Maximum performance, minimum price

One thing is clear, don't confuse the Neon SRT-4 with the Dodge Neon you're likely to pick up at the rental car counter for $30 a day. True, while the SRT-4 shares much of the base underpinnings of the lesser model, it's clear that this is no ordinary Dodge Neon.

To be sure, there are a few exterior signals - the Viper-inspired front grille and fascia, a bulging hood with faux scoop and a too large rear spoiler - that separate it from the base econo-Neon. But squeeze into the Viper-inspired sport seats and fire up the 2.4-liter 230 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and any lingering doubts of similarity quickly disappear.

The SRT-4's sole objective is to provide maximum performance at a minimum price. Mission accomplished. Combined with a heavy-duty five-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, 17-inch wheels with 50-series ultra-high performance tires, firm suspension and four-wheel disc brakes the SRT-4 can get from zero to 60 mph in a scant 5.4 seconds. That's quicker than a Subaru WRX (6.1) Mazda RX-8 (6.0) and equal to the Porsche Boxster, and with a base price of just $21,195. In the Dodge lineup, only the Viper and Viper Ram truck are quicker.

Like all Dodge Neons, the SRT-4 comes just one way - as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan. Standard SRT-4 equipment includes air conditioning, power door locks, power front windows with wind up rear windows, power mirrors, power trunk release, tilt steering and AM/FM/CD with six speakers.

The dash comes with special interior trim, including five round satin-silver accents on the gauges including a turbo boost/vacuum gauge, center stack, door handles and shift knob. Those of us in Arizona will want to switch out the metal shift knob that's too hot to touch during our summer months. Pedals are racing-style cast aluminum.

The Viper-style seats look great and have terrific lateral support, but I found them to be too narrow, confining and uncomfortable for everyday use. I have mixed feelings about the interior that still has an economy look and feel, despite efforts to upgrade the appearance.

Options are few and include a sunroof ($750), Kicker/SRT Livin' Loud audio system ($795), and the highly recommended side air bags ($390). Color choices include silver, black, red and a coppery color called Orange Blast for an extra $150. The only interior color is dark slate gray.

With a firm suspension, the ride is expectedly hard yet handling is controlled with minimum amount of body lean and dip when cornering. Acceleration is strong especially under full pedal and the benefit of the standard turbocharger. The manual transmission felt rubbery and hitting the correct gears was at times inexact and involved more guesswork than I would have liked. Cabin and engine noise at was overly loud and harsh. The exhaust has an authoritative sound that's loud in a good way, almost as if it's saying, "dare me."

Safety wise, the SRT-4 comes with dual front airbags, LATCH child-seat anchors, side-impact door beams, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and child-protection door locks. We highly recommend the optional ($390) side-impact air bags. Crash test results for frontal impact was rated as marginal on a scale of good, acceptable, marginal and poor by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Neon scored three of five stars for side crash and four out of five stars for front crash test results conducted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

SRT-4 delivers serious acceleration and handling performance in a reasonably attractive package at an incredibly low price. For the money, no other performance vehicle even comes close. It's a blast to drive and its quickness easily fools those driving their Honda S2000s, BMW 545s, Porsche Boxsters and others. Sure, the interior looks economy, the rear spoiler is ridiculous and the shifter is inexact, but for the money my compliments go to the folks at Dodge.