Imagine $200,000 Neons

The fact the SRT-4 was never in a F&F Movie baffles me. It perfectly encapsulated the franchise.

Now-a-days seeing an srt4 is like seeing a unicorn.

The SRT-4 changed the way Neon's we're viewed for sure, while it wouldn't have become like the R34 not having the mystery of being unavailable etc. It would sure as hell be better than the Eclipse Spyder that did make the film.

20 years later, tuners chose the srt4 over the 3g eclipse 😂

I'm battling stage 4 colon cancer and I love your videos, big shout out from Troy Alabama !!!

Craig single handedly saved the francise lol

I was big in the car scene back then and the SRT4 had a lot of hype. Bought one new in 2004 and proceeded to dump 10k into it. Rarely lost a race and everyone was in aw of it. Guessing Lieberman never drove an SRT4. To his credit though the SRT4 wasn’t out at that time so he could only base his opinion on the neon.

SRT-4 was pretty badass back then. Especially for its price, I don't think there was a cheaper faster car. It would run circles around that Eclipse that Roman drove.

I cant imagine this car spitting out blue flames from the exhaust 😂 I’m really glad Craig put a stop to the nonsense

It's no r34. But the SRT4 Neon was and still is pretty awesome.

Credit to Singleton, he understood the assignment. For a great car action film, you have to treat the cars as extensions of the characters, almost like characters themselves.

As a Neon owner and fan, I agree with his decision not to use the SRT4. If it was the first movie, I would think the Neon could be the perfect option but to go from a Supra in the first movie to a Neon might have been a stretch.

I loved my SRT-4, I owned it for 8 years, 400wHP and beat on daily. Never broke anything, got great milage and it was WAY faster than most cars at the time. It was Well overbuilt for power, dodge had staged power kits and KW coilovers as optional add-ons. It was the ultimate budget sport compact.

The SRT-4 Neon should have never been a main hero car. But it was the perfect example of budget performance that your average person could afford, and isn’t that what the whole Tuner Scene was about anyways?

The srt4 ended up being one of the best "budget" tuner cars and would've been interesting in a small role in the movie. But yea if it was a main car everyone would downgrade the movie because it would be obvious they sold out. The partnership with Mitsubishi especially with the roles they created just made a lot more sense

I had an Srt-4 and if i remember correctly, tuner people hated it for being muscle car brand and muscle car people hated it for 4 cylinder turbo

You almost saved skyline prices and made American tuners the shit!

Me and my cousin couldn't wait for the DVD of Fast and Furious to come out and when it finally did we would just watch it over and over analyzing everything and we also watched all the extras so I remember you Graig right away i recognized you when I seen your channel thanks for the great content and all you've done for making the two first movies of my childhood not as bad as it could have been 😂

srt-4 > that purple eclipse 🥴

They should of replaced Roman's eclipse spider with the srt4 that would of been a lot better. BTW wasn't the srt4 the fastest production car under 20k at the time?

I had a SRT 4 I loved that car. Lot of people sleep on those

I never personally liked Dodge Neons in the past. My cousin had a 2004 Neon SRT-4 that he let me drive back in 2008. It had some power to get up and go. This was at the time he was starting to modify the car. It was "somewhat" stock with a full 3 inch exhaust and cat delete, upgraded fuel injectors, and a re-tune. I'm not sure of the HP and torque numbers at the time, but I loved it. He later added a bigger turbo and done some things with the engine that I can't list all what he did, but he dynoed the car in 2010 and it made close to 500 HP on pump gas. He later sold the car, and he doesn't modify cars anymore due to him becoming a father of two girls in 2011. He still talks about that Neon to this day. Always has interesting stories to tell about it.

