2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4

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  • Опубликовано: 16 июл 2022
  • Maybe The Neon SRT-4 was too pricey for it's demographic...Anybody seen one lately?
    Show 2225 | Original Airdate 02-20-2003
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Комментарии • 784

  • @NSXTypeRGTRLM
    @NSXTypeRGTRLM 2 года назад +396

    This was a good time for cheap sports cars, we'll never have so much choice as the late 90s, early 2000s.

    • @alexsaffamerica
      @alexsaffamerica 2 года назад +29

      Yes, this was when engineering a car wasn't so strict and costly with all these safety and emission regulations. For now, the best we can do is just preserve these pieces of history, as these cars are 20 years old.

    • @e46m54nissansr20937
      @e46m54nissansr20937 2 года назад

      Yes

    • @angelgjr1999
      @angelgjr1999 2 года назад +17

      @@alexsaffamerica back then you could get a v8 Mustang for barely 20 grand, now they’re asking for 40. And they wonder why the car industry is failing.

    • @bghoody5665
      @bghoody5665 2 года назад +16

      Sports cars in general aren't selling that well anymore - everyone wants an SUV. It's kind of strange when you think about it - marriage rates are in the crapper so there should be a lot of single guys out there who should be buying sports cars.

    • @theforgottenorg
      @theforgottenorg 2 года назад +3

      They're still cheap if you don't look for the top trim. This neon was maybe double the base, far from cheap. People at the time thought more about the price for this trim than it's performance.

  • @life_of_riley88
    @life_of_riley88 2 года назад +125

    A friend of a friend has one of these when we were in highschool. It had the Mopar stage 2 upgrades and was way faster than it should have been. We'd pile 4 morons into it and tear up mountain roads instead of going to class. Good times.

    • @catjudo1
      @catjudo1 11 дней назад

      I can only fit two morons in my 01 Miata. I used to see the SRT-4's around as the tuners could wring them around. Sad that there are few left now, and sad that the landscape is all crossovers with wimp shifts instead of drivers cars.

  • @CarnutMM
    @CarnutMM 2 года назад +77

    20 years later, Yes. It has become a legend

    • @Chris-kp7cu
      @Chris-kp7cu 2 года назад +4

      I was about to say this too! It’s always great to see one of these driving around, given how rare they have become.

    • @CarnutMM
      @CarnutMM 2 года назад +5

      @@Chris-kp7cu I never see them anymore.
      I remember back in 2003 I went to the dealer to test drive a new one and possibly purchase but I ended up getting a 2001 Honda S2000 instead.

    • @Dave-dh7rt
      @Dave-dh7rt 2 года назад +2

      @@CarnutMM great choice!! S2000s have become very expensive and are very beautiful.

    • @jmin8400
      @jmin8400 2 года назад

      @@CarnutMM Your taste is special isn't it? Couldn't go wrong with either of those choices back then as a young dude.

    • @roddydykes7053
      @roddydykes7053 Год назад

      @@CarnutMMyou definitely picked the better overall car. You can’t find an S2K for under $20k anymore

  • @SolamenteVees
    @SolamenteVees 2 года назад +221

    This car has actually aged quite well… mine was a 2003 in Solar Yellow. 💛

    • @cindysue5474
      @cindysue5474 2 года назад +13

      I had a stone white 05 yes it was a fun car put down 237K on that engine the iron block was a good engine. Now driving a Kona N in one way it still reminds me of the SRT4. This is where dodge needs to get back to with a Compact utility vehicle but the engine would have to be built ground up that world engine they had was junk.

    • @jeremiahgaskins9127
      @jeremiahgaskins9127 2 года назад +11

      At least we can agree that it has aged.

    • @cindysue5474
      @cindysue5474 2 года назад +5

      @Senna_Grillo12 I rode in one that was almost 500hp that thing was scary fast that car pulled so hard.

    • @voodooturbo
      @voodooturbo 2 года назад +2

      I was more into VW/Audi at the time than anything else, so I didn't really care about these and chalked them up as a tarted up Neon. Watching this video, I agree. I think it's cool that it's still the cute Neon but with some guts under the hood.

    • @injustifiiable
      @injustifiiable 2 года назад +4

      A friend of mine had that electric blue one.

  • @ftr911drvr
    @ftr911drvr 2 года назад +183

    Almost 20 years later and it's still quicker than alot of the cars in this segment or just as quick and it handled very well.

    • @TheKiltedYaksman1
      @TheKiltedYaksman1 Год назад +1

      That's because it's quite a bit lighter than anything currently in the (very small) segment. If it had been built to meet current crash safety standards, it would be heavy as well. What's really telling is the torque offered in current DI turbo engines. Despite weighing quite a bit more, the current GTI is about a second quicker 0-60 and through the 1/4 mile, at the same time as being about 15-20% more fuel efficient.

    • @tomu4725
      @tomu4725 Год назад +7

      ​@TheKiltedYaksman1 MotorWeek's 1/4 mile and 60 ft times on cars were always off. The SRT4 stock could run high 13s, maybe very low 14s with the 2003 because it didn't have the Quiafe limited slip differential like 2004 and 2005 models. I know this because I had an 2004 with mods and it ran mid 13s all day. So yeah, just as fast as a modern day GTI 20 years later 🤷🏼‍♂️

    • @shawnweed265
      @shawnweed265 Год назад +4

      @@tomu4725 I agree with you...this car was a great package for the price. It had good performance too. It was about as quick as My S2000. The key was torque. 245lbft is a pretty stout figure (I think the S2000 had like 150). All that and the utility of a 4 door. I'd love to find a low mile one cheap.

