Well, just traded the SRT4 for a Prius 4.

Well, just traded the SRT4 for a 2011 Prius 4.

It's a spaceship!
Still got the Dodge Neon SRT-4 though - I'll never sell that.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.
You all seem very friendly (voice of C3PO).

Thanks.

Believe me, I looked at an SRT-8. But they all cost over 40K. The quality is better but still not very good compared to Japanese cars (why do American car makers insist on NOT painting the sways, knuckles, etc! They are now charging premium prices but delivering the same low quality. If you look closely). And yes, the MPG on those SRT-8 cars is terrible.

The Caliber SRT-4 that I just traded for the Prius was the last, true SRT in my opinion. Sure the quality sucked. And they went in the wrong direction by trying to dress it up like a dogs dinner with expensive NAV, Kicker Sound, Moonroof and leather. And the pricing too. But the motor was a jewel, making and honest 300WHP and 300TQ and yet still able to get 26MPG average on a trip. A bit like the old Plymouth's - a taxicab with a race car motor.

It's really quite interesting to dive the Prius for a bit and then take the NSRT for a ride. The contrast between the two is quite astonishing.

I'm quite surprised that the Prius has as much poke as it does when in Power mode. :rockon:

 

Well, after one week and 300 or so miles, here are some pics.
I've already modded it a little.
1. Wheel covers removed.
2. Wheel center caps are 1-1/2 electrical box knock outs I saw here.
The ones from Lowes are nicer than those from Home Depot because they have no writing punched into the middle.
Not bad for $1.00 each.
Some left-over Rust-Oleum Hammered silver paint finished it off.
Nice cheap mod that really makes it look better than the wheel covers.
3. Tires set to 40PSI front/38PSI rear.
Good Year Assurance 195 65 R15.
65 series FTW - No wonder it rides so nicely.
4. Checked oil and it was perfect.
Dip stick very convenient unlike my CSRT which wasn't.
5. Warshed (in Norcal, we pronounce it with the "R") with Meguires Deep Crystal Car Wash.
Paint job checked out perfectly.
Of course, it rained immediately afterwards.
And the wind blew leaves on it LOL.
6. Programmed all 3 Homelink buttons for the garage door. Easier to find now!

 

Thanks. Yes, the Solar Roof line is a little better looking IMHO. And the fact that the car is white and the Solar Roof is black really does contrast nicely with the white. I was looking at a Red 3 but the Blizzard White with the black roof is one of the things that sold me. The smell of leather was intoxicating. The NAV was interesting and the hands free phone essential (I can actually conduct business while driving, the Prius is so quiet compared to the Caliber SRT4 I traded).