The 2003 Dodge Neon isn’t the best choice if you’re after a daily driver or a family car as safety ratings are underwhelming and lower trim levels are nothing special. But the muscly 215 horsepower SRT-4 model is priced to move.
Is the 2003 Dodge Neon a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The SRT-4 trim level is an excellent little muscle car, but the other trim levels feel a bit pointless compared to the more efficient, more affordable, more comfortable compact cars on the market today.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Excellent suspension, lousy everything else. Cargo, hip room, head room, and elbow room all come up short. But the sporty bucket seats make you feel like a real racer.
- Reliability 7/10 – Buy it new and you might reach 300,000 miles with excellent maintenance. Buy it used and you’ve got to consider that the previous owner probably drove it like a race car.
- Safety 5/10 – Dated safety tech, and the IIHS crash test scores were pretty lousy on release, too.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The SRT-4 averages 22/30 miles to the gallon. How often do you see a twenty year old muscle car that sips gas like a Honda?
- Value 7/10 – Maybe the most affordable muscle car on the market today, but longevity runs a bit short, with most becoming too expensive to repair well under 250,000 miles.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Dodge Neon?
Edmunds found the 2003 Dodge Neon fun to drive with strong brakes, a smooth ride, and an above-average sound system. Cheap-feeling materials in the interior cost the car a point or two.
Car and Driver reviewed the SRT-4 trim, calling it the “quintessential budget hot rod,” praising the car’s fast acceleration at a compact car price. They were less excited about the stiff feeling shifting and found the sporty bucket seats more “cool” than “comfortable.”
Kelley Blue Book users praise the fun driving feel, the fuel economy, and the crisp audio system, but there is a general consensus that the interior is a bit cramped.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 Dodge Neon Have?
The 2003 Dodge Neon’s most common issue being reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has to do with a melting wire harness connector. Drivers will start their car and within fifteen minutes they smell smoke or see it billowing from under the hood.
Powertrain complaints aren’t incredibly common, but failure has been reported below 100,000, with one driver reporting metal shavings in their transmission, and another replacing the transmission twice by mid-2019.
Exterior lighting problems have been a recurring issue for the car. Three of the vehicle’s five recalls have been for missing reflectors, one was for weak aftermarket lights, and the car has been investigated twice for headlight failure.
The 2003 Dodge Neon has just 202 complaints and 5 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which isn’t bad for a twenty year old car that, with its sporty vibes, many owners will drive like it’s invincible.
How Long Will the 2003 Dodge Neon Last?
According to reports from drivers, a Dodge Neon typically makes it to the 200,000 to 250,000 mile range before it becomes too expensive to keep fixing. We’ve also read of total transmission failure well under 200,000 miles and some models passing 300,000, but a reasonable expectation would be somewhere around 225,000 miles.
RepairPal report that a Dodge Neon will probably cost you around $377 a year to keep it running. The most expensive common fix will usually be new wheels, starting at around $466 each.
It was a very reliable car until four weeks ago. I was driving on the highway and it just cut off me. My mechanic says that it has an issue with the wire going from the engine to the fuel pump, but it is so tight that he cannot get to it in the car's front.
When it has ran it ran very good and was very reliable to me for about 10 years. For my three kids and myself. I love my little car now the transmission went out and I'm too broke to fix it
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good for 2003. The sound system has earned nothing but rave reviews for high quality audio. The entry level comes with a tape player while higher trims add disc changers and extra speakers. Pretty good for a time when Bluetooth connectivity wouldn’t become a standard feature for years to come.
Safety technology is about as good as cars typically got in 2003. Which is to say adequate but limited. Anti-lock brakes and two-stage airbags are about as fancy as it gets here. Unfortunately, the car’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test scores were pretty lousy.
Is the 2003 Dodge Neon a Good Value?
The 2003 Dodge Neon is a pretty good value overall. But if you’re really looking for a good deal, you’re probably looking at the SRT-4 model. An entry level Neon is a decent car at a typical listing price of $2,865. An SRT-4 is basically a muscle car typically listing at around $5,630.
If you’re looking at the entry level models for a daily driver, you’ll probably want to look into something like a Civic or even a compact SUV. The Neon is an okay daily driver, but that’s not where it excels. The car is at its best as a sporty muscle car at an affordable price.
