Heritage
Once upon a time in America, V-8s ruled. They thundered down back roads, moonshine in their trunks, or raced stoplight to stoplight along Biscayne Boulevard. They spawned NASCAR and young people bought flathead Fords and Mopar Hemis and big-block Chevys. The Hemi found its way into Cudas and Chargers and Road Runners and Challengers, then on to drag strips and the winner's circle at the high banks of Talledaga.
But a funny thing happened not long ago. Young drivers decided small cars were cooler. They decided it was more challenging to pump up horsepower without relying on cubic inches. They coveted an Eclipse. Longed for a Civic. Fell for Subarus.
Thus it was that Chrysler took note of this and decided the quickest way to young hearts was a Neon that didn't say "hi" but said "eat my shorts." They beefed up the suspension, slapped on bigger brakes, bolted down semi-racing seats and stuffed a 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder under the hood. And don't forget that huge wing! The result is the 2004 Dodge SRT-4. But it's plasticky inside, still looks like a cute little Neon, and can't keep up with a WRX or Evo. Plus, at over $20,000, it's not cheap compared with a used import with aftermarket speed products making a unique statement.
Coachwork
You can tell this 2004 Dodge SRT-4 is a quickie makeover by modern touches it doesn't have. Look at those exterior door handles. They are still the same old nail-breaking, spider-hiding flip lids that are so yesterday. Today's updated cars have bar handles, to better aid rescue after an accident.
And despite some cosmetic touches, the 2004 Dodge SRT-4 is unmistakably a Neon. Arnold in a tutu. Yes, it's a hoot to drive, but young people want to make a statement as much or more than they want to go fast. This is a statement few will want to make. Remember James Dean being taunted by bullies at the planetarium? "I'm cute, too," he says to hoots and jeers. Somehow, it's hard to conceive of young men -- the targeted buyers -- wanting to say "I'm cute, too" with their choice of vehicle.
The interior is bargain basement, with an acre of cheap plastic covering the dash. Ergonomics are good, however. The metal ball shifter for the five-speed manual transmisson falls easily at hand. Heel-and-toe driving is not easy, as pedal placement is less than optimal. The rear windows do NOT go down. The instruments are clean and a turbo boost gauge is to the right of the steering wheel (why does anyone need this?).
On the Road
The 2004 Dodge SRT-4 is a blast to drive. It cannot compete with the acceleration prowess of the Subaru WRX or Mitsubishi Evo, but it costs a lot less. It'll shut down most other $20,000 cars. Plus, in the real world, it's easy to drive. The clutch releases easily and takeoffs can be smooth. The front tires dig for grip and the car scoots to redline quickly (torque steer can be a demon, so pay attention). There are 230 horsepower coming from this powerplant, enough to scoot 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. In Dodge's lineup, only the Viper is quicker.
The SRT-4 engine has been tuned to emit wonderful "pops" as it decelerates. The dual exhaust system is nicely tuned, not too intrusive at highway speed, but letting others know it's around when you accelerate. The turbocharger gulps air with all the noise of an old iron lung machine. We've seen these cars before, however. Pocket rockets were all the range in the early 1990s, with models like the Toyota Paseo, Nissan NX2000 and Mazda MX-3 ruling the roost. Dodge had an incredibly quick four-door sedan named the Spirit R/T, another turbocharged front-driver. They've all passed on. But what goes around, etc. They were fun to drive back then; the SRT-4 is fun to drive now. Great bang for the buck.
Summary
It must be tough to be a Detroit auto executive. First, you lost small car sales to the imports. Then you lost luxury cars. Then minivans. Now trucks are under import assault. You try. But you don't get it. Or get it in time. That's the problem with the 2004 Dodge SRT-4. Nice car. Too late to the table. The gang has moved on. Every time you reach for the bar, someone has raised it and you stumble trying to get over. Driven a Subaru WRX Sti lately? An Evo? Checked out the engine in the Honda S2000? V-8s are over. Front-drive is over. Flip-lid door handles are over. You continue to hang on to yesterday because your parts bins are full, while Japan long ago switched to the faster-to-change "just in time" system. They have no parts bins.
You make some nice vehicles, that's for sure, but they're like Mick Jaggar in concert today. Lots of effort from a terrific entertainer. But better back then. The Dodge SRT-4 won't turn the tide of loyalty that has moved to import brands. Those young men driving a Mitsubishi Eclipse with nitrous oxide will become tomorrow's businessmen who buy a Nissan G35 coupe, then a BMW M5. Maybe that's okay, since Daimler owns Chrysler now. Maybe not. Maybe the trade deficit will matter some day.
