Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests SRT-4

Concerning the defense of the FSVT:
-Some people think it's ugly, I like it better than the neon, although I will give Dodge some credit and say the new ones look better than the original design
-I have a hard time believing that the SRT will hang with the FSVT in handling, we will see when they go head to head but so far all the other competiton (GTI, SE-R, Si etc)
- The Focus is a better car to begin with, more refined without sacrificing driving dynamics, just ask the press on this one.
- The zetec in the FSVT isn't exactly the pinnacle of NVH but we all know the dodge won't be either with it's minivan motor on roids

In all actuality, 20k can buy some really good used cars (E36 bimmer, ITR etc) Of course someone is going to mention the warranty that dodge has now for powertrain. Well, Kia offers a good warranty as well, and at the same time some of the best car makers have only so-so warranties. Warranty doesn't mean much to me if the car still breaks all the time.

-Pete

Pete, handling aside, the market that is likely to be interested in the FSVT cares about one thing: Horsepower. The SRT-4 has it, the FSVT doesn't (in comparison). The CSVT died. I don't expect the Focus to go away, just the FSVT. It's too bad, too. Too bad that Ford can't produce a car that can compete.

I got the press package today with the list of Mopar upgrades that will be availabile immediatly with the car. The list is as follows:
- Generation II high-rate lowered springs
- Generation II high-rate rear anti-roll bar
- Generation II cold air intake
- Rally strut assemblies
- Rally suspension components
- Turbo upgrade kits (multiple stages)*
- Performance engine controllers*
- Forged crankshaft (turbo intent)
- Turbo piston and rod assemblies
- Header exhaust system*
- Big-brake upgrade
- Many other Top Secret programs...

* = Not legal for sale or use on pollution-controlled motor vehicles.

So....that's the partial list of what will be available. I know racing seats, a carbon fiber hood and tires are also going to be available for sure. Beyond that is anyones guess.

I agree with that statment, but not really. The sport compact market is concerned about horsepower but as well all know looks are a huge thing and so is rice. Mopar will probably sell more parts to make a regular neon look like an srt-4 than they will srt-4's :p

The Neon ACR handed the FSVT its ass in an autocross. Handling will be awesome in the Neon SRT

Or walk around naked...

Ray

I think her neon is a 98, I never bothered to care as it sucks. Kia's and Hyundai's have great warranties but their cars suck. If the reliability is as good as some are suggesting it will be, than it will be a great car at a great price. As it's a neon I won't be rushing out to buy one right away, I wanna hear how reliable they really are...

And that comparison page says it has 205 hp...

I saw that too. I think that's the old number that they projected it to be at, but have since gone a little above. The car I was in had a spec. sheet in the glove box that said what came with the car and what was added just to that one, and how much hp/tq was on it. The only thing that didn't come with the car was a little chrome ring that went around the boost guage, the tires and the color of the tach is different than what was in that car. So none of those things add any power, which leads me to believe the new numbers I saw were correct. I hope so anyhow. All the websites say 205hp and 0-60 in 5.9

Question for ya?

What wheels did the car come with? Lots of press has indicated they were not fond of the preproduction wheels as they stuck out too far.

For those that question Neon's reliability, I have one example. A good friend of mine owns a 99 Neon ACR. He drive it a lot, I think he's over 70k miles now. Oh, and he drive it hard, autocrosses every local SCCA event as well as travels to some regional events out of state. Also helps set up/organize SCCA rally events so he gets to drive on some pretty crappy roads. He has replaced some things, mostly out of abuse, but mechanically the car is sound. No oil leaks or trans issues. I don't think a Contour could take that abuse. But he doesn't neglect his cars which I think it why many cars fail. Just IMO.