2003-2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 Cotton T-Shirt

The 2003-2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 redefined affordable performance, arriving as the fastest production car under $20,000. It dominated the sport-compact scene by delivering true ten-second quarter-mile potential with basic bolt-ons, offering speed that embarrassed sports cars costing twice as much.

Under the hood sits the A853 engine, a turbocharged 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four. Fed by a Mitsubishi TD04LR turbo, it produced 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque for 2003, climbing to 230 horsepower and 250 pound-feet for 2004-2005. The cast-iron block easily handles massive boost increases.

Power goes to the front wheels via a heavy-duty New Venture Gear T850 five-speed manual transmission. For 2004, Dodge added a Quaife torque-sensing limited-slip differential. Supported by stiffer springs, specially tuned Tokico struts, and thick sway bars, this setup excels at high-speed stability.

Dodge built approximately 25,000 units over its three-year run. Today, unmolested examples command a premium among collectors who value its raw, driver-focused dynamics. The SRT-4 replaced the naturally aspirated Neon R/T and was eventually succeeded by the heavier, hatchback Caliber SRT4.