Anyone smoked or has gotten smoked by Neon SRT-4?
VIP Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 469
From: Pleasant Hill, CA
Car Info: 02 WRB Wagon (Cobb AccessPort, P7's), 2-73 914 2.0, 74 914-2.0
Bang-for-the-buck it is hard to beat. Plus, Dodge seems to be supporting the performance aspect of the car. Remember the One Lap of America and look at SCCA's Rally series. The car smoked the WRX in the One Lap (helps when you have a semi-pro racer driving) and is dominating it's class in SCCA's rally series (WRX isn't in the same class).
If you think back, or even recently, American cars have historically had better bang-for-the-buck than the imports. Look at the Corvette and the Viper. They are smoking cars that cost twice as much or more in terms of performance. The problem with them has always been with reliability (I also think it is interesting that Mercedes' reliability has gone down substantially since the merger with Dodge/Chrysler
). Yes, they are much more reliable than they used to be but they still have a long way to go. Until recently, the domestics weren't competitive in the 24-hour races. They had fast cars but couldn't seem to stay together long enough to win the races.
This SRT-4 is geared towards the younger crowd that wants serious performance at a low price. Out-of-the-box or modified, the SRT-4 will smoke the WRX on dry asphalt (maybe even in the dirt if the conditions are right considering what the SRT did to the WRX's on the dirt ovals in the One Lap).
If the SRT was RWD like it's big brother the Viper, I would consider getting one for a track car.
Anyway, I still love my WRX wagon because it's performance AND utility. Some would argue that the GT Cruiser is like an SRT-4 wagon but the numbers aren't close to the SRT-4 or the WRX.
If you think back, or even recently, American cars have historically had better bang-for-the-buck than the imports. Look at the Corvette and the Viper. They are smoking cars that cost twice as much or more in terms of performance. The problem with them has always been with reliability (I also think it is interesting that Mercedes' reliability has gone down substantially since the merger with Dodge/Chrysler
). Yes, they are much more reliable than they used to be but they still have a long way to go. Until recently, the domestics weren't competitive in the 24-hour races. They had fast cars but couldn't seem to stay together long enough to win the races.This SRT-4 is geared towards the younger crowd that wants serious performance at a low price. Out-of-the-box or modified, the SRT-4 will smoke the WRX on dry asphalt (maybe even in the dirt if the conditions are right considering what the SRT did to the WRX's on the dirt ovals in the One Lap).
If the SRT was RWD like it's big brother the Viper, I would consider getting one for a track car.
Anyway, I still love my WRX wagon because it's performance AND utility. Some would argue that the GT Cruiser is like an SRT-4 wagon but the numbers aren't close to the SRT-4 or the WRX.
VIP Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 469
From: Pleasant Hill, CA
Car Info: 02 WRB Wagon (Cobb AccessPort, P7's), 2-73 914 2.0, 74 914-2.0
Hey Steve,
How have you been? Haven't seen you around for a while. We had a little better showing at Lafayette Reservoir this year. I think there were about 2 dozen cars and we had more than just meat to eat.
How have you been? Haven't seen you around for a while. We had a little better showing at Lafayette Reservoir this year. I think there were about 2 dozen cars and we had more than just meat to eat.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 82
The SRT-4 has some pretty good handling.
BlkRx: Yeah I read that also. It is a PT cruiser engine with a upgraded tranny. Turbo is made by mitsubishi just like the WRX. But the Turbo and the wastegate are integrated.
ProPain: That is what the 7 year 70k warranty is for.
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 344
From: EastSFBay
Car Info: Not a WRX any more . . .
Originally posted by ProPain
Dodge is a good reliable car.
Dodge is a good reliable car.
HA HA.
Ha.
Sorry, that's just one of the funniest things I've read in a while. When she would tell people she worked for Chrysler, a lot of the time the first reaction she got was, "Hey, who can I talk to about my car?!?!?!"
She used to say that not only was quality not job 1 at Chrysler, it was the last thing they wanted. The first thing they wanted was for you to buy a new car every two years. And making cars that lasted only 2 years was a good way to do that.
She was not terribly fond of working for Chrysler. She drove a Toyota the whole time she worked there.