I remember when my family all still lived in South Africa back in the early 2000`s, my brother bought a brand new Neon, a 2L R/T, they sold him on the comfort factor (in all fairness, the seats were great) and that it could compete with any other 2L on the market in South Africa at the time...I had a 1997 model 1.8L 16V Opel Kadett at the time and we constantly squabbled about who`s car was quicker, on Christmas Day on our way to the Holiday Inn at Johannesburg International Airport for Christmas lunch we ended up at a set of lights on a road with very little traffic in front of us...we raced, he lost...in fact, when he arrived at the Holiday Inn, I had already parked, exited my vehicle and had just put out the cigarette I lit when I arrived...he sold the car a few months later when he took it in for a service and they found rust all over the thing...he bought an Opel Astra and it was never spoken about again... Chrysler's SUCK!!!!!

No fanboy, but srt4 production was twice the supras in the US...more affordable...and pretty quick at the time...local guy had one and it would stomp most stuff but this is small town Midwest 🤷 From Craig's perspective though I could almost agree...no way to be the hero car..but if it were a main car...I could see maybe more demand and sales. I made fun of the movies from the beginning.

I'm sure the neon was fast, sporty, etc. it's just ugly. Craig nailed it.

I noticed a lot of people were complaining that "you told us already". I mean I was sceptical at first but actually I like this type of video. Craig gives us more details and anecdote that hasn't been mention before and I really enjoy it. Regarding Neon SRT-4, while now it's considered a cult car with respectable performance. I can understand what Craig was saying because we had to put it into retrospective that what Craig said being that car doesn't have a street cred yet because it was brand new at that time. So I can understand Craig being reluctant to. That's the thing with product placement, they don't necessarily gave a lasting impact. Like FCA paying Universal to used (new) Chargers since 5th movie and personally none of the Chargers has really become cultural icon. Even the "cool" product placement such as Evo VII from 2nd movie and Evo IX from 3rd movie isn't really as known as Skyline or Veilside RX-7. While in my opinion Brian driving Neon wouldn't be as extreme as "driving people out from theatre" (especially international audience) if it happens it's probably became a footnote or forgettable. One more thing, given there is a news that 11th movie is getting a budget cut and reportedly "going back to its roots". It would be cool to have an open audition for background cars like the old days. Especially if people aren't informed that their cars would appear in Fast and Furious movie. I can imagine some cool builds from enthusiast, just a thought.

SRT4 was totally cool car, but it was too brand new, and still based off a neon, but that’s what tuning is lol, it would have been a good 2nd or 3rd character car for sure tho, not the main, SRT4 in black with eyelids was a mean looking thing, sounded mean too without mufflers and just resonators

Imagine if Neons were the prices of Skylines😂😂😂

Neon SRT-4 > Roman’s Eclipse 🤷🏻‍♂️🤣

I love my neon srt4 wish they put that car somewhere in the movie even if not a main car

The Neon is a Jessie’s type car haha. Brian needed something else.

This movie was almost a giant neon commerical. Not all heros wear capes. Thank you Craig 🫡

Brian’s Neon would fit perfectly in Fast and Furious Pepega

I’ve been watching your recent videos and honestly you’re one of the coolest car enthusiasts out on KZfaq! Nonstop entertainment with facts to support everything your say. Great job!

Can’t put an srt-4, but you can put that garbage Mitsubishi eclipse spyder that Tyrese drove 🤦‍♂️

This is a great video Craig, I was laughing so hard when you heard it was a Neon! 😂 what an experience. Thank you for sharing.

Im very surprised that Toyota Celica VII didnt play any main role in any of 10 parts of movie. It had sport looks, and wasnt expensive.

I could see the srt4 in a more anonymous role like the black civics in the first movies, or the four chargers in the fifth. I have to agree that the vibe just wasn't right for a hero car.

Mr. Lieberman, thank you for your videos. These are all hilarious blasts from the past for me. When "the movie" (as we referred to it in my local car club) came out we all had so much fun. We all knew that it was ridiculous and we loved pointing out all the flaws but we loved the exposure it created and as you said before that "the cars were the stars." Good stuff man, keep it up!

Although i knew about the story already, this edit was really funny Craig. You made me laugh with the SRT4 part😂

They shoulda made an Avenger SRT that woulda been awesome, seriously

That Skyline is so iconic. Can't imagine Walker in anything else...... not counting the Evo... which also suited him very well.

