L
loj68
yes, I buckled......I traded in the Element tonight for a brand new 04 SRT-4 (the 04's now have the LSD and the bigger injectors from the 03 stage 1 kit). Looks pretty good in the red actually but DAMN it has a lotta wheel gap....gotta get some springs. It has a sunroof too which I didn't really want but the 04's are so hard to find I just bit the bullet. I just drove it home and didn't go over 5k rpm's cuz I'm breaking it in but here are some first impressions compared to my MSP:
1. LOUD!!!! The SRT is really loud inside cuz there's no mufflers......good thing is that it's throaty as s*** so sounds pretty cool....on a long drive it may get old but the stereo should drown it out.
2. Brakes - the brakes in the SRT feel really good........nice feel and stop on a dime.....first impression here is that it's on par with the MSP.
3. Solid - the MSP just feels like a more solid car.....the SRT has a bit of a "floaty" feel but I think some lowering springs might fix that......it's not a huge thing really but you can tell.
4. Shifting - the SRT gearbox is a bit slushier than the MSP.....where MSP shifts feel solid and exacting the SRT doesn't feel as precise......but the SRT gearbox feels better than any other domestic I've driven.....quick shifting is no prob in the SRT, especially with that big ass shift knob that feels good in my big ol' hands.....that little MOMO knob in the MSP is forever slippin' outta my hands.
5. Interior - this one was actually closer than I thought it would be......actually pretty much a draw. The SRT dash has the silver gauge faces with the red letters and looks really tight all lit up at night.....plus the boost gauge is there too and looks good. The recaro-like seats in the SRT have huge bolsters everywhere and whip on the MSP seats......but for a long trip I'd rather have the MSP seats because they have more lumbar support for me. MSP has lots more headroom though and overall feels like a more comfy daily driver car. Oh, and the SRT has power windows only in front...they're crankers in the rear......I've heard different reasons for this but it's between cost savings and weight savings....I really don't give a **** which cuz I don't sit in the back
6. Looks - MSP wins hands down.....by far the best looking sport compact there is IMHO. Gotta say the SRT isn't too shabby though....the red is that really cool Viper red and that combined with the fog lights and the big intercooler in the front make it look a little mean......should look damn nice once I get rid of that friggin' wheel gap.
So, those are my first impressions after the 1st 70 miles.....it's kinda cool now that I can personally attest to any s*** talking between the SRT and the MSP without being really biased. Although at this moment the MSP is still my fave......no question I would have bought an MSP to replace the Element if we didn't already own one.....so the SRT gets a shot......more comparo's to come as I break her in !
1. LOUD!!!! The SRT is really loud inside cuz there's no mufflers......good thing is that it's throaty as s*** so sounds pretty cool....on a long drive it may get old but the stereo should drown it out.
2. Brakes - the brakes in the SRT feel really good........nice feel and stop on a dime.....first impression here is that it's on par with the MSP.
3. Solid - the MSP just feels like a more solid car.....the SRT has a bit of a "floaty" feel but I think some lowering springs might fix that......it's not a huge thing really but you can tell.
4. Shifting - the SRT gearbox is a bit slushier than the MSP.....where MSP shifts feel solid and exacting the SRT doesn't feel as precise......but the SRT gearbox feels better than any other domestic I've driven.....quick shifting is no prob in the SRT, especially with that big ass shift knob that feels good in my big ol' hands.....that little MOMO knob in the MSP is forever slippin' outta my hands.
5. Interior - this one was actually closer than I thought it would be......actually pretty much a draw. The SRT dash has the silver gauge faces with the red letters and looks really tight all lit up at night.....plus the boost gauge is there too and looks good. The recaro-like seats in the SRT have huge bolsters everywhere and whip on the MSP seats......but for a long trip I'd rather have the MSP seats because they have more lumbar support for me. MSP has lots more headroom though and overall feels like a more comfy daily driver car. Oh, and the SRT has power windows only in front...they're crankers in the rear......I've heard different reasons for this but it's between cost savings and weight savings....I really don't give a **** which cuz I don't sit in the back
6. Looks - MSP wins hands down.....by far the best looking sport compact there is IMHO. Gotta say the SRT isn't too shabby though....the red is that really cool Viper red and that combined with the fog lights and the big intercooler in the front make it look a little mean......should look damn nice once I get rid of that friggin' wheel gap.
So, those are my first impressions after the 1st 70 miles.....it's kinda cool now that I can personally attest to any s*** talking between the SRT and the MSP without being really biased. Although at this moment the MSP is still my fave......no question I would have bought an MSP to replace the Element if we didn't already own one.....so the SRT gets a shot......more comparo's to come as I break her in !
If I miss a shift, it will beat my lowly S2000.