What are the Different Models of the 2003 Dodge Neon?
The 2003 Neon is offered in four trim levels, from the base SE to the high-end R/T and the sporty SRT-4.
The entry level SE features:
- Radio with cassette player and four speakers
- Cloth seat trim
- Sentry Key theft deterrent
With the mid range SXT you’re adding:
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows and door locks
- CD player and two extra speakers
The high-end R/T adds:
- Cloth and vinyl seat trim
- Fog lights
- 6-disc CD changer
- Leather wrapped shift knob
In addition to a turbocharged 2.4L engine, the SRT-4 includes:
- Premium cloth seats
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Power fold-away mirrors
- Bulge hood scoop
What Engines Come In the 2003 Dodge Neon?
- In the SE and SXT models you’ll find a 2.0L inline-four engine delivering 132 horsepower and 130 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive, and averages 29/36 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- The R/T model comes with a 2.4L inline-four producing 150 horsepower and 135 lb.-ft. of torque. Front wheel drive, 4-speed manual, and gets about the same mileage as the 2.0L.
- SRT-4 models come equipped with a turbocharged 2.4L inline-four. This gets you 215 horsepower and 245 lb.-ft. of torque, hitting zero-to-sixty in under six seconds. Front wheel drive, 4-speed manual, 22/30 miles to the gallon. This is the one that sets the Neon apart from other compacts.
What Colors Does the 2003 Dodge Neon Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 Dodge Neon?
Even people who love the Dodge Neon admit that the seats are a bit tight. It’s not that the cabin is any smaller than you’ll find in comparable compact cars, it’s just that the layout isn’t as smart as you’ll find in a Civic or an Elantra. On the other hand, the ride is smooth with few suspension issues on file.
The bottom line is that the Neon isn’t the best choice if you’re after a daily driver. The front bucket seats look cool and make you feel like pro, but the overall fit is a bit tight for a family car. In other words: Think of the interior like a cockpit, not a cabin, and you’ll be happy.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Dodge Neon Have?
The 2003 Neon maxes out at 13.1 cubic feet of storage space. And there’s no wiggle room there. You can’t fold the seats down, and there’s no wagon model. You can handle grocery trips and you can pack a few suitcases when driving a friend to the airport, but you’ll need to borrow a truck if you have to do any moving.
You can forget about towing a small trailer, for that matter. There are muscle cars that can tow a mobile home, this isn’t one of them. Towing capacity maxes out at 1,500 pounds, and even that will take years off the transmission.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2003 Dodge Neon was part of the 2nd Generation. This was the second model year for the “Dodge” Neon. The car had previously been sold under the Plymouth brand.
2002: The Dodge-branded Neon made its debut with a four-speed automatic, replacing the underwhelming three-speed found in the 2001 Plymouth Neon.
2003: The Neon got a visual redesign for 2003 with new fascias and light clusters.
2004: The R/T model was dropped in 2004.
2005: No major changes for 2005. The nameplate would be retired this year until its revival in the 2016 model year as a variant of the Fiat Tipo.
How Does the 2003 Dodge Neon Compare to the Competition?
If you’re after an SRT-4, the 2003 Dodge Neon compares most closely to a Honda Civic Si, which is priced in about the same range. To be clear, the Si is sporty, but not exactly a muscle car, maxing out at 160 horsepower. With a zero to sixty at 7.6 seconds the Neon is almost two seconds faster. But this is a choice that comes down to feeling more than anything. Test drive both and see what you think.
The 2003 Ford Mustang is a much more powerful car than either of these options, depending on your trim level, but the high end 390 horsepower SVT Cobra will run about the same price now as the Neon did on release. At those prices you might as well put down the classifieds, hit up the scrapyard, and look for a classic to restore.
There are faster cars, cheaper cars, more comfortable cars, and more powerful cars, but if you want a muscle car experience at a budget car price, the 2003 Dodge Neon is hard to beat.
Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Dodge Neon?
When my car was running, it was a great car. It was excellent on gas and road trips. I like that it's still youthful and fun in style; the dash is plain & boring. Like that my model/make has the car seat belt and little hooks to clip & secure my children's car seat much better than with a standard seatbelt.
My dodge neon 2003 has been a very good car and has lasted many trips into the mountains and city freeways.