Now this was really interesting to watch as usual Craig, loving your content!

To think now that s r t neon is a very coveted and wanted car and i've heard of em eating EVOs

Dude I wish I was a bug on the wall in that meeting, because it sounded intense.Sure they probably could've used the neon srt-4 as a background extra,but yeah riced out Neon as a hero car doesn't make sense.

Thank goodness they didn't use the Neon as the hero car, It would have killed the series right then and there!

I’ll take an SRT-4 over that lame Eclipse. It should have been the second car.

5:04 Both of them are gone but not forgotten.

The SRT-4 came out in 2003 and in 2006 Mike Crawford went 7.9 @ 188mph in a DCR SRT-4. I don't think front wheel drive Honda's were even in the 7's yet

Paul’s Evo is the greatest car in the series . His driving was the most memorable in that car 🏁

Young craig lieberman looked like young gabriel iglesias 😂😂😂

back when mitsubishi makes good cars

My sister who was really into the tuner scene bought a 2005 SRT-4 new from the lot. I saw it and had a similar reaction to Craig. But as soon as I sat in the passenger seat and my she let off that clutch I was defiantly surprised. She sold it before moving out of state, but where she lives now and among her husbands car club friends. There are a couple tuner Neons in the mix. Had me thinking about what you said about how the car at the time would not get the respect or reaction intended, but in a couple years you would see them in the scene.

The worst sin in that movie was dubbing Subaru flat 4 sounds over the Mitsubishis. Although not as bad as the straight 6 sound on Doms RX7 in the first movie.

That DVD Special is how I learned who you are. Many years ago, Mt grandpa bought me that DVD bc he knew how much I loved that movie. 15 year old me watched that special many many times.

People still asking a arm and leg for a srt4 drove to hell lol

Love every video you make!!

To start out you did an amazing job being an advisor for the movies. At the time, even now i am a Honda guy so I loved the first movie. My wife and I had a ‘99 Eclipse about the time the movie came out, and I also was am a Ram guy, being I did have 4 of them. So when I first saw 2 fast 2 Furious I was stoked to see the rams in there as well. Thank god you didn’t use the Neon lol. Well done!!!!

When I was in hs (when the srt neon released) and I only ever met one dude with a modded one. We gave him so much shit haha. But I will say it sounded super badass

You’re a legend dude!! 🤘🏻

It should not have been the main car but secondary it could have been given the opportunity...since it had come out to compete with the tuners of the moment at a cheaper price...since it was the first bearer of the three most famous letters today SRT..

If that srt4 would have been rear wheel drive it would have done better or even AWD I do like the srt4 and the cobalt SS both cars are sweet 4 cylinder forced induction heck ya I'm on board!!

Nice move Craig 👍🏼 it was awesome seeing Brian in the R34 when 2F2F came out. I'm sure it wouldn't have been the same reaction if he was in a Neon 🫤👍🏼

Funniest Craig video yet, I love it

Man I love these videos. ❤

I love the dodge neon and the srt4 is badass.

Me at 17 in '03 watching Craig in the backseat in the Evo 8 dropping that Craig Rizz..😂😂😂

I can imagine how Melissa then thought that cars were just cars, that it doesn't matter to him which car appears in the movies.

Any idea where the red Evo is now? I have memories of that build, saw it in the dvd special contents.

I had 2 SRT4's. Very fun to drive

You were not wrong, Craig. I’ve seen some of those cars around and doesn’t even interest me one bit. 😂😂

IMAGINE.. a Neon.. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

What wheels are on the Rx7 at 8:02? I've been trying to find a set to rebuild.. I was thinking they were Enkei Spiders?

This was hard to watch as an SRT4 fan 🤣but he's absolutely right! It wasn't right for the time. I don't think people thought it was cool when it came out, it took a while. The car definitely has at least a few fanboys now adays though.

Great story I enjoyed it!

