Anyone have a SRT Jeep?

[cobraken]

I liked the looks and interior of the Denali over the Escalade. 400 Hp vs 425 of the jeep. I got 19.5 mpg on a lengthy trip this summer with regular fuel. Not going to do that with the jeep. The Denali has twice the room and hauling ability and they're worth next to nothing. I doubt I could get $28,000 for the '07 that stickered for over $58,000. The Denali is best value used. I feel the Cadillac would be second.

 

[Ronin]

I had an '07 Jeep SRT that was fully optioned out (reverse camera, nav, sunroof, etc.). I regret to this day that I no longer have it; it was $ for $ the most fun car to drive that I've ever had.

With that being said, it was not without its problems...

The '06s (first model year) had their share of electrical gremlins and my '07 wasn't much better. I had a control module replaced twice 'cause my dashboard was lighting up like a Christmas tree and it was still quirky; windows wouldn't always go down, etc.

I'm 6 foot/200 pounds and the interior (at least in the front, I've never sat in the back of one of my own cars) was sized nicely, although it might be a little cramped for someone larger. The seats are fully bolstered and very supportive.

The gas mileage was horrible, period. I didn't care 'cause I knew what I was getting myself into, but on a Kansas-flat highway @ 65 MPH with 90 year old grandmas giving me the bird and trying to run me off the road I could not get over 16 MPG. My mixed mileage was a constant 12.5 MPG, sometimes launching like a complete idiot, sometimes driving like I had a bald eagle egg under the gas pedal. The tank is small too, but that's typical of SRTs.

If you're even considering using it as a tow vehicle, don't. The factory hitch looks like ass, doesn't work with some aftermarket exhausts and is only a 1 1/4 and only good for 3500 pounds. The weight limit is due to the tranny's capabilities and it would surely tow more, but if you want to stay within the manufacturer's limits you're, well, kinda limited. The Trailblazer SS is a good alternative and has a decent rating (6600 pounds with AWD) but can't come close to running with a Jeep SRT without some modding...

The run flats are GAWD awful, especially on the fine New England roads that I'm honored to drive on around here. Swapping out to non-run flats and picking up a SRT-8 tire repair kit is a very common and highly recommended "mod".

If you test drive a Jeep SRT, you're screwed. You're not going to leave the dealership without it, it's that much fun.

Good luck with your decision...

 

[BurntRubber]

I had an '07 Jeep SRT that was fully optioned out (reverse camera, nav, sunroof, etc.). I regret to this day that I no longer have it; it was $ for $ the most fun car to drive that I've ever had.

With that being said, it was not without its problems...

The '06s (first model year) had their share of electrical gremlins and my '07 wasn't much better. I had a control module replaced twice 'cause my dashboard was lighting up like a Christmas tree and it was still quirky; windows wouldn't always go down, etc.

I'm 6 foot/200 pounds and the interior (at least in the front, I've never sat in the back of one of my own cars) was sized nicely, although it might be a little cramped for someone larger. The seats are fully bolstered and very supportive.

The gas mileage was horrible, period. I didn't care 'cause I knew what I was getting myself into, but on a Kansas-flat highway @ 65 MPH with 90 year old grandmas giving me the bird and trying to run me off the road I could not get over 16 MPG. My mixed mileage was a constant 12.5 MPG, sometimes launching like a complete idiot, sometimes driving like I had a bald eagle egg under the gas pedal. The tank is small too, but that's typical of SRTs.

If you're even considering using it as a tow vehicle, don't. The factory hitch looks like ass, doesn't work with some aftermarket exhausts and is only a 1 1/4 and only good for 3500 pounds. The weight limit is due to the tranny's capabilities and it would surely tow more, but if you want to stay within the manufacturer's limits you're, well, kinda limited. The Trailblazer SS is a good alternative and has a decent rating (6600 pounds with AWD) but can't come close to running with a Jeep SRT without some modding...

The run flats are GAWD awful, especially on the fine New England roads that I'm honored to drive on around here. Swapping out to non-run flats and picking up a SRT-8 tire repair kit is a very common and highly recommended "mod".

If you test drive a Jeep SRT, you're screwed. You're not going to leave the dealership without it, it's that much fun.

