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Next SRT4 should be a 2012 Dodge Neon SRT4.

esfan wrote:Next SRT4 should be a 2012 Dodge Neon SRT4.

i second this.

Mox - thank you for setting that straight. i can't say i know much
about alfa, so the spy shots were something new to me.

i also don't have the college experience you have yet since i don't
start college until this fall, but few students would actually be able to
afford a new car. and you're right, $20k+ is a bit high, which is why
i'm hoping for a car that ranges around $20k, such as the nsrt4.
however, several friends and family members i know were able to
afford some higher priced cars. but like i said, the price range isn't
just aimed at college students.. take my dad for example; he drives
>70 miles a day, 5 days a week.. he needs a cheaper car thats
reliable, efficient, and comfortable. theres no point in spending
extra money on an expensive car if its only going to scoot him for
a few years before he needs a replacement. not to mention, with
all the added miles, he's not going to get much back when he tries
to resell the vehicle. my point is, a car only lasts him ~5 years, so
whats the difference between a ~$20k vehicle, and a ~$35k
vehicle, besides the price? maybe a little bit more comfort and style,
but i'm assuming looks don't matter much to him since he only
washes his vehicles about once every other year

Your example above is the perfect example of why Chrysler needs to get back into the compact market and speaks nothing of them needing to have a performance variant.

The next SRT4, if it ever comes to life, won't be $20k. With the refinements that companies are putting into vehicles and the things that people are demanding from cars nowadays I would say the price will be closer to $25k with virtually no options especially with it being based on an Alfa that has a current MSRP of $25k.

Examples: (Base Prices of brand new similar vehicles)

Mazdaspeed3 - $23,700
Subaru WRX - $25,495
Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart - $28,490
Honda Civic Si - $22,205
Nissan Sentra SE-R - $20,120
Ford Focus ST - $27,000 EST
VW GTI - $23,695

The Neon SRT-4 was special, but times change and we will never see anything like it again. Hell, even the Caliber SRT-4's Base MSRP was $23k.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Chrysler got a rebadged Alfa Milano which also fills a market need for the company

http://wot.motortrend.com/spycam-alfa-r ... -3663.html

so basically they just need a cheaper compact car to appeal to those
who relate to my example, and for those who like smaller, high performance
vehicles would shoot for the SRT version, that would obviously hold a
larger price tag. which practically refers to the model options: SE, SXT,
R/T, and SRT.

what humors me is that just about every car you just listed off, i could
put an owner's name to each. all of which are currently attending, or
planning to attend college. none of them borrow money from mom and
dad either.

Chrysler needs to be worried about capturing a large market with a new compact vehicle, not pandering to a niche market with a performance variant.

I wouldn't get my hopes up that Chrysler is going to release a performance orientated compact car.. Basically, If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't oh well. One thing I can tell you it won't be anything like the Neon. Cars are too different today. Remember the 2nd generation Neon was designed in the late 90's. A lot has changed in a decade plus. The Neon wouldn't pass today's government standards.

College kids that can afford a Brand New performance car that will cost around $350 to $500 a month, while paying for room and board, tuition, books, food, gas, insurance, etc are rare. Good, you know a couple. I'm sure we all do, doesn't change the fact that marketing to a small market of people doesn't make sense for a car company that is trying to become viable.

iThane wrote:what humors me is that just about every car you just listed off, i could put an owner's name to each. all of which are currently attending, or planning to attend college. none of them borrow money from mom and dad either.

Did they buy those cars new?

I'm still making a car company. I'll just make 10 cars a year. You'll all see!

Bryan - 2006 F250, new from the dealer, lifted 8 inches.
Nicolette (sister) - 2006 VW GLI, new from the dealer.
Jake (nicolette's ex husband) - 2006 V8 Nissan Titan - new from the dealer.
Cozette (mother) - 19...?? (dunno the year ) Porche 911, new from
the dealer, later replaced by a newer year, same model, from the dealer.
Hannah (ex gf) - 2004 BMW Z4 used, but hey, i got to drive it!

etc.

but you're right, it isn't so common for college students to have bought
a brand new car straight from a dealer themselves.

and i'm with Shane, though i'm still highly uneducated when it comes to
most vehicles, i love cars and think it would be a blast owning a company.
whether we're extremely successful or are bought out after filing for
bankruptcy, at least we can say we've tried!

Lol i think we would have a hit on our head if we had any sort of success