1996 Dodge Neon Review
Price Estimate: $808 - $1,346
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
A raft of improvements make the sprightly 1996 Dodge Neon even more attractive to compact buyers. Base models get more equipment, and the gray bumpers are discontinued. A base coupe is newly available. Interior noise levels are supposedly subdued this year. ABS is available across the board this year.
For sale near San Francisco, CA
Vehicle overview
Welcome to the new model year. The hype is over and the dust has settled. The cutesy advertising no longer saturates the media, and focus has shifted to newer Chrysler products. Nasty production glitches and early recalls are fading from memory. It is time to examine the Neon for what it is and how well it stacks up to the competition..
The Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer are flat outdated next to this Plymouth. The Toyota Tercel is forty horsepower and a personality off the mark. Nissan's new Sentra is bland in comparison. Chevy's Cavalier feels heavy and ponderous; ditto the Pontiac Sunfire. The Toyota Corolla is a fine car, but can't compete with the sheer value offered by the Neon. Neither can the Geo Prizm. Mazda Protege and Honda Civic suffer the same problem.
What about reliability, though? Well, if the surveys conducted by several independent firms around the country are any indication, the Neon suffers from hit-and-miss quality. Edmund's has received mail from folks who think it's the greatest car they've ever owned, and from others who wanted to know if their problems qualified for any lemon law protection. Overall, the impression we've gained is a favorable one, though we are hesitant to recommend this scrappy compact to those who've traditionally driven imports with Japanese badging.
The Neon combines practicality, performance and personality into one very affordable package. For 1996, the Neon gains standard equipment and revisions to the options list, as well as a new transparently-named Expresso package aimed at so-called Generation X buyers who supposedly spend all their time slacking off at the Coffee Plantation sipping java. Base models get 14-inch wheels, body-color bumpers, tinted glass and intermittent wipers. Sport models used to have antilock brakes and alloy wheels as standard equipment; this year they are optional. Also optional is a power sunroof and a gutsy twin-cam 2.0-liter engine for the Sport sedan.
Expresso models include a decklid spoiler, power bulge hood, white wheelcovers and graphics, along with interior trim from the Sport, air conditioning, tachometer and rear defroster. Sold for less than $12,000, including destination charges, the Expresso will be tempting to first-time buyers on a budget. We think they should go for our favorite, which is the base sedan or coupe equipped with the Competition package. Add air conditioning, and you've got a livable version of the car that Chrysler sponsors in amateur racing events nationwide. Also available is a bona fide GT coupe. Called the nineties version of the original Volkswagen GTI by the automotive press, the Neon Sport Coupe is the most fun you can have for $15,000, aside from a used Mazda Miata.
Supposedly, the Neon is quieter this year. Other news includes the addition of a base coupe to the model mix, increased fuel tank capacity, a remote keyless entry system with panic mode, and a four-spoke steering wheel which replaces last year's frumpy two-spoke unit. Power windows are now optional on the coupe, and two new colors join the palette. Sadly, Nitro Yellow is canceled.
If Chrysler Corporation can quell consumer fears about the reliability of this little car and keep prices in line, there really won't be any point in shopping around. Just drop in to any Plymouth dealer and drive off in one of the best small cars available today.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$193/mo for Neon Sport
Neon Sport
vs
$220/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Dodge Neon Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Neons are cute, but beware!
3.63 out of 5 starsCarolyn, 03/29/2005
1996 Dodge Neon Highline 4dr Sedan
Bought my Neon in 2000 with only 24,000 mi on it. The dealership had already replaced a head gasket. Since then, I have had to replace the radiator, an O2 sensor, and the dash circuit board (my speedometer stopped working!) The brakes squeak constantly, it slips in the rain even with good tires (I won't even mention in the snow), and the doors/handles freeze solid in the cold. Rear … speakers are blown, tape deck quit working. So many problems, and it only JUST passed 56,000 mi. AC isn't very cold, and sucks the life out the acceleration. When I first got the car, I loved how cute it was, but now I look at it and I can't wait to buy my Honda CR-V. No more Dodge products for me!
