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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  Nice unit - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By J46957 - November 17 - 6:26 am

  Car handles great. The available upgrades from Mopar while keeping it "safe" under the warranty is really nice. Best buy for the money.

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  Costly to maintain - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Wiseguy357 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this car, I did not know that it had a lot of problems. The car was cheap when i got it($4500).I have had thousands of dollars worth of repairs done to it. I have had trouble with: head gasket,axle seals, barrings in the transmission,master cylinder, breaks, rotors, ac compressor, battery and minor electric problems. I have 12" subs in the trunk, and it really rattles when the bass hits.

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  Excellent low budget car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Jhatfi - November 12 - 2:00 am

  My fiance and I bought her a Neon as her first new car purchase. It has been a good car for commuting and grocery getting. It suspension is a little soft and the motor is a bit noisy, but overall it has been very good to us. The gas mileage has been excellent, the stock stereo is actually very good, the seats are comfortable. I personally think that interior is rather plain and it could use a little refinement bringing it closer to class leaders such as the Mazda Protege and Honda Civic, but what can you expect for around $10k.

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  Stay Away From A Neon!!! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Not a good car!!!!! - November 9 - 2:00 am

  I used to own this vehicle and then traded it in for a "Honda" product. You just cant compare the two! You name it, I had it go wrong with my Neon! Headgasket (twice!), breaks, fuel indicator...reading full, when in fact empty....Air Conditioning, interior lighting, etc..etc..etc!! Unless, there are significant improvements, I suggest scrapping the Neon all together!! And avoid all the consumer headaches!!!!

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  Wonderful car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By :) - November 9 - 2:00 am

  My 1995 dodge neon was my first car I purchased. Its really reliable and takes me everywhere!!

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  great car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By crazyneon - November 8 - 2:00 am

  when i was searching for a new car the neon r/t had it all the power the comfort all for less than any other car. the car is quicker than road tests show i am very please with this car

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  94K and still runs like NEW - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Jman - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car since it was new and have only had one major problem out of warranty. The A/C went out at 75K. Had it fixed and it is fine. The Head gasket did go out while it was out of warranty, but Dodge paid for it anyway because it was a design problem. That was at about 40K and it is now at 94K and still going strong. I will take any Civic that has an intake and exhaust no problem.

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  Glad I got rid of it - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By donny - October 31 - 2:00 am

  when we got the car it ran for a while, then the transmission went sour, then the engine went sour, so we got rid of it. the thing came, however, came with an awesome stock sound system.

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  A Great Driver - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By PAL - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Other than the hassles with the initial purchase from a deceatful dealership, the car itself has been truely suprising. Bought as a future long distance daily driver with hopes of economy and good gas mileage....and can you believe it they are all true. The car is exactly as it spells out in the brochure.

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  97 plymouth neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By neonHappy - October 27 - 1:00 am

  I bought this car as a year old, with 20,000 miles. I never had any problems with reliability - the car always ran great and started without a problem. I drove the car for 4 years until someone hit me and the car was totaled. My only problem was that sometimes the back passenger side door would ajar lose after a bumpy road and the interior light would go on, as well as the "door open" light. On particularly bumpy, dirt roads this would be frustrating!