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 1 through 10 of 63.00

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  1998 4dr poor man sports car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By daniel lipe - July 30 - 12:41 am

  hi I own a 1998 4dr five speed manual dodge neon its absolutely amazing well one its not your typical neon I have your standard 2.0 DOHC 16v but the difference is its got stage 2 fuel injectors and stage two fuel pump and stage 3 racing clutch and I hollowed out the caddy and cut off the muffler and installed a 200$ exhaust tip on it and it truly sounds amazing no not a car fartin in a tin can sound its fast and furious sound quality but one thing I cant figure out is it gets 48 mpg highway and 39 in town but according to the specs its 41 and 32 my neon is so fast it suprizes me ive never lost to a race best example I can think of how fast she is I smoked a 08 mustang gt and 2014 jeep and and suv mercedezes and 2001 turbo charged five speed Toyota celica ive thats just some examples here is a good one this guy has a 90s model hatch batch civic or accord not sure but we raced one day and he didnt win or loose we stayed neck and neck and after the race we pulled over and talked and he asked how much cash I put under the hood he said he has dumped 3gs so far and I said none I bought the car with 112000 on body and 60,000 on motor for 1400 bucks I used to have all the paper work on all the performance parts installed but 12/08/14 my house burnt to the ground lost everything and even two of my dogs but long story short I can do 0-60 on a good 4.8 secs flat but average is 5.3 to 5.0 secs fastest ive had the car is 135 rev limiter is set at 7500 I cant do 90 in third gear with tac at 6500 rpms yup super high geared oh and one more thing I have a aftermarket racing spoiler on it 700$ bought off a friend for 100$

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  Perfect first time, long time car! - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By ch_burne2 - September 16 - 10:20 pm

  Ive had this car since about 07, when I acquired it from my mom who was the 2nd owner (originally bought from a dealership). Ive been driving it since I was 16 so its been through a lot. Aside from regular maintenance this car has been very low maintenance. Ive had the oil changed about every 5k miles and a few tune-ups but this car has not asked for much more. In terms of repairs this is what Ive had to have done: -brakes a couple times in 7 years -fuel pump twice (wear in the fuel line which was unnoticed) -various parts of the cooling system Still has the original clutch after 13 years! This car lasts forever if you care enough.

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  278,000 miles and still going strong - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By huskers57 - January 31 - 12:30 pm

  I bought my Neon new in 1998 and have had only one major issue and that was with the defective head gasket. Other than general maintenance, it has been a great car. I just put a set of 75000 mile tires on it and I talked to my mechanic and he said it should hit 400,000 with no trouble. Have always used Catrol Syntec and I get about 30-35 in town and around 40 on the highway. I have had a few trips (recently) where I hit 45-48 mpg. Other minor issues include the leak around the drivers side tail light and my sunroof motor went out. Could not have spent $17,600 any better way.

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  Loved my R/T - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By deadmeet - March 17 - 8:42 am

  I bought a pair of R/Ts new for me and my wife hers white/blue stripes mine Brilliant blue pearlcoat with silver stripes. hers remained totally stock,mine received a cold air/K&N combo with aftermarket exhaust.we have not had cars as fun to drive or reliable in our lives. Both our cars still get about 38mpg (I bump the rev limiter on a daily basis) with each over 150k miles we are deciding on what we would want to replace them with...seems funny that todays hi-tec hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles only get low 30s mpg What was so special about our neons? (I was raised on Big block Chargers and Road Runners..a lot of fun, but a huge difference on reliability)

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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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  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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  My first car won me over - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By neonkinpatsu - May 15 - 5:50 pm

  Ive had my 98 almost 5 years. As much as Ive heard about the Neon back then, I was reluctant. Before buying I did a lot of research and drove at least 3 from each year. Now Ive driven them all. I couldnt afford a new 2000 then, but I was aiming for a 98 because I noticed a huge difference in price. Once I drove mine, I was hooked. The head gasket was replaced before I bought it, so no issue there. Tranny died this year but the warranty covered it. EGR valve went in 2002. Other than that, only VERY minimal maintenance. Im considering a new car because of age and trade-in value. If the new Neons are still out in a year or 2, Im likely to buy a Neon again. I love my baby. I will cry when I trade her in.

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  Good Bang for the Buck - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By King Piper - November 7 - 9:18 pm

  Purchased new with 1500 rebate. Fun car to drive great gas mileage and very quick and fun to drive. Replace trunk gasket because it always had a wet trunk. Replaced heat gasket at 65k with Dodge deductible of 150, replaced timing belt at same time for another 350 while it was taken apart. Changed oil every 3k mile and looks great on the inside. Front disk pads replaced at 90k, wow thats some good pads. Replaced headlights because of foggy condition of the lens after 80k miles got them on ebay for 165 and really easy to install. Keep up with the maintence and this car will keep up with the best of them, 125k and still going. I would recommend a Neon to anyone that ask.