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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  Great First Car! - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By engstrom77 - December 21 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought this car about 1 1/2 years ago and we love it. It gets great gas mileage and handles the road very well. The car had about 27000 miles on it when we bought it and now it has 48000 and not one thing has gone wrong. It has good get up and go and decent braking power. I knew when I bought it that it wasnt a dodge Viper but it has good acceleration off the line and in traffic. The seats do sit a little hard on the lower back especially on long road trips. We love the design of the car and the inside as well.

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  Love My Neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Kelly - December 16 - 2:16 pm

  This is the second Neon which I have owned. I would still have my 98 if it wouldnt have been killed in a car accident. They are cute cars that are very reliable and give me above basic transportation at a good price that I was looking for.

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  Ive Been Duped - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By NeonHater - December 16 - 2:00 am

  Trouble from the beginning, that summarizes the ownership of this Neon. Ive had the entire AC replaced twice. In warranty the first time, out of warranty the second time. Now, at 39,000 miles (I only drive it to work and back about 100 miles a week) the head gasket went out. Cost me $1405 to get it fixed. I went to Edmunds and found out its only worth about $1600. Yes, I was duped. But, you can avoid it by staying away from Chrysler.

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  American Rice Power Rules - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Wonghunglow - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Lots of go power, handles great too at speeds over 90, the honda is a sitting duck waiting to get quacked.

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  not worth it - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By dawg774 - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I dont know where to start with this car. I have had it for 4 years. It has blown 2 head gaskets, had a transmission go out, engine light is constantly on, put 2 new batteries in it, it leaks oil very badly and it wouldnt pass emissions this year...I could go on. Surprisingly, though, through all of that, it has never totally crapped out on me and left me stranded. Ill give it some credit there. This particular year model has a problem with the engine and head gasket so, dont buy it. You people who wrote a positive review about this car are crazy.

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  Should have known better - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By JoshM - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had it a couple of months and the computer is already going on it. I have a 91 Ford Escort with 185,000 on it that runs like a jem. Unless Dodge suddenly improves, this is the last Chrysler product I will purchase. I do like the interior design and my wife likes the way it looks but as far as the engine and overall build, there is much to be desired.

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  Mechanical Dream - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Darthenstein - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as I am a college student who needed cheap, reliable transportation, but this car is perfect for whatever you want to do. Basically, as long as you take good care of the Neon, and dont drive it too hard, it will last many many miles. The key is to take care of it -- it is a mechanical dream to work on.

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  Good Looking Car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By pfiggs69 - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Neon used. It had 10k miles and I have had it over a year now and it has run flawlessly until recently. It now has 45k miles and I had to get the air conditioning condensor and door lock replaced. Both were under my extended warranty. Otherwise..The Neon has been great..drives well..roomy. Great looking inside and out. Body hardware is holding up well...expect for the door lock.

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  its okay - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By momma - December 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a comfortable car for a teenager!

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  dont buy the neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By antidodge - December 3 - 2:00 am

  during the three years that I have owned this vehicle Ive put over 6,000 dollars in repair. Ive replaced the head gasket, transmission, and the motor. This car does not even have 85,000 miles on it.