Should I? (For l3it3r and anyone else who has an SRT-4)

[james]

I am thinking about asking my dad for a SRT-4 for my new car. But is that a good move? Is it a good car? How about the gas? What kind of gas mileage do you get? What are the pros and cons about it?

One thing I noticed while looking at them was the stick, the stick was HUGE and it was ugly. Anyway to shorten it up and make it look better? (Do they have add ons for it out?)

[The Godfather]

i'd personally would buy a slightly used wrx instead of a new srt-4. I just can't get over the FWD.

[ProMSL]

i agree with doc. The gas milage on the srt-4 is very poor. Oh, and just so you know, if you do get a srt, make sure you keep the warrenty, as many things tend to break. The had to replace l3it3r's motor, and they didn't even understand what made it go bad.

[Boxer4PSI]

i'd personally would buy a slightly used wrx instead of a new srt-4.
That statement just gave you a few points in my book Doc.

I know two ppl who have had engine problems with the SRT-4. One was l3it3r. The other one was a co-worker of mine who bought an SRT-4 brand new. It could have been the way the co-worker was driving it though. He stupidly believed the salesperson when they said the car was broken in when he bought it....so w/ under 1000 miles on the engine he took on the world. I mean this guy raced every single modded car under the sun that he came across in the Baltimore/Washington region. 1000 miles roll around, and the engine is having problems. The Dodge dealership couldn't figure out what it was, so my co-worker said screw this and returned the car and got a refund. I have to say though in my co-workers case it was most likely the way he was driving it.

As for L3it3r, that was weird. I was there when that engine started knocking. All L3it3r did was accelerate up to 60mph and do a wide circle. That made no sense.

[ProMSL]

lol..not really a wide circle...but still it was weird

[l3it3r]

lol, the SRT-4 has A LOT of mods, and is VERY VERY easy to get over 400-450 HP out of it without even opening the engine.. you can get to 530HP with out worrying about the internals. Everything that has come out for the car through mopar is very performance oriented.. no stupid one-offs like.. ahem *NISMO*. It's all good stuff. Stage 1-3 Performance chips which up the HP from around 240 stock to 260/265 for stage 1/2 (stage two has better spark and ignition control, as well as Hi-octane mode, dial-a-boost, and intercooler sprayer), and 300HP for stage 3 (which isn't out just yet). I personally know many people with well over 300-350HP, and one person that has two srts, one running low 11s, on street tires, and the other running 9s on slicks. With around 450-500HP in each car. A 'bolt-on' kit to get to around 450 hp, which includes everything but exhaust and and the bigger intercooler (around $1000 total) is about $3600-4000 depending on the trim size of the turbo you get through PSI-FI motorsports. And then you go for suspension, $300 for the mopar stage 1 springs, and they sell tokico coilovers too.. all in all, troubles aside, I wouldn't get rid of her for the price

[The Godfather]

Should ask Petar and his ricer friends what they think.

[im4u2nv81]

my input being an 03 SRT4 owner since may 03.

Cant spend 20k in a better way. I have experience NO engine problems and have not heard of any locally. When speaking of engine problems you have to remember what kind of people can get their hands on this car for it's price. Show me an engine problem from someone who knows what they're doing. I have almost 300whp and 340tq on the stock turbo. I have not put wads and wads of cash into my car but rather focused on parts that make a difference. I can hang with new C5's and even beat a few, for way less. The whole FWD thing isn't so bad. I know the differences too as I've owned mustangs, a vw bug, a cadillac, 2 hondas, and have driven quite a few evo's, wrx's, and sti's. True, AWD and RWD can and will most of the time perform better but the opportunity to push your car hard enough to find the difference doesnt arrive often enough to matter (unless you drive like me, heh). I would strongly suggest the SRT-4 to anyone interested in a new car. If you have any questions you would like me to answer regarding the SRT-4, just post up.
As far as the stick being large and ugly....the shaft is kinda tall but the throw really isn't too bad. The ball (replace the damn knob first thing) sits in a very comfortable place and the shift action is tight and precise, if not a bit notchy.
As far as gas mileage is concerned...I have no problems getting 20-23 mpg regularly even with all the mods I have, and I do have quite a few. This is a combo city/hwy mileage average as I live in a rural area where I travel interstate 20 miles to get into a more entertaining part of town. I have experienced 26+mpg on interstate trips. Of course, if you drive like I do sometimes, you may get lower numbers as well.

I would not trade my srt for a wrx since that was mentioned. I have driven a few WRX's in a different states of tune from stock to an upgraded turbo, tuned car. It will take a lot more money to get a wrx to perform with an SRT with a few upgrades. Now, I live in Florida and I can't say I would have the same attitude if I lived up north. But, snow and ice are not concerns of mine. Hell, I probably couldn't even drive in the snow, haha.

But, you asked for peoples opinions and this is mine. Feel free to ask questions and comment.

[Timmah!]

Yeah, but he's asking if it's good for a first car. While it's prolly a manageable car if you're not a dumb new driver, if you're a new driver and all you do is speed around, it might not be a good choice. I don't even have a license yet, and I'm not sure I'm getting an SRT-4. Maybe a used WRX as mentioned, or an Audi S4. Something that's refined and definetely more reliable. Not everyone gets those kinds of engine problems in their SRTs, but people my age don't need that kind of stuff to happen, considering how our insurance rates are normally through the roof. Especially with a car like the SRT-4. If you really want one, go 4 it.

