Country Boy: 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 ACR
When Dodge released the SRT-4 version of their Neon econobox, the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) group did so with an extended middle finger to the automotive establishment. BMW could take their rear-wheel-drive balance and shove it — Subaru could put their all-wheel-drive grip where the sun don’t shine — and Audi put their refinement up their nose if it could reach that high. The SRT-4 Neon was a front-drive line walking burnout machine with a frontier wagon interior and all the class of Dale Watson singing “I Lie When I Drink” and all the subtlety of Johnny Cash signing “Cocaine Blues.” I have to admit that as a used car junky I salivated at the idea of the SRT-4s hitting their depreciation curve and you can get this 1 of 1175 ACR edition examples (the ACR added wider wheels/tires, lowered ride height, thicker rear sway bar, adjustable shocks, and other stuff) for next to nothing. It is indeed a big upgrade in speed/performance/fun versus the basic Neon we posted the other day. Find this 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 ACR offered for $6000 in Las Vegas, NV via craigslist.
From the seller:
2005 dodge neon srt4
condition: good
fuel: gas
odometer: 200000
title status: clean
transmission: manual
Clean title
Will trade
See another car for the Branded Man? tips@dailyturismo.com
Everybody should find an opportunity to autoX one of these. They are amazingly quick and nimble. The ACR’s seem to be better put together as well. I want to buy this one just to give it a proper cleaning!
Nice looking example of a car that has been the target of over-the-top Fast and Furious types. Dodge in this era nailed it with their SRT-4 Neon. It’s successor, the Caliber, was a failure and ended the idea of a low budget muscle car for the masses in the Dodge linep. I believe my Fiat 500 Abarth is the proper successor to the Neon SRT-4; but now, that too, is gone…
Beat me to it: we also own an Abarth and couldn’t be happier. It has a tuned Madness ECM good for a minimum of 190 herspers and puts a manic grin on our faces just like I’m sure a SRT-4 would’ve.
On paper, the Caliber SRT4 shines: even offering an AWD option and a 6-speed vs the Abarth’s 5 cogs. The downside is being unforgivably ugly. The Abarth however gets an appreciative look back every time I park it and walk away.
Caliber SRT 285hp – 3200lbs = 11.2hp : lb
SRT-4: 230hp – 3200lbs = 13.9hp : lb
Abarth 160hp – 2280lbs = 14.25hp : lb
Needs a Rebel flag on the roof and a 5 piece Trumpet Horn…!