SRT Forum Strikes again

[BadMojo]

What I dont understand is how a Boosted Neon gets compared to 350z?

I guess Im from the old school.

Yes, the neon does offer a good amount of power for the price. But its a one trick pony. HP for the straight line.

They are two different segments. Comparing the SRT-4 to the Sentra Spec-V would be a bit more appropriate, IMO. Still, the SRT-4 puts down respectable numbers in the slalom and on the skid pad, so it's really more than a "one trick pony".

The availability of cool Mopar stuff (coilovers by KW and exhaust by Borla) along with the staged upgrades to make even MORE power are nice.

Anyway, I kind of doubt that the typical Z buyer is also looking at cars like the Spec-V, SVT Focus or SRT-4.

Personally, If I were in a position to buy a new Z I'd also be looking at the EVO VIII and the Subie STI.

[nismodave]

Evo or scooby.......yuk.

Give me a True sports car like the Z over one of those 4 door boxes anyday.

[BadMojo]

I guess the Evo and STI appeal to me since I'm a rally fan. I do like the 350Z though. I'd love to see it a bit lighter, smaller and ditch the VLSD.

Personally, I'm hoping the Sentra gets a make-over to compete with the SRT-4, Cobalt SS, the Saturn Ion Redline, etc.

Still, don't get me wrong...I'd definitely be one happy man if I owned a 350Z.

[cory2081]

You guys forgot the RX-8, which has less power but IMO looks better. I'd still rather have an '05 GT though.

[S14Aspec]

between the 350Z and the SRT. If I had 30 grands to spend, i buy a use NSX, might be over 10 years old, but its still a NSX. If i were to buy the SRT, I buy a 240sx. It might not be as fast stock, but it looks so much better and its also potential.

[Naro182]

ok but lets think about if you ever had to sell your car?

im sure the resale value on the z is going to be much better than on the srt-4...

id prefer the z over the srt-4 anyday, the z is a different class. with the srt-4 your gonna get punk kids wanting to race you all the time. maybe im just partial to the z...

[KDashy]

A good reason there are junked SRT-4's and RSX's everywhere.

[cory2081]

street racing is gooooooooood. I had some older guy in a Z race me when I had my GN, he got his feelings hurt by a family sedan.....a 450+hp family sedan.....and I gave him 2 cars....he wasnt happy....lol. So, punk kids aren't always the ones that want to race. Evidently the guy knew what my car was, and thought his $30,000 Z could be it. He was wrong. I agree about the resale value though, I'm sure the SRT-4s resale wont be too good in a few years. They'll be everywhere though with tons of kids driving them.

[nismodave]

street racing is gooooooooood.

:withstup

[k6kicker]

Understeer yes (with some throttle lift induced oversteer) but torque steer no. Despite the insane amount of power that little car puts to the front wheels, there's very little torque steer. You obviously have not driven or even been inside an SRT-4.

Anyway, I could easily find an SRT-4 for MSRP or less. It would probably be more difficult to find a base 350Z than it would be an SRT-4 for MSRP in my area. I've seen tons of Track and Enthusiast models, but no base model Z's.

Anyway, the SRT-4 offers a ton of power, a Quaife LSD (as opposed to the Z's viscous unit) and a pretty nice interior, IMO. Sure, it's not a VW or BMW level of interior fit and finish but it's pretty cool looking and feels solid.

BTW, anyone who thinks the lack of power rear windows is an issue completely misses the point of this car. I'd imagine these same people probably don't "get" the Lancer EVO RS. What do you mean no radio or AC for $27,000 ?

Well you know you are right, but I'm nt in the market for one and most reviews i read of the car moaned about it (torque steer) and by saying z car you simply equated 350z, which is not the case for me

[k6kicker]

saying if i were to spend xxx amount of money on a car i could just get a used and dump money it is such a pointless argument...Sure if i had the money to buy a viper i could have a rb26 powered 240 that ran 9's or a dastun 510 with a 20b or something neat like that, but project car vs. new car is just silly

[Twiztid_S13]

neons are ugly period ... i used to think the z wasnt that great but i got a Best Motoring Video and since then i give the car alot more credit then i did then ... tho i still would take a G35 coupe anyday .... i love G35 ... :O

[skatanic28]

the g35 coupe owns my soul. if everything goes as planned im gonna pick one up as a grad present to myself. then make my s14 insane.

