Test drove an SRT-4 Saturday...

[volk68]

I have been thinking about upgrading my daily driver lately, and was in Denver when I passed a lot with an orange 2005 SRT-4 on it.  I am currently using a 93 Shadow ES as my daily driver, and it still runs great, but it has over 200,000 on it, so I will have to do something sometime in the near future, I'm sure.  The SRT-4 kind of interests me because it is reasonably affordable, fast, and I wouldn't feel guilty racking up big miles on it.  The salesman talked me into a test drive.

This car is fast    I prefer the feel of a V8, but that turbocharged four is just plain fun to drive.  Boost scales up quickly and it will throw you back in your seat.  Ride is somewhat stiff, but it handles very well.  While the looks don't overwhelm me (especially the rear spoiler), this would make a perfect car for the daily commute.  Overall, I was pretty impressed. 

Now to see what I can afford to spend........

[The Ghoul]

I was at a dealer eyeing up the magnums and the sales person said "im suprized your not intrested in the srt4" I said "why would I be intrested in that" he said "its like a neon minus the stuck" I said "so its nothing like a neon?"
Im lying, that was an online comic I saw once...
I personally would rather spend a bit extra and get a wrx and have awd for winter.
but then again I do live in an area where winters suck with rwd or fwd.
I do like how dodge got behind the srt4 as far as after market.

[Todd Wilson]

I have been thinking about upgrading my daily driver lately, and was in Denver when I passed a lot with an orange 2005 SRT-4 on it.  I am currently using a 93 Shadow ES as my daily driver, and it still runs great, but it has over 200,000 on it, so I will have to do something sometime in the near future, I'm sure.  The SRT-4 kind of interests me because it is reasonably affordable, fast, and I wouldn't feel guilty racking up big miles on it.  The salesman talked me into a test drive.

This car is fast    I prefer the feel of a V8, but that turbocharged four is just plain fun to drive.  Boost scales up quickly and it will throw you back in your seat.  Ride is somewhat stiff, but it handles very well.  While the looks don't overwhelm me (especially the rear spoiler), this would make a perfect car for the daily commute.  Overall, I was pretty impressed. 

Now to see what I can afford to spend........

It would probably be faster in Texas getting back down out of the thin air.


Todd

[Silver R/T]

ya those srt4 are quick, but for the price you can probably get used WRX with warranty still on it.

[volk68]

I don't like Subaru at all.  I've worked on too many, and they certainly aren't worth the price of admission.  Not sure I've seen a Subaru WRX for $20k or less with a full warranty left.

Subaru=overrated

[The Ghoul]

Subaru=overrated

well, find me an awd car for cheaper.
lancer evlolution case in point.
Ive never had an issue with mine and seems to me the only people that burn out transmissions and rear ends are the ones that commonly do 4k+ clutch dumps.
Its a great car for what it is.
small, light car with awd. some of us like the fact that we dont need to buy a big truck or suv to have awd for winter.
I personally hate how the wrx and sti look but ah well, to each his own

[volk68]

Subaru=overrated

well, find me an awd car for cheaper.
lancer evlolution case in point.
Ive never had an issue with mine and seems to me the only people that burn out transmissions and rear ends are the ones that commonly do 4k+ clutch dumps.
Its a great car for what it is.
small, light car with awd. some of us like the fact that we dont need to buy a big truck or suv to have awd for winter.
I personally hate how the wrx and sti look but ah well, to each his own

The comparison wasn't awd vs. awd.  I was told I could find an awd Subaru WRX for cheaper than an SRT-4....something I have yet to see.  The WRX is always going to cost more than the SRT-4 in comparable condition. 

Sorry if my comments on the Subaru offended you.  If you have one that you like, more power to you...they just aren't for me.  I have been around Subaru's for a long time, and they simply don't impress me.  They have risen to iconic status largely due to a great marketing campaign and the success of one model in rally sport racing.  People somehow think they are driving a true rally car right off the lot when they buy a new WRX...it's kind of sad, really.  The WRX has allowed Subaru dramatic price increases across their whole product line with cars that aren't nearly what new owners think they are.  In fact, until Porsche's involvement in the WRX, they were really a niche (and second class) car.  Now, they charge best of class prices for all their cars, not just the WRX.

Are they fast?  The WRX is.  Are they reliable?  To some degree.  Are they worthy of the hype surrounding the brand?  Not in my opinion.

[The Ghoul]

I was told I could find an awd Subaru WRX for cheaper than an SRT-4....something I have yet to see.  The WRX is always going to cost more than the SRT-4 in comparable condition. 

who told you that? 
no, your comments did not offend me.
I just dont see how they are over rated.
They are the only car manufacturer on the market selling dependible awd cars.
I guess if you consider the wrx vs a fwd car, yes it is a bigger price tag. what I was trying to point out is I would rather pay a bit more for the awd. Then again I would be driving it every day, wich includes the snow months. 

