Played with an SRT+4 tonight...

[AZhitman]

Coming home from a church function with my wife, a kid in a new SRT+4 was running alongside me in traffic. Gave him some room and missed a few lights with him... Finally got a chance to square off at a pretty empty intersection.

I line-locked it real quick and lit up the rears HARD just to get his attention (Quella actually spooked me, I didn't mean to squall 'm that hard). He smiled and nodded, we kind of rolled onto the throttle (but didn't launch) from the light (I was manual shifting to keep it in 1st), and he wound it up pretty damn hard.

Of course he pulled on me REAL well, and at around 60 I started gaining some lost ground back... I shut down around 85, with the Neon about a car and a half ahead still...

He broke left at the next light without any discussion (cool).

The one thing I noticed (besides the taillights) was the sound... What a sweet exhaust note that thing had! I realize it's a POS Neon, but:

It's fastIt's cheapIt sounds *****en

[BadMojo]

I'd be all over the SRT-4 if it wasn't so damn ugly. I don't care that it's a Neon. I'd be mildly concerned with Dodge's somewhat iffy quality, although maybe this has changed. I'd rather have RWD, but I'd get over it.

The only thing holding me back...the Neon isn't just ugly...it's coyote ugly.

Edit: It doesn't have a LSD, but I'm sure that's easily remedied.

[Former_240_s14]

I would never ever buy a freakin neon, I don't care if it had 1000hp!!!!!!! My fiance has one, and its a P.O.S!!!! Now that the srt has forced induction, it only means one thing to me..........its gonna break down even quicker now........lets put it this way....

I see it breaking down quicker than it can reach 0-60mph!! lol

[Dano]

I would never ever buy a freakin neon, I don't care if it had 1000hp!!!!!!! My fiance has one, and its a P.O.S!!!! Now that the srt has forced induction, it only means one thing to me..........its gonna break down even quicker now........lets put it this way....

I see it breaking down quicker than it can reach 0-60mph!! lol

:Werd i agree.

-Dan

[SmithSR]

Yes, there have been many rumblings about poor build quality(what's new?) and faulty everything. IMO, they pushed this car on the market too fast in a race to catch the compact tuner market trend. They just forgot to build a sturdy unit, instead chosing to get the car to the public first, and then worry about build quality issues. Backwards thinking.

-Phil

[Former_240_s14]

Yes, there have been many rumblings about poor build quality(what's new?) and faulty everything. IMO, they pushed this car on the market too fast in a race to catch the compact tuner market trend. They just forgot to build a sturdy unit, instead chosing to get the car to the public first, and then worry about build quality issues. Backwards thinking.

-Phil

Just a lil' thought, isn't this what doge does constantly?!!?? At least in the poor build quality and faulty everything!

I haven't seen a well built doge in the longest time!

[SmithSR]

I'll agree with you on that. The build quality IMO is lacking. I have not gotten behind the wheel of this new neon, so I shouldn't be hating on it, but overall, I think recent Dodge build quality is poor. I'll be very happy when the German "styled" Dodges start popping up in greater numbers. *Maybe* this will signal a change in quality/public perception??

-Phil

[Former_240_s14]

From my understanding, and a recent thread link to the SRT forums, there is no change in Dodge according to the owners of this SRT Neon, lots of problem if I do remember correctly.

This Neon just reminds me of the DSM era................they can create lots of power, but no reliability..........

not to mention isn't the Neon running at some high a$$ boost for a stock setup? I could be wrong but isn't in the range of 12-15psi????

[90Q45blue]

Here's the deal...AZ how many miles does Quella have now? Let's see the Neon go that fast with your kind of miles.

Nick

[SmithSR]

Good point, Nick. Longevity is another issue Dodge needs to work on. HOLY CRAPPERS! 249K on your Q?? Impressive, most impressive.

[90Q45blue]

Thank you. Should hit 250k next week sometime. Dennis (Q45Tech) hit the mark earlier in the month.

Nick

[Repo Man]

I haven't seen a well built doge in the longest time!

This is the perfect example of an oxymoron.

AZ, I'd like to see a rematch, but from 60-120. Think the results would be any different?

[MainEvent212]

lmao, wait repo man...r u actually a...well repo man? i just went to that website

[Repo Man]

Yes, that's the company I work for. It's not just a tricky s/n. I'm the Director of Sales there as well as a finance adjuster. I do a little bit of everything. I also help people get back on their feet again. Hehe...

[Sopdadope]

From 60-120, even if that SRT-4 was lightly modded, I'd expect the Q to walk it.

Q's aren't strong from a dead dig but 60+mph I've walked a few turbo cars I'd consider stiffer competition than the Neon: stock 300ZXTT and a coworker's 13sec DSM. Heck, if that were me lined up against that Neon, he'd be the one glancing at my taillights because 1) my Q's faster than AZhitman's, 2) my reaction time's quicker than AZhitman's and 3) I don't have the added burden of hauling around the corpses of NICO bashers.

