considering trading my truck for srt

[breathe]

so ive been considering going back to the car world.

i had a 02 neon, traded that in in feb. for an 05 ram 1500 quad cab. gas in this thing is killing me. I get about 12mpg, and it costs about $65 per fill up. I seriously hate taking it out of town because of the cost, so im constantly borrowing cars. If i do go back in the car world, i want something nice, and would like to stay with a dodge. So the dealership has an 05 SRT-4 with about 5k miles, havent seen the price yet, but im considering it. I dont want a slow car. the only advantage to the truck is for my quad, but i never go riding by myself, and i have a lot of friends with trucks and trailers...so im thinking that wont be a problem.

is this a bad idea? what kinda mpg can i expect from the SRT?

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Looks like you got the whole trailer twoing thing handled, but do you ever need a 4x4? Other cars to look into: Caliber and Nitro (Nitro release date is later this year).

[breathe]

my truck currently is 2 wheel drive, so i cant use 4x4 anyway.

I think the caliber looks absolutely ugly...i wont consider it. Nitro looks good, but isnt only a 2 seater?

[04Ram2500Hemi]

The Nitro is a 4 door. Go to google and type Nitro to see a bunch of pics, but here's one to look at.

[breathe]

oh no...i was thinking of something else, wasnt there a two door roadster??

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Are you thinking of the Chrysler Crossfire?

[breathe]

just looked it up, it was the Dodge Razor concept i was thinking of.

but anyway, i want a fast car, that looks good,with good gas milage. If i go dodge that gives me the SRT-4 basically.

I dont want my payments to go up, i currently pay about $350/mo for 6 yrs...think that is acheivable?

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I have no doubt you could get the $350/mo for 6yrs, it all depends on what you owe on your current vehicle.

The only thing I would be afraid of is that they discontinued the Neon, which could make getting parts in the future harder.

How close have you looked at the Charger or Magnum? Both are pretty nice vehicles.

Non Dodge Vehicles to consider:
Saturn Sky

Pontiac Solstice

[Andy]

I get 18-22mpg 100% city, and I boost many times a day as I only drive this for pleasure. I have a hard time getting less than 18-19, infact the lowest I've seen is 18 and that is running hard through he mountains. People driving highway report near 30.

The SRT-4 is a great car. I sold my Ram to buy this in November and have NO regrets whatsoever, as much as I loved the Ram. I'm not a 4 banger fan, but this thing does not drive like any 4 banger most people will ever get behind the wheel of! You're looking for quick you got it. I wanted basically the same as you, something nice quick and Mopar... And most important something I could afford! That really left this as the only option, and I'm extremely happy with it.

I also really wouldn't worry about Neon parts going anywhere anytime soon.

[breathe]

well i like Mopars, and on top of it, my family is friends with the owner of the local dodge dealership, so i can get smoking deals on dodge cars.

Wont the charger and the magnum get worse gas milage than the SRT?

I love the looks of the solstice and the sky, but i doubt i can get as good a deal

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Magnum and Charger come with a peppy V-6 that get's in the 20's. I don't know if the Hemi Charger/Magnum come with MDS, but it would be something to look at. I guess I'm just somebody who likes the thought of V-8 Power, that's why I brought up the Charer/Magnum thought.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I just looked, the Charger does come with the MDS equipped Hemi. Fuel Economy according to Dodge.com is
City: 17
Hwy: 25

[rice_eater]

I also really wouldn't worry about Neon parts going anywhere anytime soon.
Neons, and especially the SRT-4, have achieved almost cult status for people looking for small, fast, (and cheap) domestic cars. Dont worry about parts, if anything, they will become easier to get with time.

The only complaint i've EVER heard about the SRT-4 is the fact that it is FWD, and even with the LSD (04-05 cars) the front treads can be turned into blazing smoke bombs at the slightest provocation of the throttle. (whether thats good or bad, that depends on the drivers opinion... :D )

I wouldnt bother looking at anything else American made if i were you. Ford has nothing in the small car market anymore (nothing even remotely close to sporty anyway), and you couldnt pay me to own a GM. Just my opinion though. I know I'll probably get flamed for saying this, but if you want a few more cars to consider, i'd look overseas... Japan. The new Civic Si (2006) is one peppy car, as well as its half-sister the Acura RSX Type-S. Both cars will get equal or better mileage compared to an SRT-4, and are very reliable, no matter what die hard domestic owners will tell you. They are slower than the SRT-4 though, that is undeniable (N/A engine). If you dont like imports, dont test-drive either of those two cars, or you may end up buying them. Please keep the "honda sympathizer" and "rice lover" comments to a minimum, honda's do not come off the showroom floor "rice", you have to add a fartcan to them. :D

[breathe]

a friend of mine owns both the RSX type S and the Si, and both are peppy cars, but Honda's are expensive for what they are.

