairs - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Very displeased - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I do not suggest buying this car unless you are a mechanic, or someone else who gets cheap parts and labour, because otherwise you will probably spend more money repairing it than you did buying it! short list of problems I have had -leaky trunk -framless windows that dont seal and leak into car -faulty head gasket -smelly AC -squeaky brakes that never shut up -radiator fan relay died -steering seizes up when you drive through puddles -bad wiring

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  Not Satisfied! - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By stephaniequeen2 - January 3 - 2:00 am

  I just read all of the complaints on here and I wish I wouldve read up on a neon BEFORE I bought it! I have had many problems and the car is in the shop right now. I do not say anyone should buy this car unless they like fixing it all of the time! Problems include: headgasket (reimbursed under a "secret warranty"), oil leaks and burns, alternator, battery (twice!), tires, brake pads, air conditioning switch ... do not buy this car!!

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  CHEAP CAR - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By lofty08 - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle for my wife to commute back and forth from college approx. 100 miles round trip. Price was $10,000.00 brand new. After six months the battery died. After 36000 miles water soaked trunk and rear passenger floor after rain. Very very poor fit and finnish of body panels. Dont get fooled by the cheap price. You get just what you pay for. A piece of junk..

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  Great car for the money... - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By viprtv - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Car was blessed with a few minor problems this first model year, but was an overall great little compact car for its time. It looked good, handled excellent (on ACR model), and had plenty of get-up-and-go for a four banger (on DOHC/perf 5 spd model). The cars terrible resale value makes it a heck of a personal investment. I own two neons and theyre both 1995 models. Yes, Ive had my share of problems, but any car can develop any problem on various conditions the car is used under.

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  too many reparis - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By ephiladelphia - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds lists the 5 year cost of repairs at about $600. In six years, Ive spent almost $2500 just on engine repairs! This is all after the 3-year warranty ran out! Ive tried to get satisfaction from the company and they are totally unapologetic (customer service at corporate headquarters in Michigan even hung up on me when I asked to speak with a manager!) about the shoddy repair history. Though its fine when its not in need of repair, the frequency and expense of repairs means that I have purchased my first and last Chrysler product.

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  great car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By street racer - December 30 - 2:00 am

  i love this car

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  great little car! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By highly impressed - December 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in sept. 2000 with 89,000 and have put about 25,000 miles on it since then. I have to say that I have been really impressed with this little car, in the 2 1/2 years that I have had it the has been only one small problem with it..and that is that the speedometer would stop working from time to time, after talking to other Neon owners I found that it was just a loose connection in the gauge pod and it was fixed rather easily. The car gets great gas mileage and doesnt use a bit of oil. This is a great car,highly recommended

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  Dont let my score fool you - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By MidLman - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The car was purchased used and checked out for problems before purchase. Dealership said it was in great condition. Boy were they wrong. In only one year Ive had the brakes replaced, had various seals replaced, including the rear-main engine seal, and had to replace the starter as well. Thats 3 major repairs in only a year. And thats not including all the factory- recalled parts Ive had replaced. Otherwise its an okay car. Mine doesnt have many features, but its a good size and its fun to drive. Too bad its going to cost me a fortune in repairs in the long run.