SRT-4, RSX, or Scion tc

which do you guys think? the Srt-4 has got a lot of power, but i also need this car as a daily driver for a good long while. Take into consideration modifications (within a budget) and price

i like scion tC you get alot for a good price the rsx which one the base or the type S and the srt-4 does got a alot of power but it looks like a neon

As tempting as the SRT-4's performance is, I'd have to say the Scion tC is your best bet. Not as fast, but much more livable as a daily driver (and it doesn't look like an economy car at all).

RSX base. Do you think there will be the same amount of quality aftermarket parts for the tC in a few years as there is for the rsx now?

i would also say the tC. you can get a supercharger from the factory, so that could be your first mod right there. and it is under warranty still. like catashtrophe said, the srt-4 still looks like a neon (i better not say is still a neon, some people take an offense to that).

As everyone knows i'd choose the srt4. To me the tc while being one heck of a good offer is too civilised for my tastes. The engine is so smooth and quiet that twice I thought i stalled the engine. The clutch is so soft that you have to literally lift your foot off it to engage it, as oposed to just relaxing your foot and letting it push it up like in most sports cars. This to most people are good things but i like uncivilised cars that talk to me.


Another example: I hated the RX8 shifter (the one praised by all magazines) because it was too smooth on the other hand I love the 350Z notchy mechanical shifter. To me a Mosler or a Noble are good daily drivers.

So it comes down to your priorities in what you whant. harsh, uncivilised, very fast and unapologetic with a mechanical feel, or civilised pampered and slower with the feel of an electric motor.

I think the RSX, either base or Type-S, is probably the better daily driver. The Acura interior is far superior to the Dodge and Scion, no comparison there. The Type-S DOHC i-VTEC is a great engine, while not as mean as the Dodge's, and the base engine isnt that bad either. I also like the way it handles much more then the SRT4. As for reliability, there is no way the Dodge could outlast the Acura, also no comparison. The way I see it is that the RSX is a luxury car with some performance, while the SRT4 is a economy car with some performance. So if your looking for a good, longer lasting, daily driver like you said, go for the RSX, but if you want a mean drag machine, get the SRT4.

As for the tC, its a very interesting car. Its in a price class below the RSX and the SRT4 giving it the "economic" advantage over the others. Supposedly a $4000 factory supercharger is coming out soon that would put the Scion in the same price class, and better performance then the base RSX. I like the all customization Scion offers with the tC and I think its the nicest looking Toyota since the Supra. My biggest problem is that since the tC is a Toyota, it might drive like a Toyota, the most boring vehicles on the planet.

I think the RSX, either base or Type-S, is probably the better daily driver. The Acura interior is far superior to the Dodge and Scion, no comparison there. The Type-S DOHC i-VTEC is a great engine, while not as mean as the Dodge's, and the base engine isnt that bad either. I also like the way it handles much more then the SRT4. As for reliability, there is no way the Dodge could outlast the Acura, also no comparison. The way I see it is that the RSX is a luxury car with some performance, while the SRT4 is a economy car with some performance. So if your looking for a good, longer lasting, daily driver like you said, go for the RSX, but if you want a mean drag machine, get the SRT4.

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Again the srt4 is not a drag car, it handles very well. A very lighty modded 03 moddel I might add got 8th overall in the one lap of america

And here are the handling specs for both cars. And I'll toss in a 350z for good measure. All numbers are directly from SCC



..............RSX............SRT4.........350Z


slalom......68.9...........71.3..........70.3
skidpad.....86.............88.............89
braking.....137............117...........119


now its true those are static numbers but they still give a very good ideea of a cars potential

About how long the engines will last here is a layout of the srt4 engine please find a weak spot.
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/0310scc_projneon/


What we found is a ridiculously strong-looking engine that should survive many a quarter mile. You can thank the PT Cruiser for the SRT-4's powerplant, as it was a desperate need for a horsepower-based PT sales boost that justified turbocharging the 2.4-liter engine and gave the development team the signal to go overboard.
With a short deadline on engine development, there was no time to prove the durability of low-cost, marginal-strength parts. Where typical engine development teams would spend time whittling away pennies finding the least expensive design that could meet durability targets, the turbo 2.4 team just threw in stronger parts and more expensive materials, cost be damned.



This tells me that if anything the srt4 should outlast the rsx engine

Not to mention you forget that without turbo Dodges, there would be no turbo Mitsubishis.

The turbo compacts we enjoy now sprung from the dead-bolt reliable (and hellaciously moddable) Chrysler 2.2L SOHC four turbo engines that were found in such hot K-cars as the Omni GLH, Shelby Charger, Turbo Z Daytona, CSX, LeBaron GTC, and Dodge 600 ES.

Since 1984 Dodge has been making turbo cars last on the road as usable daily drivers, and as serious performance machines. Considering Toyota's recent slip & slide on quality (this has been the first year in the shop where we saw a new model year Toyota come in with a mechanical engine failure - Corolla S with a seized water pump) and the Honda's inflated dealer cost, the Dodge SRT-4 is your best bet.

And so what if it still looks like a Neon? A Civic Type R still looks like a Civic. A Sentra SE-R still looks like a Sentra. A WRX STi still looks like an Impreza. A Mazdaspeed Protege still looks like a Protege. An SVT Focus still looks like a Focus.

Sheesh, you guys act as if it's so horrid that an inexpensive car got a performance variant.

As for reliability, there is no way the Dodge could outlast the Acura



http://kdka.com/consumer/local_story_203181939.html


hmm...2004 lemon list has the RSX on 6th place while the srt4 is not even in the to 20 posted. So what was that about "there is no way the Dodge could outlast the Acura" ?

I would choose the tC...hell of a bargain at 16k w/plenty of options

If the rsx isn't type s then its automatically out....for me its scion vs srt 4...I believe the performance of the srt 4 makes up for its appearance and status...Plus isn't the scion just a 2 door camry? look at it, and its engine

Yeah, the Scion is pretty much a sportier Camry coupe. It's still a good car, though. Tons of Lexus-like features, cheap price, good motor and tranny.

Reliable too...

Well, the SRT-4 is perfectly reliable, but the fit-and-finish, ergonomics, and feature content are seriously lacking.

i would choose the tC its like a smaller sportier solara (they dont make make camry coupes anymore)

i would pick the acura rsx type s, then the srt-4 a close second. although the rsx isnt as fast, i picked it because i think it looks better, drives better, has two doors, and is more compact. i think both cars will last pretty long without any major problems as long as you dont drive it hard everyday, and take care of it with regular maintenance. keep in mind that even cars known for good reliability could have unexpected problems.

http://kdka.com/consumer/local_story_203181939.html


hmm...2004 lemon list has the RSX on 6th place while the srt4 is not even in the to 20 posted. So what was that about "there is no way the Dodge could outlast the Acura" ?

Alright, so heres a link to JD Power's automotive consumer center...

http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpa_ratings/FindJdAwards.jsp

If you compare the SRT4 and the RSX the results actually are a bit closer then I thought, but the RSX still comes out on top. I might be wrong about this, but i've never heard of kdka.com, but I do know and trust JD Power. I will admit that I was a little rash on my judgement of the SRT4's performance, basing it on generally accepted pretenses that Hondas outlast Dogde (or any American cars for that matter).