Topic: Thinking about ordering a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8... Crazy??

[farleywilbur]

I have a strange facination with the new 2012 Grand Cherokee STR8.  465 hp in a 5 passenger, AWD vehicle with 5,000 lb towing capacity and room for my dogs in the back?  I've been watching all the videos on youtube and reading some early reviews and generally I am impressed.  I know the fuel economy is about the same as a riding mower but I have a short commute and really I'm not on a tight budget.

Since giving up my ML 320 CDi last fall I've been driving the most boring vehicle on the planet and really the only thing about it that makes me happy is that its paid for.  So I have been back thinking about what could replace it.  I need a roomy vehicle with lots of rear legroom so two car seats will fit back there even with the driver's seat all the way back (I'm 6'3").  Two big dogs really eliminates any sedan and the only wagons out there I like are the CTS-V or the Mercedes E and both are huge money.  I sold my sport bike and boat when kids came along and I feel like I need a toy of some kind that could also be my daily driver.

I might look at the new ML and even the new X3 but there aren't a lot of other SUV's that are interesting to me.

Anyone think this SRT8 would be good choice or am I off my rocker?

[TopGun]

...

Anyone think this SRT8 would be good choice or am I off my rocker?

Yes and yes.   

VERY cool choice IMHO.  My neighbour with the Z06 says the old SRT8 Cherokee gives him a pretty good run!

If you need more convincing - check out InsideLine's video of the 2012 SRT8 vs. Cayenne Turbo...pretty impressive!  Take a guess which exhaust note they end the video with! 

http://www.insideline.com/jeep/grand-cherokee/2012/videos/2012_jeep_grand-cherokee_ct_89111.html

[Railton]

Every time one of those pass me I always wonder where the trailer hitch goes on them. Where it would normally be is where two great big exhaust outlets are.
But if you're looking for a rerason to not buy one you won't hear it from me.
Railton

[farleywilbur]

Every time one of those pass me I always wonder where the trailer hitch goes on them. Where it would normally be is where two great big exhaust outlets are.

On the coming 2012 they have gone back to typical dual exhaust placement at either side rather than the twin center exhaust for that exact reason.  There is a factory hitch integrated into the bumper with a pretty clean looking cover (a lot more slick than the rear of Cadillac Escalade for example)

[farleywilbur]

Here is a video test if you are interested...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi9csQ7kV1U

[bridgecity]

DO IT!

Even though its an SUV, 465hp would be A LOT of fun.  Hell, I can even have fun with the 380hp in my Tundra.

[ovr50]

Well, it makes as much sense as a BMW X5M - so I say GO FOR IT......

[CanuckG35]

Based on your needs and wants, I don't think it's a good choice.  I think it's a GREAT choice!  DO IT!   

[AP]

It's an incredible vehicle from the reviews I have read.  I bet if you wait a bit you could buy one slightly used and save quite a lot of money.

If your car seats are still rear facing you might not have enough leg room in the front.  I am about the same height and went with an F150 Supercrew to deal with that problem, though the driving experience is not exactly performance oriented.

[Jaeger]

If you're looking for fun in an SUV, it's probably the most compelling choice this side of a Cayenne.

Since you don't care how much gas you burn, there's not much downside that I can see.

Jaeger

[airbalancer]

If you're looking for fun in an SUV, it's probably the most compelling choice this side of a Cayenne.

Since you don't care how much gas you burn, there's not much downside that I can see.

Jaeger

I guess you missed this http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,75344.msg737097.html#msg737097

[Jaeger]

If you're looking for fun in an SUV, it's probably the most compelling choice this side of a Cayenne.

Since you don't care how much gas you burn, there's not much downside that I can see.

Jaeger

I guess you missed this http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,75344.msg737097.html#msg737097

Yep.     Or didn't realize it was the same dude.  Hopefully someone here will pick up that insane Jeep - I'd like to hear some ongoing owner feedback.

Jaeger

[farleywilbur]

One of the reasons I gave up on this Jeep was two incompetent sales people.  I was amazed by the poor communication and lack of response to my emails (after going into the dealerships in person to ask about the SRT8).  I guess they are too busy selling $20k minivans to deal with a customer interested in a $60k jeep.  I will give credit to the excellent young sales guy at Cadillac though who went out of his way to try to earn my business.  Great guy and he even drove a demo over to my office for a test drive.  I didn't go with the Caddy but I would recommend him to anyone who is thinking of buying one.

Don't know about you guys but the level of service, information and follow up from a car salesperson has a big impact on my purchase decisions.

