Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8

958 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2008 at 2:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, SUV

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#957 of 958 Re: Comparisons [fornov] by htron Nov 23, 2008 (8:15 am)
Replying to: fornov (Nov 23, 2008 12:43 am) well, I actually have a winter car, so I don't drive mine in the winter. I know that some do, and haven't had any complaints that I've seen. My only concern would be that with all the power that you'd really have to feather the throttle so you're not breaking free every second... I don't have nav, so I can't speak to that. However, all of this is trumped by the FUN FACTOR! This car is awesome to drive, sounds good, and surprises a lot of people. It's so fun to blow away kids in their mustangs that think they're quick...what's funny is the number of thumbs up I get from people after I've just beaten them. Also, the SOUND of the exhaust is very cool - the engineers did a really good job with that. The low hum while you're cruising is good, and then when you jump on it the sound elevates appropriately...very grin-inducing. Bottom line - the fun factor is worth the price of admission, no question, which I think everyone here would agree with. Of course, we're biased... Replies to this message: fornov (Nov 24, 2008 2:10 pm)
#958 of 958 Re: Comparisons [htron] by fornov Nov 24, 2008 (2:10 pm)
Replying to: htron (Nov 23, 2008 8:15 am) I appreciate the fun factor - I really do. In fact, that is the only reason I'm considering this vehicle in the first place. The problem is that everything else I've driven is pretty fun, too. The 335 is really quick and ready to go at any instant. The G35's I've driven in the past are always the same way, and the G37 will only be better. If I could really have my way, I'd be getting an M3 or a CTS-V, but they don't have AWD. My biggest needs are these (in order): 1. Usable back seat 2. 4WD/AWD (or FWD, but who wants that?) 3. Under $70K Anything that goes against those is a deal breaker. After that, I'm looking at: 4. 4 doors (almost a deal breaker, just depends on how hard it would be for a 2-year-old to climb into the back) 5. User-friendly Nav/sound/MP3/phone If the vehicle still qualifies, I'll move on to the fun factor and "wants," rather than "needs." (As an aside, I'll make the disclaimer that my definition of "needs" is not what I truly need. If I went just with real needs, I'd get a 2004 Corrola.) 6. Driving dynamics (acceleration, handling, braking, driving feel) 7. Mileage 8. Styling 9. Sound system 10. Seating comfort So that's my list. I dove a GC Limited today (5.7L Hemi), just so I could get a feel for the nav, sound, comfort, interior, etc. I have to say that the nav is just OK, rather small screen, not the easiest to use, despite the touch screen, which is a good idea. The sound is also just OK, although I'd expect it to be much better in the SRT. Very comfortable seats and roomy driver cockpit. I don't like the wood grain trim - I assume it's aluminum or something in the SRT? The driving feel was pretty bland. It just felt like an SUV would expect to feel. It was a strong SUV, just not a quick SUV. The suspension was soft like any other SUV. All of these would change in the SRT, I assume. I'm really disappointed I won't be able to drive an SRT before I decide if I want to purchase one. The one SRT within a 200 mile radius is a 2008 model. I haven't seen details on it yet, but the sales manager said it has an MSRP of 48K. What sort of price should I expect to pay for that? I'll ask that question on the "prices paid" thread as well.

#957 of 958: Re: Comparisons [fornov] by htron; Nov 23, 2008 (8:15 am)

Replying to: fornov (Nov 23, 2008 12:43 am)

well, I actually have a winter car, so I don't drive mine in the winter. I know that some do, and haven't had any complaints that I've seen. My only concern would be that with all the power that you'd really have to feather the throttle so you're not breaking free every second...

I don't have nav, so I can't speak to that.

However, all of this is trumped by the FUN FACTOR! This car is awesome to drive, sounds good, and surprises a lot of people. It's so fun to blow away kids in their mustangs that think they're quick...what's funny is the number of thumbs up I get from people after I've just beaten them. Also, the SOUND of the exhaust is very cool - the engineers did a really good job with that. The low hum while you're cruising is good, and then when you jump on it the sound elevates appropriately...very grin-inducing.

Bottom line - the fun factor is worth the price of admission, no question, which I think everyone here would agree with. Of course, we're biased...

fornov (Nov 24, 2008 2:10 pm)

#958 of 958: Re: Comparisons [htron] by fornov; Nov 24, 2008 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: htron (Nov 23, 2008 8:15 am)

I appreciate the fun factor - I really do. In fact, that is the only reason I'm considering this vehicle in the first place. The problem is that everything else I've driven is pretty fun, too. The 335 is really quick and ready to go at any instant. The G35's I've driven in the past are always the same way, and the G37 will only be better. If I could really have my way, I'd be getting an M3 or a CTS-V, but they don't have AWD. My biggest needs are these (in order):

1. Usable back seat
2. 4WD/AWD (or FWD, but who wants that?)
3. Under $70K

Anything that goes against those is a deal breaker. After that, I'm looking at:

4. 4 doors (almost a deal breaker, just depends on how hard it would be for a 2-year-old to climb into the back)
5. User-friendly Nav/sound/MP3/phone

If the vehicle still qualifies, I'll move on to the fun factor and "wants," rather than "needs." (As an aside, I'll make the disclaimer that my definition of "needs" is not what I truly need. If I went just with real needs, I'd get a 2004 Corrola.)

6. Driving dynamics (acceleration, handling, braking, driving feel)
7. Mileage
8. Styling
9. Sound system
10. Seating comfort

So that's my list. I dove a GC Limited today (5.7L Hemi), just so I could get a feel for the nav, sound, comfort, interior, etc. I have to say that the nav is just OK, rather small screen, not the easiest to use, despite the touch screen, which is a good idea. The sound is also just OK, although I'd expect it to be much better in the SRT. Very comfortable seats and roomy driver cockpit. I don't like the wood grain trim - I assume it's aluminum or something in the SRT? The driving feel was pretty bland. It just felt like an SUV would expect to feel. It was a strong SUV, just not a quick SUV. The suspension was soft like any other SUV. All of these would change in the SRT, I assume. I'm really disappointed I won't be able to drive an SRT before I decide if I want to purchase one.

The one SRT within a 200 mile radius is a 2008 model. I haven't seen details on it yet, but the sales manager said it has an MSRP of 48K. What sort of price should I expect to pay for that? I'll ask that question on the "prices paid" thread as well.