13:24 It actually was fast. Dodge purposely Underrated the HP ratings for unsurance purposes. It avtually put out 255-260 HP. 5.6 0-60MPH and low 13's 1/4 mile times. 15:54 All due respect, you were very wrong. Dodge sold 10x more than they expected... 25k of them. Had this car been in the movie, i bet they would've sold more. A suggestion for a future video. Go drive one and record your reaction. Its a shame. The SRT4 is a great car! It is essentially a FWD Evo. I say this as an Evo owner, too. It was a budget performance car that got looked over simply because of the Neon name. Ate they fantastically built cars? No. Can they easily be corrected? Absolutely! I will be adding one to my collect as soon as i can. I wpuld love to take it to the track (turns, not drag strip). Very capable car with ao.e strategic modifications.

Loved this story awesome 💪💪💪

thanks for this video, super cool. who picked the eclipse for roman though? XD

Man I love the old intro. Thanks for bringing it back to life

At 7:38, that is a 1999 Miata Mono Posto concept. Really cool!

These things were hated on hard when they were being produced. People treated them and the owners like they were jokes. Import owners hated them because they seemed like a wanna be import. Domestic owners hated them because they were not V8s. The owners basically had no community to support them, except themselves. We used to call them Skittles because of the factory color options. And make fun of the crank rear windows by rolling up and down our power windows at the owners. They actually turned out to be pretty good cars. But yeah would have been laughed at the time if the hero drove an SRT4.

I owned a 97 Neon before the 1st movie came out, some friends eventually convinced me to start working on it and join their car club. Wasn't an ideal car to fix up considering there weren't many aftermarket parts available for it, and it was a 4cyl, 4 door grocery getter. Won a bunch of trophies, made a couple magazines, and got it on ESPN2 from a show at Englishtown. Had fun doing it, but i never thought at any point that it was fast, no matter what we did to it. Actually met Craig at a NIRA event at MIR for about 15 seconds. Was probably just being nice, but he complimented the car while showing me where to park. All that being said, i could not see a Neon as a hero car. Not even an SRT4 once they came out. A background car in a scene or 2 in a later movie? Maybe.

That was an incredible story! Good one on how sticking to your beliefs works!

You have to love how blunt Craig is when he makes his opinion known.

Srt4s we’re cool when they first came out, but they proved to be shit after a few years.

Craig, if you had the chance to write a script for a new car movie with the best/legendary tuner cars of all time, what would the script be and what cars would you have in it

Bruh said “wasted” 😂😂

Funnily enough, I remember a Dodge Neon was featured in at least one of the NFS Underground games.

How I miss NIRA! Was a great time to be into tuners!

I remember watching the fast and furious so many times i could remember almost the hole script. 😂 Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

I got to follow the parts trail of a poorly built and tuned Neon down I-80 to the Iowa 80 Truck Stop. We were laughing our asses off the whole way and we lost our shit seeing it again in the parking lot, Iowa State Patrol was less amused but still had a chuckle after writing plenty of tickets.

I got smoked one time by a built SRT-4. I had a Grand-prix GXP at the time, had basic bolt ons and tuned with mag pro exhaust, nothing insane but was still a sleeper and was taken down the 2008 mustangs at the time. But I rolled with an SRT4 and got the jump on him and when that srt4 spooled what ever turbo it had, I could hear from behind me haha and it blew my freaking doors off

Craig your reaction to the Neon was so funny epic I can't laugh anymore

Dude simping calling a Playboy bunny a "supermodel" 😂

i think the srt4 would have definitely been better for roman then the eclipse spyder. but we will never know now. the srt4 did in fact become the darling of the american tuner scene.

Who knows, if the neon would've been chosen, maybe the Skyline would've been still obtainable and the neon be overpriced hahahaha

Remind me when I get to meet you in person I'm going to get you to autograph a diecast Dodge Neon and see if anybody will understand the joke 😂😂😂

That was a serious car, I don’t see it as his main car, but it shoulda been in the movie

Hi Craig, please make video about what cars you have now