Maximum performance,
minimum price
One thing is clear, don't confuse
the Neon SRT-4 with the Dodge Neon
you're likely to pick up at the rental
car counter for $30 a day. True,
while the SRT-4 shares much of the
base underpinnings of the lesser
model, it's clear that this is no
ordinary Dodge Neon.
To be sure, there are a few exterior
signals - the Viper-inspired front
grille and fascia, a bulging hood
with faux scoop and a too large
rear spoiler - that separate it
from the base econo-Neon. But squeeze
into the Viper-inspired sport seats
and fire up the 2.4-liter 230 horsepower
turbocharged four-cylinder engine
and any lingering doubts of similarity
quickly disappear.
The SRT-4's sole objective is
to provide maximum performance
at a minimum price. Mission accomplished.
Combined with a heavy-duty five-speed
manual transmission, limited-slip
differential, 17-inch wheels with
50-series ultra-high performance
tires, firm suspension and four-wheel
disc brakes the SRT-4 can get from
zero to 60 mph in a scant 5.4 seconds.
That's quicker than a Subaru WRX
(6.1) Mazda RX-8 (6.0) and equal
to the Porsche Boxster, and with
a base price of just $21,195. In
the Dodge lineup, only the Viper
and Viper Ram truck are quicker.
Like all Dodge Neons, the SRT-4
comes just one way - as a front-wheel
drive four-door sedan. Standard
SRT-4 equipment includes air conditioning,
power door locks, power front windows
with wind up rear windows, power
mirrors, power trunk release, tilt
steering and AM/FM/CD with six
speakers.
The dash comes with special interior
trim, including five round satin-silver
accents on the gauges including
a turbo boost/vacuum gauge, center
stack, door handles and shift knob.
Those of us in Arizona will want
to switch out the metal shift knob
that's too hot to touch during
our summer months. Pedals are racing-style
cast aluminum.
The Viper-style seats look great
and have terrific lateral support,
but I found them to be too narrow,
confining and uncomfortable for
everyday use. I have mixed feelings
about the interior that still has
an economy look and feel, despite
efforts to upgrade the appearance.
Options are few and include a
sunroof ($750), Kicker/SRT Livin' Loud
audio system ($795), and the highly
recommended side air bags ($390).
Color choices include silver, black,
red and a coppery color called
Orange Blast for an extra $150.
The only interior color is dark
slate gray.
With a firm suspension, the ride
is expectedly hard yet handling
is controlled with minimum amount
of body lean and dip when cornering.
Acceleration is strong especially
under full pedal and the benefit
of the standard turbocharger. The
manual transmission felt rubbery
and hitting the correct gears was
at times inexact and involved more
guesswork than I would have liked.
Cabin and engine noise at was overly
loud and harsh. The exhaust has
an authoritative sound that's loud
in a good way, almost as if it's
saying, "dare me."
Safety wise, the SRT-4 comes
with dual front airbags, LATCH
child-seat anchors, side-impact
door beams, four-wheel disc brakes
with ABS and child-protection door
locks. We highly recommend the
optional ($390) side-impact air
bags. Crash test results for frontal
impact was rated as marginal on
a scale of good, acceptable, marginal
and poor by the Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety. Neon scored
three of five stars for side crash
and four out of five stars for
front crash test results conducted
by the National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration.
SRT-4 delivers serious acceleration
and handling performance in a reasonably
attractive package at an incredibly
low price. For the money, no other
performance vehicle even comes
close. It's a blast to drive and
its quickness easily fools those
driving their Honda S2000s, BMW
545s, Porsche Boxsters and others.
Sure, the interior looks economy,
the rear spoiler is ridiculous
and the shifter is inexact, but
for the money my compliments go
to the folks at Dodge.
