I've been dreaming of getting a 04 Srt-4 since they came out. I went to the dodge dealer and found the exact one I wanted. Electric blue with the sunroof. I crawled under it and low and behold the sway bar is coated in rust!! Then I look at the front suspension and there is rust on that as well. I kind of freaked out. I went inside and crawled under the silver Srt-4 that was on the showroom floor and it had the same rust problem as the blue one outside. I have owned nothing but german and japanese all my life and I have never seen a brand new car with rust on it. I have a 84 Vw GTI and it's sway bar is coated and doesn't have any rust on it. This dodge is the first domestic car I have ever seriously considered buying. I've talked with some domestic car owners and they told me it's normal to have some rust on some of the parts of a new car. Yeah, maybe the exaust and rotors. Why the hell can't dodge simply spray some coating on the sway bar and suspension. I posted this same complaint at a Srt-4 yahoo club and all the members felt rust on a new car is no big deal. Well, maybe if the car only cost 8-10k but come on. I'm still interested in the car I just want to know does everyone think it's ok that dodge puts out what I feel is a unsatisfactory quality product. If we as consumers accept this corner cutting then whats next? Your thoughts on the matter. Anyone else seen the rusty sway bar and suspension? <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley7.gif border="0">

 

i dont consider rust on a new car normal and would not be happy with it

 

Funny thing is where they are mfg'd is Illinois. Actually about 15 min from where I live. Lots of salt is used in the winter and all the cars sit outdoor as they are waiting for delivery to dealers. So not much can be done to prevent it. I am sure it is only a bit of surface rust.

 

Sorry, surface rust or not! Rust is rust! Instead of being so forgiving of dodge perhaps we should be more demanding. Walk the vw or japanese lots see if their brand new cars are prerusted for no additional charge. If dodge wants to cut corners on the prep of it's parts then fine pass the savings on to the consumer. For 20k their are alot of nice cars that could be had without the rust. ONe guy said I'm sure all you need to do once you get home with your new car is lightly sand the rusty parts and then paint them. Is he nuts!! Were talking about a brand new car here! I have monthly payments now! I shouldn't have to do jack but enjoy this sucker. ONe guy said how often do you really look under your car who cares about the rust. I look under my car every time I change the oil every 3k miles and once a week when I wash it. I can't believe people accept this rust thing so easily. Sorry, to rant but I'm really upset about this. I was ready to buy one of these cars now I'm wondering what other things have not been finished properly. Then again maybe I'm spoiled. My 94 toyota camry has 170K miles and it hass all the original equipment including the exaust system. I guess I'm being unrealistic expecting that kind of quality from dodge. My brother in law told me to make sure and take the extended warranty. He said it's pretty common to have to replace alternators and a/c compressors after 50K or 60K miles. YOu gotta be kidding! Feedback Please guys. Where can I write to complain to Dodge about the SRT-4 pre-rust package? Perhaps, when I order mine I can waive the pre-rust option. <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley7.gif border="0">

 

pre rust option, i like that. Call dodge hq and ask them about the situation. be polite and maybe they can give you some sort of explanation or do something to get you in a rust free one.

 

Yeah, maybe I can pay a hundered extra and have bubba aim the paint gun toward the sway bar and suspension for a second or to. I just complained to the dealer I saw the cars at now I'm going after headquarters. Man, this makes me mad.

 

Rust on a new car?I know dodge has had some paint problems like on the neons and such, but i didnt know they were rusting as early as that. Hmm..

 

sounds like they just forgot to undercoat the bottom of them

 

how many other cars are like this? I mean they should be more than willing to fix it. otherwise that says something right there.

 

check out several neons on their lot and then check out several of some of the other cars on the lot and see if its exclusive to the neons