[Silver R/T]

Subaru=overrated

well, find me an awd car for cheaper.
lancer evlolution case in point.
Ive never had an issue with mine and seems to me the only people that burn out transmissions and rear ends are the ones that commonly do 4k+ clutch dumps.
Its a great car for what it is.
small, light car with awd. some of us like the fact that we dont need to buy a big truck or suv to have awd for winter.
I personally hate how the wrx and sti look but ah well, to each his own

The comparison wasn't awd vs. awd. I was told I could find an awd Subaru WRX for cheaper than an SRT-4....something I have yet to see. The WRX is always going to cost more than the SRT-4 in comparable condition.

Sorry if my comments on the Subaru offended you. If you have one that you like, more power to you...they just aren't for me. I have been around Subaru's for a long time, and they simply don't impress me. They have risen to iconic status largely due to a great marketing campaign and the success of one model in rally sport racing. People somehow think they are driving a true rally car right off the lot when they buy a new WRX...it's kind of sad, really. The WRX has allowed Subaru dramatic price increases across their whole product line with cars that aren't nearly what new owners think they are. In fact, until Porsche's involvement in the WRX, they were really a niche (and second class) car. Now, they charge best of class prices for all their cars, not just the WRX.

Are they fast? The WRX is. Are they reliable? To some degree. Are they worthy of the hype surrounding the brand? Not in my opinion.

much more reliable that neon...turbo neon, my bad.

[Silver R/T]

I was told I could find an awd Subaru WRX for cheaper than an SRT-4....something I have yet to see.  The WRX is always going to cost more than the SRT-4 in comparable condition. 

who told you that?
no, your comments did not offend me.
I just dont see how they are over rated.
They are the only car manufacturer on the market selling dependible awd cars.
I guess if you consider the wrx vs a fwd car, yes it is a bigger price tag. what I was trying to point out is I would rather pay a bit more for the awd. Then again I would be driving it every day, wich includes the snow months.

Exactly, not to mention Subaru quality

[volk68]

I was told I could find an awd Subaru WRX for cheaper than an SRT-4....something I have yet to see.  The WRX is always going to cost more than the SRT-4 in comparable condition. 

who told you that?
no, your comments did not offend me.
I just dont see how they are over rated.
They are the only car manufacturer on the market selling dependible awd cars.
I guess if you consider the wrx vs a fwd car, yes it is a bigger price tag. what I was trying to point out is I would rather pay a bit more for the awd. Then again I would be driving it every day, wich includes the snow months.

Exactly, not to mention Subaru quality

How many Subaru's have/do you own?  In my experience, their "legendary" reliability is just that, a legend grounded on great marketing.  I realize that not everyone has the same experiences as I have, but like I said, I have been around dozens of Subaru's, and their reliability isn't any better than any other car on the road today.  Quality?  The same as any other sedan in its class.  Seriously, I will never understand the hype around these vehicles.  I also don't consider $30,000+ as all that cheap an awd car, either.  I live in the mountains and snow, and have never needed an awd car to get through it, but I realize my experience is different from others.

It is pretty funny when people start comparing an SRT-4 against the WRX.  The WRX is almost a third more expensive, performs similarly, and is of similar quality.  I just don't see the $10k advantage there.  I have heard of zero reliability problems with the SRT-4...ZERO.  With the $10k you save on the SRT-4, there are an infinite number of Mopar created performance upgrades available that will lay the WRX to waste, yet WRX fanboys seem to feel the need to bash the more affordable SRT-4, and most who do have never even driven either of the two cars.  Laughable.   

[Charger_Fan]

How many Subaru's have/do you own?   

Silver just plain likes foreign cars. I don't think he really cares which one he stands up for, as long as it's one of them. Lately I'm thinkin' his opinions are purely based on articles from Car & Driver, or similar.

[volk68]

That's pretty much what I thought 

[Lightning]

are we counting the STi here or just the base WRX?  'cause last time I looked, the WRX was only $22,000-something.

I was hearing from some people on how the Scooby and the Mitsu keep blowing transfer cases and transmissions, but they're the boy racer types and drive them like they're not supposed to be driven in public.

[The Ghoul]

I was told I could find an awd Subaru WRX for cheaper than an SRT-4....something I have yet to see.  The WRX is always going to cost more than the SRT-4 in comparable condition. 

who told you that?
no, your comments did not offend me.
I just dont see how they are over rated.
They are the only car manufacturer on the market selling dependible awd cars.
I guess if you consider the wrx vs a fwd car, yes it is a bigger price tag. what I was trying to point out is I would rather pay a bit more for the awd. Then again I would be driving it every day, wich includes the snow months.

Exactly, not to mention Subaru quality

How many Subaru's have/do you own?  In my experience, their "legendary" reliability is just that, a legend grounded on great marketing.  I realize that not everyone has the same experiences as I have, but like I said, I have been around dozens of Subaru's, and their reliability isn't any better than any other car on the road today.  Quality?  The same as any other sedan in its class.  Seriously, I will never understand the hype around these vehicles.  I also don't consider $30,000+ as all that cheap an awd car, either.  I live in the mountains and snow, and have never needed an awd car to get through it, but I realize my experience is different from others.

