I thought they are only making a limited number for production if i read right.

 

Production of Dodge SRT-4 is at the Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant, which began building Neons in January of 1994. About 5,000 are scheduled to be built each year, starting in 2003 - though that number may be increased to 7,500 per year.
------this is what i read on it.......

 

so I dont think you are going to be seeing every kid with one of these cars at each lot.....but it does make for some impressive numbers..you cant beat the price for the amount of performance you are getting out of it. I'm not a fan of the neon myself, but you have to give credit where credit is due. I am sure the aftermarket will jump on this just like they have with the civics out there. As for upgrading the the existing power plant I think the neon would be rather spendy due to the way the turbo is set up on it. I believe it is attached the mani n a strange way as to where you have to replace the entire assembly at once but then again this is just from what I heard, not a fact.

 

Are those dyno #'s for real?

 

True, but looks wise the Mazdaspeed is killer.

 

SCC says those r real dyno #'s

 

It was a pre-production car IIRC.

 

I test drove an SRT-4 tonight. You guys really need to actually drive one before you make weird comments about it still being a neon. Afterall, the EVO is still a Lancer to most people. I was really impressed by the SRT-4. It looks a lot nicer than any neon i've never seen. It's really sporty looking and has a lot of power. Since it's a 2.4 liter, I noticed a lot less emphasis on the turbo when it drove. It had so little lag that I could barely detect there was even a turbo in there. The seats are recaro style rally seats like in the EVO and the shifter felt great. It was really comfortable. It has an auto meter boost gauge right on the dash. I was really impressed. It's a great deal at $20K..a great deal.

I dont know if I would buy one though because I already have a FWD turbo car.

 

Granted it was a pre-production car, it was exactly like the production car.

I still need to drive one. As is, im still for the MazdaSpeed. A friend of mine has a MP3 and its easily one of the funnest cars to toss around with out caring much about it. I can only imagine it with a turbo. To me the Neon is all ridiclous straight line.

 

God forbid a manufacturer would send a ringer out into the press fleet. That NEVER happens.

 

http://www.srtforums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=451

For the proof you need about SRT4 power output for those that think the mags had a ringer

Oh, and by the way...Hello all, new to the forum. Not trolling, just thought some would like to see the proof. 4G63 lover here anyways.

Wanted to get an EVO VIII, but the SATAN Mitsu dealers here in the US can KMA!!! 38K for a 29K car....ummm.... for the person that actually pays for that is just plain stupid.

And to those that want to make stupid arguments with NO proof or idea of what they are talking about, STFU. Things like "its still a peon", "it'll fall apart in 5 days", "interior in my car is better". Well, for 10k++++ more for the car, I sure the hell hope the car is better. Some can't afford 500-700 month payments. For the 10K difference in the SRT4 and EVO...I'm sure I could make the SRT4 MUCH nicer...you could even remold your own interior and cover it all in leather, reinforce the frame, quiet the interior noise, redo the dash and other crap. But that is all ifs, ands, buts. Just stupid to compare cars like that. You need to look at was you get for your $$$'s.

 

Well after waiting all that time with my dial up for the video to load I was a little disappointed. The Neon looked nicer though on the road that in pics I had seen.

WADAD

 

Not bad. Not bad at all. There was about a week when I liked the Neon styling, but not really since then. There have been a couple body kits that make it look killer, and it actually drives pretty well (and I'm not talking about the SRT). Since everybody has their opinion, here's mine.

1. The Neon, hell, the whole Dodge line-up has really improved since the merge of Daimler-Chrysler, looks, quality and performance wise.
2. On the street, the SRT will SCORCH most of you. You can whine all you want "Its still a neon", but you were OwN3d!
3. There is something oh-so-satisfying to me when you get something really great for less than someone else paid for it. All that performance for around 20G, that's a good deal.
4. Lastly, the Mazdaspeed is hot. That car is damn sexy, and performs well, but if I remember correctly, isn't it in the WRX price range?

Maybe we'll be lucky and will release a Lancer turbo in 2006. (Not likely though, because of competition with the Evo).

clink
clink

 

Very true about the Mazda..I like the looks better than the SRT4. Everything is a little nice...except one important detail for my opinion.

The Turbo motor in the Mazda is the STOCK 2.0 in the regular car. Nothing internal was built up, so turning up boost on those cars is iffy, along with a crappy located intercooler and T-too-small (T25) turbo. Mazda had a different thought than Dodge, mazda wanted a more luxury compact with just a little more pizaaz. Mazda spent the money on looks and interior, even quoted my mazda. Dodge went the enthusiasts route, kind of going back to grassroots. Budget car with BIG PAR. The money and developement went into the motor and refinement. The newer Neons are a FAR cry from the 95-96 models which were the worst. They are actually quite reliable, but the mazda does have the edge there.

The New SRT4 motor is a upgraded Status turbo motor from Mexico. The 2.4 now includes Forged pistons and Rods, oil squirters, better cooling passages, stronger crank, lowered compression (8.1-1) and other little changes from what I understand. So, the SRT4 has MUCH more potential as it sits. Only thing hurting the SRT4 is the economy suspention setup..no camber adjustments (but that can be fixed). If made adjustable, posibilities it will outhand the mazda as with the old ACR neons.

Just some of my opinions and some helpful info.

 

Not so ugly now is it?