    • @brianreardon7700
      @brianreardon7700 Год назад +1

      Very true! This a great bargain!

    • @Crazyced
      @Crazyced 5 месяцев назад

      @@TheKiltedYaksman1 At 14.5s for the 2023 manual GTI it's slower then the SRT-4.

  • @kencolle1
    @kencolle1 2 года назад +92

    I still own mine.bought new in 03. 19 years.

    • @Pressed_For_Time
      @Pressed_For_Time 2 года назад +8

      Thing is a collectors item now.

    • @2R1V3R
      @2R1V3R 2 года назад +9

      Keep it man.. i barely see them out there..

    • @kencolle1
      @kencolle1 2 года назад +8

      @@2R1V3R and it gets driven!! It's still in great shape,I wish I could put pics on here because it looks new,inside and out and under the hood!😎

    • @yellowtibby
      @yellowtibby 2 года назад +2

      How many miles on it? Has it been reliable?

    • @one_point21_gigawatts
      @one_point21_gigawatts 2 года назад +7

      Awesome! I have mine too, I use the car as an intro to my you tube channel lol. garage kept almost a 20 year anniversary . never broke down on me. 70k miles on the odometer to this date.

  • @nebelwerfer199
    @nebelwerfer199 2 года назад +109

    Great era in affordable performance. WRX, STI, and Evo all came out in this time.

    • @Medjeed86
      @Medjeed86 2 года назад +9

      The Evo and STI are actually like ten years older than the SRT-4.

    • @nebelwerfer199
      @nebelwerfer199 2 года назад +28

      @@Medjeed86 yes outside USA, but we got them here 2002, 2003, and 2004

    • @hondamanvtec2894
      @hondamanvtec2894 2 года назад +3

      The sti. Wrx. Evos came out in the early 90s

    • @foxtrot685
      @foxtrot685 2 года назад +10

      The beetle turbo s, MK4 GTI/GLI with the 1.8T, matrix XRS with the 2ZZ, Mazdaspeed protege, the last good looking Si hatchback with the wrong engine, the Sentra SE-R spec V before they refreshed it with the awful front fascia… man we had some great choices.

    • @nebelwerfer199
      @nebelwerfer199 2 года назад +12

      @@hondamanvtec2894 yes overseas, not in USA, for the 100th time.

  • @Cats_Are_Scary
    @Cats_Are_Scary 2 года назад +153

    I had an 04 SRT-4. These cars are underrated on horsepower and torque from the factory, I'm sure for insurance reasons. Great little car.

    • @DrewLSsix
      @DrewLSsix 2 года назад +8

      More likely they were rated that way to avoid angry ignorant customers. Dynoing your new car for no reason other than showing off a number was already a popular thing back then and many manufacturers got shat on because owners didn't understand how power was rated.
      It's no coincidence I think that most wheel dynos show pretty much the flywheel rating, and that's on top of the domestic manufacturers trend to under report power anyway. There was a big shakeup years ago (around the time the SRT4 was produced) when the SAE changed its rating procedure, the domestics usually came back rated higher than they previously were while many Japanese cars lost significant power from the previous years ratings. Several industry insiders came forward saying they all knew the Japanese were gaming the system but couldn't do anything about it.
      Some cars lost 15-20 hp while cars like the Corvette gained 5-10 hp.

    • @RobertSmith-le8wp
      @RobertSmith-le8wp 2 года назад +12

      Indeed, one of my friends had one and o was surprised how fast it was. The only other semi fast car I drove up to that point was another friends 1996 Mustang GT convertible. If I recall at that point the 4.6 was only rated at 215hp. The neon could beat it most days.

    • @kencolle1
      @kencolle1 2 года назад +8

      @@RobertSmith-le8wp yeah,I had a friend that had a gt 4.6 with exhaust and we would go to Orlando Speedworld dragstrip and run each other and he could never understand how I beat him every time😁

    • @Saltinator
      @Saltinator 2 года назад +8

      yes, the hp and tq number dodge gave was whp and not at the crank. i had a 04 in burnt orange and i always said this thing has got to have more than 240hp. they put out more like 265-270 at the crank.

    • @hartsickdisciple
      @hartsickdisciple 2 года назад +6

      @@RobertSmith-le8wp The SRT-4 was quicker than the later 4.6 2V 260 horsepower "new edge" Mustang GT. It would crush the 215 horsepower SN95 GT.

  • @quixilver09
    @quixilver09 Год назад +9

    Wow, that brought me back to the allure I had when these first came out. It was my "dream" car at 18. By 20 I had built up my own credit and bought one in 2005. Kept it for a decade and met so many great people along the way in the community. 20 years later, I have a clean 600 hp red SRT4 and I found my original e-Blue SRT4 and currently building it for the road course! I just so happen to have a channel devoted to the legends!

