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:
Showing 981 through 990 of 1,187.00-
I expected something better - 1997 Dodge Neon
By It@doesntmatter.com - August 21 - 2:00 amIm very disappointed. Less that 40K miles and have had too many things go wrong. Currently have it in the shop, all dials (water, speedometer, tach, odometer, etc) stopped moving. Im told its due to a bad circuit board, $440 to fix. Also have gone through two sets of tires and approaching the third already.
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Pleasant surprise - 1999 Dodge Neon
By sofarsogood - August 20 - 2:00 amFun little car with Honda like reliability. Purchased as an alternate fuel efficient "tow" vehicle for my jet ski and it performed beyond my expectations. Pulls a 500 lb jet ski with ease using manual 5-speed. Has over 60000 miles on routine oil changes and a battery replacement. Dodge did something right with this car.
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Neon Sport - 1999 Dodge Neon
By jeffersonmin - August 19 - 2:00 amNo problems to date with this car. The interior on the Sport is so much more comfortable than the more basic models. Can do at least 110 MPH (DOHC engine in mine)if you want it to.
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Horrible Car - 1996 Dodge Neon
By Very upset - August 19 - 2:00 amWhere should I start? I can say for sure that I will never buy another Chrysler again. This car constantly has problems...I have put over $3,000 into it just this year, and I am a broke college student. When I take it to the dealership, they are rude. In fact, just a few weeks ago, my check engine light came on and I took it to get fixed...4 times!! The light kept coming on and they would say they fixed it but they didnt. Needless to say, I am still driving with the light on. Dont buy this car...it was a waste of money for me!
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happy! - 2004 Dodge Neon
By realbub - August 18 - 2:00 amNothing but a joy
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mustang eater - 2004 Dodge Neon
By xturbos4x - August 12 - 2:00 amawsome car and very fun to drive if u know how to
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This car ROCKS - 1996 Dodge Neon
By loudneon - August 9 - 2:00 amWow what to say. I love my Neon. I ordered it with the DOHC and 5 speed. Best car I have. Buy one. Give it a turbo and suspension drop, then go kick some honda butt. Buy the DOHC not the SOHC. Never had a head gasket problem. I run it hard everyday too. 60mph 5500rpm in third gear hard around corners. Kicked my brothers 96 Avenger to the curb.
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Surprisingly Good Value - 2004 Dodge Neon
By charles gass - August 7 - 10:00 amWas my wifes first new car purchase and while we bought it for the value, it has turned out to be way above what we expected for the price.
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It ROCKS! - 2004 Dodge Neon
By ChiTownCrckr - August 7 - 10:00 amSo far it is great, My favorite part is when I am cruising down the high way and you try to cut around someone, but being the ignorant person they are, they try to step on it and not let you cut in, then you step on it and watch them disappear in your rearview mirror.
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Absolutely the worst car Ive ever had! - 1998 Dodge Neon
By JMc - August 5 - 2:00 amAbsolutely the worst car Ive ever had, and the worst dealer/factory service Ive ever experienced...! Problems too numerous to list here. Quality control, vehicle integrity, and customer satisfaction are NOT Chrysler strong points. Premature failure of the automatic transmission at 8,000 miles. After several repeated repair attempts over 15 months by the servicing dealer, the transmission problem(s) were never corrected. A plea for assistance to DCX Canada was brushed off by a form letter boasting about how qualified their dealer service personnel are to solve technical problems. Not true. Chrysler has yet to learn the meaning of "customer satisfaction".