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Posts: n/a
If it is handeling you want the WRX tromps the neon. AWD all the way, after a 17 hour drive from Pittsburgh to northern Maine in my sports car I will never go back to anything but AWD. The best handling vehicle on bad road coditions I have had, trucks included.
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Originally posted by bri
why is the neon so much bigger in that picture? is it really that much bigger or is it just the angle. looks like only a slight angle
why is the neon so much bigger in that picture? is it really that much bigger or is it just the angle. looks like only a slight angle
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Posts: 4,568
From: Rockland County...NY
Car Info: want a WRX
the neon is worth looking into. great performance. if you spend the difference between a rex and a srt4 on modding the srt4.......WOW....one fast car for very little $...but there are many reasons to get a rex which people already listed. so test drive both and decide whats important to you. but to answer your first question, yes its definately worth looking into
Angry Dan
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From: www.turboculture.com
Car Info: 05 Evo VIII
I have an STi but I still would rather have my old mod'ed WRX over a SRT-4
I'm not a big 1/4 mile guy but......
I raced a SRT-4 in my STi
Stock SRT-4 = 14.1 ET with a 2.1 60ft
Stock STi = 13.3 with a 1.71 60ft
And at an open track day, I would just kill it.
I've owned a Chrysler vehicle and would never do it again eVaR!
I raced a SRT-4 in my STi
Stock SRT-4 = 14.1 ET with a 2.1 60ft
Stock STi = 13.3 with a 1.71 60ft
And at an open track day, I would just kill it.
I've owned a Chrysler vehicle and would never do it again eVaR!
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Posts: n/a
I test drove the SRT-4 before I chose the WRX. Here are the pros and cons as compared to the WRX:
Pros:
1. Faster than a WRX stock along with a good amount of torque
2. Factory backed options including turbo upgrade, BOV, LSD. 300 hp and still under warranty think about it.
3. Price
4. The interior is not bad for a Neon.
5. It shifted pretty good.
6. Braking was great.
Cons:
1. Reliability **Read internet posts on car review boards!
2. What friends say about Neons that they own.
3. No AWD
4. Feels like a rental car with more power and a boost gauge.
5. The rear end feels loose around turns.
6. The seats alone are a reason enough not to buy the car. Sit in one and you'll see.
7. Try driving this puppy in the rain.
8. Resale value (I see a 2003 going for $9,000 in 3 years if that)
9. Faux chrome plastic shift **** (give me a break!)
10. The either you love it or hate it exhaust sound.
11. Just because it is a "NEON". I know the Impreza is just a Impreza as well, but the stigma of the word Neon alone is like screaming upscale Yugo.
All in all not a bad choice of a ride. You cannot expect the World for $20,000. I have to give Dodge props for at least having the ***** to produce it.
Pros:
1. Faster than a WRX stock along with a good amount of torque
2. Factory backed options including turbo upgrade, BOV, LSD. 300 hp and still under warranty think about it.
3. Price
4. The interior is not bad for a Neon.
5. It shifted pretty good.
6. Braking was great.
Cons:
1. Reliability **Read internet posts on car review boards!
2. What friends say about Neons that they own.
3. No AWD
4. Feels like a rental car with more power and a boost gauge.
5. The rear end feels loose around turns.
6. The seats alone are a reason enough not to buy the car. Sit in one and you'll see.
7. Try driving this puppy in the rain.
8. Resale value (I see a 2003 going for $9,000 in 3 years if that)
9. Faux chrome plastic shift **** (give me a break!)
10. The either you love it or hate it exhaust sound.
11. Just because it is a "NEON". I know the Impreza is just a Impreza as well, but the stigma of the word Neon alone is like screaming upscale Yugo.
All in all not a bad choice of a ride. You cannot expect the World for $20,000. I have to give Dodge props for at least having the ***** to produce it.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,402
From: Bay Area
Car Info: 02 WRX wagon=dead; rollin' in a Craptastic Camry!
If you don't car about all wheel drive and
If you want a fast compact car (you're on a budget or just like small cars)
Then the SRT-4 is probably better for you.
If you want a fast compact car (you're on a budget or just like small cars)
Then the SRT-4 is probably better for you.