[Repo Man]

Take away the turbo and the Quaife on the SRT-4 and what you have left is a shiitbox with a wing. The chassis is flexi-flyer and in need of serious bracing and camber-adjustability (of which there is none, stock).

Even if the Z only made 190hp, it would still have a great chassis, killer brakes and much higher build quality which would translate into being a car that would still be worth having in ten years, hold some value and develop a cult-like following. Hmmmm, why does THAT sound familiar? Oh yeah, and it's RWD which everyone knows is the platform of which the best-handling cars in the world are based.

The SRT-4 is bound to bruise some egos in the stoplight grand prix and at the strip. However, I pity the ****y SRT owner that goes to the road course and talks smack to Bubba1 in his Z.

Spanky time. :ylsuper

[Cyberkreig]

Skipped the second page, i got bored. You all missed an important point about SRT4, EVO and WRX. sports cars have 2 doors.

[BadMojo]

Skipped the second page, i got bored. You all missed an important point about SRT4, EVO and WRX. sports cars have 2 doors.

And only two seats. If we start debating what the exact definition of "sports car" is, this thread will last until the end of time.

Are all of the 2+2 Ferraris sports cars?

I'm not saying that the Neon chassis is up to par with the 350Z, and I'd definitely take RWD over FWD any day of the week (that's why I bought the 240SX).

Still, the SRT-4 puts down 1/4 mile, skidpad, slalom and braking #'s that are nearly as good as the Z. The Neons have always performed well in the SCCA (Neon ACR) and the lack of negative camber can easily be addressed, as can the chassis flex.

As far as cult status goes, the Omni GLH would qualify, IMO.

Hmmmm...I've almost completely forgotten what this thread was about at the start.

Edit: I've looked long and hard at the SRT-4. It's on my short list of new cars I'd be buying this coming year. Of course I'd be keeping the S13 and turning it in to a full-blown project car. The only thing I'd sell my 240SX for is a nice, clean mid-1980's Porsche 944.

[14.5drift]

The new evo is the ****!!

Can't imagine paying the same amount for a 350z when I could have an evo. :shakeshead:

Same goes for the srt, I would sooner fork over the extra 2k for a wrx. Leagues better car in my opinion.

[MainEvent212]

jesus, these guys are ridiculous...my dad got a fully stocked G35c w/ sport package for 32 tax, titled and tagged

and for those SRT-4 guys...i guess they've never seen a G35c w/ a greddy twin turbo kit on it...

also, do they know the Z/G can hit a full 1.0 Gs on the skidpad w/ just swaybars and new wheels/tires? it's been done in sport compact car

[Spongebob]

240's look way better than any Neons. any car is fast with a turbo.

[Nismo_Freak]

The Z has more heritage than anything Dodge sells.

To true automotive enthusiasts that sometimes means more than the performance of the vehicle. Honestly, from the SRT-4 owners I've met I wouldn't even expect one to understand that.

[Nismo_Freak]

I would rather drive a Z31 Turbo than a SRT-4.

[cdiesel12]

Like I said, I know the SRT-4 is "just a NEON" it will ALWAYS be a NEON. BUT, I've read about these cars putting down some great HP numbers with few mods. I've seen a Stage 1 beat a Z28 on the highway pretty bad. I'm sorry, but, you gotta think of how people will fell when they get whipped by "just a NEON"....LOL. I'll say again, the Z is not for me. It looks like a turtle.

srt 4 is not a neon just shares the same shell

[Cyberkreig]

Oh right.

SRT

Neon

How could anyone confuse those two?? Totaly not the same.

Wait! here is a good one. Srt or not, this is where they belong.

[KDashy]

Haha, thats where a lot of them are. no need to wish for it.