  • @srtabc123
    @srtabc123 2 года назад +16

    This review got me interested in the SRT4 and my first car was a white 2005 SRT4. Stock it dyno’d 232hp and 242lb/ft. Great car, tons of memories and I learned to wrench on her. Still have her in my driveway with 130k miles on the odometer.

  • @rebelusa6585
    @rebelusa6585 2 года назад +16

    When this neon came out, i was shock at how fast and affordable it was. It was faster than most sport cars.

  • @johnjones393
    @johnjones393 2 года назад +12

    I realize this is an old video that can't be changed but I wish the editors would have cut off that obnoxious music while the car was on the track. Wanted to hear that nice exhaust and other track sounds.

  • @neonufos5297
    @neonufos5297 2 года назад +23

    In my opinion, this is one of the best looking vehicles dodge has ever made. The regular neon is alright but with that front end and the spoiler, the R/T really looks amazing and sporty but not too aggressive at the same time.

  • @2010challengerRT
    @2010challengerRT 2 года назад +68

    $19,995. Man I miss the days when prices were normal, and reflected actual new car values.

    • @TheFlyingPLiner
      @TheFlyingPLiner 2 года назад +7

      This car came out in 2003 with a base MSRP of 20k. That's 32k in todays money. These were actually quite expensive.

    • @c_b8s4
      @c_b8s4 2 года назад +6

      Dont know about you, but i make double what i did then. Some minimum wages even doubled. It works out the same, just bigger numbers. You make more, but things cost more.. its all a show.

    • @farcere
      @farcere 2 года назад +3

      @@c_b8s4 Minimum wage in alot of places hasnt changed, but cost of living has, so 19k back then isnt bad compare to now

    • @alexvillarreal3947
      @alexvillarreal3947 Год назад +1

      mee too

    • @obeseperson
      @obeseperson Год назад +3

      @@c_b8s4 the minimum wage where I live and all around it hasn’t raised since, shit, my entire life and probably longer.

  • @davidhavard1908
    @davidhavard1908 2 года назад +26

    I had a 2001 z28 with few mods and I raced a SRT Neon and we were neck n neck from 0 to 120. After that I pulled away but man I was impressed

    • @Lucille69caddy
      @Lucille69caddy Год назад +5

      He was modded, no doubt. No way he keeps up with you w/o mods.

    • @midnight347
      @midnight347 3 месяца назад

      ​@@Lucille69caddyof course it was modded he also just said his z28 was modified so what's your point? They aren't that far behind in stock form an 01 z28 would run low 13 and trap like 106-107 at best that's in perfect air etc. So they aren't that far off.

  • @sketchpv3080
    @sketchpv3080 2 года назад +76

    99mph trap speed wasn’t too shabby back in the day. That’s on par with an S2000 or 350Z.

    • @SolamenteVees
      @SolamenteVees 2 года назад +15

      A few publications netted high 13s at over 100mph

    • @Saltinator
      @Saltinator 2 года назад +7

      @@SolamenteVees the 2004+ years when they boosted whp and wtq to 240-260 ran those high 13s at around 104

    • @SolamenteVees
      @SolamenteVees 2 года назад +1

      @@Saltinator The engine controller was identical from 2003 to 04+ but they did add a LSD.

    • @Saltinator
      @Saltinator 2 года назад +1

      @@SolamenteVees yeah the lsd and stage 1 injectors gave the 04 and 05 a little more oomph

    • @rooh5825
      @rooh5825 2 года назад +6

      It was actually faster than the S2000, 350Z, WRX, and Mustang GT in 2003. And reliable.

  • @thedeadlyskull7946
    @thedeadlyskull7946 2 года назад +8

    One of THE most underrated cars ever made.

  • @mrpoohbearlvr
    @mrpoohbearlvr 2 года назад +146

    To bad they are all gone. Rusted away, blown engines,or ruined by 20yo boys thinking they could Lambo them up!

  • @walterarroyo5220
    @walterarroyo5220 2 года назад +19

    Most of these have been driven hard, wrecked, abused and heavily modified. Good examples are most likely to go up in value if they haven’t already.

  • @quentinwooten30
    @quentinwooten30 2 года назад +13

    I remember these like it was yesterday

  • @SlammedZero
    @SlammedZero Год назад +7

    I had an 05 Stone White. Loved that car. Absolutely a blast to drive. They were torque monsters. Yeah, it had it's limitations being FWD, but that was the price you paid to get into that kind of performance for the money. They sounded incredible for a 4 cylinder, and I honestly like(d) the looks of them. I hate that I got rid of it and I will always have a soft spot for them. I can tell you this, I hurt a lot of feelings with that car. lol

  • @DarthWaffle.
    @DarthWaffle. 2 года назад +66

    As a retired cop, seeing this car brings back a memory of when a father took his sons new Neon SRT for a ride and crashed it. As I arrived I asked the father if he was ok, he said “yes,but they shouldn’t classify front wheel drive cars as sports cars.” Haaa

    • @kirbyswarp
      @kirbyswarp 2 года назад +24

      Sounds like he needed to get good

    • @DrewLSsix
      @DrewLSsix 2 года назад +47

      If he couldn't handle a fwd sports car he surely couldn't handle a rwd sports car lol.

    • @bghoody5665
      @bghoody5665 2 года назад +11

      Most, if not all, car manufacturers trying to push 200+ hp through the front wheels was having trouble with it back then - viscous torque steer.

