Although horribly unreliable, when Dodge introduced the Neon back in 1994 it was one of the most fun-to-drive economy cars in its class. The car was light, had more than enough power, and offered great handling. So what has the Neon been up to over the past ten years? Dodge has created an awesomely fast SRT-4 version of the Neon since 2003, but what about the base models? Does fun still come standard with the Neon?
Driving Impressions (SE 5-speed):
Both the '05 SE and SXT trim levels are only available with a (similarly designed as the original) 16 valve SOHC 2.0 4-cylinder. Time, however, has put quite a bit of weight on the Neon, thus making it a bit slower than its equally as powerful but lighter predecessors.
The base Neon may not boast class leading horsepower as it once did back in 1994, however off-the-line acceleration still remains better than average. The standard 16 valve SOHC 2.0-liter engine is able to move the Neon's mass with relative ease. Thanks to a generous amount of torque offered at a relatively low RPM, the Neon can scoot from a stop to freeway speeds without having to take the engine anywhere near its 6,750 RPM red-line. Wheel spin on full throttle take-off is also kept to a minimum, far less then what I experienced with the '05 Nissan Sentra 1.8.
The only gripe I have with the Neon's engine would be the high levels of noise on take-off or when this engine is pushed anywhere past 3,000 RPM. If you are upgrading from a 1st generation Neon, the '05 model's engine groan will probably seem imperceptible as its engine is aeons quieter than the 95-99 models. However, compared to the '05 Civic, Mazda3, and much of the competition, the Neon's engine sounds overly fussy, vibrates more than necessary at idle, and just feels less refined than other engines in its class.
The 5-speed transmission (a 4-speed automatic is optional at $800) in the Neon SE offers reasonably short throws, a light clutch, and very easy operation. The only major rant I have with this transmission is its gearing. To explain, 3rd gear feels too tall, especially when stabbing the throttle between 30 and 50 MPH. Such a dramatic decrease in engine RPM would have been fine if this car had a larger 4-cylinder, turbo, or even a V6, but it doesn't bode well with its current 2.0. That said, a shorter 3rd gear would have been appreciated.
Back in the mid '90s, the Neon's claim to fame was its ability to tackle twisty roads better than almost any car in its price range. The 2005 Neon SE still offers good handling, but other cars have simply caught up or surpassed the Neon's agility skills. With great handling cars like the Ford Focus, Mazda3, and even the Saturn Ion, the Neon no longer has such a huge advantage in the handling department. The increase in the Neon's curb weight and increase in size over the years has also helped it become less of a road hugging sport compact. Body roll is still minimal, but nothing about the Neon's handling characteristics really stands out enough to impress.
Cruising on the highway in the Neon is a mixed bag. Thanks to a tall .72 5th gear, engine noise is kept a decent level at high speeds. Wind and road noise, on the other hand, is unacceptable. The Neon SE also has a problem keeping its composure on anything but well paved surfaces. Small bumps and road imperfections can be felt on even marginally rough roads which can make for a very jarring ride.
While the Neon's tall 5th gear enables this car to cruise quietly on flat surfaces, it doesn't help when climbing hills. To explain, when cruising on anything but the flattest of terrain, the Neon SE almost always requires a downshift into 4th. This wouldn't be such a big gripe, but downshifting into 4th gear at speeds in excess of 65 MPH makes for extreme engine noise.
The SE can be had with optional ($700) 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-wheel ABS, however my SE came with the standard front disc/rear drum set-up. These brakes did a horrible job stopping this car from high speeds; requiring significant effort. Vibration in the steering wheel under heavy use was also a problem, I had the same issues with my old '98 Neon.
Fuel economy for the Neon SE, when equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission, is rated at 29/36 MPG (25/32 with the automatic). This EPA rating lands the 2005 Neon SE in the slightly above average range for its class.
Interior:
Dodge has definitely upped the level of the Neon's interior craftsmanship over the past ten years, however the Neon still falls short of the competition in this department. Though attractive in design, the quality of this interior is not up to par. Interior quality, or lack there of, is something that has always plagued the Neon line-up. Unfortunately the 2005 SE, with its overdose of cheap "snap together" plastics, is no exception.
Similar to the original '95 base model, which didn't even come with a radio, the 2005 Neon SE offers very little in the form of standard amenities. Though a decent sounding radio/cassette player with 4 speakers comes standard, everything else is pretty much an option, including air conditioning ($1,000). Dual air bags, intermittent wipers, and 4 way manual adjusting drivers seat do come standard, however. If you want power windows, locks, a CD player, air conditioning, etc. I highly recommend going with the SXT. It's only about $2,000 more, but offers about $3,000 or more worth of equipment along with a more attractive interior and sporty exterior appliques.
The Neon's interior is not all about faults, it does have some notable attributes. Although the Neon's interior feels overly cheap, at the same time it offers functionality, easy to read instrumentation, and good outward visibility.
Leg and headroom is also good for the driver and both the front and rear passengers. The rear is a little cramped, but offers overall adequate room for 3 passengers. I'm 5'6" and I had no trouble getting in and out of this car, nor did I feel claustrophobic while driving this car. Seating surfaces are a bit rough, but they still offer adequate upper and lower body supports for aggressive driving.
Cargo capacity is decent. There are cubbies throughout the cabin, including a large center console. The trunk will easily hold a week's worth of groceries for a family of 4-5.
Exterior:
The exterior of the 2005 Dodge Neon SE remains almost the same as it did during its re-introduction model year; 2000. The Neon SE did get some cosmetic surgery in 2003, however. This face lift included new front and rear fascias, headlights and taillights which allows for a sportier look. The standard 14" steels rims with hub-caps on the SE model remain the same, giving the Neon a much cheaper appearance than the SXT model with comes with attractive 15" alloys.
Price & Warranty:
For the 2005 model year the Dodge Neon's base price starts out just south of $13,500 ($16,500 for the SXT). With no options, the MSRP of my 2005 SE came to a whopping $14,000. That is almost $1,000 more than what I paid for my new '04 Honda Civic! There is a catch here, however. Dodge Neon's don't sell nearly as well as they used to, so wheeling and dealing is much easier than say if you wanted some cash off the MSRP of a more popular Honda Civic or Mazda3. I am guessing that you could easily find a dealership that would let you drive off of their lot with a fully loaded SE for $12,000 or less. With the current competition offering more bang for the buck, Dodge can rarely get the MSRP prices anymore. So if a Neon is a must on your shopping list, don't buy one without a fight for the best price.
If anything goes wrong with your new '05 Neon, Dodge offers an impressive 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-bumper warranty along with a and a 7 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. It would be nice to see more cars come with this type of standard warranty.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I am unimpressed with the 2005 Dodge Neon SE. Although it offers decent performance, the Neon SE lacks the excitement, refinement, and the amenities of other cars in the same price range. If you are in the market for an economy car I highly suggest checking out other cars in this class, i.e. the Mazda3, Honda Civic, or Toyota Corolla before you make any final decisions. One should also note that a new Neon is coming out in 2006, which is designed more like a sport utility than the econo box that it currently is.
my review on the 2006 Civic
Thanks for reading!
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