This 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 ACR is an angry Econobox

• For the Mopar fan with Dodge Viper dreams but an econocar budget, the Neon SRT-4 offered even more pleasure.
• This example has the rare, track-oriented ACR package.
• Most of these cars have been heavily driven, but this car has a relatively low 44,000 miles on the odometer.

There isn’t much out there these days for those looking for a cheap performance car. The Honda Civic Si costs over $30,000 for just 200 horsepower. The Hyundai Elantra N packs a little more punch, but costs more than $35,000. Gone are the days when manufacturers boosted econoboxes and shot them out at bargain prices. So let’s go to the wayback machine.

This 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 with the ACR package certainly fits that bill, and it’s available for purchase on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and driveris part of Hearst Autos). This car combines a four-cylinder 2.4-liter turbo engine with opening rear windows. It has a limited-slip differential, a reinforced suspension and an interior unapologetically swathed in mediocre plastic. They don’t make cheap fun like that anymore.

The 2005 SRT-4 came with 230 horsepower from the factory, although various tuning parts and software from Mopar allowed owners to break the 300-horsepower barrier without spending a bundle. Back in the day, that was enough to punch a V-8 Mustang.

The SRT-4 and ACR package weren’t just about straight-line speed, though. Other goodies include a competition suspension with adjustable casters and upgraded Mopar shock tower mounts. The brakes have also been strengthened and the wheels are 16-inch BBS units with Michelin tyres. Aggressively bolstered seats kept the driver in place. These track day specials spawned an entire generation of grassroots racers.

This car’s 2.4-liter engine has a revised tune with a little more boost, but otherwise mostly factory mechanicals. Expect a little more power than factory, but not enough to destroy the tires or damage the five-speed gearbox.

Chrysler produced much more than expected: about 25,000. But these cars by their nature were destined to live a hard life, and today they are rare. This SRT-4 ACR has been in the care of one owner since new and has only 44,000 miles on the odometer. It’s a remarkably preserved machine from a time when a little saving went a long way when it came to clipping tops and powering down the straight.

The auction ends on February 3.

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Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. He grew up on British cars, came of age in the golden age of Japanese sports compact performance, and started writing about cars and people in 2008. His special interest is in the intersection between man and machine, whether it concerns the racing career of Walter Cronkite or the half-century-long obsession of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to constantly buy Hot Wheels.