Understatement of the year: Dodge SRT-4 is a success.
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Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Understatement of the year: Dodge SRT-4 is a success.
Out here in LA, you can barely go a half dozen blocks without seeing a couple.
http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=04707550
SRT-4 sales screaming
When Dodge first envisioned building a performance version of its Neon subcompact, internal estimates suggested sales might reach 1000 per year. By the time the vehicle hit the market earlier this year, that number had already been revised upward to 3000. Now Dodge marketing chief David Kimball says the earlier projections need another adjustment, given the company is on track to sell 10,000 SRT-4s per year and will likely decide soon to boost annual production to 13,000 cars. The SRT-4 will still be hard to come by, no doubt, considering the 2004 model’s horsepower increases by 15 to 230 hp and the car gets a limited-slip differential, all for the slightly higher base price of $20,995.
When Dodge first envisioned building a performance version of its Neon subcompact, internal estimates suggested sales might reach 1000 per year. By the time the vehicle hit the market earlier this year, that number had already been revised upward to 3000. Now Dodge marketing chief David Kimball says the earlier projections need another adjustment, given the company is on track to sell 10,000 SRT-4s per year and will likely decide soon to boost annual production to 13,000 cars. The SRT-4 will still be hard to come by, no doubt, considering the 2004 model’s horsepower increases by 15 to 230 hp and the car gets a limited-slip differential, all for the slightly higher base price of $20,995.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,463
From: SoCal
GM needs a turbo pocket rocket too. They have talked for some time about a turbo Ecotech, its time to step up. Give the Cobalt a turbo, 6-speed, and let the aftermarket and us gearheads do the rest! Or make the Ion Red Line really special! Keep the price under $22,000 and GM would be back in the tuner game!
Its nic eto factory sponsor a NHRA Cavalier and Sunfine in the Import Series but give the public a road going version, so you can truly bring attetnion to the cars!
Its nic eto factory sponsor a NHRA Cavalier and Sunfine in the Import Series but give the public a road going version, so you can truly bring attetnion to the cars!
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,954
Originally posted by WannaBeZ28
I recall normal neons being crap boxes. I hope that isn't the case in the SRT-4. I just dont' trust neons but I must admit that it is a rocket.
I recall normal neons being crap boxes. I hope that isn't the case in the SRT-4. I just dont' trust neons but I must admit that it is a rocket.
Is the SRT-4 trustworthy? No comment on that score. It's pure old school turbo - something that Chrysler had plenty of experience with - for better or worse. Would I buy it? We live in a world of $9K base Neons, and the $20K SRT-4 looks shady without a big rebate. Your best bet is still one of those "$8,995" Focus ZX3s that I see advertised all over.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Long Beach, CA
Re: Understatement of the year: Dodge SRT-4 is a success.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by guionM
[B]Out here in LA, you can barely go a half dozen blocks without seeing a couple.
Very true! These things are out there like swarms of roaches! I ALWAYS see one when I'm out. Usually in Yellow, followed by red.
I knew that when I started seeing too many SRT4's that Dodge did well, apparently my guess was right.
If Saturn does the Redline series right, then it shouldn't fail.
[B]Out here in LA, you can barely go a half dozen blocks without seeing a couple.
Very true! These things are out there like swarms of roaches! I ALWAYS see one when I'm out. Usually in Yellow, followed by red.
I knew that when I started seeing too many SRT4's that Dodge did well, apparently my guess was right.
If Saturn does the Redline series right, then it shouldn't fail.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,308
From: Calgary
hmm.....figures....Dodge has a problem when it comes to forecasting demand. They really low balled the PT Cruiser, when it first came out.
They predicted only 75,000 sales.....I coulda told them it was gonna be more then that! Initally they were kinda hard to get a hold of....until they ramped up production.
And then theres good old GM.....who predicted 75,000 Azteks!
What a bunch of idiots.....on that one
They predicted only 75,000 sales.....I coulda told them it was gonna be more then that! Initally they were kinda hard to get a hold of....until they ramped up production.
And then theres good old GM.....who predicted 75,000 Azteks!
What a bunch of idiots.....on that one
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Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 854
From: neverneverland
Originally posted by 99SilverSS
GM needs a turbo pocket rocket too. They have talked for some time about a turbo Ecotech, its time to step up. Give the Cobalt a turbo, 6-speed, and let the aftermarket and us gearheads do the rest! Or make the Ion Red Line really special! Keep the price under $22,000 and GM would be back in the tuner game!
Its nic eto factory sponsor a NHRA Cavalier and Sunfine in the Import Series but give the public a road going version, so you can truly bring attetnion to the cars!
GM needs a turbo pocket rocket too. They have talked for some time about a turbo Ecotech, its time to step up. Give the Cobalt a turbo, 6-speed, and let the aftermarket and us gearheads do the rest! Or make the Ion Red Line really special! Keep the price under $22,000 and GM would be back in the tuner game!
Its nic eto factory sponsor a NHRA Cavalier and Sunfine in the Import Series but give the public a road going version, so you can truly bring attetnion to the cars!
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 77
From: WI
kinda funny. Starting a couple of years ago I said GM needed a limited production performance cavy. A turbo 4 or SC 3800 would be better. Everyone told me they would never sell, because the price would probably put it over the 20K mark. I figured it would be best served as an image booster even if it didnt sell too good.
Hmmmmmm............
Hmmmmmm............
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,417
From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Originally posted by IREngineer
2 years my friend, 2 years...
2 years my friend, 2 years...
Could've had a piece of that tasty profit pie - but no.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
Originally posted by Pandamonkey
That's a helluva long time, considering the market they are missing out on right now.
Could've had a piece of that tasty profit pie - but no.
That's a helluva long time, considering the market they are missing out on right now.
Could've had a piece of that tasty profit pie - but no.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: The Golden State
Originally posted by R377
Plus you just know that when GM does bring out a blown Saturn, its performance will still come up short against the SRT-4. As always, a day late and a dollar short.
Plus you just know that when GM does bring out a blown Saturn, its performance will still come up short against the SRT-4. As always, a day late and a dollar short.
You're right. It's about half a second slower to 60 than the SRT-4.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
I think that the SRT-4 is an awesome "bang for the buck" value". I could almost consider one if it weren't for that rear spoiler!
BTW the SRT-4 blows the Ion Redline away in the 1/4 mile, but the Ion Redline reportedly beats the SRT-4 around Nurburing .
Give credit to the Delta platform's excellent dynamics...and the brakes which Redline borrows from the Epsilon platform.
BTW the SRT-4 blows the Ion Redline away in the 1/4 mile, but the Ion Redline reportedly beats the SRT-4 around Nurburing .
Give credit to the Delta platform's excellent dynamics...and the brakes which Redline borrows from the Epsilon platform.
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Joined: Aug 1998
Posts: 854
From: neverneverland
Originally posted by Pandamonkey
That's a helluva long time, considering the market they are missing out on right now.
Could've had a piece of that tasty profit pie - but no.
That's a helluva long time, considering the market they are missing out on right now.
Could've had a piece of that tasty profit pie - but no.