Overview & Reviews

An R/T appearance package debuts. Improved option packages, LEV emissions and next-generation airbags round out the changes to the 1998 Dodge Neon.

• Zippy performance with 5-speed. Handles the twisties with aplomb. Good build quality. Great value.

• Loud interior. High-silled greenhouse results in that "sitting in a bathtub" feeling. Sketchy reliability history.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 63.00

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  Great Car For Price - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Larry S. - January 26 - 8:13 am

  Have the Sport Coupe with manual tranny, bought new in 1998 for $13 grand. As of this post have 71,000 miles on it. Getting 32 mpg overall, 36 on interstate. Great performance and handling. Its a fun car to drive! Needs premium gas to get max performance but I "mix" 89 octane with premium to lower gas cost. In 10 years the only major problem was the water pump died. Cost was $600 to repair which was high but couldnt shop around for lower price at time. For the low price and great performance it cant be beat in its segment of the market. I also have a 2003 Neon (only made as 4 door)with manual, but it only gets 26 mpg avg. and aint as quick or the looker of the coupe.

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  Best car Ive owned - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Allen - October 18 - 3:35 pm

  Bought the 5speed manual version new in fall of 1997, for my 50 mile commute. Has never quit on me. No repairs, just normal maintenance. The dealer called me in to replace the head gasket early on. Now has 233,000 miles and it just keeps going. I check my gas mileage every fillup, and its averaged 35mpg. This car has got to rank up there as one of the best automotive values in history.

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  Great performance and handling - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Tracy Morgan - September 11 - 2:36 pm

  I loved this car. I had it for years. Timing belt broke at about 210,000 miles. Spent about $1300 dollars. Drove it a month and now it is smoking lilke a freight train. I want it fixed. I love the car. I drove a newer neon and the comfort, handling and performance was nowhere near as good as my Neon.

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  OK car, but not built to last - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By april - May 28 - 7:28 pm

  It is an OK car but mine leakes water from the roof around the front windshield and under the glove box. One of my doors doesnt close all the way so the door ajar light is always on. I have had a crack in my oil tank and had to have my transmission replaced. My air also doesnt work. It was good when I first got it but now it is falling apart.

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  Reliable and efficient commuter vehicle - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By BrianH - February 3 - 12:55 pm

  Bought 5/1/2006 with 25k miles (yes, 25k). Had to get A/C compressor replaced (normal for age) and replaced a malfunctioning EGR valve. I was aware of the issues before purchase. I bought the car for $4,300 and I considered it a decent deal despite the fact that its a Neon. Ive put on 14k miles since purchase without issue. The oil is relatively clean after 3k miles (mixed hwy/city). The shifter isnt the most confidence-inspiring one around, but Ive driven much worse. I averaged 28-32 mpg between May and November, but once the weather got colder my mpg dropped to 25-28 (also let my car heat up for 10 mins in mornings). Significant interior noise and rattling.

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  I Heart It - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By LuvMyNeon - January 13 - 6:39 pm

  I have had my Neon since May of 2006. Purchased it with about 89,000 miles on it. Was previously owned by an elderly couple who traded it in for a newer car. I have only had one repair that is not considered a normal repair, (misfire in a cylinder) cost was about $130. I love the car, it is my first car and it is super fun to drive. Other repairs were I had 3 belts replaced (timing, power steering, alternator belts). Other than that, it is a great car. I feel comfortable driving it and Im 6ft tall. Just wish it had power windows and locks. My only complaint is the fact that you almost feel the road when driving, and the rotors need to be replaced. I love my Neon!

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  Piece of Junk, but still kinda fun - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Nathan - March 18 - 2:54 pm

  I owned my Neon for almost 3 years, I put 72,000 miles on it. It was OK for the first couple of months, but then the rotors started going bad, the right back speaker never would work, after being replaced 3 times, it was a very plain car with no bells and whistles. It was surprisingly peppy with the 2.0 L 4 cyl automatic, with 132 hp. Not much but I was younger and didnt need much. By the time I got rid of it its speedometer and all other gauges would quit working from time to time which made the mileage not always work, so it probably had about 1,000 miles more on it than what it said. I would not recommend this car to anyone who drives a lot.

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  Reliable, Fun car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By moneyshot - November 5 - 2:12 am

  This car has been an amazing vehicle. I have had it since new. It had a head gasket leak at 45000 miles, but the dealer took care of it for free. The sunroof broke on it 6 times. Those are the only problems I had with it. I had it in Germany with me, and spent lots of time in the governor (118 mph). I now have 120000 on it, and havent even had to replace the altenator, or anything else not mandated by the owners manual.

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  Neon R/T - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Paul - June 4 - 1:27 pm

  This is one of the best cars for the money. Even after 7 years, it cant be matched on a performance for the dollar and reliability basis. I drove the heck out of it for 132,000 miles without even so much as a wimper. No only did I teach two teenage daughters on the car, we autocrossed it hard for 5 years! What other car could be had for $13,000, 7.5 sec 0-60 15.9 1/4 mile and 130mph top end and gets 37+ MPG? To top it off its big enough to haul anything except a sheet of plywood. All I can say is wow!

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  Best $5K I ever spent - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By ETPHONEHOME - May 17 - 1:37 pm

  I purchased the car used for about $4K. I knew it had an oil leak when purchased. I had to change the head gasket and drive shaft seal, and also decided to change the water pump. Another $1K invested. The head gasket was known design defect that was fixed, and Ive had no leaks since. The car now has 160K miles on it and still runs great. No problems. Its fun to drive. It has a good interior and great head room for persons under 6 ft. Im getting 36 mpg (70- 75 mph) in warmer months with good Mobil gas...generic gas about 3 mpg less. Best $5K I have ever invested. An excellent basic commuter car.