    • @rodmunch69
      @rodmunch69 2 года назад +5

      I don't know if it's still a thing, but FWD cars used to (and that would cover this era) jerk like crazy off the line -- also they're not fun to drive, which ruins the entire idea of a sports car. FWD was made for safety, and to be cheap, to be a boring cheap car.

    • @7Logik
      @7Logik 2 года назад +1

      @@rodmunch69 this one is far more than fun, because it has the torque

  • @drivedb7
    @drivedb7 2 года назад +34

    The ‘00s were sort of the “curtain call” for small, affordable sport compacts. A few still survive today, but others like the Sentra SE-R, Neon SRT4 and Corolla XRS are long gone. What a shame. Post the Corolla XRS retro review next!!

    • @retrocompaq5212
      @retrocompaq5212 2 года назад +1

      those 3 cars were extremely bad, at least the neon was fast in straight line, before the turbo cobalt ss in 2008, there were no fwd cars that can give a rwd euro sport car a run for their money, look at the lightning lap or nurburgring times, took almost 10 years for the japaneese with a race prep factory civic type r to beat the fwd ring record that was made with crappy all season pirellis on a damped track, that is a shame

    • @lordmaster5522
      @lordmaster5522 2 года назад +3

      Not all are gone, but was improved by successor. Now it’s the Sentra SR and the GR Corolla replaced the XRS.

    • @drivedb7
      @drivedb7 2 года назад +7

      @@retrocompaq5212 - Anyone who tries to compare inexpensive, sporty front drivers to RWD sports cars is missing the point entirely.

    • @J.Nev.
      @J.Nev. 2 года назад +8

      @@retrocompaq5212 That Is Very Subjective . Those 3 Cars Served The Purpose That Were Supposed To Do. I Don’t Think The Goal Was For Those Cars To Compete With Euro Rwd Cars.

    • @afreiden
      @afreiden 2 года назад +7

      The sentra's competition were the mazdaspeed protege, svt focus, civic si, and the celica gts from toyota rather than the corolla xrs, which was quite a bit slower iirc.

  • @gs98999
    @gs98999 2 года назад +30

    I was in my mid 20s when this came out. Had basically every other sport compact except this. Now there’s a clean used one a few hours from me at a dodge dealer. So tempted to grab it.

    • @dabnisbrickey6527
      @dabnisbrickey6527 2 года назад +9

      Do it

    • @chaseman94
      @chaseman94 2 года назад +9

      Do it now!!!!!

    • @TBird100636
      @TBird100636 2 года назад +8

      Do it, I drove these when they were new, they were great out of the box. And that feeling when you floor it in 2nd gear can't be beat.

    • @lifewithbreion1392
      @lifewithbreion1392 2 года назад +1

      Just have money put away!! They can be costly if maintainance is required.
      Especially the input shaft!

    • @njshift
      @njshift 2 года назад +1

      If its clean and not abused go for it. These cars are quite reliable and inexpensive to maintain. But like anything else, if you make serious additional power with sticky tires parts can break.

  • @ALL0UT323
    @ALL0UT323 2 года назад +36

    This car came out of nowhere and was killing the game. As far as the import scene goes. Serious bang for your buck.

    • @rebelusa6585
      @rebelusa6585 2 года назад +8

      You damn correct, this neon easily kill subaru impreza wrx, and it is faster than most sport cars.

  • @stevend3753
    @stevend3753 2 года назад +33

    I had the first red one sold at my local dealer. I loved that car. When the Mopar performance upgrades came out I had the stage 1, and later stage 2. Great car.

    • @speedyme200
      @speedyme200 2 года назад +4

      Back in 2012 I picked up a used one it was an 05 SRT4 after first few drives I realized the car pretty quick and realize it had the stage 3 package.

    • @stevend3753
      @stevend3753 2 года назад +2

      @@speedyme200 I never got to the S3 kit, that was a lot more involved with the install as it had the “big” turbo upgrade on it. But yes, they where very quick.

    • @cindysue5474
      @cindysue5474 2 года назад +6

      If you can find a stage 3 that's a keeper

    • @aceegidio5423
      @aceegidio5423 2 года назад +3

      @@stevend3753 last week a friend and i picked up a stage 3R with toys, pretty cool car

    • @MrKnoxguy101
      @MrKnoxguy101 Год назад

      Wouldn’t the Dodge dealer install those stage 1,2,3 upgrades? Seems like I remember them doing that. Maybe warranty them too? I may be wrong about that, but I do remember hearing something about those upgrades being installed through Dodge.

  • @8gti9
    @8gti9 2 года назад +18

    I wasn't into the srt-4 neon but these things were quick and loved to be modded

  • @danielcamacho1913
    @danielcamacho1913 Год назад +2

    Mitsubishi did a hell of a job designing the turbocharger installation on this car. The one I drove had awesome throttle response, with no lag to speak of. This was the turbo car that made me want a turbo car.
    ...But I don't think they could shake off the stigma of being a Neon.

