1997
Dodge Neon

Starts at:
$10,800
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New 1997 Dodge Neon
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Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Cpe Base
    Starts at
    $10,800
    25 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe Base Competition
    Starts at
    $10,800
    29 City / 39 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Base
    Starts at
    $11,000
    25 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Base Competition
    Starts at
    $11,000
    29 City / 39 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe Highline
    Starts at
    $12,470
    29 City / 39 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn Highline
    Starts at
    $12,670
    29 City / 39 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

The good & the bad

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Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6-10 MY and / or 75,001-120,000 miles
Basic
3 Month 3,000 mile Max Care Warranty
Dealer certification
125 point inspection
See all CPO program details

Consumer reviews

75% of drivers recommend this car
3.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 3.7
Performance 3.4
Value 3.8
Exterior 3.4
Reliability 3.5

Most recent

  • By Rie from Las Vegas, NV
    Used to own this car
    September 28, 2017

    Very reliable & spacious

    For the year that it was, it was a very good car. Bought it used, so initially I had to work on the heater core. Actually the dealer repaired it. Afterwards, I kept that car 14yrs. Took me wherever I wanted to go. By then it became my 2nd car. I allowed my son to use it for some years. So the upkeep went down. Then I used it weekends only. Eventually sold it to a friend. He's loving it still as a 2nd car. You just have to upkeep your vehicles.. Always! Rode smoothly, spacious interior. Nice trunk space. Engine reliable. I just adored it. Many Mike's in it and still rolling to this day! I see him from time to time here and there. U always ask if I could buy it back. Lol He's not budging..
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Sissy from Asheville NC
    Owns this car
    March 15, 2014

    Gas Saver

    I've had my dodge neon since 1997. It's always been reliable. The cost and car is minable. Seats comfortably. Saving gas is a big issue and when others are paying higher out of pocket, I don't. It's a four cylinder car and I like it, at the gas pumps. Good gas mileage in and out of town. Pop open trunk,, kid safe door locks, and back window's roll down part way for again safety issues, love this car, can't go wrong owning it, at all. I purchased this car new in Las Vegas Nevada, now living in WNC, my little dodge keeps me a going.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Rocco4117 from Albany, ny
    Owns this car
    April 6, 2012

    Value right here.

    Ive owned 3 Dodge Neons in 10 years. All have been reliable to me (because I properly maintain them) About $15k total investment between all 3 of them. Reccomend a manual transmission for increased reliability. These cars are NOT meant to last years and years. They were $12k new. in 2010 you could get a used one for $3k. If it lasted you 1 year, it did its job. Dont complain about the car when its the owner that cheaped out. Also, buy from a dealer who offers a 1 year warranty with every vehicle. my last neon's auto transmission failed within 6 months, and it was 100% replaced and paid for by the dealer. Buy smart.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Chris from Cedar Falls, IA
    Owns this car
    March 18, 2012

    Most fun I've had yet.

    While this car isn't what I would call a good investment by any means, it was by far the most enjoyable driving experience I've ever had from my first few cars. I WOULD ONLY SUGGEST GETTING IT IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION, OR YOU'RE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS. I prefer it over my Grand Prix or S-10 any day. In the first 13 years of it's lifetime, it blew a headgasket ($800), and the paint peeled due to a factory defect, but that was it. After 2010 it completely fell apart unfortunately, with a repair bill of $2500. After selling it, I would gladly go back and pay the $2500 to keep going in it. It was the most fun car I've driven to date.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
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  • By Nice to have car from Illinois
    Owns this car
    April 6, 2011

    Best vehicle I've owned.

    I love this car to death! It gets excellent mpg. I wish it had rear defrost, power windows, power doors, overdrive is what I really wish it had, and cruise control but that's extra stuff to worry about messing up and having to pay to fix them. There's one thing I have an issue with it's really difficult to find a back up light switch for the back up lights to come on going in reverse at local auto parts store. Overall it's a great car!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By monster girl from Chicago, IL
    Owns this car
    March 4, 2010

    first car-worst car.

