Neons were always fast subcompact cars, but the second-fastest Dodge ever, second to the Viper? Are you sure we're talking about a Neon here? In 2003, an affordable street racer entered the market with the 2003 Neon SRT-4, a turbocharged 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder, twin-cam engine that hit 215-hp and never looked back.

The 2003 SRT-4 took the Neon R/T one step further, with sports-tuned suspension, standard ABS brakes, 17-inch wheels, and all the sporty accoutrements you'd expect -- hood scoop, huge rear spoiler, racing-style supportive front seats, leather interior trim, chrome-trimmed dash gauges, and silver badging. With 245 lb-ft of torque, the SRT-4 was not only fast, but very easy to control at high speeds and on curvy roads. The ride was smooth, with very little jolt when the turbo kicked in. Great muscle engine noise and aftermarket tuning parts put the SRT-4 in the top of its class.

The 2003 SRT-4 didn't lose much of what made Neon popular, namely roominess. There was still a full-size trunk, and plenty of leg and headroom for four inside, along with storage and cupholders. Although fast, it was still family-oriented and offered a lot of safety features beyond ABS and traction control. Unfortunately, like the Neon, it did not offer a lot of extras, most maddeningly, no power rear windows.

What do drivers love about this car? Guess. At 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, it's not only faster than any subcompact out there, but probably most cars on the market, and it's affordable. Drawbacks are uncomfortable front seats, a stiff suspension that gives a jolting ride on bumpy roads and a low front that can scrape the ground.