[Projex240]

srt4's are fast in the straight lines and for fun factor they can be had for FAR less than a Z. However, I dont know too many people who are really into cars for themselves(vs. impressing others) who would rather buy a srt-4 over a 350z. Im sorry--but nismo freak hit it right on the head. A Z-car has much more to offer than straight line performance. I dont care what anyone says. The Z car is built with more quality, more engineering, and more performance minded capability in it than any neon ever produced--or will ever BE produced. If you want a straight line drag car--then why would you choose a damn 350 OR an SRT-4---go with another cheaper car like a 5.0 rustang. Dont buy a car for a straight line--its such a waste of money and engineering. Plus--how cool do you look going in a straight line? its over in about 10-14 secs.Hit the twisties, run for about an hour, and seee how that feild looks---that z would be so far ahead of a neon--itd look like the neon hit reverse.

LOL--just my 2 cents.

[14.5drift]

good post :

[StrangeLove]

or



my point exactly

[BadMojo]

srt4's are fast in the straight lines and for fun factor they can be had for FAR less than a Z.

What makes you think the SRT-4 doesn't have decent handling for a FWD car? Almost every test I've seen has put the SRT-4 ahead of or comparable to the Spec V, the RSX Type-S, and basically any other front driver (besides the old Mazdaspeed Protege) in slalom and skid-pad.

I've been in an SRT-4 on some fairly twisty roads, and it seemed to handle itself well. If someone has something concrete showing that the handling on the SRT-4 isn't up to par with other FWD vehicles on the market, please show me.

Seriously, I don't get all the hate on the Neon. Was it that stupid ad campaign at launch?

I'm not saying that the SRT-4 is a better car than the 350Z. The Z costs a significant amount more if you want anything other than the base model (and you know you do). I mean, come on, we're talking about a $21,000 car vs. a $29,000-$30,000 car here. You could probably buy two Chevy Aveos for that much money.

The SRT-4 certainly has its faults. The Neon chassis isn't the most rigid in the world, it's FWD and Daimler Chrysler has had some sketchy build quality in the past...it's a bit homely (but so are the WRX and the EVO, IMO). But, having seen several, ridden in one, and read a great deal about the car, it's a hell of a lot of car for the money.

Sure you can pay a few thousand more dollars for the 350Z, but that's like saying to someone "Why did you get the WRX when you could have had an STI for a few thousand more?" A few thousand more is alot of money to some, especially when you're paying interest on it.

Again, I reference the amount of Neons racing in the SCCA (see ACR) and I *do* think there's some heritage with this vehicle. I'd call Mopar's history with turbo cars heritage (maybe not as much as the Z, but IMO the 350Z is ridiculously far off the mark of the spirit of the 240Z...different discussion).

Anyway, I just don't get the violent reaction to the Neon.

[StrangeLove]

well, In my opinion dodge just slapped a turbo on a neon and called it a whole new car... oh the fact that it looks like crap and its front wheel drive

what is there not to hate?

Oh wait it can seat a family of 4... a must have feature!

[BadMojo]

well, In my opinion dodge just slapped a turbo on a neon and called it a whole new car... oh the fact that it looks like crap and its front wheel drive

what is there not to hate?

Oh wait it can seat a family of 4... a must have feature!

Let's see...different engine (a pretty damn built one, at that), different transmission, different wheels with sticky tires, different suspension, Quaife limited slip, different interior. Dodge used the smallest, lightest platform they could find to put a whole hell of a lot of power to the ground. It makes sense to me.

Do you think Mitsubishi did the same thing with the Evo? Did Subaru do it with the Impreza? Both of those vehicles in base model form are the economy cars for Subie and Mitsu.

BTW, this is nothing new...ever heard of the GTO? No, not the one that looks like a Grand Prix...the one that looks like a Pontiac Tempest.

Now, the front wheel drive issue and the aesthetics are valid issues. Those make sense. Like I said, I think the Evo and the WRX/STI are both ugly cars, but looks aren't really the most important thing for me when buying a car.

The "it's just a neon" thing isn't a valid criticism, IMO.

Edit: Don't get me wrong, I think the 350Z is a great car, and I love the Z cars in general. A mint 240Z is one of my dream cars...with some of those glass headlight covers and the side mirrors mounted way down on the fender. The old school bumpers without the ugly black plastic on it...good stuff.