SCC Tested the SRT-4.....all must read...

[APEXistud]

I only have one thing to say.......WOW The prototype vehicle dyno'd at 223whp and 250lb ft of torque. Sprinted to 60mph in 5.8 and ran the 1/4 in 14.2 @ 99.5mph. These specs and numbers according the engineers that delivered the car to SCC are all going to make the production vehicle. Yes, you read right, the car dyno'd more than the factory spec gave. The front mount is pretty damn big too. Apparently, the car won't have any mufflers either. From the write up SCC did, it sounds like the SRT-4 will be stealing quite a few Mazdaspeed and WRX customers. The price is estimated at $19,999....with saying that I'm gonna have to tip my hat to the SRT-4 and say that it will probably be the best bang for the buck sport compact car as far as performance goes. SCC went as far as mentioned the Mazdaspeed when it came to mid corner control. I think that if you're in the market for a new car, you should definately take a look at the SRT-4.

What do you guys think? I don't think we can use the stupid, ingnorant, It's a Dodge Neon" excuse. I know it sucks to admit, but the SRT-4 will pissing on a lot of imports on the road. Even if it doesn't stay in the prototype form that SCC tested.

I personally am not worried because I'm financially strapped to my MP3, meaning I owe to much to make a move to any car. But, if I could move to another car the SRT-4 would be considered along with the WRX and Mazdaspeed.

 

[MP3skaterNC]

wow 223whp, thats pretty sweet, wasn't all the things about the srt-4 saying that it was going to have around 200, thats a pretty big gain. but how can they get away with not having a muffler? almost makes me want a neon. somebody please slam me for saying that!

 

[20ESGUY]

After seeing one in person, i'll have to admit its not bad looking. The body work is tasteful and the wheels set it off nicely...they kind of look like the old ATP spa's. The interior of the one i saw was stock R/T with the execption of racing style front seats, leater shift boot and aluminum knob. I don't like the shifter...sits waaaaay to high, about mid-chest level when sitting in the car, and the fact that it's cable operated. The only thing that scares me is the engine. After working for a dodge dealer I've seen way too many 2.0's and 2.4's with headgasket probs. They've supposedly worked them out with the supplier, but the revamped gaskets they were sending us were still blowing left and right. Don't know bout the suspension either...the standard neon chassis is deaf, as far as i'm concerned. If they fixed the numbness in it, it probably won't be too bad a car. Even if it is a MOPAR. BTW check out dodge's SRT10 P/U 500HP viper truck...that is making production.

 

[rodslinger]

I'm counting the days as that has been my next planned purchase. I'm in the middle of restoration on an older Shelby Dodge now. It should be done by Janurary. As soon as that is done the Mustang is getting sold and will be looking to replace it with the SRT-4. I've had excellent experiences with the older turbo Dodge cars. Cheap and easy to mod. I expect the same from the upcoming SRT-4.

 

[KYREDP5]

Yes but look at Dodge's relibility record...223hp+Doge's record=downtime

 

[20ESGUY]

actually the 2.4 and the 2.0 in the neons aren't bad motors...internally they're pretty strong. it's just the gaskets that are crappy. I can't remember who was suppling the gaskets but they were pure junk. other than that the motors are fine. I can't think of any neons, breezes, or cirrus's that had serious motor problems like froze pistons or fried cams execpt for one guy, and that's just cause he didn't change his oil and the car had 160K plus miles on it. The rest of the car is a different story though...typical dodge build quality, rattles, loose parts, no fit and finish. Supposedly they've gotten better since diamler bought them out and implemented their QA system to chrysler. Time will tell on that.

 

[BigBlue]

No doubt about it that's VERY impressive. Does anybody have some links about the lowdown on this car...like what it has that's different from a regular Neon. Is it a complete package type car as well(I'd assume so) or just all motor?

 

[20ESGUY]

Standard neon stuff:

R/T interior including guage faces and HVAC panel
Main body/chassis
transmission
Differential
SXT spec rear spolier

SRT-4 Spec adds:

2.4L motor w/turbo
"short" shifter
17" wheels/tire combo
front fasica
side skirts
rear skirt
dual outlet muffler
front "racing" seats
small hood scoop

if you want all the quoted specs from Dodge check out http://www.dodge.com/srt-4/

 

[rodslinger]

Yes but look at Dodge's relibility record...223hp+Doge's record=downtime

I have looked and have owned a few 2.2 SOHC Turbo cars. Very satisfied with the reliability. The 223hp car you speak of is the DOHC model. Not common, not the mainstream turbo motor and not as reliable. That particular motor has no bearing on my decision. It was a limited run model. It would be a similar to saying that all 2000 later Protege's are junk just because the MP3 had an issue.

 

[Antoine]

I think I've mentioned this before...

The SRT-4 is like the Viper...brute power...good handling?

The MSP is like the ZO6...good power...great handling...great overall performance car.

Will it go into production with that high arcing wing?

Providing some of the new SRT-4 owners are decent drivers...that car should hold its own quite well in the sport compact arena. Also, there won't be any shortage of mods.

Plot thickens...

 

[MP3skaterNC]

http://www.dodge.com/inside/news_aw...ge.html?tsrc=srt-4&tgrp=&tname=neon_challenge

any of our good autocross drivers want to win an srt-4 for some secret protege board testing?

 

[manuel]

owned.

 

[20ESGUY]

any of our good autocross drivers want to win an srt-4 for some secret protege board testing?

They don't actually let you drive an SRT-4. MTV is a crock of crap...they gave us standard neon sports to drive and then didnt even time the course.

 

[Gro Harlem]

True, it might prove unreliable, but people who want these cars aren't going to be concerned about that anyways since they will be driving the piss out of them. Plus dodge has like a 70,000 mile warranty on the engine/drivetrain, which is pretty impressive considering the price of the car.

I hope this car proves successful. Its about time Chrysler got their s*** together. I was thinking they were going to go bankrupt for a couple months until i heard about their "secret weapon" neon.

And Neons can be made to handle friggin amazing if you buy the right stuff. i don't know how this srt4 handles in stock form, but probably not as good as the MSP, but don't go saying that it doesn't have the potential. Look at autox. you see a lot of neons running in the stock class and STS.

 

[saided18]

really 223 whp? that would mean it has 270 crank HP. i heard from a MOPOR freak that it was like 200 crank hp and with a ECU ungrade from MOPOR it would be pushing 240 crank hp. And i trust this guy good. he knows his MOPOR. and oh yeah. the guy with the GLHS OMNI, you should hang out with my friend. he has a regular GLH OMNI push 250 whp. he does high 12 1/4 mile.

wait a min. he is pushing 18lbs of boost on a 2.2L and getting 250whp. he spins 1st 2nd and part of third and he has Koni all around with stift racing springs. I don't know about that "Prototype" neon. i think dodge supped it up just for that test and the production vehicle will be much less HP.

 

[saided18]

oh yeah. just to let every one know. The GLH in GLH Onmi means

Goes
Like
Hell

Funny right. those dodge people

 

[Allen]

R&T: Neon SRT-4 test drive - Up there with the WRX for $4,000 - $5,000 less!

 

[jaman]

C&D did a full test on the neon. 0-60 in 5.6 sec. They also said that it is really solid feeling. Not too shaby for this price.

 

[sleeper_]

wtf, that thing looks like a car with a mustache and a beard