The bottom line is this, don't listen to what other people say about a car, make up your own mind. People from all walks of life own every model out there. I've seen plenty of "riced out" Mustangs, simply because the owners were into that style. Plenty of SRT-4 owners are not "ricers," but are Turbo Dodge/American Muscle lovers. Most bought the car because it's the best "bang for the buck" 4 door car out there. One just ran 11.1 @ 132, you call that rice? Those of you Mustang owners that are knocking the little 4 cyl turbo car know absolutely nothing about Mustang history. Do some research on the Mustang SVO, then get back to me. As for the guy that said "there's no way a little 4 cyl can sound as good as an American V8..." have a listen to an SRT-4 with a 3" exhaust and get back to me.
It's real easy for Mustang owners to elevate their beloved Mustang above the Neon, but remember, there are plenty of Porsche, Mercedes, Ferrari owners that view Mustangs in the same way some Mustang guys regard Neons. BTW, there were plenty of Mustang models in the past that were equal in quality to the past Neons that some of you relate the SRT-4 to. I'm sure you'd all agree that the SRT-4 is not your run of the mill Neon. Truth be told, it is in another league in comparision to other Neon models, especially the older models. If most of you "SRT-4 haters" actually drove/road in an SRT-4 (especially a modded one), your opinion of it would be quite different. Before the SRT-4 came out, I couldn't have imagined I would buy a Neon, but when I read up on it, I knew it would be a great car for the money, and I was right.
admdays: Since you're already a big Mustang fan, I'd suggest you get the Mach 1. But I'd first suggest you drive them all to see which one fits your needs/desires best.
To the guy that said: "Pull up to a club/party in a Neon or a Cobra and see who get the girl!!"
I'll tell you who gets the girl...the better looking guy does.
BTW, I currently own an '03 SRT-4, and an '03 Cobra.
I was trapping 111 before the nitrous, so mid-high 12s on stock turbo ALL day on slicks/drag radials w/ about $2000 in mods.....I don't even want to mention how it does on the highway but you get the point. I bought my car for bang for the buck. Its a STRONG car and mine isn't your avg one. I have a local dealer that will let an 03 go for $16500, it has 17,000 miles and is stock. BUT If you are used to mustangs it may be hard to adjust at first, you'll never miss the sound of a stang-you'll never miss the sporty feel of the stang, but you would be surprised in the neon. If I can help in any way answering questions for you about the car feel free to ask.
