2000 Dodge Neon Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The Dodge Neon got a redesign in 2000 to address some of the road noise and mechanical problems that were driving customers to foreign...
The Dodge Neon got a redesign in 2000 to address some of the road noise and mechanical problems that were driving customers to foreign subcompacts. But this redesign meant the 2000 Dodge Neon lost some of its sportiness that made it so fun to drive.
The coupes are gone, as is the R/T, and only a Highline and ES sedan remain. The 2000 Neon was given a longer wheelbase, increasing the interior room and trunk space of the already roomy subcompact. Body-wise, the longer wheelbase and redesigned suspension and steering, along with stronger sway bars, increased stability and handling. The twin-cam 150-hp engine was axed, so the 2000 Neon only came with the single-cam, 2.0-liter, 132-hp either in a five-speed manual or the sluggish 3-speed automatic. Traction control was finally an option.
Outside, the Neon lost some of its distinct design and moved closer to the homogeneity of all subcompacts. It still retained its oval headlights, but lost some of its curves. The windshield was angled forward, like the Intrepids, and ground clearance was raised in the front. The frameless windows, which let in so much road noise and burglars, were replaced with framed doors. More interior features were offered as options, but the base model Highline still came with very few standard conveniences.
Despite all of Chrysler's efforts, the same complaints still plague the 2000 Neon. Owners are unhappy with annoying road noise and a terrible repair record (still with the head gasket!). The high rear deck still impedes visibility and there is significant brake squeal. On the positive side, drivers love the roominess, particularly the headroom, and the large trunk. They say the 2001 Neon is fast off the line, handles smoothly, and is stylish to boot.
What owners say
"Overall, drivers generally appreciate the 2000 Dodge Neon for its affordability, decent fuel economy, and enjoyable drive. Many find it fun to handle and a great option for new or young drivers, thanks to its low insurance costs. However, some drivers have experienced reliability issues, especially with stalling and minor electrical problems, which can detract from the overall experience."
It is a very nice and affordable car. Mine is at 105k miles and the only thing that I had a problem with was the crank Position Sensor, somehow oil had leaked through to the electronics and was shorting out. But the part is only 65 bucks at autozone so not a huge deal. It looks nice, (I prefer the look and performance of the years 03-05), But the earlier ones are much cheaper. Mine is a manual and it has averaged 32-33 miles per gallon, without any modifications. I have a base of the line model so I do not have any features, but I have gotten a nice radio for it and the factory speakers are decent. This car is pretty fun to drive around, the acceleration is a little slow but I found a way to speed up faster is to shift at about 15,25,35,45 miles per hour (instead of about 10,20,30,40). Keep in mind since you are going faster that you will have to give it gas while you are letting off the clutch or it will slow you down and and make your mileage worse. Fun car though, and great for the new/young driver (most of them are 4 door and do not increase your insurance).
May 21, 2011I drove this car for 13 years & it always ran like a champ. Reliable, economical, easy to park and just a great car. Low maintenance costs and great fuel economy makes this a winner. I'd drive it all over again.
November 17, 2012Handling and durability, not to mention mpg, very fun to drive, very responsive at high speeds, excellent on long highway trips, no governor on speedometer (do not condone speeding in any way) incredibly spacious and an overall very comfortable ride
July 17, 2009What owners say
It is a very nice and affordable car. Mine is at 105k miles and the only thing that I had a problem with was the crank Position Sensor, somehow oil had leaked through to the electronics and was shorting out. But the part is only 65 bucks at autozone so not a huge deal. It looks nice, (I prefer the look and performance of the years 03-05), But the earlier ones are much cheaper. Mine is a manual and it has averaged 32-33 miles per gallon, without any modifications. I have a base of the line model so I do not have any features, but I have gotten a nice radio for it and the factory speakers are decent. This car is pretty fun to drive around, the acceleration is a little slow but I found a way to speed up faster is to shift at about 15,25,35,45 miles per hour (instead of about 10,20,30,40). Keep in mind since you are going faster that you will have to give it gas while you are letting off the clutch or it will slow you down and and make your mileage worse. Fun car though, and great for the new/young driver (most of them are 4 door and do not increase your insurance).
May 21, 2011I drove this car for 13 years & it always ran like a champ. Reliable, economical, easy to park and just a great car. Low maintenance costs and great fuel economy makes this a winner. I'd drive it all over again.
November 17, 2012Handling and durability, not to mention mpg, very fun to drive, very responsive at high speeds, excellent on long highway trips, no governor on speedometer (do not condone speeding in any way) incredibly spacious and an overall very comfortable ride
July 17, 2009Awesome performance, great acceleration good braking and real good handling. Car is built STURDY I ran it into a ditch at 105 mph and didnt bend anything except for my aftermarket exhaust. Great gas mileage, has close to 150k miles on it and it still runs like a brand new car. The car is AWESOME to drive I love driving this car.
January 8, 2010reliable and easy to repair easy to work on unless you need to touch the belts. parts are dirt cheap and 90% of repairs i can do myself with little mechanical experience. fun to drive with some light mods as well
February 3, 2013This is a perfectly mediocre car. It is not special in any way, but is a decent and dependable machine to get you back and forth. I use it as a commuter and it gets decent mileage, around 30 mpg in mixed driving. It is comfortable for short to medium trips.
September 3, 2008Only 3 speed automatic transmission. Gas consumption above average. Have it for 8 years, no problems!
June 17, 2008Reliable up to 150,000 miles, after that the Neon is about worthless. Its a nice get around ride for college students and others on price budgets. A great gas saver, I got up to 35 MPG on highway... Pretty nice little car, but again doesn't last a long time.
July 7, 2010What can I say, its my Neon. I gotta love it :P It may not be the fastest car in the world but it gets me from A to B. It can be some pretty good fun along the way too, just dont expect to win any races!
November 4, 2010It is very fun to ride ;) The performance is fine. I like the way it is handled...very soft. The acceleration is not that good but you can accelerate at an acceptable speed. The build quality is ok. I don't have problems at all.
January 9, 2010
