That's probably it.

If I got a TDi, I would be pretty well set as far as maintenance since my brother-in-law (the one who watches the Miata when I go to crazy places like Kuwait and California) is a VW tech.

+1 for TDIs two family members have them and have nothing but great luck with them.
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Good news and bad news. Bad news is that the stealership, who told me on Tuesday that they'd have the "PCM" in on Thursday, now says it could be until Monday or Tuesday before they even get the damn part. Take your time fellas - the rental is only $80/day.

Good news is that I just spoke with the wife (who is on a road trip with a friend) and she supports the idea of getting something different if it makes sense to do so.

yeah drop that lil neon man and get a real car. I am curius though since you should have a big srt4 comunity around you couldnt you have found someone with a working ecu and done the swap to confirm this prognosis? seems to me just laying down the $$ for a new ecu before you establish the cuase is kinda silly, and expensive.

Expensive, yes, but I'm just ready to get this problem over with. Being a newer car, the ECU is programmed to each vehicle so you still have to involve the dealer with a swap. It's easier to just let the dealer handle it, especially since my mother and brother are staying with me right now to help look after Elise while I'm in class, and while I'm out of class I'd rather spend time with them than try to sort out the Neon. I've spent too much time on it already.