[airbalancer]

One of the reasons I gave up on this Jeep was two incompetent sales people.  I was amazed by the poor communication and lack of response to my emails (after going into the dealerships in person to ask about the SRT8).  I guess they are too busy selling $20k minivans to deal with a customer interested in a $60k jeep.  I will give credit to the excellent young sales guy at Cadillac though who went out of his way to try to earn my business.  Great guy and he even drove a demo over to my office for a test drive.  I didn't go with the Caddy but I would recommend him to anyone who is thinking of buying one.

Don't know about you guys but the level of service, information and follow up from a car salesperson has a big impact on my purchase decisions.

zero % for me, it only comes  into play about which dealership I buy from, not brand

[SaskSpecV]

One of the reasons I gave up on this Jeep was two incompetent sales people.  I was amazed by the poor communication and lack of response to my emails (after going into the dealerships in person to ask about the SRT8).  I guess they are too busy selling $20k minivans to deal with a customer interested in a $60k jeep.  I will give credit to the excellent young sales guy at Cadillac though who went out of his way to try to earn my business.  Great guy and he even drove a demo over to my office for a test drive.  I didn't go with the Caddy but I would recommend him to anyone who is thinking of buying one.

Don't know about you guys but the level of service, information and follow up from a car salesperson has a big impact on my purchase decisions.

zero % for me, it only comes  into play about which dealership I buy from, not brand

Point well taken - but unfortunately when there is only one dealership for that brand in your city, if you don't like the dealership it's hard to buy the brand (ahem, cough, Subaru..., cough).  I don't feel like driving 250 km to the next closest dealer just so I can buy that particular brand - at least, not when there are so many good options from so many brands these days.

[airbalancer]

One of the reasons I gave up on this Jeep was two incompetent sales people.  I was amazed by the poor communication and lack of response to my emails (after going into the dealerships in person to ask about the SRT8).  I guess they are too busy selling $20k minivans to deal with a customer interested in a $60k jeep.  I will give credit to the excellent young sales guy at Cadillac though who went out of his way to try to earn my business.  Great guy and he even drove a demo over to my office for a test drive.  I didn't go with the Caddy but I would recommend him to anyone who is thinking of buying one.

Don't know about you guys but the level of service, information and follow up from a car salesperson has a big impact on my purchase decisions.

zero % for me, it only comes  into play about which dealership I buy from, not brand

Point well taken - but unfortunately when there is only one dealership for that brand in your city, if you don't like the dealership it's hard to buy the brand (ahem, cough, Subaru..., cough).  I don't feel like driving 250 km to the next closest dealer just so I can buy that particular brand - at least, not when there are so many good options from so many brands these days.

I know what you mean about distance

There not anyone in town that has a scan tool for a BMW, so it was a 80 km drive to a indy mechanic that I know 
One of the sensor( ABS)that is bad is $900 to replace, so I have an extra light on

[aaronk]

Looking at your 'wants' list, it seems like the GC SRT8 would be a good fit, especially if you want a large vehicle like that. There are a lot of other more practical vehicles that could still get you well beyond speed limits in a short amount of time, but if its the sound and feel of a muscle car you're after then there isn't much else in this price bracket that will satisfy.

For the record the regular Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango Hemi V8 is plenty quick, just put a set of Flowmasters on it if you want the sound...100 km/h comes up in around 7 seconds.

[sailor723]

One of the reasons I gave up on this Jeep was two incompetent sales people.  I was amazed by the poor communication and lack of response to my emails (after going into the dealerships in person to ask about the SRT8).  I guess they are too busy selling $20k minivans to deal with a customer interested in a $60k jeep.  I will give credit to the excellent young sales guy at Cadillac though who went out of his way to try to earn my business.  Great guy and he even drove a demo over to my office for a test drive.  I didn't go with the Caddy but I would recommend him to anyone who is thinking of buying one.

Don't know about you guys but the level of service, information and follow up from a car salesperson has a big impact on my purchase decisions.

zero % for me, it only comes  into play about which dealership I buy from, not brand

Point well taken - but unfortunately when there is only one dealership for that brand in your city, if you don't like the dealership it's hard to buy the brand (ahem, cough, Subaru..., cough).  I don't feel like driving 250 km to the next closest dealer just so I can buy that particular brand - at least, not when there are so many good options from so many brands these days.

Same reason why I'm not in a either a GC or a Touareg. The level of service from some dealerships around here makes you wonder how they stay in business. I guess being the only choice for a particular brand within 100 kms probably helps.

[Snowman]

If I slipped into geriatric mode and had to drive an SUV full time this would be it 

[Weexy]

This SRT-8 is juiced to 640HP  & gives Godzilla a hell of a run.
Wonder what the result would have been if he got a good start...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=_gHo9qf8hV4