Originally posted by MrFatBooty
Perhaps we will see a supercharged SVT Focus and some kind of souped up Cavalier/Sunfire/Ion. So far the only thing at 20 grand that comes close to the performance-to-price ratio of the SRT-4 is the Mazdaspeed Protege. Nothing else is even in the same ballpark.
A Mazdaspeed Protege wouldn't even come close performance wise, stock or modded. The Protege (170hp 155tq)runs a 15.4 1/4m@93mph at 6.6psi, the SRT-4 (215hp 245tq) runs a 14.2 1/4m@102mph at 14psi, and the MSProtege has stock Protege internals so turning up the boost isn't so easy.
As for front wheel drive, yeah from a stop its not the best, but a 0-60 in 5.6 is pretty damn quick considering a stock WRX has all wheel drive and only runs a 5.4 and a 14.1 1/4m, after the 1/4m the SRT-4 will walk away from the WRX.