Our Review of the 2003 Dodge Neon SXT

A lot has been said about the Dodge Neon for 2003. As Dodge's entry in the sedan market the Neon (and in this case specically the SXT version) has maintained a solid reputation. The 4-door Neon is especially appealing to wide market segment, making it a perfect car to help Dodge as a brand in general.

Performance

The Neon SXT is equipped with a Chrysler 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine that utilizes 16 valves. The engine is mated to a Chrysler 5-speed Transaxle. This configuration has proven to be a successful design for Dodge.

The 2003 Neon's normal fuel system runs on gas. The fuel is regulated electronically, with a fuel-injected multi-port fuel injection (MFI) style of design. The fuel tank holds 12.50 gallons.

Steering control is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The Neon has power-assisted brakes, with Non-ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. The car uses coil front springs and coil in the rear.

Neon SXT Statistics

The dimensions of the Neon SXT are 67.40 inches wide by 174.40 inches long. It sits a comfortable 56.00 inches off the ground. It seats a standard five passengers, with 4 doors. The wheelbase of 105.00 allows for limited leg room for the backseat passengers.

The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $12,935 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $12,131. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 4-door Sedan.

The standard warranty period for the Neon is 36 months, or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is standard in the sedan market.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2003 Neon gets 32 - 36 miles/gallon on the highway and only 25 - 29 in the city. This is average for a sedan car.

In Summary

There are several reasons why the Dodge Neon SXT sold well in 2003. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Dodge, specifically a Neon.