No offense taken. I've always been a big fan of hatchbacks. My fiancee hates them- as do most Americans I'd venture to guess. I know they are more popular in europe. I remember as a teen I loved how the little 2-door Civic hatchbacks looked...that's before the whole import aftermarket bloomed and every 16 y/o on the block had to have one and turn it into their best rendition of a Fast n' the Furious car. UGH

 

That's why I said for now, and I will cry for DA, so remember to get it when you video. I won't count the HE, johnson, and phenolic against you since they don't add any speed. The HE might even slow you down if it's heavier and takes more fluid to fill it. Just don't go hacking your exhaust and come at me with those numbers. It won't be until December that I'll even try for a record again. I'll enjoy it for a few more weeks. Good luck I expect on a nice -DA day you'll be in the 11.7's and I'll still claim mine is faster

 

No.

The reason I'd quote you is that you said Mazdaspeeds can't do it, when Neons do it all day long.

 

They have SRT-4's running 12's with pump gas, street tires, and stock turbo? If so that's quite impressive.

I don't know much about the SRT-4's and how well they respond to basic mods. I know in stock form the Mazdaspeed is a bit faster.

 

The 4's are no joke. They can be stupid-fast, but around here the insurance rates make it pointless to own one.

I mean, if you're going to pay through the nose, might as well drive something that has an air of class and refinement to it.

Outside of school-yards and teenagers on a forum, the Neon simply doesn't have the panache of other cars that cost around the same amount to drive and own.

I'd much rather pay high insurance costs to drive a reasonably quick car like a G35 and sacrifice some vicious performance, than pay roughly the same amount and be behind the wheel of a hot-rodded economy car. Unless you're an enthusiast, it simply looks like a Neon... not a super-nice SRT-4. Not much differentiating the two, at a glance.

Just my humble opinion.

 

Believe it or not I actually was interested in buying one back in May of 05- but ended up plunking down 10k more on this:

(70-200 2.8L IS shot on a 1Ds)

 

I'm sure Rob has built a few mean SRT4's, or at least had a hand in it. The caliber at our shootout was running low 14's all day stock. The DA was high that day.

 

As far as Mazdaspeeds being faster, bone stock....that's VERY debatable. Drivers race for sure.

Yes. The fastest stock turbo SRT-4's are in the high 11's with an extensive mod list. On street tires there are tons in the 12's. With drag radials, it's nothing to hit 12's.

Here's a 12 on street tires. I was there this night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVCaBhPd3XU

 

I assume he was stock. There should be a caliber into the 10's this year.