For the last few years I've had a 96 Saturn Sl2 that I pimped out. Got everything you can think of minus a turbo (body kit, rims, t3 wing, competition orange paint job, carbon fiber hood, dropped, etc). I got a ton of $ in this damn car, and tired of it really. I live in West Virginia (mountain state), and this car sits on the ground, big potholes, hills, etc. This thing is getting parked for this winter, but next spring I want something that is a daily driver, quick, and still looks good while I make my satty a SHOW only car. The SRT-4 is what I've decided.
So, I did a little researching, and found out Dodge no longer makes Neons? Instead Calibers now? I've only seen 1 person own an SRT-4 in my area, and haven't looked around at the Dodge dealership yet, but I'm guessing next spring I could go, and still order one??? Also, I was looking in to the aftermarket parts. I heard SRT-4's are a little hard to drive at first, and to leave it stock at first, but really just wanted to order my parts, and be done with it: Stage 3 turbo, BOV, Cat-Back, Air filter, Short shift, Performance clutch. So, I take it I can go to the dodge dealership, tell them I want an SRT-4, with these installed, and they order it for me? Also, basically all I wanted was a black SRT-4, with tinted windows, and get some nice black rims. Can the dealership tint the windows for me? ALSO, does a set of rims effect my warranty?

 

they don't make the neon anymore so you can't get a new one. no you can't order it. if you order one they'll get you a caliber srt-4. you have to buy it used if you want the neon one.

you seriously want to go from a saturn (which minus f/i has a max of what? 150hp maybe????) to a s3 srt? doyou have a death wish? you must because you will wrapit around a tree.

 

LOL, good point . So, are any dealership lots still gonna have these on the lot? Also, on ebay you can buy some from dealerships/ etc with warranty, but how would I go about getting aftermarket parts (MOPAR)? Could I still go through the dodge dealership, and they'd install these aftermarket parts?
Well, I guess your probably right though. I should probably just a buy *stock* SRT-4 first, wait a little bit, and then throw the bigger turbo in, etc.
How do you suggest I go about getting this vehicle (where from, how much, what to look for, etc)? Also, I'd want something with a warranty. To buy off an individual on Ebay is way to risky...Especially when you think anybody who buys the SRT-4 is buying it because it's fast, not because it's fuel economy...So, they probably ran the **** out of it.

 

You sound like a candidate for a Caliber SRT-4. The performance is about the same, and many of the mods for the Neon SRT-4 should also work. Your dealer can install mods, but they will charge you the most as well. And if a mod causes a problem with your car, it won't matter who installed it, the warranty doesn't cover damage caused by modifications.

Dusty

 

Umm, I would be a canidate for the Dodge Caliber if they weren't so...Uhh, *blah* looking.
I first decided on the SRT-4. Then, I decided on The Dodge Charger SRT-8. When I seen they were RWD, and the AWD versions (R/T) were 340 HP, and I read reviews they weren't all that in the winter anyways...Then, I decided against it. I could afford it, but I damn sure wouldn't be able to mod it much.
You said "if a mod causes a problem with your car, it won't matter who installed it, the warranty doesn't cover damage caused by modifications." I thought they stand behind the aftermarket MOPAR products as long as they installed? Of course this isn't going to be the case if I buy an Neon SRT-4 because I can't get it through the dealer, but if I were to buy something else (such as a Caliber) I thought they stood behind the aftermarket part?
So, I'm pretty much set on getting an SRT-4 one way or another in the spring time. What's my best option? A dealership through Ebay? Like I said I've only seen *1* SRT-4 on the road around here so doubting I'd find much locally. Also, if I do buy one, put in the S3 turbo, etc should I still go to the dealership to have this done? I don't mind paying a little extra for the job to be done right...Car modding isn't huge here in W.V. ****, I'd take my little orange satty with body kit in to garages for things like springs/ struts, get my exhaust redone (bigger pipe, headers, high flow cat, dual exhaust), and different projects, and they'd be like "OMG, I can't do it to that car!!!!" Afraid they'd break **** or somethin'...And they'd cry if they didn't have a floor jack cuz they'd have to jack it up by hand. Rediculously DUMB. I'd be scared to death to have any of these local garages put in a different turbo for me.

 

The expertise of your dealer is the factor you want to consider if you have them do work on your SRT-4 *****. My dealer has added a few small items like a BOV that I didn't want to mess with. But I still insisted they use the Permatex Hypolar gasket sealerwhen they did it.

FYI, Mopar "Performance Parts" are sold as is and with no implied warranty. They are not the same as regular replacement Mopar parts. You may want to read the "sticky" at the top of this section.....

Dusty

 

Ok. Thanks for the info. I went and checked on Autotrader, and found quite a few close to my location. Many dealerships with warranties. Some of which had stage 2/3 turbos in em. Thinking that's my best bet. Wait til when I'm ready to purchase this car, and I don't want much so just get it all in one go. Black, Black rims, tinted windows, etc. Only thing about having a S3 turbo is there'd definitely be no dealership going tocover my Stock SRT-4 while I'm getting Dodge to throw in a S3. I could find one with a S3 already in it though. I'm a pretty careful driver, and realize what kind of power it has so I'd think I'd be okay to drive off the lot in a 300 HP SRT-4. I personally like my health, and don't like forking out $ that I "wrapped around a tree" lol so I'd take it slow til I got the feel.