OK guys and gals. I was in Annapolis yesterday to have my wife's Odyssey serviced. I had time to kill, and of course, ventured over to other car dealers. Long story short, I am very close to ordering a Jeep SRT8.

This vehicle has everything I wished my G would have. Power to take just about everything out there, AWD, an amazing stock stereo (upgraded), great nav, etc.

My dilemna is this. I really like my G35X. It is an amazing car for the money. But I'm one of those folks that grew up racing and raced until two years ago. I have a serious need for speed that the G can't fulfill right now. So my options are as follows....get a nitrous kit for the G and have an amazing sleeper. I know some will say FI, but that option is very expensive, and will eliminate the abiltiy to ever sell the car. With NOS, the kit can be removed relatively easily.

What I'm grappling with is the cost of things I'd want to do to the G if I kept it. Stereo upgrade, wheels and tires, nitrous, exhaust, etc, etc. And I'd lose my warranty to boot. The SRT8's have all the good stuff from the factory with a warranty.

I'm fully aware of the depreciation hit with selling the G (I'm a CPA), but the cost of making the G what I want is pretty close to the cost of changing vehicles. Not sure, and need some input from some friends

 

Are they selling the Srt-8 at MSRP or above?

If you test drove it, and you like it, get the Jeep.

 

I shopped the SRT8 about 8 months ago (300C). At that time they were getting 5-10K dealer markup, which I will never pay. Now, the markup is gone on at least the Charger, 300C, and the Magnum. I'm not sure yet about the Jeep. I'm investigating that right now.

I could reserve the perfect Charger for me (black with all options) for about 1500 under sticker, which equates to about 40K. That deal is on the table and I have it in writing. But I really like the AWD of my X, and that's why I'm considering the Jeep. Thanks.

 

I've been partially successful in the years of avoiding short term remorse with my vehicles. There is ALWAYS something better in some way than what you currently have. If money was no object, I could get something new every year

Of course, if I was even more successful at it, I would have driven my 88 Nova for a few more years, then still be driving the car I replaced it with.

I know that now, I would like MP3 support in my G35, had waited another few months so I could have had the G35X, but I'm sticking with it.

For me, someone not into racing, I'm more than happy with my G35. I figure that it has more git up and go than most vehicles out there, even when you go with just the 2004s. But it is not a car that is built for speed with no compromises.

 

kevink, I completely agree. This is a weakness of mine, I'll admit. And if I didn't like my G for whatever reason, it would be easier. The G is a great car, and I may just stick with it and enjoy it.

 

I know what you mean, and the Jeep would be a good all around car, but still its an SUV.
If i were you, instead of blowing 45k on the SRT-8.

I would keep the G, and buy an STI or an EVO. pay 5000 to uprgrade the sound system on both cars, and call it a done deal. The STi, or the EVO can beat the SRT8 in a straight race, and the Jeep's handling is no where near it.

 

Well, owning 3 cars makes no sense for me. I actually shopped for Evo's and STi's. Two big problems. Outrageous insurance, and manual trans. We live on a beautiful penninsula next to the Chesapeake Bay, but we're still in DC/VA/MD rush hour territory. And my wife refuses to drive a manual

So auto is necessary. Also, don't think that this SUV is a pig in the turns. It will pull .9g in the turns, and out handle, out accelerate, and out brake (14" Brembo's with 60-0 in 125 ft) any stock G..........Hard to imagine at 4500+ lbs, but true.

Now do you understand the appeal?

 

What about reliability and resale value? If you make the trade do you think something else will catch your eye in another couple years...possibly the new G37? I can't name how many cars I had to have, but if I waited 6 months to a year it would then change to something else.

93 rx7
95 Pathfinder
97 Passat
00 BMW 330
02 Altima 3.5

Needless to say I saved a LOT of money by not giving into the urge to buy these cars.

It may do all those things you list, but how will it FEEL when your slammin that much weight through the corners? I've owned one SUV im my life.....never again.

 

I thought about the Jeep SRT-8 also....gas mileage is not important to me...but that think gets like 10mpg city and 15mpg highway - maybe. I'm no treehugger, and could easily afford the gas but damn - that would be alot of gas. If I am going to spend that much on gas, it is not going to be in a Jeep.

 

In the big scheam of things the NOS is cheep. You ought to try it out and see if it works for you. If not, yank it, trade in the car, and sell the system here on the board. You may be out a few hundred bucks, but you will know you maid the right choice.

JH

 

My current commute is highway, and the SRT gets about 20 which is about waht my G gets (hard to imagine). In 14 months, my company is relocating to 1.5 miles from my house, so mileage is not an issue for me.

 

I'm just not a fan of the Jeep make. A buddy of mine has a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with all the bells and whistles. It's a nice ride (for an SUV). However, with only 50k on it, he's already replaced the tranny once and... IT STILL HAS ISSUES. Right after his warranty ran out he incurred close to 4k in repairs. Some may call it bad luck, I call it a Jeep. I know others that have had issues. Sure the SRT8 probably has a better tranny and powertrain however, after seeing the issues my buddy has had, I don't trust Jeep.

 

get what you like more....

 

I understand your delima man. But, I can't quite understand the love for the Jeep.

I've been a Chrysler owner for many years, and generally like their products. I really like the Jeep SRT8, but I would only consider it if I had to have an SUV for some reason. Let's face it, no matter what the published stats are, it's no sports car.

You mention stats for lateral g's, braking, acceleration. While impressive, I'd still take the g. For starters, it has a curb weight of 4788 pounds, roughly half a ton greater than your X. I don't care what kind of brakes it has, stopping that kind of weight from any speed is a daunting task. Throw in an upset suspension, and the weight is fighting the brakes even further. Also, it must have one hell of a chassis(and tires) to pull .9 g's, but try a quick switch-back, and that weight *will* make it's presence known. And what about the ride height. Sure, it's not a normal SUV, but the center of gravity is still higher than the X.

Since I've gotten into autocrossing, I've become a weight ****. It affects every performance characteristic of a car. I know you'll never autocross the srt8(don't know of any organizations that would allow it on the tarmac), but I hope you get my point.

Also, ownership costs are going to be much greater than the X. Just speculation, but I imagine the tires are going to be much more expensive(20's, right?). Also, the weight plus the brakes I predict will show exaggerated wear; likewise the suspension components. Just a thought.

So, bottom line:
If you want an SUV for a daily driver, but don't need to haul anything of signifigance, get the Jeep. Otherwise, stick with the X.

 

If you're a racing fan, there are better options for speed that are cheaper (STI, Evo, etc...). A gas guzzling huge v8 with a high center of gravity just doesn't sound as much fun as a dedicated sports/rally car with can be made much faster for much cheaper.

I doubt the jeep will outslalom a G35...seriously. It can pull .9 gs but so can the G35 with much less weight. Tires help a lot but you push 4500 lbs into a corner too fast and the outcome may be pretty ugly