Thinking about trading my IS300 for an SRT-4

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 3:27 pm

I know this is a Neon focused forum, but most of you guys seem to be pretty open-minded about other cars. I know there's still going to be some bias to this, but I still think I'll get intelligent responses.

I have a 2002 IS300 in graphite grey pearl that I'm considering getting out of. Runs like a top, shifts responsive and crisp. It' s just getting up there in age and mileage. I think it's around 190K right now.

Do you think it's a good trade for an '05 SRT-4? Bone stock SRT-4, or as close to it as possible. KBB says the IS300 has 1500-2000 more value over an '05 SRT-4.

SO yes, this is the first time in a long time that someone is considering getting INTO an SRT-4 from another vehicle type of more value LOL.

So honestly, what do you think?

And yes, I would still keep my '00 2GN. I still plan on doing the 5-speed swap in the next two weeks when school is out for the season.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 4:01 pm

If the IS didn't have 190k, I'd say no way....

How many miles on the SRT?

If it's low mileaged, I'd do it.

If it's 100k +, I'd keep the IS.

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 4:08 pm

There isn't a particular SRT-4 I have in mind. I'm just contemplating the possibilities here.

neonpla · Post by **neonpla** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:38 pm

Is it a manual IS? If it is keep the gem.

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:10 pm

I'll trade you my 2.4 swapped 04 for your is

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 10:09 pm

I'm so predictable so you already know my answer.

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:14 pm

I am seriously leaning towards this, or selling it and buying an srt-4. If anyone wants to entertain me with offers, now is the time.

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:16 pm

ill trade you mine I only a couple parts shy to complete everything to build a 400+ hp sleeper beast let me know

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:57 am

Do you have a build thread on here?

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Fri Dec 14, 2012 1:09 am

not really lol

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:59 pm

Ok so after giving this more thought, I have some questions.

Other car forums claim that the SRT's T850 is a bad transmission with issues... and I quote,

"i have a friend with an srt-4 and he has no 3rd gear right now. so there u go."

or,

"i have driven a couple with 80k to 100k on them and they were junk rattles and buzzing and just sloppy."

and someone summarizes:

"The transmission isn't as strong as it is said to be. They were plagued with problems. I'm a big fan of Getrag, but they really screwed the pooch with the SRT trans. Shift forks bend. Shift selectors break. Third gear is a NOTORIOUS problem causer. And the transmissions are not cheap."

I find these sentiments kind of surprising. I will admit that I haven't paid close attention to chatter on here or srtforums about the T850, but from what I understood of it when the car first premiered, the T850 is designed to be beefy, with a nice solid torsen differential for added strength and reliability.

I've also had my own experience with a GETRAG-built gearbox when I owned a Daytona Shelby... the A555 and A568 were both the pinnacle of the A-series transmissions and were beefy.

So is this just urban legend haterade from people who just want to pick apart the SRT-4's reputation?

Also, I never drive my IS and I was mistaken, it's not 190K. It's barely 150K. So there's something more in its favor.

I did definitely decide I want to do this. I'm more familiar with the 2GN chassis and I have my roots in turbo Chrysler.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:17 pm

Am I missing something or are New Venture Gear and Getrag somehow associated? As far as I know the PT trans is Getrag and the SRT trans is NVG. That being said, I've had my fair share of issues with SRT trans (due to previous owners) in fact I just got done doing the TOB, TOB fork, AGP shift selector, AGP 3rd gear extender, and clutch pedal pivot. The reality of it is they can take a pretty good amount of abuse but of course once you push it to its limit things start to break. Replace your TOB fork before it gets too bad and you will save yourself a lot of aggravation. if you are doing WOT shifting and slamming through the gears Fast and Furious style you probably won't break shift selectors or bend shift forks and it will be a perfectly fine transmission.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:31 pm

Yes, they are pretty bad for transmissions.

I don't care what anyone tells you.

Not just myself bu MULTIPLE friends with 3rd gear issues and more.

Shift selectors are weak...

The clutch pivot assembly sucks ....

Oddly enough, our 03 was beat on WAY more than any of my SRTs (04 and 05) and it had ZERO transmission issues.

Countless bottles of nitrous ran through it, countless track days... and LOTS AND LOTS of wot shifting. Zero issues.

I'd take no LSD and no trans problems over a 04/05 trans.

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:58 am

your buddy jrock just posted pictures of your car on a local forum here on Vegas car looks clean let me know if you wanna work something out for my neon I'm real close to getting everything to build a high hp monster

my car has a 2.4 out of a 06 Sebring,
running on srt struts on eibach sportlines,
srt interior,
acr bbs wheels,
custom retrofit,
mopar lip kit, ( not installed )
and almost everything to go boost plus allot of other mods and little things. let me know if you'd be interested in working something out car has roughly about 130 k miles is a stone white 04

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:35 pm

Yeah, "jrock" is my friend Jason, we're both Nissan S12 owners. Thanks but no thanks, I know now what the car is worth, and anyways I want a legit SRT-4.

So what's the deal with the PT transmission, is that an alternative to the SRT-4 trans?

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:39 pm

I know it's beefy but not sure how beefy I'm researching this a well since I'm going to be needing a strong transmission for when I go turbo

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:59 pm

looking around the web it doesn't look like anyone has ever swapped one into an SRT. I think you would need different axles. Also it doesn't have an LSD

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:02 pm

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f213/3r ... ft-623144/

Seems to be a very solvable thing. And not difficult.

So yeah not afraid of a little 3rd gear trouble. Not at all after reading that.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:50 pm

i just installed the 3rd gear extender and shift selector... easy job

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:31 pm

not bad but I'm looking to stick to a cable clutch I don't want to mess with hydro and all its bs lol

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:26 pm

How is it you have a cable clutch? Is that because your 2.4 is out of a Sebring/Breeze?

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:57 am

I no longer own an IS300

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:48 am

Arro wrote:I no longer own an IS300

Such a tease... DETAILS!

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:06 pm

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:08 pm

HOT DANG! Now that's more like it!