Photo: Craigslist
Regarding front-wheel-drive fun, today’s Nice Price or No Dice Neon SRT-4 should fit the bill. Let’s see if this hot-shoe economy car comes with a price tag that’s also befitting.
Japanese classic cars are having a moment right now, led by crazy demand for early Datsun Zs and the evergreen first-generation Acura NSX. Sadly for the seller of yesterday’s 1988 Acura Legend Coupe, that mania hasn’t washed over the OG Legend quite yet. That was made plain in both the comments and the 80 percent No Dice loss the car earned at its $9,200 asking price.
I wonder how long it will be before for the plethora of “last of the line” special edition Dodge Challenger and Chargers earn their classic car status? It seems like there will be plenty of options for collectors, what with all the various Scat Packs, Track Packs, Hellcats, SRT8s, and Demons Dodge has offered of late. Those should fill the dreams and aspirations of many a Mopar maniac for years to come.
Photo: Craigslist
For those who might not have $100K laying around for a 700 horsepower—plus Hemi-powered drag strip Demon, there are older options that are less costly both on initial purchase and at the gas pump. Among those is this 2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4.
Now, being a far cheaper solution to what to do about the performance Dodge dilemma means that most SRT-4s have long ago been sullied by abusive owners, aftermarket malarkey, and general yahoo treatment. None of that appears, however, to be true with this clean title 128,000-mile example.
Photo: Craigslist
The primary deets on the model include a 230-horsepower 2.4-liter DOHC four, breathing through a turbocharged and intercooler intake, and a T-850 five-speed manual gearbox. Along with that hot drivetrain comes upgraded four-wheel disc brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in sticky performance rubber. For the looks department, Dodge went with a unique front facia, hood scoop, ground effects, and a trunk-mounted hoop spoiler. The interior received SRT sport seats, white gauge faces, and a polished metal hand burner for a shift knob.
Photo: Craigslist
That’s all present and accounted for here and without much in the way of added frippery. The paint looks to have survived the last two decades without issue, and the alloys appear free from major malfeasance. The seller notes that the car rolls on a set of BF Goodrich tires but doesn’t let on how old those are. The interior is also appreciably stock, with only a pair of add-on gauges (fuel level and coolant temp) in the instrument cluster throwing off the factory vibe. There’s also a note in the ad acknowledging “some upholstery wear on the outboard bolsters” of the seats, although the photos paint a more alarming picture of the extent of that wear.
Photo: Craigslist
On the mechanical front, things seem to have been lightly massaged and updated, with a K&N cold air intake, upgraded coil pack, and aftermarket billet engine mounts thrown into the mix. On the downside, the seller shows a big fly in the ointment at the end of the ad, claiming that the clutch is the original unit and stating that it is now in need of retirement. That’s an expensive bit of work if done by a shop or just a few hundred bucks if done in the driveway. That really speaks to the competence, experience, and ambition of the next owner.
Photo: Craigslist
To take on the car and potentially tackle that tired clutch issue requires an outlay of $9,700 per the seller. What’s your take on this seemingly decent-looking SRT-4 and that asking? Does that seem like a deal to acquire some light Mopar Madness and maybe get your hands dirty? Or, in this Neon’s case, do the cons outweigh the pros at that price?
You decide!
Pheonix, Arizona, Craigslist, or go
if the ad disappears.
H/T to FauxShizzle for the hookup!
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Keyword: At $9,700, Is This 2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 A Whole Lotta’ Bang For The Buck?