    • @LeoM-zt3pl
      @LeoM-zt3pl Год назад +1

      I forgot all about that behind the wheel of my old 04 SRT4

  • @craigt9415
    @craigt9415 Год назад +3

    I remember buying my 2004 electric blue in 2009 for only $7000 with 60K on it. With some bolt-ons and a tune I had it dynoed at 274hp/320tq at the wheels. I have videos of me racing it on RUclips, SRT4 Mosport King of the Hill. It was my daily driver all year round and it was actually a very good car in the snow. I only owned it for a few years before moving on but it was a fast little car and I have many good memories.

  • @WTC7
    @WTC7 2 года назад +3

    A guy who lived by my buddy's won a new one from a radio contest. Probably the happiest guy in the ghetto with his brand new neon.

  • @joshthemediocre7824
    @joshthemediocre7824 Год назад +3

    I've been in some fast cars but nothing has scared me more than 145 mph on a one lane back road in a SRT 4, we hit a bird at 145 and it felt like the wing tearing from an airplane the way the car bucked to that side..super sketchy but a memory i'll never forget

  • @revelare_xvii6269
    @revelare_xvii6269 2 года назад +5

    It’s hard to believe that if it weren’t for this car the Hellcat technically would’ve never existed.

  • @StandingUpForBetter
    @StandingUpForBetter 2 года назад +23

    The Neon SRT-4 was a beast! Driving thrills in a small compact package with a manual shifter is the way to go! IMHO many sports cars now are too wide to enjoy anywhere outside of a track which is why I love this sport compact car segment along with hot hatches because you can actually enjoy the cars on regular roads without the constant fear of clipping someone or something as you drive by. I only wished Dodge would stick with their products and actually improve them over time like the Japanese. A modern-day equivalent, the Dodge Dart SRT-4 with all the bugs ironed out would have been a compelling car to have today with the rise in costs of both sports cars and gas. For this reason, I own a Honda Civic Type R and LOVE it! I am never letting that car go. With that said, I do believe Neon SRT-4's are really holding their value today. Just seems like another missed opportunity by Dodge. The had the recipe right, they just had to improve the quality.

    • @kapa4929
      @kapa4929 Год назад +1

      Also, many sports cars are overpowered for regular roads these days.

    • @StandingUpForBetter
      @StandingUpForBetter Год назад

      @@kapa4929 Agreed! "Usable power" is a real thing especially when you balance that with your gas budget.

  • @one_point21_gigawatts
    @one_point21_gigawatts 2 года назад +20

    Awesome car! I still have my 2003 Srt4, original owner . I'll never sell it that's how Awesome it is. you want that kind of power in 2022 it will cost you more than double.

    • @Highlander1432
      @Highlander1432 2 года назад +7

      Good for you man

    • @theoptimist7510
      @theoptimist7510 2 года назад +2

      Nice! I still have mine as well. 2004 E-blue, orginal owner. Same as well, only if the car gets destroyed in an accident will I ever get rid of it.

    • @Highlander1432
      @Highlander1432 2 года назад +2

      @@theoptimist7510
      I love to hear this
      Awesome you guys are preserving them and still enjoying them too
      I just picked up an 02 Z28 because I missed my 02 Trans Am from my 20's so bad.
      These older cars are special

    • @Joey856721
      @Joey856721 2 года назад +1

      @@theoptimist7510 this is my favorite color on the SRT4 easily 😍

  • @revmatchproductions
    @revmatchproductions Год назад +10

    Was this filmed recently? I love the way this video looks, feels like im back in 2005! Also gives a peaceful tone to it, nice work guys! Sweet gem of a car

  • @michaelsimko7694
    @michaelsimko7694 2 года назад +6

    Those Neons were very fast and were excellent track cars. It'll probably take a while for them to get the attention they deserve as a classic performance car.

  • @john-vy1ml
    @john-vy1ml 2 года назад +13

    Neon acr was my favorite. That thing handled great with those factory koni struts

    • @jmanstuck
      @jmanstuck 2 года назад +4

      Yeah bare bones and all engine. That was a cool car. SRT4 is cool to.

  • @shoDOHC
    @shoDOHC 2 года назад +3

    Always loved these. That turbo spool and exhaust crackle from the factory always caught my ear.

  • @anibalbabilonia1867
    @anibalbabilonia1867 2 года назад +8

    I remember that little car when it came out! It was a little monster for it’s time!

  • @jeffreycaban5107
    @jeffreycaban5107 2 года назад +9

    I had two of these back in the day, an 2004 Electric Blue and a super rare 2004 Solar Yellow. Fun,cheap cars that with a couple bolt-ons would run neck-and-neck with cars double the price. Just don't expect to make a slow speed u-turn with one...the guys who owned one know what I mean :)

  • @DevoT
    @DevoT 2 года назад +4

    I went to a quarter mile track back in 04 and was impressed when I saw one of these run 13s. Definitely underrated hp. Early 2000s was a great time for affordable fun.

  • @adamrobledo684
    @adamrobledo684 Год назад +3

    When they put the limited slip in the later models, this thing really became a monster at the time.

  • @Jamstarstables
    @Jamstarstables Год назад +2

    These were so ferociously fast when new, I test drove a few of them , they were light and so quick they almost lost posture anytime pushed. But they were very fun! Were direct competition to 99 eclipse turbo back then 😅

  • @breto7131
    @breto7131 2 года назад +3

    I bought a 05 STI I remember the looks it used to get because they were pretty rare to see back then. It did 4.6 0-60 which was amazing at the time. The srt4 was a great car itself. What a bargain at 20 grand

    • @therealcarlmarti
      @therealcarlmarti 2 года назад +1

      interestingly the STI and SRT-4 have nearly identical 1/4 mile trap speeds of 103 mph. the STI is obviously faster 0-60 due to AWD, but from a roll the SRT-4 was pretty impressive.