It is pretty funny when people start comparing an SRT-4 against the WRX.  The WRX is almost a third more expensive, performs similarly, and is of similar quality.  I just don't see the $10k advantage there.  I have heard of zero reliability problems with the SRT-4...ZERO.  With the $10k you save on the SRT-4, there are an infinite number of Mopar created performance upgrades available that will lay the WRX to waste, yet WRX fanboys seem to feel the need to bash the more affordable SRT-4, and most who do have never even driven either of the two cars.  Laughable.   

one, for three years now, with 108k miles on it, and I beat the rat piss out of it every day (no clutch drops or doughnuts) with no issues. thus why I still own it.
How about you?
The appeal is the awd. If your not taking that into consideration.. your right. there is no point in paying the extra (and I have been talking wrx this whole time not wrx sti).
All Im saying is that In my oppinion I would pay the extra for the awd.
the main reasons there are issues with the transmissions is because of clutch dumps and pulling doughnuts (over working the center diff).
There are some that blow trannies while not doing eather of this but thats usualy because they are pushing 400+ hp thru them.

The awd is the fasination with these cars.  and If you were to try to get into another awd car your choices would be toyota matrix, pontiac vibe (I think), lancer evo, and high end cars. all of them but the wrx are running an external transfer case with the common Issue of the transfer shaft (from trans to transfer case) shatters...

serriously I wasnt trying to focus on this because I hate when threads get off topic like this.
All I was pointing out Is id rather pay the extra for an equal quality awd car with an equal after market.
I never ment to insult the srt-4 or say that its less quality.
I do how ever feel the need to expalin why I feel the way I do about these cars when some one calls them over rated, thinking I could point out something the other may have not seen about it.

If you dont mind fwd then go for the srt and enjoy it.
personally I hate fwd so I am automatically bias..
let us know how you enjoy it

[Silver R/T]

How many Subaru's have/do you own?   

Silver just plain likes foreign cars. I don't think he really cares which one he stands up for, as long as it's one of them. Lately I'm thinkin' his opinions are purely based on articles from Car & Driver, or similar.

how would you know? I do own american and japanese cars. In my case japanese cars performed better than US made cars. if you go few threads back there's lady with neon that got all kinds of problems with that pos. That is it, bad quality car, you cant explain it any better. Yes I do know how neons perform and i know a lot of guys that have them, they always ask me to give them a hand fixing one on a weekend, occasionally. No I do not read road and track magazine, I do not believe most magazines. Only magazine I read is Mopar Muscle and thats once in a while.

[The Ghoul]

No I do not read road and track magazine, I do not believe most magazines. Only magazine I read is Mopar Muscle and thats once in a while.

good man.
I get very tired of people quoting the mags.
Alot of the time the cars tested are pre-production models.
when ever I want a car to car comparrison I go down to the dealers (in my dads vette) and test drive the car in question.
They seem more than happy to hand over the keys when they see you roll up in a vette with thick tread on the rears.

[Charger_Fan]

Lately I'm thinkin' his opinions are purely based on articles from Car & Driver, or similar.

...No I do not read road and track magazine...

...or threads, for that matter.

[defiance]

It is pretty funny when people start comparing an SRT-4 against the WRX. The WRX is almost a third more expensive, performs similarly, and is of similar quality. I just don't see the $10k advantage there. I have heard of zero reliability problems with the SRT-4...ZERO. With the $10k you save on the SRT-4, there are an infinite number of Mopar created performance upgrades available that will lay the WRX to waste, yet WRX fanboys seem to feel the need to bash the more affordable SRT-4, and most who do have never even driven either of the two cars. Laughable.

Um... if you're going to go into such an argument, perhaps you should ... I dunno ... maybe get straight facts?

SRT-4  - $21,445
WRX - $23,995

Power nearly the same, weight nearly the same.  Price is QUITE A BIT less than the '1/3 more' or '$10k' more you quoted.  Meanwhile, you get AWD.  You don't seem to care about AWD, but having driven the rex up some pretty nasty hills in the snow/ice, I do.  I don't think anyone is insulting the SRT-4.  It's quite an impressive package for the price.  I think all we're saying is your insults to the WRX are unfounded.  It, too, is an impressive package for its price.  It has advantages the SRT-4 can't offer, and the price for those advantages is far from unreasonable.  Subaru's reliability is an objectively measured statistical issue, so your subjective analysis really doesn't carry much weight; They do hold a slight reliability edge when compared to similar offerings.  I haven't seen any reliability measures on the SRT-4, so it could possibly beat it, I don't know.

All I'm saying is, it's best to avoid insulting a vehicle when facts tell a very different story.

Now, rather than sitting here arguing to justify a decision you've already made, go get yourself an SRT-4.  It's a great car, and you're going to love it.  I see no reason to justify your decision to any of us.