Thoughts on the Dodge SRT4

[illmatik]

Have any of you guys driven one or know someone with one? If the bank I work for makes the targets (we're not too far off from exceeding them right now..knock on wood) my bonus might allow me to put some $$ down on a new vehicle sometime next year. I'd like a fun ride that's functional and won't break the bank. I'd really prefer all wheel drive, but I want to stay around 20k, so that probably won't happen unless I buy used. Buying used really doesn't make sense as the finance rates and insurance premiums will be much higher not to mention the lack of a good warantee. 220HP, 250lb-ft torque, and a 5.8sec 0-60 are pretty impressive for a car in this price range (In Dodge's lineup, the viper would be the next step up performance wise). I'm not necessarily a dodge fanboy, but the car isn't too flashy or cheesy looking and is still a functional ride. I'd love an A4, wrx or lancer evo, but it's not in the cards money wise.

Would love to hear what the LN car buffs think of it.

SRT4 (http://www.dodge.com/srt-4/index.html?context=vehiclePage&type=vehicleLink)

[Farabomb]

Neon's were ruined for me a long time ago. That stipid Hi. comercial..... I can't take them seirously.

They are the best bang for the buck below 20k but realize it's nothing more than a boosted ecnobox. Goes like hell in a straight line, doen't turn all too well and consider stronger brakepads. I like how dodge has factory upgrade packages with warrantys. Goes oppisite to most subaru dealers where if you put in a K&N and they deny warrnty work saying the air filter caused the trans to blow up.

[illmatik]

Yeah, Mopar has a stage III turbo kit that brings up the horse to around 360hp and maintains warranty. I used to rent neons a couple years back when i needed a car for business stuff and I was quite happy w/ it. I'm not going to be doing serious track duty, but I probably would upgrade suspension and braking the best I could if I opt for that kit.

[Player0]

I got my Subaru RS for $19K. You can get a WRX for $22-$23 maybe. You might be able to find a used with only 10,000 or less on it and really save some dough.

[illmatik]

If I can buy the car outright I'll buy used. Otherwise, the financing and insurance of a used car (even factory recertified) will cost me more. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get married already so that I can spend a couple grand more on a car for the insurance break ;) Well I mean.. I'd get married for more than just lower car insurance of course :) I'm not THAT much of a jerk.

[Nettik]

It appears to be one of those "family" cars with an rpm gauge on them. The point of that?

:Nettik

[illmatik]

It appears to be one of those "family" cars with an rpm gauge on them. The point of that?

:Nettik

You obviously didn't bother to look at the specs. I don't know of many cars in that price range that put up those numbers. Sleeper "family" cars in my area are a must to avoid theft and crooked highway law enforcement.

[Nettik]

Lol I just said it looked like one, did not bother to look at the specs.

:Nettik

[Flybye]

.....I used to rent neons......
See that's my problem with the Neon. It feels and looks TOO much like a rental. Typical american construction quality using plastic that feels that it fell off of a Fisher Price toy.

They aren't that quick. Well, I DID race one in my RX-7 which is probably a bad comparison to make LOL :D

Personally, I'd try to get a used WRX or an EVO. You can get a used WRX for THOUSANDS less than sticker with only a few thousand miles on the clock, AND it would still have the factory warranty with the option of extending it. It will feel new, it will drive new, and it will even smell knew. Think of it this way, someguy could have bought his 2005 WRX in November of 2004. For whatever reason he had to give it back during the middle of 2005 with a few thousand miles on it. You can pick it up at a good price, and you would STILL have yourself a car of the same year still backed up by the factory warranty.

The WRX and the EVO have a MUCH nicer interior IMHO. For the size of it, the WRX has considerable leg room in it.

Hey Farabomb, Boost is ALWAYS fun :D

[Flybye]

By the way I should warn you....

Once you go boost, you never go back ;) :D

[WesM63]

By the way I should warn you....

Once you go boost, you never go back ;) :D


Quoted for truth! I don't know if I could ever go back to driving a n/a car. Althou, i've been looking at getting a BMW 328is for a daily driver :)

[unacceptable_risk]

2 words......."Twin Webbers" I love boosted engines, but these webbers sing a song that is soooo beautiful. :D I love hearing every detail of the powerband from the cam timing on my natcho.

Hmm that SRT4 model hasn't made it over here. Looks interesting. 2.4L eh. Not so good if you like to wind each gear out. But a tourquey delivery is good.

Good luck with your descision, test drive heaps of stuff . :)

[illmatik]

I think I'm gonna keep my car another year and save for the audi allroad quattro w/ the 2.7 Twin Turbo.. Just took one for a spin and fell in love.. Although its about double the srt4.

[Farabomb]

First real drive, not ride in a boosted car was at Virginia international raceway. It was a swaped subaru RS on a parade lap. A few 115mph laps and I was hooked bad. Less then a year later I had my own swap. Addctive isn't the word. :D

[ATF_Syris]

have you ever though about an Acura RSX Type-S they have a very nice lookin car with a very nice engine to go with it