Hi. I'm considering purchasing an SRT-4 and I was wondering if the car has any major flaws. My only competing models would be the subaru WRX (Maybe the STi, I'm not sure if I can afford it yet though) and I'd say Lancer Evo, but, I can't get one here in Canada. So how does the SRT-4 match up against competitors? Is it overall, a really good quality car? I keep hearing people telling me to stay away from american makes, but I can't help but think that most of that is just old sentiment. Really, I need a car that will last me a long time and has great potential for mods. (First thing I'd do to an SRT-4 is add an blow off valve haha, that'd get some attention..). So if someone really knowledgable could give me a rundown on the SRT-4 I'd really appreciate it. I'm a bit of a newb to cars but I'm learnin =P. I have a thirst for racing so, I need a fast and good qual car. Lemme know, thanks!

 

I too also looked at the STi, but the price was too much and I'm Mopar or no car. No one that I know of has ever regreted getting an SRT-4. I love mine alot, it's the second fastest car I've owned and it has a 7 year/ 70,000 mile powertrain warranty. The only problems that I know of that are common are the #3 and/or #4 spark plug wires going bad after 3,000 or so miles due to heat from the turbo and sometimes oil usage due to blow by past the PCV valve. Get a set of MSD Super Conductor spark plug wires($40) and an oil catch(do it youself for $22) can and all the problems are solved. I've owned 5 American cars and have only had problems with 1 and that was due to very high mileage when I bought it(145,000+miles, probably more since the odometer only worked half of the time).

In my opinion, the SRT-4 looks far better than the others, it sounds far better than the others and for the price of the others you can get an SRT-4 and make it far faster than them. Once you sit in an SRT-4 and listen to one, or even better to drive one, I think you have no problem deciding. The others are only quicker because they are AWD, but that factor hurts them on the top end. It all comes down to what you want and what your looking for in a car. The best way to do it is to see what you can and cannot afford, then go check out each one and what they offer. Then you can see if what your getting out of each one, in price, performance and service, is worth the price that they are asking.

 

all the things RoadRunner are true as far as I know... I also had to look at the fact that there is a Dodge dealer in my home town, and ever town around me... vs. a Mitsu dealer a few towns over vs. a Sub. dealer a few towns over... so if I ever do have problems, at least I am not taking my car 40 minutes away to get it fixed...

like said... it depends on what you want! you NEED! to realize that people here like their SRT's and are going to tell you to buy an SRT... just keep that in mind it might be a little biased here

 

Mine does great in the rain with normal driving, but watch the throttle, it will break the tires loose if you get into it too much. As far as snow goes, I got it at the end of winter and the little snow we got after I got it wouldn't stop a tricycle, so I cannot say.

 

Yeah, like RR said, a $22 oil catch can and a set of $40 MSD wires will give you a problem free car. If you want to go the cheap fix on the heat from the turbo, a set of spark plug wire sheaths from Summit Racing works well for $7....

There IS one other "problem" nobody mentioned...once it becomes "known" you have a SRT-4, you may find it hard to find others to "play with"...I drive to and from work the same way every day at the same time and people have learned what the car can do.

[sm=smiley5.gif]

 

Thanks for the advice about the spark-plugs. I bought my SRT-4 today. I test drove it and an STi today, and well, the SRT-4 owned it. The STi is mild and boreing, hardly worth 46,995.00 $ BEFORE taxes. THe SRT-4 was aggressive and sharp, it sounds beautiful, even inside the car! The gears will take some getting used to but they were very very smooth, I'm just not used to that style of manual shift. The dodge dealership I was at has a shop next to it too run by dodge technicians where I can go an get a bunch of mopar parts installed for no service fee. All I have to do is get the parts, and then I know they'll be installed properly =). Really, the SRT-4 blew me away, I expected it to be good and fun, but not THAT good. This is top notch, and it will be serious competition on the street for others. Street racers will have to watch their money against the SRT-4 =P. It will kill an S2000 unless the guy did a 72000$ NA tune-up haha. It'll beat a stock STi, it'll beat a stock Evo, it'll beat any BMW except the M3 I think, Pretty much most mercedez won't stand a chance, RX-8 wouldn't even be in the rear-view mirror, Mustang GT would lose easily, unless it's a GT cobra, then it would probably win, but not if the SRT-4 had stage 2. What else is there? 350z would lose, (I've driven all these cars..) well, you guys know this anyway haha. I'm very impressed and proud that I decided to go with the Dodge SRT-4, instead of being sucked into japanese car eliteism, just for the sake of saying "I own a japanese rally car." It won't be long before American cars will be considered the best. The way it's going right now, I think japanese cars are getting worse, and American cars are getting better. I even got the car salesman to cut his commission, give me a 2.9% finance rate and the stereo upgrade for no extra fee hehe. (I had no idea I could negotiate so well, but then again, I'm a salesman too so I know the deal.)

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to get an SRT-4!!! I'll get some pics soon..I'm getting a custom paintjob, and it won't be ricey, don't worry lol. Probably black mainly, with pearl blue detailing. Or a dark silver with pearl blue detailing.

 

You made the right choice. For the money, no other car even comes close in terms of performance. And for a few K more, you can make it stomp cars well in excess of $30,000 - $35,000+...welcome to the family.....!!![sm=smiley20.gif][sm=smiley16.gif]

 

Thanks! I know. I mean, for 33,000$ canadian, this car beats an STi stock...I even like the Viper seats better than the STi's recaro seats. The engine sounds way better too =D. I'm so proud to own an American car now..*sigh* =P. btw, the STi here is 46,995.00 canadian. with tax it's about 55,000$. Thats like 22,000$ more than the SRT-4, for less car in my opinion. The SRT-4 is really worth every little penny. ARe they evne making any proffit off selling such a good car for this price? haha.

 

I'm glad to see that your happy and confident with your choice.[sm=smiley20.gif] Actually you can say that you have a championship rally car, because the SRT-4 is dominating it's class in rally quite well. And the Neon has had a very well known winning career in SCCA racing.[sm=smiley2.gif] I hate to be the one to say this, but the real world proof shows that the SRT-4 will not beat an STi in the 1/4 mile in a straight up race, however if you bolt a set of slicks on the SRT-4 to make up for the STi's AWD, then yes an SRT-4 will beat an STi in the 1/4 mile dead stock.

Personally though, I don't think you could have made a better choice.[sm=smiley20.gif][sm=smiley2.gif]

 

I wasn't talkin quatre mile though lol. I know the STi is faster in that respect, but that's only because of its AWD extra traction for accell. the top speed of the STi is 147mph. Top speed of the SRT-4 is..well I'm guessing but at least 160mph. I also noticed the SRT-4 seemed to accell better than the STi during 4th and 5th, whereas the STi was quite speed 1st 2nd and 3rd but in the high gears it felt like it slacked. The STi also weighs 3200pounds..vs the SRT-4's light 2900. SRT-4 is a much more fun car to play with, and besides, when I stick the stage 2 in, I think it'll beat an STi in 1/4 mile no?