1997 Dodge Neon Sport Sedan review from North America
"Fun-to-drive, fast, and cheaper than an import"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Check engine light came on after I drove through a deep puddle. After my Neon dried out, I disconnected the battery. The light has stayed off since. So nothing has really gone wrong with my car.
General comments?
I challenge anyone to find a cheaper, more fun-to-drive, higher performance car than the Neon. For $19,000 new you could get 10 more horses in a Honda Civic Si, and that's about 12,000 more than I paid for my Neon. Sure, Honda's and Accura's are more refined, but the Neon is pure fun to drive and has a rev-happy engine. Even if you do have to replace the head gasket, you still have a much cheaper car than a Civic.
Overall, excellent engine performance.
The suspension is the perfect balance between ride comfort and corner handling.
I highly recommend this car to anyone who cannot afford a Viper. If you do like a smooth, comfortable ride, not feeling any bumps, you might need a bigger car.
If you are looking for a Neon, avoid the automatic transmission. They are built stronger, but are slower accelerating.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2000 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 DOHC Manual |
| Performance marks | 10/10 |
| Reliability marks | 10/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 39000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 50000 miles |
| Previous car | Chrysler Fifth Avenue |
| Date of Entry | 15th March, 2001 |