You'd never be caught dead in a foreign car but you're still drawn to the versatility of a hatchback. Your friends all drive Preludes with ridiculous body kits and faux carbon fiber hoods and you want to give them something to think about at stop lights. You're Mopar through and through but the Charger is too big and the Challenger is too far out of your price range. You like the bold exterior.

You've got no problem buying any of the many other cars in this class that provide similar value without all of the compromises that come with the SRT4. You're an adult.

Speed Merchants: Yes

Fashion Victims: No

Treehuggers: No

Mack Daddies: No

Tuner Crowd: Yes

Hairdressers: No

Penny Pinchers: Yes

Euro Snobs: No

Working Stiffs: No

Technogeeks: No

Poseurs: Yes

Soccer Moms: No

Nascar Dads: Yes

Golfing Grandparents: No

*Mazda Mazdaspeed3

*Volkswagen GTI

*Subaru WRX

*Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X

*Toyota Matrix XRS

*Honda Civic SI

*Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

Manufacturer: Dodge

Model tested: Caliber SRT4

Model year: 2008

Base Price: $22,435

Price as Tested: $26,145

Engine type: 2.4 Liter DOHC I4 Turbo

Horsepower: 285 @ 6,400 RPM

Torque: 265 @ 5,600 RPM

Red line: 8,250 RPM

Transmission: Getrag six-speed manual

Curb Weight: 2,966 lbs

LxWxH: 173.8" x 68.8" x 60.4"

Wheelbase: 103.7"

Tires: 225/45R19 BSW All-Season Performance Tires

Drive type: FWD

0 - 60 mph: 6.0 seconds (some claim 5.8 seconds)

1/4-mile: 14.5 seconds

Top speed: 155 MPH Electronically Limited

EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 21/26 MPG

NHTSA crash test rating: *****/*****

Also see: