Ask the Car People.SM


Dodge Neon SRT-4

528 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2012 at 5:50 PM

You are in the Dodge/Plymouth Neon Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Neon SRT-4, Exterior, Sedan

Messages Page 36 of 53

#349 of 528 Best Price ive seen, reliability by gvr4201

Mar 25, 2003 (2:00 am)

I almost bought an SRT4 this weekend. Two weeks ago, they were selling at Glendale Dodge in So. CA for retail plus $2000 dealer mark up. One week later same dealer advertised them in the LA Times for $2500 below retail, totaling $17,500 after the dealer discount, but only "1 available at this price." This last weekend they advertised it for the same $2500 below retail, but this time "not just 1, but ALL in stock" plus offered "0 down, 0% apr, 0 payment till 2004" without any exclusions in the fine print except for "A+ credit rating req'd". They also had extra manufacturer rebate along with 0% apr offer in the same ad, but had "excludes srt4" in the fine print, but the 0 down, 0%APR, 0 payment till 2004 offer is still real good. For anyone interested i can scan and send the ad, to help you guys who don't live in socal try to get the same deal.
With all this said, i was so close to picking one up this weekend, but they didn't have silver, only 2 reds, 2 yellows, 1-2 black. Financing was all set but i backed out last minute because #1: losing money on my trade in, #2 reliability.
ive never had good luck with US built cars. I used to own a 1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Turbo, which is a US built car identical to Eagle Talon and Plymouth laser. this car had sooooooo many problems, blown head gasket, burned valves at around 80k, leaks galore, all this and i bought the car new. i gladly sold the car, and bought a used limited edition 1991 Galant VR4, for those of you who don't know about this car (not surprising since they only imported 2000 of these babies from Japan in 1991), its a 4 door version of the Eclipse/Talon/Laser, with a few differences, the most important being the Galant VR4 was made entirely in Japan. Same engine, same electronics, pretty much same drivetrain, except built different places. Long story short, the Japanese built galant was WAY more reliable and built way better than my eclipse. Even fully modified with a bigger J-spec turbo, front mount intercooler, all on the untouched internally stock original factory engine, it still pulled 13.6 1/4 mile times on the original 160k miles and remained reliable enough to be driven from so cal to oregon when i sold it a year ago.
anyhow, that made the biggest difference in my decision not to buy the SRT4 despite such a great price and finance rate. With the non-turbo neons extremely poor reliability rating, i just didn't want to take a chance, plus with my career I don't have time to fix things and "DIY" modifications anymore. Hence, Ive decided to wait 1 month and purchase an EVO when the dealer mark ups are gone, or an STi but i doubt if that will be available, despite the 10k price difference, I think these two cars will hold their value, mystique, and reliability much better than a NEON, and more likely to be two of those cars destined to be "classics" or "keepers" because of the low # of units that will ever be sold. thats worth an extra 10k in itself! Perhaps 4 years ago, when i was still in college, working weekends at this shop that built rally cars, and only worried about having a fast car reliable enough to drive to street races but not enough to survive a long daily commutes with AC at full blast, the SRT4 is definitely the car to have, specially if you live life a 1/4 mile at a time! And im sure one of these days, a heavily modified SRT4 will pull up to my EVO/Sti and probably spank me (if they manage to ever put all that power to the ground), but which ever car I will own will still run mid 13s in street legal form and never need to be on rollers during emissions testing. Oh, last word of warning, Turbo magazine states that the srt4 despite running a Mitsubishi built 16g turbo, it will not be as easy to get upgrades as turbo eclipse which uses a similar mitsu turbo, because the exhaust housing is integrated with the exhaust manifold (weird!), and turbo upgrades will most likely need an aftermarket exh manifold as well, or the factory exh manifold and turbine housing can be hogged out to fit a bigger aftermarket turbine cartridge, but youll be limited by the relatively small size of the 16gs housing. sorry so long hope this helps someone!

#350 of 528 a by thedarkwolf

Mar 25, 2003 (4:47 am)

The srt-4s are already hitting high 12s with only a few mods and slicks.
 
http://www.atpturbo.com/turbopiping/videos/129SRT416PSI.mpg
http://www.atpturbo.com/turbopiping/videos/129SRT416PSI.wmv
same video just different formats.

#351 of 528 by beanboy

Mar 25, 2003 (7:26 am)

The aftermarket will certainly take care of the integrated housing issues with plenty of options. The car is hot, and tuners will follow.
 
A 1.8 second 60 foot time isn't too shabby with slicks and an open differential with a car with almost 300 lb-ft of torque at 3000 RPM. The 12.9 isn't bad either, tehe. Track nights will be interesting this summer for the unsuspecting!

#352 of 528 BAD NEWS OR GOOD? by richt5

Mar 25, 2003 (1:25 pm)

Just got the news--the dealer I had a deposit with is only getting yellow cars (hate them) (SRT 4 ). I was working with a total of 5 dealers at the start 4 in CT and 1 in new york state. I called the other dealers and all will not take deposits (because ---they said premiums are going to be added to the sticker---2k--3k.So it looks like I am out of luck this year -maybe.The up side of this is one of the dealers(who seems to know the most about the car) hinted that the next car coming out (neon type) will be at least as good as this car and better. The guy knew more about the SRT 4 than any other dealer, so I kind of believe him.I will not ever pay over sticker, especially considering things like I could buy a new neon RT for 10-11k.The difference seems to be that dealers in SO.CA.and FL have many more cars per dealership (THAN CT) to limit over sticker RIP OFF , but north east dealers also sell less DODGES, so get less SR4'S. So it look like a waiting game, I am disappointed , but thats life.If anyone has news ,in the future,on cars available in the north east (at sticker or below), please send me a note --thanks--LOG OFF.

#353 of 528 How bout a cheap air ticket by gee35coupe

Mar 25, 2003 (1:28 pm)

to Florida and a fun drive back home?

#354 of 528 TO GEE 35 COUPE by richt5

Mar 25, 2003 (1:40 pm)

Do you have any specifics .Dealer name -phone #, cars available ,prices .I know these are alot of questions , but I have got to ask.THANKS

#355 of 528 richt5 by SPYDER98

Mar 25, 2003 (1:45 pm)

I recently called a CT dealer on the availability of a Mitsubishi EVO. They were willing to gaurentee msrp if I put a small downpayment down on a silver color one they have coming in shortly.
 
I find it hard to believe dodge dealers around here, are really going to be able to sell SRT's above sticker or at for that matter.
 
Just give it sometime before you finally start seeing them on the lots. Make a few calls, visit a few different dealers....I'm sure anyone will eventually be able to pick one up at a reasonable price. With the cost of living in CT these days...these cars are going no where fast around here!

#356 of 528 Nope. But I do know a dealer by gee35coupe

Mar 25, 2003 (4:44 pm)

in Atlanta with great deals on EVO's. I'm sure the SRT can be had for pretty cheap (relatively speaking) here too. There are tons of dealers in this area and competition is fierce.

#357 of 528 EOV VS SRT4 by richt5

Mar 28, 2003 (2:46 pm)

Well it looks like the EVO is slower and sum what more ugly than the SRT 4.From what car and driver has to say anyway.I really dont understand this, but it must be the extra weight of the EVO.A dealer in my area has the EVO for 32-34k . It seems something is wrong with this picture.Even with the add on's to the EVO and SUBARU turbo's , they are playing a horsepower game.I know horsepower costs$ ,but come-on, double the dollars (in some cases of the regular sedans) dont think so. I know the JAP cars are quality, but their regular cars are too---at much less money. If we can make an srt 4 here for 20k , why the big $ for the imports. Plain and simple its a rip off. I hope DODGE dramatically increases the production of the SRT 4's next year to show this point further.A reasonable profit is necessary, but not this.If the imports want to compete, bring the costs down.

#358 of 528 richt5 - I am Confused by kevin111

Mar 28, 2003 (6:11 pm)

I think the Evo is being marked up from around the $29K price tag due to projected demand. Could be wrong though.
 
I have heard rumors of the production Evo being less potent than the pre-production Evo, but until this is verified, I will go with what I have.
 
The pre-production Evo was able to do 0-60 in 5.0 secs, 1/4 mile in just under 14 secs, and the skid pad was 0.95 gs (Sports Compact Car Magazine).
 
The SRT4 by contrast - 0-60 in 5.8 secs, 1/4 mile around 14.6, and 0.84 gs on the skid pad (C&D).
 
I know these are different magazines that may result in not a quite true comparison, but thse numbers seem to be significantly different enough to justify them.
 
Also:
- a WRX's retail price is $25K, and can be had for less.
- WRX and Evo use an All Wheel Drive setup vs. a FWD setup, and both incorporate 2 LSDs vs. none for the SRT4, One of the main reasons for the added cost.
 
That might explain the big $ for the imports, not to mention that the Evo uses Bremo Brakes (not cheap), HID headlights vs. reflectors, bigger and better tires/rims combo, Name-brand seats (Recardo), and stiffer structer (stiffeners welded in).

Messages Page 36 of 53

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement