In the interest of trying to understand what makes environmentalists happy, a compact car arrived in the driveway, an ’03 Dodge Neon four-door sedan–economy personified.
It was somewhat modified from the run-of-the-mill economy cars, because there’s no reason to be bored to tears while trying to understand what makes environmentalists happy to reduce the daily flood of e-mail.
So this Neon came with a whale-tail spoiler and a 2.4-liter, 215-horsepower, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
All Neons got new front and rear fascia, headlamps and taillamps and an aluminum Dodge medallion in the steering wheel for ’03, a freshening until new sheet metal appears for ’05.
But this model adds a functional hood scoop, fog lamps, body-colored door handles and side door sills, plus a namebadge that reads SRT-4.
Yup, this was the pocket rocket, the have-a-blast Neon from Chrysler Group’s Performance Vehicle Operations team, the folks who created the Dodge Viper SRT-10 and the Dodge Ram SRT-10.
The SRT-4 was added to the lineup to inject some life into an economy car that has to go another two years before a switch to a new Mitsubishi/Chrysler platform.
It also is meant to attract youth, specifically tuners, to the Dodge brand by offering them a less-than-$20,000 new-car alternative to what they have been doing–purchasing used cars for $10,000 and then adding $20,000 in goodies to dress up the sheet metal and soup up the engine to individualize the machine.
The SRT-4 provides a needed injection of adrenaline into an aging body. The heart and soul of the SRT-4 is a new turbocharged 4-cylinder rated at 215 h.p. and 245 foot-pounds of torque, a significant boost from the 132 h.p. and 162 foot-pounds of torque the base 2-liter 4-cylinder delivers.
Good reason to hug a tree–to have something to hang onto when an SRT-4 passes. And for ’04 the 2.4 kicks it up a notch, to 230 h.p. and 250 foot-pounds of torque.
The SRT-4, with a claimed zero- to 60-m.p.h. time of 5.9 seconds, is the second quickest car in the Dodge lineup. Only the Viper, which boasts a zero-to-60 time of 3.9 seconds, is quicker.
While that speaks well of the SRT-4, why is the second quickest Dodge car an aged compact Neon? With more SRTs planned, including 6- and 8-cylinder versions in the Dodge lineup, perhaps a long-awaited midsize Charger will be added to solve that.
But we digress.
Kick the pedal in this front-wheel-drive sedan hard, and after the initial torque steer wiggle subsides and you have the nose aimed straight again, it’s time to settle in for some fun. And to think the ’04 version promises even more quickness.
The turbo 4 is teamed with a 5-speed manual, thankfully a smooth-shifting unit because you can’t get an automatic. Ditto for ’04.
While the SRT-4 can slap you back in your seat, those who preach conservation will be pleased that it’s rated at 22 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway.
So what you have with SRT-4 is an economy car that delivers excellent mileage but can change character to become a compact performance sedan with lots of spirit and spunk. A rumble-tuned exhaust complements the package.
Only gripe, other than we hope the ’05 Neon successor has a larger and roomier cabin, is that SRT-4 would be even more fun if the seat bottom cushions were a tad wider to provide better thigh support.
While Dodge is quick to mention SRT-4’s performance, it isn’t shy about pointing to the price tag, either–$19,450 fully equipped. Youth who spend $10,000 on a used car and another $20,000 on customizing it, need spend only $20,000 and have the total package.
Of course, that doesn’t rule out tuners adding a few aftermarket tweaks so the SRT-4 makes more of a statement. But Dodge would rather that youth tweak a new Neon than a used Honda Civic.
The $19,450 package includes a high-performance suspension, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, performance-tuned steering for more precise response to wheel input and 17-inch low-profile performance radials, which all contribute to ride and handling with a sporty bent. That means you’ll feel the tar marks.
Amenities include air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with CD player, power windows/locks/mirrors, tinted glass, rear window defroster, tilt steering, keyless entry, floor mats and power outlet. But no automatic, no power sunroof and no traction control.
Cruiser boost
The SRT-4 isn’t the only car in the Chrysler lineup that’s going to enjoy a power boost for ’04.
“We’re giving the PT a shot in the arm,” Larry Lyons, vice president of small cars for Chrysler Group, told us.
For ’03 the Chrysler PT Cruiser offers a 2.4-liter, 215-h.p. turbocharged 4-cylinder, but will kick it up to 220 h.p. for ’04. The torque rating remains the same at 245 foot-pounds.
For those who want the extra oomph of a turbo over the base 2.4-liter, 150-h.p. naturally aspirated 4-cylinder in the PT, but don’t necessarily need to burn rubber, the PT also will offer a 2.4-liter, 180-h.p. turbo for ’04.
The high-output 215-h.p. turbo PT will come with 17-inch radial tires, and the 180-h.p. version will settle for 16-inchers.
As for PTs, just drove the Dream Cruiser II, and yes, there will be a PT Dream Cruiser III this fall, but Chrysler isn’t talking about it.
PT went on sale for ’01 and the Dream Cruiser Series joined the lineup for ’02 to generate some added interest with novel color treatments and powertrains.
For ’03, Dream Cruiser adds a tangerine orange exterior finish and the 215-h.p. turbo. Tangerine takes some time to get used to, but, as with all PTs, once behind the wheel what’s not to love?
However, now that we’ve had seat time in a variety of PTs, have to say that placing the power-window controls in the top of the dash isn’t our first choice for an easy-to-use location.
Chrysler says the location was dictated by proximity to the wiring harness.
And lots of folks welcomed the addition of armrests on the driver/passenger doors in ’02 but have to admit they don’t make finding and using the heated seat controls along the outer top of the seats closest to the doors easy.
But, as we said, what’s not to love when waiting 30 minutes for the wife to make that one-minute dash into the store and being treated to a half hour of comedian Jeff Foxworthy on the satellite radio’s comedy channel. Sirius satellite radio is offered on the PT for the first time for ’03. It’s a $299 option plus installation if added by the dealer, a $295 option if factory ordered and installed–plus a $12.95 per month satellite subscription charge for either.
The Dream Cruiser II starts at $22,840.
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TEST DRIVE
2004 Ford F-150 Lariat
Wheelbase: 132.5 inches
Length: 218 inches
Engine: 5.4-liter, 300-h.p. V-8
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Fuel economy: 14 m.p.g. city/18 m.p.g. highway
Base price: $35,570
Price as tested: $38,945. Includes $895 for 5.4-liter V-8; $225 for AM/FM stereo with clock and in-dash CD player; $595 for leather trimmed captain’s chairs with console and floor shifter; $350 for trailer towing package, $645 for heated seats; $225 for two-tone paint with lower rocker panel and wheel lip accents; $195 for pickup bed extender; and $245 for power sliding rear window. Add $795 for freight.
Pluses: New bolder and less artsy design. Longer/wider cabin. Lineup now offers five rather than just three models and all come with four doors. New, short 5 1/2-foot bed for easier parking and/or garaging yet optional bed extender for longer cargo when you need it. Power adjustable pedals standard.
Minuses: The options and potential to run up the price just never end–yet no cooled seats as offered in Expedition SUV. No V-6 or manual transmission until ’05. If not 6’5″ tall, the optional running boards are a must.
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BUYING GUIDE: Compare Neon with other compacts. CARS.COM
