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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  I love my Neon! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By sharona - October 26 - 2:00 am

  I,too, had the head gasket problem but the dealership gave me a real cheap price to replace it because they admitted the older Neons had this problem. Had a couple of other minor problems (erg valve and the coil pack) but they were covered under warranty. I have 104,000 miles on her now and she still runs great! Good acceleration, hugs corners, great fuel mileage, heat the would make the devil hot, great a/c. great radio/speakers and she always starts! Good cold weather car!

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  Cant go wrong with this one - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By SpyderWeiss - October 26 - 2:00 am

  I love my neon, ive had it for 10 months now. Great ride, plenty of power. More than any car in its class, including civic, echo, corolla, metro, well, you get the idea. Engine makes great noise, gotta love that american power. Only thing i regret about buying it is now dodge is coming out with their srt 4 version, so it looks like ill be selling it asap to upgrade :)

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  damiler should not have gotten involved - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By robert filips - October 22 - 2:00 am

  headgasket, and peeling paint

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  Its a Lemon! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Andres6 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I replaced close to about absolutely everything on this vehicle except the engine. Auto Transmission only lasts 60K miles! AC and Head Gasket Last about 36K miles. Alternator belt, cables/wires/starter last about 4 years. This car is a complete lemon, and almost all Neons are like this. Neons were designed to break-down after the 3 year warranty.

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  Torn! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Torn - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Im torn. Its sooo cute and fun to drive, great mileage, and you wouldnt believe the amount of stuff Ive packed into this car. BUT...while it never actually broke down on me, its had to have a ton of work - tranny, head gasket, HO2 sensor, electrical, shocks, rust on edges of hood and trunk, and major paint flaking.

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  Best (worst) of both worlds - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By goodandbad - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Bought car new for my wife. Head gasket went at 30k just before warranty. At 65k again! Wanted me to pay for labor (maybe $300 on $600 bill) but I whined and they said Chrysler picked it up. At 100k it went again and Im pretty sure we split the cost with the dealer.

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  My new baby - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Sara2racy4u - October 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my first real new car and I love it. this car has a great look to it

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  Neons Rock - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Qbert - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Dependability and good mileage. This car is rock solid. It has some road noise but what small car doesnt. 4.5 years now with nothing but gas and oil changes. Except for a bit of wind noise on the drivers side, frameless window, this car is the ultimate for price vs. performance. Unless you need a truck or have a three kids, I highly recommend this vehicle. Biggest complaints: All I see on the road is bumpers and headlights (hard to get away from that in a small car). Summary: Not a luxery vehicle but great return on investment:)

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  Can go faster for cheaper - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By T Jackson - October 6 - 10:00 am

  This car land Dodge smack in the middle of the "Tuner" market. In a scramble for cheap speed, some of the other manufacturers have forgoten just that. For example, your Subarus wrxs and your Mitsubishis lancer evos. You may be able to go faster, but you wont be able to go faster for cheaper. There isnt a car out there in the $20k range that even compares to this little pocket rocket. If you find one, dont hesitate to buy it, as that would be the best buy on the planet. Dodge has also given it one of the longest warranties out there. 7yrs/70k miles. Lets see the competition top that..... Go american muscle......

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  built on a Friday - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By jason08641 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I had to give this car a 1 all the way down mostly because of the crappy service I got at Lucas Dodge in NJ. My neon has an intermittant electrical problem that made my car die at least twice a week. Lucas said nothing was wrong with my car or they were too stupid to fix it. Also a/c compressor went out and oil leaks all over the place. Do not buy a Dodge, especially a neon! Definately steer clear of the new svt or whatever its called. Its just going to be a highly polished turd.