  • @GarrettCrespo
    @GarrettCrespo 2 года назад +1

    They were right that it didn’t become a legend, but it did be come a cult classic! I have a silver ‘05 and I love it! It still turns heads when people who know what it is see it on the road and makes me smile whenever the turbo kicks in!

  • @compulsion_mike
    @compulsion_mike Год назад +1

    I currently have owned my 03’ Solar Yellow SRT-4 for 16 years. Although the car is no longer my daily driver I still love driving it every chance I get I’ll never sell it. It runs 10 seconds in the quarter mile and doesn’t crush the bank account to own it. Not many of these things left on the streets, She’s a true enthusiast ride!

    • @abelflores5976
      @abelflores5976 Год назад

      I’ve had mine for 17 year now and I won’t sell it either. They don’t make them like that anymore. 😂

  • @TheOfficialCaseMade
    @TheOfficialCaseMade Год назад +1

    These cars actually still look very sharp... Clean lines, not dated or tacky.
    Honestly the 90s and 2000s had some of the most timeless vehicle designs ever.

  • @LeoM-zt3pl
    @LeoM-zt3pl 2 года назад +4

    My first quick car, 2004 SRT-4. Mean sounding factory exhaust. Really enjoyed it. Hearing that turbo whine. The LSD pulled it through the corners pretty well. Wheel hop when launching was a bit annoying, but some poly mounts helped settle that down. Fun little cars, hard to find now in decent shape

  • @martyconyers6189
    @martyconyers6189 2 года назад +2

    Good times with my 05 SRT-4. It was a BEAST on the autobahn.

  • @brianr5665
    @brianr5665 Год назад +1

    This was the ultimate sport compact back in the day. Mopar offered different stage kits for them through their website. I drove one once and wish I had a job that would pay me enough for a summer dedicated car. This would have been the one. My friend had 2 different ACR cars but never an SRT4 Neon. I just can't believe I have a Dodge Grand Caravan that has close to 300 hp. Dodge really took some chances of falling flat on their face with some of their submodels, but they broke their set rules and sold to the masses. This car was a legend back in the day. Still is today.

  • @davidcraig7771
    @davidcraig7771 Год назад +3

    These were underrated from the factory. Mid- low 5 seconds to 60 and low 14s were typical.

    • @LeoM-zt3pl
      @LeoM-zt3pl Год назад

      Difficult to launch without wheel hop . Lots of torque for a fwd car.

  • @FunkMasterJunk
    @FunkMasterJunk 2 года назад +5

    I always liked the Neon. I still think it looks good.

  • @373axle
    @373axle 2 года назад +7

    I remember seeing a bunch of road tests on these; they were way quicker than shown here.

  • @vettedblazer
    @vettedblazer 2 года назад +1

    Owned mine for over 10 years and has been overall very reliable. Still drive it at least once a week and still love it.

  • @foxtrot685
    @foxtrot685 2 года назад +7

    I owned one. Two actually, I had a PT Cruiser GT with the 5 speed as well :)

  • @crow-vz5lx
    @crow-vz5lx 2 года назад +2

    So nostalgic. Those numbers were great then. It's so underrated. Think about it. I love Honda, but those 4 bangers only had 100-150 HP....
    And they were hella popular. This boy is 215hp plus.

  • @MrJjburgess11
    @MrJjburgess11 Год назад +1

    I had a 04 SRT for 9 years. One of the best cars I ever owned. Upgraded pretty much everything on the car except for the engine internals. Upgraded the turbo 3 times. Learned so much from that car . Just before I got rid of it in 2014 was making around 360hp at the wheels. Only had 40k miles on it. Wish I kept it .

  • @mpa1931
    @mpa1931 2 года назад +2

    These things were monsters back in the day, and even in todays standards the performance is still respectable. Probably one of the greatest all time value cars ever.

  • @rojo5331
    @rojo5331 5 месяцев назад +1

    I cant wait to drive my SRT4 swapped 1st gen neon. Thing weighs just over a ton and is making somwhere in the mid 300s HP (Big wheel stocker, E85, stage 3 fuel pump,1000cc inj.)... its been a long little project but, by the comments, im thinking it'll put a pretty decent smile on my face.

  • @TheSibster86
    @TheSibster86 2 года назад

    so glad to see a hd version of this video finally! brings back so many good memories.

  • @Jakabre
    @Jakabre 2 года назад +4

    Loved mine!!! Bought through AAFES in Germany and got to do a lot of drag racing and autobahn runs - fantastic and fun car.

    • @one_point21_gigawatts
      @one_point21_gigawatts 2 года назад

      That's how I bought mine...AAFES Okinowa Japan... saved on Tax. I used to bracket drag race in NC.