[breathe]

so i found out more about the car, apparently an old guy owned it. put a little bit of money into it, it has the borla exhaust, CAI, sway bars, oil catch can, and new springs....dealership said they were going to lower cost on it soon too...

[Andy]

It should be possible to find a great deal on one

[breathe]

the dealership wants $21,000 for this car, but its been sitting there for at least 4 months due to price. One of the sales people that im friends with told me they are getting ready to mark the price down. KBB says trade in on my truck is 17,350, i owe 18,900. Private party value is 19,880. Im thinking if the dealer can give me the SRT-4 at the same monthly payment, ill be happy. I went to my insurance, it'll be $155/mo for $250 deductible collision/$0 deductible comprehensive with glass. I pay $147 on the truck right now for the same coverage.

[Andy]

I dunno man... I paid 21,000 for mine brand new. How many miles are on it, and what options?

[J.W.]

I have thought of an SRT4, simply because i really dont want something over the top, i could probably live with I/E and a boost controller, so you get a car with great performance out of the bag for really cheap....the looks have grown on me..a little. And by the way, you can get a much better deal than that...i would lose some mileage for a cheaper car

[breathe]

I dunno man... I paid 21,000 for mine brand new. How many miles are on it, and what options?
21,000 is whats on the window, they are going to knock the price down anyway. Plus, my family is friends with the owner of the dealership, so they always give us insane deals (i.e. gave me 9k for a 02 neon with 65k mi on it (i bought it from them 2 years prior for 6k)). so im sure it wont be anywhere near that number. besides the upgrades it has a sunroof and the kicker system. im not sure what or if there are any other options.

[Andy]

The only factory options are the sunroof, kicker system, and side air bags which come with different style seats than the "Viper" style race seats. I have the sunroof and kicker stereo.

Well good luck and make sure to lets us know if you get one.

[breathe]

im going today after work to check it out, test drive, see if they will work a deal, so ill definately let you guys know if i get it....of course it might not be till late. I know if i buy it ill be out driving all night lol

[breathe]

its mine!! :) i think im in love

[rice_eater]

Ahhh, yes.... The common reaction after driving an SRT-4... Wish i could have the pleasure, LOL.

[breathe]

lol...i think my girl is going to wonder what im more in love with...the car or her

[WannaGetAnSRT4]

Congratulations! Welcome to the fun zone!!
My condolences to your girlfriend, I hope she understands the new love of your life.

[breathe]

she is a fan of fast cars, so i think she will understand. its nice to have a girl that appreciates a quick car

[Andy]

So you got it? Nice!

I've put 16,000 miles on mine since November, all city! It's too damn addicting.

[breathe]

i did a lot of driving with it last night. Was planning the same tonight, but i do need to swap my system from my truck to the car.

[hemi1569]

You miss the truck? I was considering a 4, but I don't know If I would like shifting again, plus I would probably need the truckbed a day later. My dealership gets them in all the time. It is so nerveracking to see them come in, some are beat to a pulp but others are cherry. What color is yours? Pics? What are you going to do to it?

[breathe]

You miss the truck? I was considering a 4, but I don't know If I would like shifting again, plus I would probably need the truckbed a day later. My dealership gets them in all the time. It is so nerveracking to see them come in, some are beat to a pulp but others are cherry. What color is yours? Pics? What are you going to do to it?

to be honest i dont miss the truck at all. i am going to get a beater for hauling my quad around, but the QC was too much for what i used it for.

I am really happy i made this choice...i had a quater tank left last night, so i filled her up with premium, cost me a whole $22 to fill it..

Mine is silver. I havent taken pictures yet, but i will soon. It already has a lot done to it. Im thinking of adding the S1 PCM. Not sure if i want to go S2 yet.

[breathe]

well, here she is girls and boys
http://myspace-423.vo.llnwd.net/00857/32/45/857995423_l.jpg
http://myspace-026.vo.llnwd.net/00857/62/09/857999026_l.jpg

[Andy]

cool :tup:

[rice_eater]

Looks nice! I want one!!!! Anyone have $15G I could borrow?

[breathe]

Looks nice! I want one!!!! Anyone have $15G I could borrow?
im sure the bank does :P

[rice_eater]

im sure the bank does :P
Probably not for a 17 year old..... ;)