Let's hear the good, the bad and the ugly.
Specifically 14/15 era
Current world record on a stock motor is a 10.81 at 128 in the 1/4. That is with a rearmount turbo at 8psi. was with a built transmission though. Also this video was posted today by 1320
They seem to be holding up rather well save for one guy who is on his 3rd or 4th transfer case. No real issues just crap like infotainment and window motors.
Have fun test driving
I don't know of any common major issues with them. But I also don't quite see the point of them... It's basically a Jeep that can't do Jeep stuff but can't do car stuff as well as a car either.
Rslifkin, you might want to take one out for a ride they are rather quick and hold the road well for a SUV.
Donebrokeit wrote: Rslifkin, you might want to take one out for a ride they are rather quick and hold the road well for a SUV.
They are. But IMO, they give up too much SUV utility compared to the non-SRT versions to be worth having it be an SUV at all.
In reply to rslifkin:
I look at it as an alternative to a CTS-V (I know, this is a stretch). You get the utility of a good sized backseat, head room, and a hatch trunk area, with the insane speed of an all wheel drive monster. It is in a Jeep (Mercedes designed right?) body but it has fully independent suspension and goes like stink. If you pull the jeep badge and add a Merc badge you have an AMG type product which no one here would hate on (for its performance...).
Based on my few previous dealership encounters with them, too many chuck it and replace parts on them compared to the lesser models, at least with wear items.
I rode shotgun in them, along with all the other SRTs, at the SRT Experience, at Road America. It's ridiculously fast, for a vehicle that size and handles just as well as the rest of the SRT cars, from what I could feel.
A friend had one on a two year lease up until a few months ago. Personally I loved it. It was certainly Faster than our Explorer Sport, but definitely far less interior room. I'd say it's an outstanding all weather DD and parts/junk hauler that's fun to drive and quick as long as you are primarily carrying one/two people. The back seat isn't massive, but fine for two couples going out to dinner or younger kids. I wouldn't want four adults for long trips. Our Explorer was not as fast, much more interior room and better NVH, but less fun to throw around.
rslifkin wrote:Donebrokeit wrote: Rslifkin, you might want to take one out for a ride they are rather quick and hold the road well for a SUV.They are. But IMO, they give up too much SUV utility compared to the non-SRT versions to be worth having it be an SUV at all.
Uhh, you should have seen what seen the Chassis engineers did with one of those around the track during One Lap of America a few years ago. Removed the interior except the front seats and fitted Mopar springs, and 305 wide Michelin Super Sports at all 4 corners.
It was laying ridiculous lap times at Hallett.
As for SUV utility? Meh, 99% of them never go off-road anyway.
z31maniac wrote: Uhh, you should have seen what seen the Chassis engineers did with one of those around the track during One Lap of America a few years ago. Removed the interior except the front seats and fitted Mopar springs, and 305 wide Michelin Super Sports at all 4 corners. It was laying ridiculous lap times at Hallett. As for SUV utility? Meh, 99% of them never go off-road anyway.
Pretty sure I saw that one at a track day at Waterford Hills in 2011-2012 or so.
Personally, I dig fast SUVs. The only SUV thing they don't do as well is go off-road, and I'm not an off-road guy. I know the first generation of JGC SRTs couldn't tow because they had center-mounted tailpipes, but I don't think that's an issue with the newer ones.
Tom_Spangler wrote: I know the first generation of JGC SRTs couldn't tow because they had center-mounted tailpipes, but I don't think that's an issue with the newer ones.
At least they fixed that. Early ones could tow, but only 3500 lbs. The second gen ones could pull 5000 for the first few years (less than a non-SRT of the same), but they did finally raise the tow rating to match the non-SRT ones.
penultimeta wrote: This is besides the point I realize, but for the price, I'd prefer a Cayman.
Do you mean Cayenne, or is this REALLY beside the point?
Tom_Spangler wrote:z31maniac wrote: Uhh, you should have seen what seen the Chassis engineers did with one of those around the track during One Lap of America a few years ago. Removed the interior except the front seats and fitted Mopar springs, and 305 wide Michelin Super Sports at all 4 corners. It was laying ridiculous lap times at Hallett. As for SUV utility? Meh, 99% of them never go off-road anyway.Pretty sure I saw that one at a track day at Waterford Hills in 2011-2012 or so. Personally, I dig fast SUVs. The only SUV thing they don't do as well is go off-road, and I'm not an off-road guy. I know the first generation of JGC SRTs couldn't tow because they had center-mounted tailpipes, but I don't think that's an issue with the newer ones.
I love them for the outrageousness of them.
Tom_Spangler wrote:z31maniac wrote: Uhh, you should have seen what seen the Chassis engineers did with one of those around the track during One Lap of America a few years ago. Removed the interior except the front seats and fitted Mopar springs, and 305 wide Michelin Super Sports at all 4 corners. It was laying ridiculous lap times at Hallett. As for SUV utility? Meh, 99% of them never go off-road anyway.Pretty sure I saw that one at a track day at Waterford Hills in 2011-2012 or so. Personally, I dig fast SUVs. The only SUV thing they don't do as well is go off-road, and I'm not an off-road guy. I know the first generation of JGC SRTs couldn't tow because they had center-mounted tailpipes, but I don't think that's an issue with the newer ones.
Yup, that was the (then) DCX SRT Engineer. I came across the same guy when i autocrossed the Volvo in Z stock or where ever it was classed. He ran an M plate SRT4 Dodge Caliber and was ungodly quick in that too. He drove the SRT8 Jeep on the one lap and his day job often took him to some closed public road in Germany for testing cars, commonly known as the ring around Nurburg or something. How that guy can drive a car does not necessarily translate to how us mere mortals can drive.
That was an early WK (06-10 chassis) not the current WK2 chassis. I don't know much about the chassis or powertrain changes, but the difference in interior fit, finish, materials, amenities, NVH is light years apart. One feels like a late 90's quality and the other still feels bang up to date. I have to grudgingly admit (remember Blue oval employee here) that the Cherokee interior is really really really nice compared to anything in its class or price point. I wouldn't hesitate on a WK2 Grand Cherokee of any trim as a 4 season DD. Nice place to spend time.
I really like our '14 Grand Cherokee with the V6. I'm glad I never drove the V8 or the SRT-8 because then my current view of our fast(ish) SUV would be obliterated. Ignorance is bliss and all that. The 8 speed auto is really quite nice. The sport mode is great for keeping revs up and engine braking.
Normally i would make a mall crawler joke but i went for a ride in one that had intake, exhaust and a tune done and it was rather impressive for its bulk. If you want a nice daily it certainly fits that bill really well.
In reply to Tom_Spangler:
Nah, I really meant Cayman. I just got through reading the GRM feature on them and though "really? It's only 66k?". Still way outside my budget, but seems like a helluva car for the price.
The wife and I looked at a low mile one when she needed a new DD three years ago. Looked cool, big tires, lots of HP. Ended up buying a new Grand Cherokee with the ecodiesel. Spent less money than the used one, got the new body style, and she averages 24 mpg vs the 15mpg that the SRT might have got. Oh, and 420 ft-lbs of torque.
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