I'm glad you are taking our jealousy maturely. I hate it when people come over from other boards to start **** (like 2002BlackWRX, what was his problem?). I completely agree with you, the performance package WILL be probably the best bang for your buck around hands down. I've heard that Neons do handle pretty well, and I'm sure this new one will outdo all of them. Whether I like it or not, the SRT4 is going to be a major player in the pocket rocket category, for sheezy.

But I have great expectations for the MS pro, too. It may not have as much HP when it comes out, but it'll still be a damn impressive car.

 

With the advent of the MazdaSpeed Protege and it's rival the Dodge SRT-4, we will have to keep a close eye on both cars. Given the the history of aftermarket and manufacturer involvement, the Dodge SRT-4 looks like it will be an overall easier platform to 'Rice' than the MazdaSpeed Proteges.

I wouldn't be suprised if one of the magazines did a comparison with the MazdaSpeed Protege and the Dodge Neon SRT-4. I am sure that Mazda is aware of this competitor, and I just hope that Mazda will make an effort to gain an upper hand in this arena. Given the financial strength of both companies, I would probably say that Dodge would win the battle in the end.

The nice thing about the Proteges though, is that with the BEGI turbo kit to be released soon (hopefully before the release of the SRT-4) we can see close to the same output as the Neon SRT-4. Namely, we can spend the difference in price between the Proteges and the SRT-4 and get the same HP output.

The nice thing about aftermarket turbo vs. stock turbo is that we will be paying a lower premium on insurance. If we don't win on the street, we will definetely win in the pocketbook!

 

That's definately a fine point, but if I had a new proetege, as nice as the BEGI kit may be, I would still be leary of spending $3k + installation and voiding my warranty These cars are going to have warranty's from the factory, which will be nice. The insurance thing IS awfully cool, though

 

5.9 sec 0-60? With street tires?From 205 hp?They gotta be kidding-they must have switched stopwatch on after it did burnout through first 2 gears and finally got some grip.
Saab Viggen FWD 13,6 lb/hp, 0-60 in 6.7
neon FWD 13.29 lb/hp 0-60 in 5.9???
Alex

 

Pounds per horsepower isn't the deciding factor. Compare where the horsepower is, how much torque the car has and how much of it is available throughout the entire rev band.

 

I think 5.9 is a little optimistic, but still doable. Depending on any turbo lag, there may be little low-end torque and less chance of wheelspin at launch. Or there could be mad low-end grunt, and they could just feather the gas until it was moving fast enough?

A little optimistic, but doable.

 

From http://www.allpar.com/neon/neon-srt-4.html

Production of the Dodge SRT-4 is scheduled to start in the spring of 2003 at the Belvidere (Ill.)... About 5,000 are scheduled to be built.

Only 5 000 being built...good luck trying to find one... ...$20 000 USD...my @ss...the mark-up will take the car WELL out of a comparable league to our cars...

 

Just be reasonable-take eclipse gs-t with 2 liter turbo and AWD "barely" manages it in 6.4 seconds. Don't tell me about torgue-it's not VTEC vs turbo, it's 2 liter turbo vs 2 liter turbo.
Saab Viggen has shitload more torgue than neon, and max is available at 1900 rpm(vs neons 2000rpm)
Again it's 2 liter turbo against 2 liter turbo.
5.9 second is doable-with rolling start or slicks.
Alex

 

If it does then it is going to run against some real benchmarks in the $25K USD segment. I wouldn't think it would have a chance but....people will buy anything.

 

i look at it this way yeah the car is fast but its ugly our cars not all that fast but looks better. and two sho cares about 5.9sec. do what i did make your P5 as fast as you can afford and look as good as possible which you really dont have to do much too, then buy you a bike like mine preferrably 03 R1 (yamaha) and who cars if it does 0-60 in 5.9 sec. who cares if it does 1/4 in 13sec. you'll still smoke it on any day of the week. but thats just my op.

 

Yep. The Saab does have more torque. But not that much more. I think Chrysler may be sandbagging the ratings a little. The SRT-4 is going to be a 2.4 liter motor, not a 2.0 like the current model. Secondly, this is the same motor going in the PT Turbo which is rated at 215hp and 245 lb/ft of torque. Also note that the Saab Viggen weighs a good bit more than the Neon also. Enough to negate some of that torque claim.

-edit- I would suggest that suspension differences contribute to the Neon's ability to make quicker sprints over the Saab. The Saabs floaty suspension contributes a lot to that cars ability to transfer weight OFF the front wheels when trying to accellerate quickly.

 

When I find one to challenge I will post the video of the victory! All it takes is a little waste gate adjustment and he is history

 

You really think that guy is gonna let you under the hood of his car to turn the boost down?

 

I am making more HP now. I just want to make it embarrassing, so I will increase my boost a few pounds.

 

Just wanted to make a note.

Some of the Info Dodge99RT gave was wrong.

The SRT's suspension is NOT based on the ACR's.

The ACR has 21 Way adjustable suspension, the SRT's Suspension is not adjustable. It is using non adjustable Tokico Struts, and Coil Springs.

Also the Engine power has been changed. The car will now be putting out 215 HP and 245Lb-Ft of Torqe. The Torque is available from 2800 RPM till 4800 RPM.

The SRT will come with Michelin Pilot Sport AS Tires.

The car should out handle the Dodge Neon R/T Models, but the ACR should still out perform the SRT on the Skid Pad.

On a side note, Does anyone know how the Protoge's are doing in the Speed Channel Series?