If you haven't been introduced to the Dodge SRT4, first take a look at this website here: http://www.dodge.com/srt-4/ . Now, for the REAL facts. The website says that it's rated @ 230Hp and 250 ft-lb trq. Well, people have had their 2004 SRT dynoed and have been pulling figures closer to 248 WHEEL Hp and 270 ft-lb trq. Dodge under-rated the car so the insurance on it wouldn't be so extreme.
Now, all this power makes the car fast. Very fast. This is one of the fastest Four-cylinders on the market. The WRX STi and the Evo are the only competitors (New at a stock level) within a $10K price difference for fastest ride. And the 2004 SRT-4 is only $22K not $30k like some have been paying for similar sport compact performance vehicles.
This car is very loud and has lots of power under the pedal. Accelorating from 0-60 can be done in less than 5.5 seconds, but takes LOTS of practice, dry roads and a warmer climate. The wheels have such tremendous torque coming to them that the wheels will spin for about 80 feet if you just peg it. The car will chirp VERY loudly into 2nd, and again into 3rd. Very powerful, very fun.
The handling in the car is 100 times better than a regular neon and responds to on-the-fly driver corrections very quickly. BUT. It's not a car that you should take out into the hills and just bomb around in. The car's handling is very tricky. Lots of understeer, lots of excess power in turns. The FWD system doesn't really allow for total control in turns.
Of course the Styling is alot different from the neon, and so is everything else. Engine is a 2.4L 4cyl(Stock crank and block can handle up to 1200HP!!) 248fwhp/270trq, 17" Z rated goodrich tires, Transmission is VERY heavy duty, new drivetrain, new suspension, new exhaust, new everything!
The interior gets a new treatment as well. With available Viper-style racing seats, standard Turbo Boost gauge by autometer, silver accents around the stereo and the door handles, and custom Cluster gauges(speedometer, tachometer, Gas tank, and Engine temp) by PVO(Performance Vechicle Operations).I know from experience that this car can seat a tall person: I'm 6'4", and my seat is NOT all the way back, and the steering wheel is actually pretty low. The seats are very comfortable and hold you into them very well. However, if you plan to drive a few hundred miles, you'll need a '7th inning stretch'. These seats are a little rough on the butt after miles of tight suspension and vibration from the exhaust. The seats are leather accented 'carbon fiber' look mesh seats, and aren't too hard, or to soft, pretty much just right, for a relatively short ride.
The rear seats get the same treatment, but they're not bucket seats, its a bench, and apparently (I haven't ridden in the back), it can be rather uncomfortable. Taller people have hit their heads on the rear window and the seats are 'hard'. The rear seats DO fold down though, and give you access to the trunk and make the cargo capactiy almost twice what it was before. 6 foot ladders and other things have been hauled in my other car (2003 neon- same setup) with no problem.
Differences from the 2003 to the 2004 are small but include: New higher flow injectors, race pedals, new Goodrich tires, some new plugs/heat shields in the engine compartment, and very small things here and there.. but the biggest difference is the Limited slip differential. This is the most important thing about the 2004. All the time power to the front of the car. The wheels pull ALL the time. The power is enough to put you in your seat and snap the head back of an unsuspecting passenger. And speaking of power, the 2004 has 248hp vs 223 on the 2003.
All that power is WONDERFUL, but there needs to be something to stop the car's flight. The 4-wheel anti-lock disc brake system that comes standard is actually a high performing brake system. The SRT-4 has a 60-0 stopping distance of only 119 ft.
The shifter is one of the only things in this car that I would reccomend a weekend driver change. The shifts are long. Especially 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th. A Mopar short throw shifter can be had for Around $97 from your dealership. Gear ratio is GREAT, but sometimes slow speeds can get annoying and tedious on shiftimg (think bumper-to-bumper). First to 30, Second to 60, and you're going the max speed limit 5-6 seconds after you've started!
All in all, I'd have to say that this is my favorite car that I've driven yet. (even beats out the '97 E420 and 2001 S80 T6) Getting ahold of one of these things isn't the easiest things in the world, but if you have the oppurtunity, I HIGHLY reccomend it!
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