Getting kind of tingly over Dodge Dart SRT4

[NutBucket]

Its still a sad statement when French influence improves the quality of your cars.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

They don't like the transmission - its Dodge's first try at a dual clutch and its not good. If you go automatic go with the standard ATX. They priased the roominess of the cabin, its handling, and its materials. For a Loaded Limited to come in $26K aint bad either as we know there are rebates/discounts to be had.

I mean... that's a huge surprise, what with dodge's history of super quality transmissions *cough cough*

 

[JulesMaximus]

Wonder if the paint will fly off this one like it did with the Neon.

 

[LTC8K6]

They don't like the transmission - its Dodge's first try at a dual clutch and its not good. If you go automatic go with the standard ATX. They priased the roominess of the cabin, its handling, and its materials. For a Loaded Limited to come in $26K aint bad either as we know there are rebates/discounts to be had.

It's a FIAT C635 trans....as is the manual version.

Allpar appeared to have the opposite opinion from C&D about the DDCT version.

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/transmissions/fiat-dct.html

 

[ProchargeMe]

I was never a fan of the neon srt4. A tricked out neon was just not very appealing to me lol. The Dart looks much better IMO, dodge/chrysler is making improvements and that's always good to see.

 

[applesj4924usa]

good car, though i don't care for dodge in general..

 

[GoatMonkey]

Can't defy the laws of physics... and it would be lame to only have an 87 octane tune... what more do you really expect?

Direct injection would reduce the requirement for high octane a bit. The Dart doesn't have it though.

 

[KentState]

I thought that Dodge was having problems with sales of the Dart over the last few months.

 

[Fritzo]

I thought that Dodge was having problems with sales of the Dart over the last few months.

They are, because the lower versions of the car suck. The SRT4 makes me look at it in a whole new light. I never would have gave it a second look, but with those specs it's impossible to NOT notice it.

 

[Zivic]

if this car comes in at under 30k with some decent power (250+) and and decent AWD system, I will be first in line at the dealer to test drive.

right now, these are only rumors and I personally don't think they hold much water

 

[HowlerMonkey]

Alfa designs a good car.

 

[_Rick_]

Its still a sad statement when French influence improves the quality of your cars.

You've got to explain that one to me.

FIAT is an Italian company, so are it's Lancia and Alfa Romeo (and Ferrari and Maserati) subsidiaries.

The French, for the moment, still have zero impact on the American car market. Sadly.
The C5, 508, Megane, Clio, 208, Laguna are all useful cars, and the Kangoo/Partner/Berlingo are a class of vehicle that is supremely convenient.

Not to mention, that French suspension set-ups are very American, being soft and wallowy in most situations.

The main drawback is probably, that the French car makers focus on their Diesel know-how. The Mini's BMW 1.6l engine for example can be found in two different versions in the DS3, and probably elsewhere as well.

 

[iamwiz82]

You've got to explain that one to me.

FIAT is an Italian company, so are it's Lancia and Alfa Romeo (and Ferrari and Maserati) subsidiaries.

The French, for the moment, still have zero impact on the American car market. Sadly.
The C5, 508, Megane, Clio, 208, Laguna are all useful cars, and the Kangoo/Partner/Berlingo are a class of vehicle that is supremely convenient.

Not to mention, that French suspension set-ups are very American, being soft and wallowy in most situations.

The main drawback is probably, that the French car makers focus on their Diesel know-how. The Mini's BMW 1.6l engine for example can be found in two different versions in the DS3, and probably elsewhere as well.

The Prince 1.6 is all over PSA's lineup. I wish They would come over here. I spent a lot of time in a 407sw and enjoyed it.

 

[Fritzo]

You've got to explain that one to me.

FIAT is an Italian company, so are it's Lancia and Alfa Romeo (and Ferrari and Maserati) subsidiaries.

The French, for the moment, still have zero impact on the American car market. Sadly.
The C5, 508, Megane, Clio, 208, Laguna are all useful cars, and the Kangoo/Partner/Berlingo are a class of vehicle that is supremely convenient.

Not to mention, that French suspension set-ups are very American, being soft and wallowy in most situations.

The main drawback is probably, that the French car makers focus on their Diesel know-how. The Mini's BMW 1.6l engine for example can be found in two different versions in the DS3, and probably elsewhere as well.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing the Renault Megane R26 in the US. Hot little car!