  • @connermt74
    @connermt74 2 года назад +7

    Exactly like mine: 2003 yellow. I stuck with the stage 1 with accompanying additions. I throughly enjoyed it. Only issue was a storm caused hydro lock while literally others cars around me had no issue. It was fixed quickly and had no other major issues for 60k-ish mile until I sold it

    • @2R1V3R
      @2R1V3R 2 года назад

      This car made more than 215hp ive seen making over 230hp stock

    • @1983jblack
      @1983jblack 2 года назад +1

      @@2R1V3R 2004 models jumped to 230 hp

    • @2R1V3R
      @2R1V3R 2 года назад

      @@1983jblack oh ok.. thanks for the input. 👍

    • @RobertSmith-le8wp
      @RobertSmith-le8wp 2 года назад +1

      Even 215hp wasn’t too bad for a light car. I had a friend/roommate with a ‘96 Mustang GT convertible. Those early 4.6’s were only rated at 215hp and probably because the convertible was a little heavier that car would lose to SRT Neons

    • @Saltinator
      @Saltinator 2 года назад +1

      dodge underated hp and tq. the advertised numbers are wheel hp and tq, not at the flywheel. my stock 2004 dynoed 236whp and 262wtq. an 04 and 05 make more like 265hp and 290tq at the flywheel.

  • @raceMC
    @raceMC 2 года назад +2

    I have one and love every time I drive it.. it puts a smile on my face with all the turbo noises

  • @trxguy84
    @trxguy84 2 года назад +11

    Had a white 05' Acr stage 3, what a car it was, roll race monster, hurt a lot of feelings haha!

  • @patrickmichael3384
    @patrickmichael3384 2 года назад +1

    I still see a fair number of these SRT4s around my hometown. I didn’t much care for it at the time, but. I do care more for it now than I thought.

  • @skillz1855
    @skillz1855 2 года назад +5

    Sounds better than most cars today

  • @thatfordguy2268
    @thatfordguy2268 2 года назад +5

    My buddy had one of these.
    Awesome solidly built, actually quite reliable for Dodge!
    Lot's of bolt ons, intake, exhaust, fuel ect... very fun to drive.
    Would troll stockish Mustangs and Camaros
    The only problem with that car, getting it to hook, even with Goodyear Eagle tires! 😁👍

    • @one_point21_gigawatts
      @one_point21_gigawatts 2 года назад +1

      a quality aftermarket engine mount solved that issue, along with expensive 225mm soft tires.😊

  • @scryla2000
    @scryla2000 2 года назад +1

    One of my soldiers had one that he drag raced. I saw him run an 11.8 on the dragstrip! It was modded but it was his daily driver as well. I was hooked then.

  • @kingcold1002000
    @kingcold1002000 Год назад +1

    i miss my modded 2004 blue SRT-4. The turbo sound...oh my

  • @SuperTrb0
    @SuperTrb0 2 года назад +15

    I was hoping that Dodge would give the Dart the SRT treatment when it first came out but they never did sadly.

    • @rjcolombe
      @rjcolombe 2 года назад +5

      There were plans for one, but they got shelved as FCA decided to pull the plug on the Dart due to poor sales and a greater focus on SUVs.

    • @2010challengerRT
      @2010challengerRT 2 года назад +4

      Yep it's a shame. Being a Mopar guy I never liked what they did to the Dart name. I thought it was ugly but after a few years it was starting to grow on me. The ones I drove were actually kinda fun. Then they killed just as I was starting to like it. And with it died the opportunity to get a new car from Dodge under $20,000. Now I wish they still made it. We could use that kind of value today. The timing of it was just not right.

  • @randomhero111391
    @randomhero111391 2 года назад +1

    These old srt4s are either loved or hated....even when they were brand new....all I remember was one time being about 12 years old in 2003 riding with my brother in his 1991 Mustang 5.0 lx that was stock except maybe a very small cam upgrade and one of these revved up at him at a red light....sounded awesome with the turbo but needless to say we spanked that thing lol. We also beat an old nice condition Dodge Daytona 2.2 turbo if anyone still remembers those...

  • @NEO_RedPill_2024
    @NEO_RedPill_2024 Год назад +1

    I remember riding in one of these in Germany as soldier. First car I was in to top 140mph. Man I was blown away. Too bad it’s hard to find a good one today…

  • @Rascofresco11
    @Rascofresco11 2 года назад +5

    You know.. I randomly found myself a few months back online one night looking for either one of these or a Caliber SRT-4, then reality tapped me on the shoulder and said No.

  • @retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106
    @retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106 2 года назад +5

    I definitely remember this car. Although I never owned one seen a lot on the road when they came out.

  • @cindysue5474
    @cindysue5474 2 года назад +2

    Fun fact a SRT4 was supposed to have been the car used in the 2nd fast furious movie for Brian last minute though a Mitsubishi was used.

  • @mikehawk120
    @mikehawk120 2 года назад +1

    I wanted one, but most of us could not get over that it still was a neon. But no one ever hated on it though. Ppl who liked this mostly were actually Impreza/cobalt/mustang types.

    • @jmin8400
      @jmin8400 2 года назад

      Yes, who are the same types who leave these with cig burns and 3rd smoke + black ice/axe spray odors on almost every example of these cars on the used market.

  • @SuperSenis
    @SuperSenis Год назад

    Saw probably three of these in recent weeks. Glad to see they're still running.

