Well, I purchased a 2004 SRT-4 about 3 months ago, and since, I have felt like the car isnt driving the way I would expect. It seems to not shift properly, wont go into gear sometimes, and the damn ebrakes keeps braking on my (wont work) and all I use it for is to park. Anyways, I guess the moral of this post was to get your guys opinion, b/c I now know who owned it before me and he beat the **** out of it. Big time. I have found a 2004 SVT focus at a nearby dealer, and since I do auto cross racing, I know these things can handle like crazy. I am considering trading it in for it. Just wanted to hear some comments about this from you guys, What would you do in my position??

 

Having owned a SVT Focus before I would say to get your SRT4 checked out and see exactly whats wrong with it .... the SVT is a terd... it handles decent but thats about where it ends... Srt4's dont die with being beat on, they are made for it

 

why would you even purchase a SRT-4 that you KNEW was beaten? SRT's can take a beating but if your not willing to make up for what the prior owner did to it and have no interest in investing into it, maybe you should move on.

 

sounds like clucth is going. e-brake should be an easy fix, start at the drums and check it back to the handle...doesnt sound like it will cost you as much as you will loose on a trade in deal. work out the small details and enjoy, remember to change your oil and trans fluid.

 

I did not know it was beaten untill after I have bought it. I have had my dodge dealer fix the ebrake twice now and it just seems to loosen itself after about 2-3 weeks. The thing is, the dealership near me, and its the only one, is not helpful. They do not want to work with me on anything, in fact when I purchased the car, they did not even tell me that I could transfer the rest of the drivetrain waranty within 30 days, until after 30 days. And, dont get me wrong, I love my SRT, it rocks, but knowing that it was beat makes me think about how long it will last.

 

When adjusting an ebrake always adjust the BRAKE itself first, then the ebrake. We have a drum in hat style ebrake. Maybe the cable needs replacing. Even if you have to travel a bit to another dealer its well worth it.

Don't give up on the little guy, he needs a good home. And buy an extended warranty if you dont plan on modding the hell out of it.

 

That would be a huge step down and backwards, test drive it and you will see how far below what you have that the SVT is.

 

Problem solved. I am keeping the SRT-4, I just love the car too damn much. I will have to wait and see if something breaks, Ill fix it.

 

That could be an expensive option. How many miles are on the car? There are certain things (like tranny fluid) that need to be changed more often than most people think.......A little preventative maintenance could save you big bucks in the long run......

Dusty

 

I have like 25k on the car now. I DO need to get the tranny fluid changed in it though. Well, first off, he defaced this car horribly. He took all the badging off of it, and I mean everything on the car, even the hood scoop cover!!! His girlfriend spray painted ESTEE inside the hood, he also cut the plastic mesh out from in front of the IC, which he must have used a utility knife, b/c he cut straight into the bumper. He was a dumb FU**!! So I am planning on putting money into the car. Oh yeah, he also cut out the back middle seat belt so his stereo would rattle back there. Besides, the way I see it, I have the extended warrenty, which I got just in case, so not too big of a deal. Man I LOVE THIS CAR!