Dodge Neon Srt-4?

[stalker2150]

Hi!

I bought a '00 Dodge Neon ES when it came out as my first car(132HP, nice for $17k, good bassy sound), and since then I've been looking into the '03 SRT-4. Does anyone here own/know someone who owns an SRT-4? I have only seen one here where I live in Arlington, Texas. Was wondering if it really is a killer setup for under 20k, ya know, a Honda :evil: killer (for some reason I hate the tuner 90's Civics.....) and all..... or is it just a cheap beater? Is the turbo 215HP engine really packin'?

I'll be keeping the Dodge Neon SRT-4 in mind when I look to buy my next car (another year or so), so I'll be interested in some critiques of this car.

[racer1044]

I love the car. My neighbor has one. I got a ride in it. It has power to spare. It sounds nice and the interior is great. Ive heard about problems with the tranny but only on some models.

[trxrustler11121]

Ohh it's a DREAM! It smoked my Miata with a turbo and ceramic headers. It was stock. You know that sound from a nice Greddy exhaust? That low hum. Yea the motor makes that sound, sounds awesome! It's really fast, I would recommend it!

[ND4SPDR]

I actually spent a good long time really wanting that car, but I've heard of a few tranny problems and some head warping.

[TheJANG]

Wow and 25/32mpg city/highway too, not bad...

[mike5721947]

i can ask my dad the next time i see him, he works at a dodge dealership that has a few srt 4 neons

i can also find out about prices of parts and recalls if you want (he works in the parts department)

[OvalEvader]

I don't wanna diss the car at all, I actually like them and was considering getting one for awhile. But, what I don't get is, when the neons came out and people started driving them for awhile the neon was kinda considered a nerdy car to drive (like a geo metro or something). Then the SRT-4 comes out and it all of the sudden becomes a tough guy car and everyone wants one. I just don't get it.

[stalker2150]

Wow, thanks for the replies!

Nerdy car!? Hahah :lol: Yeah I guess I fall into the nerdy/geeky category. But the car's nice. BTW mine is a/t so going down hill I pop into 2 and ride it out, rather than wearing away my brand new brakes.. (stupid brakes and bent right axle cost $500 to fix :( ) Is that good or bad for tranny? Also, sometimes for "fun" I start out in 1st, get to 20mph, shift it to 2nd, and then D as I pick accelerate. Is that bad too? Heheh since it's not a m/t I do that to "practice" or just for fun when there's some "tough guy" at a red light next to me. :p My 132 ponies will show him! :rollin:

I guess it is an economy car so maybe that's way people think its nerdy?

So the manual tranny on the SRT-4 has got problems eh? Yeah seeing that it is a Dodge, it's not surprising that it's not perfect and got some issues to be dealt with.

Yeah, recalls and such info would be a great help if you can let us know. I had 2 recalls with my '00 Neon ES so far, one having to do with the brake booster (!!) and another one I forget.

[OvalEvader]

stalker2150 said:
Wow, thanks for the replies!

Nerdy car!? Hahah :lol: Yeah I guess I fall into the nerdy/geeky category. But the car's nice. BTW mine is a/t so going down hill I pop into 2 and ride it out, rather than wearing away my brand new brakes.. (stupid brakes and bent right axle cost $500 to fix :( ) Is that good or bad for tranny? Also, sometimes for "fun" I start out in 1st, get to 20mph, shift it to 2nd, and then D as I pick accelerate. Is that bad too? Heheh since it's not a m/t I do that to "practice" or just for fun when there's some "tough guy" at a red light next to me. :p My 132 ponies will show him! :rollin:

I guess it is an economy car so maybe that's way people think its nerdy?

So the manual tranny on the SRT-4 has got problems eh? Yeah seeing that it is a Dodge, it's not surprising that it's not perfect and got some issues to be dealt with.

Yeah, recalls and such info would be a great help if you can let us know. I had 2 recalls with my '00 Neon ES so far, one having to do with the brake booster (!!) and another one I forget. I live in nor cal, expectations of cars are a little high. Anyway, the srt-4 powertrain is the same as the 2g eclipses, and those had sever drift shaft play problems (to the point of rattling bolts out). My friend has one (a talon), and he just blew a almost brand new 98 eclipse motor and fried his 16g turbos:( . If you do get a SRT-4, your first upgrade should be to get the turbos ported and clipped, I hear they are so restrictive on low end, and can cause severe turbo lag. I drove my friends talon almost stock (with the same motor as the srt4) with a ported and clipped 16g turbo and flowmasters, and that thing hauled! I got scared after shifting into 4th and backed down. Have fun if you do get one!

[GirlsRC2]

OvalEvader said:
I don't wanna diss the car at all, I actually like them and was considering getting one for awhile. But, what I don't get is, when the neons came out and people started driving them for awhile the neon was kinda considered a nerdy car to drive (like a geo metro or something). Then the SRT-4 comes out and it all of the sudden becomes a tough guy car and everyone wants one. I just don't get it.

I know where your coming from with this comment. I was thinking the same thing when I kept hearing about the new Neon and how cool it was all of a sudden, I kinda thought...huh?? But, we saw one at the track and they cruise. Now, all the boys are trying to talk me into tradin' the KIA in for one....but I can't part with my KIA Power.

So, I don't know anyone that has one, nor have I heard of any issues with them, but I do know that they will rip down the 1/4 mile faster than you would expect.

[stalker2150]

Just saw my 2nd SRT-4. Black. Man it was too cool. Too bad the guy was stopped at a left turn signal, so I couldn't see it "go."

[jmirsberger]

my grandma owns one its a great car

[stalker2150]

Your Grandma owns an SRT-4?!?!?!? WATCH OUT!!!!! :eek: