RC:
...I have been out in the Jeep and the Boxster quite a few times and while the Boxster doesn't get much attention, the Jeep does. A lot.
Same here - for sure the car which gets the most attention out of the cars I ever owned. I dont know why but people really love this monster. Zero jealousy and only good comments. Wherever I park people walk around and are taking pictures.
And yes - its a lot of fun to drive. I prefer it even over my 991S. I understand you RC - I think I need an 991 Turbo to have something giving more fun - my car doesnt do it
May 28, 2014 1:50:08 PM
I've arrived late to this thread but have had a similar experience with Lars and RC about the Jeep SRT. Always knew they existed but due to prejudices about US auto quality issues and so-so performance of the older models I never took it seriously. I considered BMW X5M, ML63 and Cayenne Turbo however in Australia these are seriously expensive (200-260K AUD on the road). One day I saw a '14 model SRT and wow -had to test drive one. From the moment I sat in it I fell in love. The interior build quality realy surprised me and it has every gadget you could want. The only thing it doesn't do is park itself! On the road it got even better. It doesn't steer like a Cayenne Turbo or GTS but it's not too bad. The instantaneous shove when you hit the throttle puts my 997TT to shame (until the turbos kick in) and the noise from the exhaust is one of the best V8 sounds I've heard in a street legal vehicle. Lastly, in Australia the price with better stereo and sunroof was 83k AUD on the road, much less than half the price of the Euro cars (Their importers really screw us here). I was sold. I chose white as I liked the contrast between the white and the black grille/headlight surround. Took delivery in late March and for the next 5 weeks drove it exclusively, only driving the Porsche briefly once a week to keep the battery charged! I love my Turbo, but driving the SRT just puts a big smile on my face in a way the Porsche doesn't. Can't explain it. I've told the dealer that if he gets confirmation of the Hellcat (possibly 2017 model) to put me down for one. Even at 10-15K more, in relation to the Euro SVUs its still a bargain in Australia. BTW and FYI 991 Turbo S is 470,000 AUD on the road here(had to get that whinge in) and not sure why US/Euro SRTs don't get the "Hemi 6.4" badge on the front fenders.
May 28, 2014 2:47:11 PM
May 28, 2014 2:56:51 PM
In UK, the SRT is a £60K+ car with historical (or should that be hysterical) residuals of about 40% in 1st year. Just seems to be too much of a gamble in UK market. At £45K - might be slightly more approachable.
991 (what a car!) XC90 - 120 Cab - 2 kids, 1 dog
May 28, 2014 3:02:59 PM
May 28, 2014 3:19:12 PM
May 28, 2014 3:25:47 PM
We do have a 30% luxury car tax that applies to the wholesale value over 57K plus a VAT of 10% but that goes nowhere near explaing the difference in price of these cars between the US and Australia (over double even allowing for our slightly lower dollar). Try it for youself on the Porsche.com.au website (build your car) and use postcode 2000 for example (but we are getting off thread!). I suspect there is a limited number of cars (RHD) the importer can get so they price them to what the market will bear.
May 30, 2014 12:32:23 PM
@Aussie997TT: Welcome, you are the third Jeep GC SRT owner here. People don't believe how good this US SUV is, so much prejudice. Two hints: Diablosport Trinity and sport exhaust (not sure what is street legal in Australia).
Guys, no matter where you live in Europe, check with your local (official) Jeep dealer for the real price of the SRT.
The MSRP is 79k EUR in Germany but when I asked at the dealer, he gave me an instant 15k EUR rebate (there is some sort of special offer sponsored by Chrysler) and added two years of warranty on top (4 years or 100k km instead of the 2 years).
Not sure if this offer is valid for Germany only but it is worth asking.
Btw: Chrysler (officially) imports only 80 SRT or so per year, my large dealer gets only two(!) more SRT for the whole year 2014 and one is already sold.
This is really weird but with the Hellcat engine and only a mild price increase, Chrysler could sell tons of these Jeeps all over the world.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
Lars997:
RC:
. 0-100 kph in 4.4 seconds over and over again. For a 2.5 ton truck, amazing.
Hmmm.... I need to get the electronic adjustments I guess. Funny - I even hit once the 4.2 and got the 4.4. sometimes but it was in service I only can achieve the 4.8?
I had some massive software updates applied last week (engine, gearbox, rear diff., heating, radio, etc.) and the engine/gearbox control units were reset in the process. Meaning: They need to "learn" again and adapt the ignition timings again, so performance went down the drain until it "adapts" again. The warmer the weather outside, the longer it takes to adapt I'm afraid. Mine dropped from 4.4 seconds from 0-100 kph to 5.4 seconds from 0-100 kph. Also kW value dropped from 375 kW to 308 kW. Both measured with the SRT performance app. Now I am waiting for the increase and adaptation but according to my dealer, it could take up to 500-1000 km, depending on outside temperature and fuel quality.
I assume your dealer updated the software without asking/telling you.
--
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
bridggar:
In UK, the SRT is a £60K+ car with historical (or should that be hysterical) residuals of about 40% in 1st year. Just seems to be too much of a gamble in UK market. At £45K - might be slightly more approachable.
Well at £24k for a 12mth old example it would make for a hell of a buy!
RC:
Lars997:
RC:
. 0-100 kph in 4.4 seconds over and over again. For a 2.5 ton truck, amazing.
Hmmm.... I need to get the electronic adjustments I guess. Funny - I even hit once the 4.2 and got the 4.4. sometimes but it was in service I only can achieve the 4.8?