Buyer Beware
1.75 out of 5 starsNeonPOOR, 06/28/2003
1996 Dodge Neon Highline 4dr Sedan
This car is a money pit. I used to love
it...before two head gaskets, The
latest todat to the tune of 1,000
dollars. Two weeks ago I put in $400.
As I bought this as a year old
rental...I have to wonder what they di
to it. AC has been repaired. New brake
system (FYI the breaks squeal on all
models for this year) Can't get the
dome light to turn off. Just found out …
that the uneven tire wear is a problem
many others have had. A new set of
tires every year because of inside
wear. Ticking sound in dash. Stopping
in intersections (Had to put in a new
cable from the battery to alternator to
solve that problem.)
don't get one even if it's given to you!
2.5 out of 5 starsjetta lover, 02/01/2004
1996 Dodge Neon Sport 4dr Sedan
We were happy at first- the style, cabin
capacity, and mileage are all good.
That was the honeymoon period. Then, the
head gasket had to be replaced and the air
conditioner repeatedly recharged. At 50,000
miles the engine started crapping out-
consuming oil and the engine needed to be
replaced- the cost would have "totaled" the
car. Had to fill it with a quart of oil once … a
week. Speedometer worked only when it felt
like it... wiring in stereo was bad and the
right-passenger-side speaker set on fire.
Needed new tires at only about 30,000 miles.
Charged A/C a week and a half before we
traded it in, and was out of fluid the day we
turned it in.
Don't let looks fool you
2.75 out of 5 starsDon't let LOOKS fool, 04/10/2006
1996 Dodge Neon 2dr Coupe
Bought used in 2000 and got rid of in '03.<(which is the best thing I've ever done!) Bought to replace my aging '89 Corsica that I loved till the major breakdowns. Obviously, this car wasn't much better. Tons of problems. Was in the shop more than on the road. Oxygen sensor, battery, alternator; just a few of the problems I had w/ it out of many. HIt 2 different deer w/ it and 2 … different times. Had 3 different accidents w/ it w/ other vehicles. I think red is a magnet for things to want to attract too. That or bad luck, not sure which? Who knows, but it was always something going wrong. One good thing is that just going to/from work it got good mileage 28/39! Looks are deceiving.....
1996 Neon Highlights
Sedan
Sport
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $193/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 1996 Dodge Neon info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Mercedes Benz A Class 2020 Review
- BMW Alpina B7 2020 Review
- BMW X1 2020 Review
- Honda CR V Hybrid 2020 Review
- Volvo V90 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- BMW I3
- Honda Fit Cars For Sale
- Lexus NX 300 Hybrid
- Used Acura ILX 2013
- Used Acura ILX 2015
- Used Acura ILX 2019
- Used Acura Integra 2014
- Used Acura Integra 2020
- Used Acura Legend 2016
- Used Acura Legend 2018
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New BMW Z3
- 2025 Ford Bronco News
- Ford Maverick 2025
- New Nissan Kicks Play
- New Acura MDX
- 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- Mazda CX-90 2024
- 2026 Mazda CX-90 News
- 2024 Jeep Renegade
- New Kia K5
Research other models of
- 2025 Durango
- 2024 Intrepid
- 2025 Dodge Hornet
- New Dodge Durango
- Dodge Durango 2024
- 2025 Dodge Durango
- 2024 Dodge Durango
Other models
- Used Aston-Martin Rapide in Stone Mountain, GA 2012
- New Ford Mustang-Mach-E for Sale in Pacoima, CA
- Used Hyundai Genesis-Coupe in Spring Hill, FL 2016
- Used Vinfast VF-8 in Mableton, GA 2025
- Used Chrysler Pt-Cruiser in Wilsonville, OR 2010
- Used Chrysler Crossfire in Hampton, NH 2008
- Used Jaguar Xe in Savage, MD 2020
- Used Nissan Pathfinder in Cocoa Beach, FL 2025
- Used Ford Ranger in Woodstock, IL 2025
- New Mazda CX-50 for Sale in Apex, NC