 

[NutBucket]

You've got to explain that one to me.

FIAT is an Italian company, so are it's Lancia and Alfa Romeo (and Ferrari and Maserati) subsidiaries.

The French, for the moment, still have zero impact on the American car market. Sadly.
The C5, 508, Megane, Clio, 208, Laguna are all useful cars, and the Kangoo/Partner/Berlingo are a class of vehicle that is supremely convenient.

Not to mention, that French suspension set-ups are very American, being soft and wallowy in most situations.

The main drawback is probably, that the French car makers focus on their Diesel know-how. The Mini's BMW 1.6l engine for example can be found in two different versions in the DS3, and probably elsewhere as well.

You are right, I mis-spoke.

Italians certainly have a flare for design but they've never been known for "quality". Really my comment applies to both French and Italian cars.

And you forget that the French do have influence on the American market since Renault is allied with Nissan Maybe not so much that we have rebadged Renaults being sold at Nissan dealers but you get the point.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Having owned a Dodge Neon I wouldn't buy another Dodge. Which is sad because the Dart SRT4 could be good, but after this one I won't deal with another.

 

[Fritzo]

Having owned a Dodge Neon I wouldn't buy another Dodge. Which is sad because the Dart SRT4 could be good, but after this one I won't deal with another.

Dodge and Chrysler in general are a different company after FIAT bought them. I was with you (we have had two Town and Country vans that had absolutely atrocious build quality), but now they actually seem to be trying. The current Dart isn't bad at all, other than the fact it's way under powered and a bit overpriced for what it is. I'm eagerly awaiting the SRT4's release date to see if the rumors come true.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Is this supposed to be competing vs the WRX? Same HP range..AWD...price range...

 

[exdeath]

Return of the skittles! w00t!

 

[exdeath]

Wonder if the paint will fly off this one like it did with the Neon.

Blame the EPA for that. All the 90s Toyota/Nissan/etc are notorious for peeling blistering paint too .

 

[power_hour]

Cool nameplate. One of the few 4 doors that looks pretty good in Red, too. I just wished it looked a little more like the original car. Trunk needs to be a bit longer tho. Still a better looking car than that piece of shit Neon.

 

[Rhezuss]

Bought the Rallye version of the car, black exterior and black/red interior, black 17" mags and the 1.4l Turbo.
Gonna have the car tomorrow and can't wait.

They gave me A LOT more than I tought for my rusty, oil dripping and gasoolic '05 Mazda6 "as is" and added the 17" winter rim and tires.

It's a really nice car with great tech in it. Sure the turbo isn't that awesome and kicks in a bit late but it's fun to ride and looks really nice.

 

[Fritzo]

Bought the Rallye version of the car, black exterior and black/red interior, black 17" mags and the 1.4l Turbo.
Gonna have the car tomorrow and can't wait.

They gave me A LOT more than I tought for my rusty, oil dripping and gasoolic '05 Mazda6 "as is" and added the 17" winter rim and tires.

It's a really nice car with great tech in it. Sure the turbo isn't that awesome and kicks in a bit late but it's fun to ride and looks really nice.

Congrats! Post pics when you get it.

 

[mmntech]

The Dart does look cool but remember it's just a gussied up Neon. Dodge does have a long history of bad transmissions. Lets face it, Chrysler isn't exactly known for reliability. Every Dodge I've driven has had problems. Mostly electrical and transmission related. They really need to dump those touch screen radios. Though I do praise them for adopting more of Fiat's technology. The Multiair is a great engine.

All really depends on the price. If it ends up being around $30,000, well you can get a much better car in the same price range.

 

[Fritzo]

The Dart does look cool but remember it's just a gussied up Neon. Dodge does have a long history of bad transmissions. Lets face it, Chrysler isn't exactly known for reliability. Every Dodge I've driven has had problems. Mostly electrical and transmission related. They really need to dump those touch screen radios. Though I do praise them for adopting more of Fiat's technology. The Multiair is a great engine.

All really depends on the price. If it ends up being around $30,000, well you can get a much better car in the same price range.

It is not a Neon. Not sure where you got that from. It's a rebadged Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and it's brand new to the US. The car was completely designed by Alfa Romeo and seems to be a lot higher quality than Chrysler's normal offerings.

Car it's based off of: