Dodge SRT-4 (rental, fuel, brakes, best)

[Deez Nuttz]

While I'm not a huge FWD sport compact kind of guy, I must admit there's something about these little pocket rockets that has my attention. I honestly don't think I'd mind having one, even if is just a Neon.





Anyone here ever owned/driven an SRT-4? How well do they handle? How well do they accelerate?

They look like they'd make a fun little commuter car!

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

I test drove one when it was new and know a few people who've owned one. It was pretty fast (its hp was underrated), handing was mediocre, and the interior was really awful (complete with roll up rear windows). Overall a good bit of fun (especially with a few mods) but I don't think I could ever own one. It's pretty darn ugly too. It somehow beats the STi and EVO in looking like a boy racer.

[mgt04]

Originally Posted by iTsLiKeAnEgG

I test drove one when it was new and know a few people who've owned one. It was pretty fast (its hp was underrated), handing was mediocre, and the interior was really awful (complete with roll up rear windows). Overall a good bit of fun (especially with a few mods) but I don't think I could ever own one. It's pretty darn ugly too. It somehow beats the STi and EVO in looking like a boy racer.

I hated hearing the exhaust notes on these things especially when they were modded...people trying to get a muscle sound out of 4 cylinder engines turbocharged or not never sounds good

And any spoiler that is as high as the midpoint of your rear winshield is just plain retarded.

[Silversides]

My son has one. I've not driven it, but been out with him many times. I drive an NA Mustang Cobra, and I think his car would equal or perhaps even beat mine in a straight line run.

The interior is spartan, but the seats offer excellent support. His suspension is slightly modified, and the ride would be harsh for going on a date, or driving in the city.

All in all a lot of fun for not very much money.

( he's removed the wing...lol)

[Sayantsi]

Its basically a FWD hot rod. Great straight line speed, but poor handling. Maybe with a lot of money put into the suspension you can get it to behave better. Overall not a bad car but the rear seats are horrible, and the interior is generally economy car quality.

[POS VETT]

I'm not into Chrysler products (except for Vipers) so I'd lean toward '08+ Chevy Cobalt SS. Compared to the Neon SRT-4 engine, the Cobalt SS LNF engine is slightly more "sophisticated" with variable valve timing and direct injection. It also comes with Recaro seats and Brembo front brakes. I don't have first-hand driving experience on both, but I like the Cobalt interior better. No idea about handling difference.

[hoffdano]

Jeez that wing is awful. No way I would drive one. My first choice in the pocket rocket category is a Mazdaspeed3. Much more refined.

[frankgn87]

cool little cars. But don't call em a Neon.. The SRT owners hate that lol

[Drover]

Acceleration: they're gutsy little cars. As you'd expect, not great off-the-line diggers -- 0-60 in the upper 5's -- but they turn in 1/4mi runs in the upper 13s to 14-flat at 100+ mph.

I wouldn't say they handle poorly as Sayantsi claims. but they handle pretty much exactly as you'd expect of a tuned FWD econobox: it takes corners fairly well (with predictable understeer at the limits), but at the expense of ride comfort/compliance. For best results, the optional LSD is a must. I can't remember if they came with the manually adjustable shocks like the ACR or not, but with stiff springs the shock adjustments only do so much to aid in daily-driving ride comfort. Also, keep in mind that the SRT-4 has no muffler. Fun little track machine but daily-driving it could get old.

I agree with POS VETT, if I were in the market for something like an SRT-4, I'd look into a turbocharged Cobalt SS. It has more power (more stated power anyway -- the SRT-4 was probably underrated), better fuel economy, and notwithstanding the rental-car interior, is an all-around better package.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Jeez that wing is awful. No way I would drive one. My first choice in the pocket rocket category is a Mazdaspeed3. Much more refined.

You could always take the wing off.

I drove a MS3 recently. For all the power it has, it was a little disappointing. I also wouldn't call it "refined" -- the VW GTI clearly sets that benchmark in the hot-hatch market -- but I wasn't expecting it to be either. Yeah, it's a bit more refined than an SRT-4. But IMO it's a bit closer to the SRT-4 than to the GTI.