I was just watching Car and Driver TV while eating some lunch and they had the new Dodge Neon SRT-4. I have to admit, I was pretty impressed. This thing has 220hp, and goes 0-60 faster than a stock Lightning. They also got a 14.2 out of it in the 1/4, which means in the real world it could hit the 13s. The thing that impressed me the most, was that it has the same HP as my old 91 SHO, yet was a second faster. Of course the Neon is lighter than an SHO, but still, thats a big difference. Oh, and get this, the car comes from the factory with NO mufflers, just cats, pipes, and then resonator tips out back LOL.

I guess we shouldn't laugh too hard when one of these suckers pulls up next to us, they may just surprise you .

 

Caught that, too. Too bad it's not in a nicer wrapper. The SVT Focus needs to step up.

 

Yeah no kidding. I saw the SRT commercial last night during SNL--it was actually pretty cool. The SRT-10 Ram was pretty good looking.

The SVTF does beat the SRT-4 in all other areas--breaking handling etc, but no were close in acceleration and speed. Supposedly in 2004 there is gonna be a FI Focus, but until then...

 

I've driven two and I can tell you they WILL NOT beat an L.
It is impressive for a Neon and is a the BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK at $22k (San Jose, CA dealer mark up of $2990 ) or in the REAL world $19995.
The shifter is too notchy to shift fast enough to compete with the L, but none the less a quick little car.

eoreilly I believe your prayers have already been answered. But only for the euro's
215hp/230 tq

 

Hmm they go for what? 20k brand new?

 

Neat car and you can option for a smaller wing.

 

Yeah, but the SRT-4 is 220/250 to the wheel.

 

On the boards they are claiming 12 sec ET's with slicks, up pipe, downpipe, and cranking up the boost. I think the motors will compare to the power the older Eclipse's are making...very impressive.

 

The SRT4 brochure states:
215hp @ 5400 rpm
245 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
Thats NOT to the wheels either

 

You are right, but search for some dyno's on the web. The two I have seen, on a dynojet, are 220/250.

I could be wrong though, totally possible.

 

Those little neon's are underrated, not sure why. Maybe to keep it from competing on paper with the upcomming crossfire *shrug*

Also I read somewhere (I think in a mag) that dodge will be offering 3 stages of power packages from the factory, up to one including upgraded exhaust, intake, turbo, computer, and injectors rated at 280hp or so, but should produce well over 300hp.

 

I Don't really care because to me when it is all said and done even if it has 300hp it is still a NEON....in bright yellow no less it will be a yellow-mellow can with wheels...and a fart can
I can see it now eveny pimple faced kid going off to college getting one of these bad boys and running 10's with there nawzzz...
Sorry for the rant ...I really hate NEONS...and Dodge for the matter...of couse except the Viper...

SLick

 

And to some people a Lightning with 380HP is still only a Ford pick-up, get it? If its fast, its fast, period.
Yes its only a Neon, but its also the fastest car you can buy for the money.
Stock SRT-4 dyno
12.9 with bolt on's (vid)

 

Still FWD right?

If it was AWD or RWD I'd consider it. If the SVT Focus was AWD I'd buy it. Hell, if the GTi was an AWD I'd consider it.

But if it's WRONG-wheel-drive I won't touch it.

 

It looks like its a fun little car