So by bringing up the magazine and driver issues you are just accidentally confirming what I'm saying.
No SRT-4 runs 13.8 stock without a LOT of help. Maybe the track and a good driver with a tailwind.
Either way, I really find most neon SRT-4 drivers...distastefull.

Which is why I love to chew them up and spit them out with a broken ego. Except for Steve over in Texas.

It takes a hell of modified SRT-4 to walk me, but his SRT-4 can do it. Props to him and the $35K dollars he's put into the car (yes it's true

)
So no. For what they are they are good cars but lets no add to the hype and blow more smoke up our own asses than they already do. They can be modded easier than contours and are far faster $ for $ except for rare cases.