Good luck with your decision...

werd, i drove the jeeps at the SRT experience and liked them...would love for my wife to get one. Pat lauched his once with me in it, i wasnt expecting him to floor it from a stop, when he did i thought my organs detached from inside my body, but like the ram SRT it runs out of speed by the 1/8 mile.
its surpirisng oyur cross shopping the two vehilces, almost like a town car vs a 300 SRT8...not really good comparisons

 

[ChrisAZ]

I have a 2007 Denali and love it. I chose it over an Escalade for these reasons:
1. Did not like the Escalade stereotypes
2. An Escalade was over $10,000 more than the Denali for the same vehicle

Between the Jeep and the Escalade you are choosing between luxury with decent power in the Escalade or pure speed and handling in the Jeep. These are two very different vehicles. If you want a comfortable DD that has plenty of power the Escalade will do fine. If you want a sports car with 4 doors and AWD that weighs a lot then the Jeep is your choice. They are worlds apart. I know my wife would never prefer the Jeep over her Denali-never. The Jeep is a harsh ride and not very classy and the Escalade is smooth as silk and classy if not a bit too blingy, which is why we chose the Denali.

 

[BurntRubber]

I have a 2007 Denali and love it. I chose it over an Escalade for these reasons:
1. Did not like the Escalade stereotypes
2. An Escalade was over $10,000 more than the Denali for the same vehicle

Between the Jeep and the Escalade you are choosing between luxury with decent power in the Escalade or pure speed and handling in the Jeep. These are two very different vehicles. If you want a comfortable DD that has plenty of power the Escalade will do fine. If you want a sports car with 4 doors and AWD that weighs a lot then the Jeep is your choice. They are worlds apart. I know my wife would never prefer the Jeep over her Denali-never. The Jeep is a harsh ride and not very classy and the Escalade is smooth as silk and classy if not a bit too blingy, which is why we chose the Denali.

haha..when my wife got her 04 denali it was the same thing for us... they are to similar to warrant the extra cost.

 

[yellowfever#154]

Thanks for everyone who replied, great information. I realize that these 2 vehicles are not in the same league, but I like them both and thats why I asked the questions. The Escalade is something that fits more for the application that we will use it for. I will have to keep the Denali in mind, didnt really consider one before. We have seen 08 Escalades advertized for 50% sticker price up here in Alberta which makes that model really appealing. Thanks again.

 

[BurntRubber]

Thanks for everyone who replied, great information. I realize that these 2 vehicles are not in the same league, but I like them both and thats why I asked the questions. The Escalade is something that fits more for the application that we will use it for. I will have to keep the Denali in mind, didnt really consider one before. We have seen 08 Escalades advertized for 50% sticker price up here in Alberta which makes that model really appealing. Thanks again.

fyi...the denali has clocked faster 1/4 times in most test

 

[ChrisAZ]

Sorry for your troubles with the Jeep. Since the day I drove mine off the showroom floor (almost 2 years ago), it has NEVER been back to the dealer.

From what I read, there is a TSB for the window auto roll up/down and memory seats.

Also TSB's for the TCM, and rear ABS...all of which I have had no issues with......yet........:slug:

My advice to you is to stay away from the dealer. You're very lucky to have a good version of the software. As soon as you take it in they will say they must do the TSB and "upgrade" your software. Then you are screwed becuase there will be issues that you did not have before. My wife has a Denali and it has some software issues and everytime we take it in they "upgrade" the software and everytime there is something else that needs fixing because of the latest fix. Luckily none of the glitches are a big deal and we have only taken it in 3 times in 2 years. You basically get used to the glitches. The battery drains really fast when you turn the engine off and run the stereo or DVD player or even leave the doors open while packing for a road trip. I had trouble with a drained battery 3 times and everything tests fine once I start it up and drive down to test the battery and alternator. Now we know not to every shut it off and run the stereo or DVD and I make sure to pack fast and close the doors in between trips in the house when packing for a road trip.

 

[Silverback]

And today it got worse. The god damn radio would not work when I started out for work. The VES indicator was on. It's never had a DVD in the system. Tried numerous times to get the radio on and no dice. Then it would come on for a few seconds and switch off. Finally after about 20 minutes it decide to work and then the f*cking window would not even roll down at all.

What a POS.

 

[Ronin]

And today it got worse. The god damn radio would not work when I started out for work. The VES indicator was on. It's never had a DVD in the system. Tried numerous times to get the radio on and no dice. Then it would come on for a few seconds and switch off. Finally after about 20 minutes it decide to work and then the f*cking window would not even roll down at all.

What a POS.

That sucks...unfortunately you're not alone. As much as I loved mine that kind of nonsense drove me bananas and is way unacceptable for a $40K+ vehicle. Hope you get it sorted out...

 

[amtrucker22]

What type of maintenance is required on the Jeeps? Anything like our 10's (which I consider very expensive)?