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| Dodge has dialed in the tuner car market with its impressive SRT-4. Sporting a powerful engine with a throaty exhaust, 5-speed manual gearbox, 17-inch wheels fitted with 205/50ZR17 performance tires, specially tuned suspension and beefy brakes; the SRT-4 is by far the most power-packed car for $20,000.
While built alongside Neons at the Belvidere assembly plant here in Illinois, the SRT-4 is much, much more than a modified Neon.
SRT-4 truly is an exceptional car. Outwardly distinguished by its special badging, trunklid spoiler, 17-inch wheels and dual bright exhaust tips, the SRT-4 will quickly let you know it means business when the throttle drops and you hear the throaty exhaust roar.
Inside, the SRT-4 offers a few unique features to let you know this is a performance-based sedan. When you slip inside, the first thing you'll notice is the pair of Viper inspired seats with side bolsters that wrap the driver and front passenger like a glove.
Look up and you'll see a 160-mph speedometer and Auto Meter boost gauge. Look down and you'll see bright racing-style pedals.
There was just enough room up front for us with the seat all the way back. However, that cuts into the available legroom for rear seat passengers. The rear seat is barely adequate for two adults, but, afterall, this is a tuner car and only the front seat matters.
Air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with CD player, power locks and power front windows come standard. We don't understand why the rear windows are manually operated, though. It just seems odd to have power for the front and not the rear. Our tester included optional ($390) side airbags and a newly offered power moonroof ($595).
Entering its second year on the market, the SRT-4 receives many performance upgrades, including a new torque-sensing limited slip differential that is designed to provide more traction when accelerating out of corners.
Engineers in Chrysler Group's Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO) have been tweaking the whip-snapping performance of the SRT-4.
PVO engineers have refined the engine calibration of the 2.4-liter intercooled turbo in the 2004 Dodge SRT-4 and boosted the output to 230 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,200-4,400 rpm.
And if that's not enough power for you, Mopar, Chrysler's longtime supplier of performance parts and accessories, has developed a range of tuner add-ons that will significantly increase engine output.
As a car created for tuners by tuners, the 2004 Dodge SRT-4 continues to be the second-quickest car in the Dodge lineup, accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. Only the Dodge Viper turns in a quicker time.
With a sprite weight of just 2,900-pounds and a serious suspension to back up the 230 horsepower engine, SRT-4 is just as much fun carving up twisty roads as it is launching from a stop.
Beefy anti-lock brakes are standard and they do a commendable job of bringing the SRT-4 under control without exhibiting fade.
While the steering system offers the right amount of road feel, we were disappointed with SRT-4's poor turning radius. The turning diameter of the SRT-4 is 41-feet. That's 4.3-feet more than Neon SE or SXT models equipped with a manual transmission.
With a quick jab on the throttle it is easy to break the SRT-4's 17-inch BF Goodrich tires loose and get them smoking. But put the SRT-4 into a serious corner at a high rate of speed and you'll be as impressed as we were with the lateral grip provided by specially designed tires.
The SRT-4 is an awesome tuner car with much bang for the buck. There really isn't anything in this segment that comes close.
2004 Dodge SRT-4
Engine: 2.4-liter (230 hp) turbocharged I4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Drive Type: FWD
Fuel Economy: 22 city/30 highway
Base Price: $20,450
As Tested: $22,030 (includes $545 for destination)
Website: www.dodge.com