[petar7408]

or an Audi S4. Something that's refined and definetely more reliable. Not everyone gets those kinds of engine problems in their SRTs, .


ha! an s4 more reliable then the srt4? no way.. many horror stories about the s4 i have heard.. the srt4 is just rumors people start to talk shit about the car, which are not true..



i would get it, just get a mopar short shifter (mopar makes everything for the car :D ) and keep it all dodge/mopar stuff...


the car has only a couple of stupid things: 1. FWD (if you can get over that, the car is really good) personally, i hate FWD and this will be my last fwd... however, the car is so much fun to drive, i am not resentful at all that i got it


id go for it... pimp the bitches w/ it

[jakencub]

got an 04' blue srt here. and get aboug 23mpg avg even while burning up 1/4 tank racing it around.

On long trips have gotten 30mpg. The only major problem we had with the car was the stock spark plugs. One of them fell apart and trashed the engine (the electrode fell out of it with no dmg to the plug). We droped the car off on a saturday, they looked at it tuesday by the next tuesday the new engine was in the car and running.

For the price(the prices even droping more now) it's a great fun lil' car and more and more people are finding inexpensive or free ways to up the pwr. As a very first car it might be a bit much, but if you really think you can resist doing somethign stupid and driving beyound your abilities it could be a great first car cause you will learn quickly a bunch of things.

And heck fwd and lot's of pwr always makes it more intresging.

First things I would say do is, sway bar upgrade, lowering springs if you can't afford coilovers, new plugs, STS, and exhaust.

[AnGeLeIgH]

new plugs


:rofl: Damn, I'd sure say so!!

[Rey The Great]

how about just getting an used m3? or how about a gsr?

[l3it3r]

get a used M3!!! that's what I'm getting next :D

[Me007gold]

how about just getting an used m3? or how about a gsr?

while they are great(i love mine) its a honda, and its very hard to be different with a honda, cuz every one has one, plus its hard to trust a car like that, alot of people with those cars beat the hell out of em. personally ide get an ls and turbo that

[Black Betty]

SRT-4 is a great car. For a 1st car though? EEK! It may be too much and too tempting to test it's limits. They can be made very fast for not alot of money. Tein makes coilovers for it, DC Sports makes an exhaust/strut bars for it, Everyone makes an intake for it! Alot of people who would NEVER even THINK of making a part for a Neon are making them for SRT-4s. There is TONS of CF stuff available for them. Their used parts go for very high prices as in Neon terms they go. Great car for the $$. A used WRX around here goes for only a few thousand less than new. SRT-4s are fast, fun, reliable...they have thier quirks like most any car does and everyone makes them out to be the worst because they are made in Illinois and not Japan. Personally, I would get one if you can handle the power and be responisble about it. Read up about them.

Try www.SRTforums.com, www.neons.org/forums, www.2gn.org and look for some great parts at www.howellautomotive.com and www.modernperformance.com (very Neon freindly places)

[supachin]

dude... i got one. i bought it in may and i love my joint! nothing broke and there's a big srt-4 family go check them out SRT FORUMS (http://www.srtforums.com/forums/index.php?). you'll get so much horse for the buck! you can buy a wrx but you got to spend serious dough to get the hp up. the srt... doesn't take much money!

[custom300m]

this really has nothin to do with buying an srt-4 but this is a notice to all MARYLAND MEMBERS WITH A DODGE OR CHRYSLER there is a all MOPAR show this weekend at MIR and im trying to get alot of modern cars to come and also try to go down in one big group so if you want to come let me know at my AIM:tbone8738 or e-mail:custom300m@yahoo.com and if you go anyway look for a black chrysler 300M with bags and thats me im new to this site and would like to meet as many new members as possible

[Ryan]

http://img121.exs.cx/img121/4927/1014571neon.jpg

[sleestack]

if your a new driver: no, get some more experience first before you buy a fast car.

[sleestack]

http://img121.exs.cx/img121/4927/1014571neon.jpg
Its looking at me ahhhh!

[Tonk]

http://img121.exs.cx/img121/4927/1014571neon.jpg

It looks like that stupid matchbox car, the white and blue drag racer. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[l3it3r]

It looks like that stupid matchbox car, the white and blue drag racer. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
yeah, I have one of those.

[Kaiyin]

I'd look at some more options first. Either a WRX or maybe a VW...:D Otherwise, you could get something older like a 240 w/sr20 or a swapped Honda. I'm looking at a 3/S right now that I might buy. The SRT-4 is a good car for stock power and speed. But when it comes down to it, it is a Neon. :D

[custom300m]

yea thats true but its been said "its just a neon till it kicks your ass then its an srt-4"

[custom300m]

that not directed at anyone just was i read on srt-forums

[l3it3r]

I'd look at some more options first. Either a WRX or maybe a VW...:D Otherwise, you could get something older like a 240 w/sr20 or a swapped Honda. I'm looking at a 3/S right now that I might buy. The SRT-4 is a good car for stock power and speed. But when it comes down to it, it is a Neon. :D
and? it's a neon. Neon is SCCA 2 wheel rally CHAMP. SRT-4 is SCCA wheel RALLY CHAMP.. yep.. sure is a neon.

[ProMSL]

its still a jelly bean :)