Hmm, not sure why, but I feel very compelled to input what I know about this thread...
the SRT8-
Good,
-fast as sh*ttake (Yes i've driven a few, while installing aftermarket parts, including a supercharged one)
-lots of aftermarket support
-V8
-Nice aestetics
-Jeeps are very easy to upgrade and work on
-I completely understand how you are enamored by it, because I have found myself in the same boat, until I step back and look at it as a vehicle to drive on the daily.
Bad,
-Its a jeep
-V8 is going to get terrible Mileage
-We all know how 'great' AWD vehicles are for towing (thats sarcasm). Most non-selectable AWD systems aren't rating for towing, my guess the reason those ones have been modded to have those baby hitches are for snowboard racks, cargo carriers, etc.
-one of the biggest things for me when considering vehicles is reliability, and I know you are a rational person Sue. I can tell you this much, my best friend works for a company that provides aftermarket warranties and extended warranties to dealerships. For example, if you went and bought a 2013 SRT8, and you decided that the chrysler 60k/6yr warranty wasnt enough for you, so you spend the additional $4000 for the extended warranty to 100k/10yr, that warranty is being provided by the company my best friend works for.
I hope I can word this correctly. When he sells the warranties to the dealerships on these vehicles, they do very intense statistical analysis to know exactly how long a vehicle is going to last before it costs his company money (funny how they always run out of warranty before it breaks )
I can tell you this, diamler/chrysler is the VERY LOWEST guaranteed vehicle he can insure.
Toyota, lexus, honda, acura; are rated a 1 in reliability (the most reliable)
chevy and ford come in somewhere around 5, and diamler/chrysler comes in at a 10, for least reliable new vehicle you can buy.
I hope that all makes sense.
Now, with that said, I understand the lust, because I think they are a beautiful vehicle, and a GREAT idea to have a really sporty SUV. I just cant wait for other manufacturers to follow lead
Now, my suggestion for you?? look into the MDX turbo SH
now thats a pretty sweet little SUV. SH stands for super handling (its been a factory upgrade from honda since the first prelude was produced)
It generally comes with more sophisticated suspension and a more powerful motor (hence the turbo)
or, if you need a bigger vehicle, look for a supercharged FX-35. You can pick one of those up for a very reasonable price, and they have plenty of power.
I dont know how much you know, but the FX35 has the same motor as the 350Z (or infiniti G35), so aftermarket support is HUGE and cheaper to repair than the FX45 or the SRT8.
Well, I think thats all of it
Why have I looked into these three cars so much? Whitney wants to trade in her car eventually for a sporty SUV and she just happens to like the FX35, SRT8, and the MDX. (i like to read into vehicles before I commit to it, as I expect them to last me 250-300k miles)
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