2003 Dodge SRT-4 Dodge?s PVO group beefs up a Neon for the budget buyer

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Garfang
Sorry, I wouldn't be seen in a $20,000 Neon. That seems about $7,500 too high for a Neon.

Hehe, I'll take a Mini Cooper S that is only 1 second slower 0-60, handles like a go-kart, has BMW quality, has more standard features (content and safefty like front/side/head curtain airbags), and it doesn't look like a $12,000 Neon that you can rent from Avis.

Gotta love da Mini Cooper man!

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Garfang
Here's the deal: I'm probably not one of Dodge's potential customers for this particular Neon. The reason? Because for $20,000, I can move up a step in quality and engineering for the whole car. For $20,000, I can look at so much more. For example, I can look at a Civic EX or Si, an Acura RSX (new base or used Type-S), an Accord, a Mini, a Protégé (?5? wagon, and Mazdaspeed sedan), a Corolla, a Camry, a Celica, a Matrix or Vibe, a Mustang GT, an Imprezza, a Legacy, a Jetta, a GTI, a Camaro 5.7L (used), a Prelude SH (used), an S2000 (used), an Audi A4 (used), a Maxima or Altima with a 3.5 (used), and more.

If I had only $8500, I?d buy a 1-2 year old Neon, why not? But a Neon for $20,000? Na.

I agree with everything except the Camaro. I fuggin' hate Camaros $20,000 buys MANY quality cars these days. I for one wouldn't be spending it on a rental-esque Neon Hell, I'd take the recall prone Focus (SVT version) before I'd plunk down for any neon.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Garfang
Here's the deal: I'm probably not one of Dodge's potential customers for this particular Neon. The reason? Because for $20,000, I can move up a step in quality and engineering for the whole car. For $20,000, I can look at so much more. For example, I can look at a Civic EX or Si, an Acura RSX (new base or used Type-S), an Accord, a Mini, a Protégé (?5? wagon, and Mazdaspeed sedan), a Corolla, a Camry, a Celica, a Matrix or Vibe, a Mustang GT, an Imprezza, a Legacy, a Jetta, a GTI, a Camaro 5.7L (used), a Prelude SH (used), an S2000 (used), an Audi A4 (used), a Maxima or Altima with a 3.5 (used), and more.

If I had only $8500, I?d buy a 1-2 year old Neon, why not? But a Neon for $20,000? Na.

I agree with everything except the Camaro. I fuggin' hate Camaros $20,000 buys MANY quality cars these days. I for one wouldn't be spending it on a rental-esque Neon Hell, I'd take the recall prone Focus (SVT version) before I'd plunk down for any neon.

I won't be buying a srt-4 either but only 3 of those can keep up with the srt-4 and most of those aren't even in the same class. The srt-4 isn't for the guy who only cares about quality interior materials its for the guy who wants to go fast cheap and as much as I hate to say it ricers. All that it would take to get the car to look a lot better is to trade the trunk for one without the stupid spoiler. I'd rather have a GT but only because its a 2 door and rwd.

I'd love to get my hands on one of those 2.4l turbo engine to replace the 2.5l turbo in my caravan though .

 

[thedarkwolf]

2003 Neon srt-4
As tested by SCC:
14.2 @ 99.6 mph
0-60 in 5.8 sec
braking 60-0 119 ft
skidpad .85g
slalom speed 69.0 mph

2002 Focus SVT
Quarter Mile time: 15.8 sec.
0-60 mph: 7.9 sec
60-0 stopping distance: 116 ft
Lateral Grip (200ft skidpad): 0.85g
Slalom Speed (700ft slalom): 68.7 mph
http://www.luckday.com/archives/fea...e01_0402b.shtml

I think I would take the srt-4 over the svt focus.

Lets not forget that srt-4 is going to be very easy to upgrade to get even more insane power out of.