Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to drive a 2004 Dodge SRT-4 on a regular basis. The SRT-4 was built on the Neon platform, but very heavily modified. The SRT stands for "Street and Racing Technology," SRT models are handled by the PVO team (Performance Vehicle Operations) at Dodge. The SRT-4 was Dodge's most recent attempt at storming into the highly competitive and highly lucrative sport compact market, a market primarily ruled by Japanese imports, and the occasional European tuner. The idea, make one of the most economical domestics on the road, something imports should be afraid of, and they did a great job at accomplishing that, although many import tuners won't recognize the SRT as a worthy opponent, many see it as a threat on the street. 

 The PVO team put a 2.4 Liter turbo charged and intercooled motor under the blunt hood, which is most easily noted by the cowl and hood scoop protruding from the hood. The motor puts down 230hp and 268ft/lb of torque, through 17inch "sport" wheels. The car also has a different suspension, transmission, and aero parts than the standard Neon. The car gets a slick body kit, and large "grab handle" spoiler. 

 The SRT-4 also has cloth "Viper inspired" seats, which I loved, however, some of my passengers who aren't as slim as me, did not. 

 My time with the car has been a very strong love/hate, relationship. By that I mean, I loved it one minute and hated it the next. The car is fast, very fast, and will wipe the floor with some of its domestic V8 counterparts, and leave you feeling speed euphoria, however, it seems as though the PVO team got so caught up trying to make a straight line slingshot, they forgot this car still has four doors and five seats and needs to retain its everyday driveability.

 There are several serious design flaws that tend to bring you off that speed induced high, very quickly and leave you cussing out your little hotrod. The first and most frustrating for me was the poor turning radius. I fully believe that a Boeing 747 could turn a tighter circle! My second complaint also rests with the transmission. With all that added hp and torque Dodge needed a beefier transmission, and where did they get it, well word on the street says, their European van line. This monster transmission limits the turning radius substantially and will leave you adjusting your park job like a soccer mom in a Hummer H1. 

 The second biggest flaw also stems from the transmission. The 5-speed manual 
shifts like a muscle car, and has serious syncromesh problems that are very common. The transmission is also very loud at low RPM in 1st through third gear, which will nearly drown out the muffler-less box exhaust, which normally sounds very muscular, unlike your typical ricer with a coffee can muffler.  Overall, I have to say that for the price tag, you aren't going to get a better showroom race car. If you want a bargain basement race car, this is your baby. If you want a high performance sports car, it's time to start saving your pennies. 

 I enjoyed my time with the car, but will not miss it when it's gone. It's great fun to drive, it makes lots of noise, has a decent stereo, and gets a lot of looks, but Mitsubishi Evo XIII it's not, but with a going rate half that of Evos and STIs you can't really knock it.