I had some massive software updates applied last week (engine, gearbox, rear diff., heating, radio, etc.) and the engine/gearbox control units were reset in the process. Meaning: They need to "learn" again and adapt the ignition timings again, so performance went down the drain until it "adapts" again. The warmer the weather outside, the longer it takes to adapt I'm afraid. Mine dropped from 4.4 seconds from 0-100 kph to 5.4 seconds from 0-100 kph. Also kW value dropped from 375 kW to 308 kW. Both measured with the SRT performance app. Now I am waiting for the increase and adaptation but according to my dealer, it could take up to 500-1000 km, depending on outside temperature and fuel quality.
I assume your dealer updated the software without asking/telling you.
--
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
I think the JGC SRT8 is really great in value for money. I'm also really surprised that with this truck 4.4 sec. should be possible. But what I can't understand is why the software update must degrade the performance values so extremely.
Ok, it's an adaptive software, but what does that mean? At the end there are bits and bytes which produce a specific characteristic. Why they can't save the last data on a stick and import it again after the software update? And it needs up to 1,000 km till the software has got it? A good joke isn't it?
Nevertheless, I want to have that truck, sooner or later...
Happy driving
The problem is that when the control units are reset, they need to adapt all values again because some parameters changed and there may also be some "errors" which have been wiped out with the updates. I'm not an engine software expert but I think we all can take a good guess why a new adaptation is necessary, for example regarding fuel quality, air pressure, air temperature, etc. etc. etc.
I don' t know how long it takes. Just yesterday, after driving around 100 km in total, the performance has improved from 0-100 kph from 5.4 seconds to 4.8 seconds. So it may not take 1000 km until the old performance is back but I expect it to take at least a couple of hundreds of kms. The biggest issue seems to be the outside temperature, we had relatively cool days but now warmer days are ahead of us and then, the adaptation could take longer.
Also, the performance was 4.4 seconds with an almost empty fuel tank. With 93 liters of fuel onboard, the performance was around 4.6 to 4.7 seconds (4.7 seconds were always achievable).
The most impressive thing about the SRT is the sound (with the proper exhaust and even without) and even more, the acceleration from standstill. There is no lag whatsoever, you floor the gas and the SRT shoots instantly forward like a rocket. Amazing. Not even sure why this baby has a launch control, you don't really need it.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
Jun 5, 2014 4:44:55 AM
Jun 5, 2014 7:46:45 AM
Aussie997TT:
I agree. The best launches are when you DON"T floor it. Push quickly to 50-75% throttle travel then once you're going flooring it seems best for me. I find it a lttle hesitant if you push it all the way quickly. My auto 997 is a bit the same.
Check out DS Trinity and the Throttle Boost option (I have 20%). Improves 0-100 kph acceleration from standstill by aprox. 0.4 seconds and it is by 0.1 seconds faster than with launch control. This alone is already worth the cost for the Trinity. Some may not like more than 10% boost improvement but I went for the maximum 20%.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
the 707 HP for a good price would excuse for many other '' not so perfect '' choices . That car could be such a fun toy . Not a car that you cherish and have to have evything perfect, but just a beast that gives you a big smile each time you push the throttle .
997.2 C2S, PDK, -20mm
Gnil:
the 707 HP for a good price would excuse for many other '' not so perfect '' choices . That car could be such a fun toy . Not a car that you cherish and have to have evything perfect, but just a beast that gives you a big smile each time you push the throttle .
Exactly. Give me this puppy for under 80k EUR and I get it in a heartbeat. Had to refrain myself from getting the Ford Mustang GT500 a couple of weeks ago, what a car for so little money (70k EUR with SVT package).
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
JimFlat6:
You can actually fit 4 people and their luggage in the Dodge. Its pretty big.
Another point well made.
I think some of the above comments are the reason why US cars don't sell better outside the US: Many US manufacturers don't seem to realize that there is a potential in Europe (and other regions) and that the bad reputation may actually be (only) in the minds of Americans. Yes, the Corvette has a pretty bad (pimp) reputation over here but this is something actually GM never tried to "correct". An image campaign in Europe would have helped a lot, especially with the new Corvette but there is...nothing. Nada. Sad.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
US auto companies are big in Europe. Ford and GM do huge sales worldwide. But for USA models to be designed with the elegant and sophisticated look and finishes that European buyers like? Forget it. GM especially. GM can't even finish the interior or exterior design of the new Corvette right after 7 generations of models and thats with someone named Tadge Juechter in charge. And if you want a real laugh see and drive what Buick does to reskinned Opels in the US. UK will get a RHD Mustang and the ROW will get Mustangs equipped for their markets.
The Dodge Challenger is what it is. A mix of S class, E class chassis parts with a US body and a kick ass engine that makes you wonder just what the heck AMG is doing. Just think if Porsche had bought Chrysler instead of Fiat, you could have had 707hp Hemi Cayennes and Jeep Wranglers with Porsche S Diesel motors.
Check out its' induction noise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4msuzJGlsoY
Here are some real life photos (not a fan of the interior though, the speedo cluster is nice but everything else is more suitable for my Jeep, not a sports car).
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)
SciFrog:
Doesn't the interior look really cheap again?
Yes. But that's part of the "muscle Car" price point. V6 Challengers are how much base price? 26K. For that money its size and V6 are what you get. The Hellcat with 707hp will be 59K. Don't expect a Maserati interior in a Dodge. You are buying the motor, wall to wall Bridge of Weir leather and Wilton wool carpeting will not be included in this century.