    My parents bought me this car so I wouldn't have to bother them for theirs and work around their schedules in August of '09. Things were fine at first, until the engine started rattling obscenely loud. By the time winter came around, this car sounded like an old man with a 70 year smokers cough. Just after owning the car for 6 months, my transmission started to go, and I can no longer accelerate in reverse. It's not even worth the price to have it's issues fixed. Do yourself a favor and look for another car, these have a history of bad transmissions
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
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  • By Exaybachay from Iowa
    Owns this car
    August 17, 2009

    Worst car we've ever owned

    We bought this car in 2000 or 2001, when it was only a few years old, expecting to have a car that would last us many years. Within the first year we owned it we spent more than $1,500 on repairs. Ours was white, and the paint came off in sheets every time we washed the car. By the time we got rid of it 2 years later, only half the car still had paint on it, and the rest was bare metal. I have seen other white Neons with the same problem, but no other colors seem to have it. None the less, the engine problems and repair costs made this our worst car experience ever, and I would only wish this car on people I truly detest.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
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  • By lilbrat from Ontario Canada
    Owns this car
    October 1, 2007

    First Car Owned

    This is my first car owned. I have had it since high school and it hasnt let me down yet. There has only been 2 owners before me, all of which I knew. The car is still in excellent running condition and is still working.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • By JJ from Utah
    Owns this car
    May 11, 2007

    Great car

    I bought a Dodge Neon for 45 dollars. the timing belt was ruined and the guy told me if i paid the tow price i could have it. it has been a great car ever sence i learned to drive a manual in it been in one wreck with it got rear ended hit the bumper absorber and just scratched the bumper. its a 1997 dodge neon highline best car i've owned
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • By Joe from British Columbia
    Owns this car
    March 22, 2007

    Good base with great potential

    When I was first considering purchasing this vehicle, I didn't think that I would like it very much, mainly because of the exterior styling and all the rumors I have heard about the neons. The only reason I was considering it was because it was available for a very affordable price at the car dealership I work at, I needed something for the time being that was good on fuel, and frankly almost anything would be better than the 1985 Plymouth Reliant i was driving at that time; however, after the first test drive my prejudices disappeared. For an economy car, the acceleration, not to mention the smooth gearbox, outdoes the majority of the competition, and the handling in stock base form is downright amazing... and I do not comment on the handling lightly. In the course of my employment at various big name car dealerships, I've often been behind the wheel of top end sports cars (Viper SRT10, Corvette Z-06, etc.), and this car far surpassed all of my expectations. I never thought I would say this, but, Good Job Chrysler!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Steve from Ohio
    Owns this car
    October 28, 2006

    aweful car

    I had this car for a month before i had to put $600 in repairs for it. When i got the car back my mechanic said i could have died because when he jacked up the car the rear struts and spring fell out. The serpintine belt fell off 3 times and i had this car for only 4 months and it fell off twice in 1 month. The interior design is aweful and 1 sided it takes long for the heater to warm up. The A/C refuses to charge and power door locks dont work and power windows jam often. dont get this car unless u get it for free
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
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  • By Neon Fan from Provo, UT
    Owns this car
    May 19, 2006

    Dodge, Neon

    I've had mine for about 8 years now and have had no real problems with it. It's very reliable. I had a different car in the past and had all sorts of problems but not with my dodge.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1997 Dodge Neon?

The 1997 Dodge Neon is available in 1 trim level:

  • (6 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1997 Dodge Neon?

The 1997 Dodge Neon offers up to 25 MPG in city driving and 34 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1997 Dodge Neon reliable?

The 1997 Dodge Neon has an average reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1997 Dodge Neon owners.

Is the 1997 Dodge Neon a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1997 Dodge Neon. 75.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.9
  • Interior: 3.7
  • Performance: 3.4
  • Value: 3.8
  • Exterior: 3.4
  • Reliability: 3.5
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