  • @roddydykes7053
    @roddydykes7053 Год назад +1

    Motorweek always had pretty good predictions near the end of their reviews

  • @jamesmcintire3800
    @jamesmcintire3800 2 года назад +1

    Considering this was produced in the depths of the Daimler Chrysler era of near bankruptcy, this was quite a good little package!

  • @deanspanos8210
    @deanspanos8210 2 года назад +5

    3:01 What kind of shifting is that? This is Motorweek, break that stick.

    • @KingMrBigE
      @KingMrBigE 2 года назад

      Drive it like you stole it!

  • @DavefromCA2023
    @DavefromCA2023 5 месяцев назад

    I had just graduated High School when these came out and they made an immediate impact. It was clear they were very fast.

  • @LeoM-zt3pl
    @LeoM-zt3pl Год назад +1

    The best sounding factory exhaust 4 cylinder turbo of its era the 03-05 SRT-4

  • @chrisdooley1184
    @chrisdooley1184 2 года назад +1

    3.5” tips!! Lol I smile every time I see these. So ridiculous but so quick. I was in a WRX at the time but I did test drive a black one. I just loved my subie though lol
    I sure do miss Chrysler making funky weird and interesting cars like this. For a while there they were the ones that put other concepts to shame

  • @ThatDudeArvai
    @ThatDudeArvai Год назад +1

    I'd love to see the 2008 Cobalt SS episode when they went from a supercharged to a turbocharged motor.

  • @beanburnham01
    @beanburnham01 2 года назад +1

    Bought one new in ‘04. It was hooligan fun every time you drive it.

  • @charliehoss1614
    @charliehoss1614 2 года назад

    Love the 97-03 cars. Just brings back memories seeing them on the road

  • @chrisSVT
    @chrisSVT 2 года назад +1

    I had an '04 (bought brand new). I put it on a dyno after the break in period and it did 233 hp and 262 tq at the wheels. The only thing that wasn't stock on it was the oil (AMSOIL).

  • @AceSRT
    @AceSRT 2 года назад

    It's a good day when I see a big channel post my car.

  • @amirsadeghi9888
    @amirsadeghi9888 Год назад

    very nice! I really enjoy these retro reviews, they're fantastic! Can we get the review for Cobalt SS, if there's one...?!! Thanks!

  • @essel23fly
    @essel23fly 2 года назад +5

    215hp with 245 torque on a dodge that probably weighed like 2500lbs. Must have been a lot of fun.

    • @sunray2818
      @sunray2818 2 года назад +4

      There's been a magazine test in 2005, ACR version of SRT-4 lapped the same time as E46 M3 on Willow Spings.

    • @hustleman76
      @hustleman76 2 года назад +2

      Nope!!! Underrated 220-230hp to the wheels. 250-260 crank hp

    • @KootBear
      @KootBear 2 года назад +1

      @@hustleman76 at least 260 hp

    • @hustleman76
      @hustleman76 2 года назад

      @@KootBear Yeah at least 260hp. I had a GTP back than, and I wondered how the hell a srt4 with 170hp to the wheels beat me!! Light and underrated!

    • @KingMrBigE
      @KingMrBigE 2 года назад +1

      2900 lbs, but whose counting

  • @ALilly55261
    @ALilly55261 2 года назад +1

    My silver ‘05 was the best DD I ever had. Good fuel economy, plenty quick, and made fun choo choo noises

  • @ChineseGlobalism
    @ChineseGlobalism 2 года назад +1

    They finally dropped the neon video!

  • @theKevronHarris
    @theKevronHarris 2 года назад +1

    My mother had bought me a diecast version of the Dodge Neon SRT-4 in bright red color in 2005 for making the honor roll in school when I was in the fourth grade.

  • @msanborn08
    @msanborn08 2 года назад

    Best wrong wheel drive car I ever owned. 14 to 60k miles, not a single issue on my 2005. At 60k, I had already replaced the lower control arms on my Caliber SRT-4, but the ride quality on that was significantly better but lacked some of the punch the Neon offered due to weight.

  • @dabnisbrickey6527
    @dabnisbrickey6527 2 года назад +1

    I remember when I was like 9 I sat in one of these in the showroom of our local dodge dealership Jim Cogdill Dodge. It was a yellow one just like this. A 2004 model. I thought it was so cool.

  • @snkfanatic
    @snkfanatic 2 года назад +1

    Ah my first new car. Fond memories of this little Neon

  • @Michael-id9bw
    @Michael-id9bw Месяц назад

    I miss mine. I had a 2005 SRT4 burnt orange with carbon fiber hood and black rims on coilovers for a nice stance. Stage 3 Mopar with all the bolt ons. Was good for 388hp and 425 torque at the wheels. Fun car. Edit: bought it new off the lot for $17k at the end of 2005.

  • @hansyang1697
    @hansyang1697 2 года назад +1

    Neon SRT-4 is definitely a underrate fine wine!

  • @MarkMeadows90
    @MarkMeadows90 2 года назад +2

    My brother in law had a black 2004 model he brought brand new in 2004. Got in an accident with it in 2006. He was t-boned in an intersection from a red light runner. Totaled his car, but everyone was okay.

  • @wannabeetiger
    @wannabeetiger 2 года назад +6

    Just appreciate it for what it is, and for what it was!