I'll answer my own question soon enough since she always wants to run me in whatever I'm driving , but I thought I'd get your opinions...

She has one of the new '03 Turbo Cruisers, and it's starting to look like that little 2.4 is somewhat under-rated by the factory...same engine in the SRT4 is putting out more like 260hp vs. the 215 they "officially" rate it at according to a couple dyno pulls I've seen. The SRT4, while of course being lighter, can do 0-60 in 5.2 . I haven't really thrashed hers yet, but I will tell you if you boot it with the TC switched off it's massive wheelspin . At the stoplights I've handed a few surprised folks their @ss on a platter driving that car...mostly ricers, but I kept right up with a couple Stang GTs, too . Anyway, what is your prediction?

 

My bet is you'll win.

 

But I still say DONT do it. No good is gonns come out or racing the wifey. If you lose shes gonna nag your head off, if you win shes just gonna be moody.

 

Eh, if they don't weight much more than the neon, I think there is a good chance that she'll win.. Doesn't the neon run a high 13/ very low 14 stock?

 

That 2.4 turbo is indeed impressive. "Automobile" magazine ran a dyno and whp is actually 222hp. They estimate power at the crank is around 238. Not exactly 260 but outstanding nonetheless. A couple of significant differences between that and the SRT-4, however. First, the GT Cruiser currently is offered only with the 4 speed automatic (a five speed will be offered in december) the 6 speed's gearing on the SRT makes a juge difference. Chrysler claims the SRT-4's gearing will allow the car to reach 168mph but they have governed it to 148. The SRT-4 is also approx 200 lbs lighter than the GT Turbo and has a straight pipe outlet (no mufflers). The quickest magazine 0-60 I've seen on the GT Turbo is 6.9. Most times are in the low sevens. If you are a six speed, you will own your wife's car. If you are automatic, it will be closer.

 

Whoops. Should've checked the date of my reference material. I guess the GT IS currently available with a 5 speed. My hunch is that not many buyers will opt for the manual, though. Is this what your wife has?

 

You'll toast it.

Maxes rule!

 

No, mine is automatic and so is hers - she has that AutoStick deal, which I at first thought was just a gimmick, but I find myself using it in traffic a lot of the time...it really does give a much improved sense of control.
I know of only ONE 5-speed GT turbo, and it was special ordered that way. The thing is, I've owned several turbo cars, both stick & auto, and I like the auto better for launching if nothing else. If you can master how to load it up just right, you can launch with big power

 

thats why you dont buy wife a car that is faster than yours ahem

 

So many AT tranny owners here dont sound too confident up in here-
newflash: just about every car out there runs the quarter in the 15's
I guess everyone out there is competition- let the mod's begin!

6-speeds rule

I wish I had another Max but auto-just to commute and be confy-
But its getting absurd how many people are postin threads with
auto tranny problems( cause they tryin to rice with it- from D to
3 to 2 back to D) what the fokk! Those trannys aren't made for that-
If anything change the gearing in your tranny-they sell kits for 5th gens- And keep that fokker on "D" , Its startin to sound like
a Chrysler forum up in here with all there AT problems

 

The times I have seen have ben in the mid 7's and thats with the manual so you should have any problems with it.

 

Because of turbo lag, you'll take her off the line, and since you have an auto, you can't mis shift the max, so you'll probably keep your distance on her..

 

My wife has a PT GT Cruiser. I must say that it really is not a bad car at all. The engine is rated at 215 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque. It's really pretty quick and fun to drive. You will beat her but you will give the GT some credit.

PS: My wife loves her car and I like it for what it is.

 

hrmmm- i think she might have a slight edge over your if what you said about the dyno results is true

 

I have to say, compared to a lot of other turbo cars it doesn't have hardly any lag at all...it basically feels like taking off with a big six underhood and then just builds quickly from there . I'll be sure and post whenever we are going someplace together in separate cars, the results