[Repo Man]

LOL@ Sope...

[nismokid]

i checked out the neon and they actually have a pretty good warranty that covers everything, i think it was 7yrs/70k miles and they have factory upgrades that are covered under warranty. someone told me they have a stage 3 package that puts 340hp to the ground, not sure if its true though i still wouldn't get one no matter how fast it is cuz in the end even if you run 11's you still have a neon

[big jon's 240]

Yup, they may be fast, but like everyone said.....its still an ugly *** Neon.Ive seen a Pinto that will run 9's, that doesnt mean im gonna go buy one.

[UncleBen]

:Werd at bigjon

[AZhitman]

Good points all.

I'd OWN his arse from 60 on up, and when he hit the speed limiter at a buck-thirty or so, I'd still be pulling to 160.

Nick, I just turned 96K in Quella.

Man, if I'd get a damn raise (screw state government) sometime soon, i might pick up a year-old SRT as a daily beater and save ol' girl some mileage...

[BadMojo]

Man, if I'd get a damn raise (screw state government) sometime soon, i might pick up a year-old SRT as a daily beater and save ol' girl some mileage...

For just a bit more than an SRT-4 you can get the sweet, sweet WRX. You get AWD and a car that looks 150% more badass than the Neon. Subaru's rally heritage is something that means a lot to me.

I kind of doubt we'll see the WRC Neon any time soon. Hmmm...maybe it would give Hyundai someone to beat up on.

[SmithSR]

I'll agree that a second-hand SRT-4 would be interesting, after depreciation sets in. It's still wrong wheel drive, and has great emphasis on big power but no focus on putting the power to the ground. Depreciation is gonna absolutely kill this car. After people get the run-around from the dealer and become weary of begging/crying/praying for warranty work, they'll be dumping the car for cheap.

[AZhitman]

Yep - exactly. Then I'll buy a ragged one, put an aftermarket warranty on it, maybe a few mods, and beat the living piss out of it.

[BadMojo]

Yep - exactly. Then I'll buy a ragged one, put an aftermarket warranty on it, maybe a few mods, and beat the living piss out of it.

I'm sure there will be some ragged ones very, very soon. I shudder to think what kids are doing to these cars. I'll be curious to see what happens to the cost to insure these cars is for the next model year SRT-4. I think insurance companies are going to notice that quite a few of these cars end up wrapped around trees, poles, etc.

[skydragoness]

SRT-4 eh? my neighbor works/ or owns (?) Forward Motion of DE, a Dodge performance shop. he has an srt-4 sitting in his driveway probably awaiting some treatment to promote the shop. the car is quite ugly IMO, at least the front fascia is. i'm so sick of the whole t-bar theme in dodge's vehicles. it only looks as if you could insert some glass, hang a set of curtains, y'know...and Dodge may have a 7yr powertrain warranty for its vehicles, but i doubt they'll be honoring much of the srt-4's that will be limping back into the dealership.

i think the Q can do better than that. REMATCH!

[big jon's 240]

7 year warranty? Reminds me of that line from "Tommy Boy"

"All they sold you was a garaunteed piece of ****!" (or something like that)

[BadMojo]

I can't believe Dodge hasn't redesigned the style of the Neon. Just imagine if the SRT-4 had the look of the Hyundai Tiburon. That would be playing right to the market I'm sure Dodge has in mind for this car.

Reliable or not, something like the body of a Tiburon wrapped around the SRT-4 engine would SELL. Or...if only the Tib didn't have such a turd of an engine.

[skydragoness]

both are mitsu-derived aren't they?

[Cold_Zero]

For just a bit more than an SRT-4 you can get the sweet, sweet WRX. You get AWD and a car that looks 150% more badass than the Neon. Subaru's rally heritage is something that means a lot to me.

I kind of doubt we'll see the WRC Neon any time soon. Hmmm...maybe it would give Hyundai someone to beat up on.

BadMojo-I could not have said it better myself. About your previous comment about the SRT-4 missing a LSD. For a performance car you shouldn't have to pay extra money for something that should come with the car. Plus the SRT-4 comes with zero camber setting straight from the factory. Which will help you in a straight line, but not around corners. Repoman has said it before, this car is pretty maxed out. There is not a lot you can do to get power gains without messing with the engine internals. I also find it hard to believe that Dodge has a stage 3 performance package that delievers 340whp and the car stays under warranty.

I think I can imagine the race that Hitman had. I raced a BMW 540iL tonight. I launched on him and had him until we hit 80mph. Then he started to gain and at 100mph he passed me. I wish I had rev'ed higher on my launch. May have had a different outcome. I tip my hat to the 540iL. He made up a lot of ground to pass me.

[Cold_Zero]

both are mitsu-derived aren't they?

A guy in our Impreza club, from Japan, made a comment that Mitsubishi has worked with the Korean car company to make their cars. Lending technology and equipment.