Like the neon lights of Broadway, the 1997 Dodge Neon shines bright, its unique oval headlights beckoning curious onlookers to check out why it's different than other subcompacts, like the Civic and Escort. Sure it gets great fuel economy, and sure, it's affordable, but the Neon has set the bar for speed and handling.

The 1997 Dodge Neon saw few changes, aside from color and fabric options. Whether choosing the four-door sedan or two-door coupe, both come with a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder single-cam, 132-hp engine. In Sport trims or with the Competition Package, you can upgrade to a twin-cam, 150-hp version. Inside such a small lightweight car, that means you better get ready for takeoff. With a wider and longer wheelbase and wheels moved to the outer edges, the Neon adds great firmness and stability, with less roll and vibration around curves.

Inside, the 1997 Neon fits four comfortably, due to its arched roof and extended wheelbase. It claims to be the roomiest of all subcompacts. In all but the base models, the rear seats fold down to add even more room to a spacious trunk. Dual front airbags come standard. Base models, to keep costs down, offer few basic features and less options than the sportier and peppier Highline or Sport models. All owners agree the Neon is fun to drive, with a lot of energy and power. The amount of headroom, legroom, and trunk space is also a plus, along with the great price. A lot of drivers mentioned problems with overheating because of a faulty head gasket, transmission defects, and peeling paint. They also complain about how noisy it is and the lack of features. Some wish a 4-speed auto tran was available instead of just a 3-speed.