So I've been thinking about picking up a used srt8 as my daily driver. However I have been hearing from a few guys that the maintenance associated with them is a bit higher (which I would expect from any high performance vehicle) and that many have tranny/drivetrain issues. I was just wondering if anyone could she some light on some of this for me. Some of the things I was told was it needs its tranny fluid changed every 15k miles and the brakes around $1000 to replace. What is average life expectancy on the brembos? Is the $1000 an accurate quote? Are there any other out of the ordinary maintenance costs?

Keep in mind I wouldn't be taking it to the track or anything and its would be a daily driver. I drive about 30 miles to work and 30 miles back (all highway) 5 days a week. Other then that it wouldn't go far.

I guess I am trying to justify buying this awesome beast as a daily driver. I can understand the need for certain costs being higher then a "normal" suv but I want to find out what kind of costs I'm looking at. If its an extra $100 a year in random fluids each year and an extra $1000 in brakes (in addition to the regular assumed maintenance) every 3-4 years thats great. If your shredding through $1000 brakes every 6 months-1 year along with other various costs then it just may not be worth it for me. I hope you all understand what I'm getting at.

Thanks in advance for any input into this. I did some searching and found some similar answers but nothing quite as direct as I was hoping - I apologize if I missed it using the search feature.

If u beat on the car alot yes every 15000 mile but u take easy on it 30000 miles and for brakes it will cost that at a dealer but ifu do it ur self it will be alot cheaper.

There are cheaper aftermarket brake pads too if you're not hung up on the stopping power of the stock pads. As Vinny stated, changing the pads is an easy diy.

Depends on how you drive it, I have had mine for 3 years and have 14k miles on it and the pads aren't even half worn, another guy that goes to my dealer replaced his at 10k miles. Overall mine has been very reliable, other than the run crap tires, no complaints.

Depends on how you drive it, I have had mine for 3 years and have 14k miles on it and the pads aren't even half worn, another guy that goes to my dealer replaced his at 10k miles. Overall mine has been very reliable, other than the run crap tires, no complaints.

Nice low miles Mike!! :eek:

If the $50/week in gas (at $2.00 -- for premium) doesn't scare you away, and if what you say is true, you will have no problems with the brakes at 15K or have to change fluids any more than necessary. I have 17K on mine, and the pads are less than 1/2 way worn. Of course I don't beat it too hard at all. Below is a link to the service intervals that you can look at. Call your closest dealer and ask them what the various services cost, and call your local oil change place and ask them. In a nut shell, ownership is higher than some, but not ridiculous to outweigh the smiles-per-gallon quotient.

Oh, and welcome to the site.

The link:
http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_maintenance.htm#FAXLE

Actually, here's a better link to a PDF:

http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/maintenance_schedule_wk_srt8.pdf

The transmission fluid is NBD, but the transfer case needs to be changed @ 30,000 and the fluid is about $100. The tires (especially the fronts) are the killer, more than the brakes.

Good luck, I drive mine every day, and love it (even when 93 octane was $4.20

Bob

Gas doesn't have to scare you away either. Shockingly, since I've been adding more and more mods, my economy has skyrocketed. My last 2 fill ups have gotten like 16.5MPG, calculated (EVIC still says 11.2)!

Thanks all I really appreciate the help and links.

So it sounds like its not as bad as my initial impression. There are additional costs involved but it seems they are at most once a year costs and aren't ridiculous. I know they're nowhere close to even being in the same ballpark of vehicles but I still have the original brakes/tires on my '05 TL with 50k miles (tires are due to be changed but the brakes are still hanging in there ;), if it wears similarly the extra costs are really minimal.

Is there anything I should be looking for in a used SRT8? Are there any specific things I should be looking/listening for etc in my test drives? I have until July or August before my lease is up so I have some time to decide. There seems to be a decent amount of em on ebay at the ~25k price range.

Thanks again - paul

[post removed by admin]

Gas doesn't have to scare you away either. Shockingly, since I've been adding more and more mods, my economy has skyrocketed. My last 2 fill ups have gotten like 16.5MPG, calculated (EVIC still says 11.2)!


That would be definately be handy - which specific mods contributed to the better mpg? Highway driving im assuming as well correct?

its either the SRT - which is what I want or I say screw it and get a explorer for like 10k and settle :(

I was all for it until a friend of ours warned me about maintenance costs and drivetrain/tranny problems. He doesn't own one himself but is very big into the muscle cars/racing etc so he has educated answers. My concern is the community of people he's asking are people that are building cars for the 1/4 mile and dumping a ton of money into that. I won't be using it in that application so they may be some not-so-fair answers. So i'm trying to dig up if theres any truth to that stuff if your using it as a daily driver. Am I going to get on it every now and then? You can bet on it. Am I taking it to the track or street racing with it - no (although if someone pulls up next to me in their tin can i will poo on them :D.

Just like you I am in the process of buying a SRT8. I have order a 2009. Like everyone has said if you don’t beat on it will last.
Now with that said, I have had three 5.7 Cherokee. I have tuned and wrench every one of them. The Hemi is a beautiful thing. Anyway I am hard on them as daily drivers and they bounce back with no problem.
Terry

I bought mine new in 06 as my daily driver but thats no big deal as I'm retired and have only put about 26k miles so far.
For what it is worth:

Driven reasonably, I have averaged just over 16 mpg on premium at an elevation of 6000 ft. (Borla and CAI added 1-2 mpg).

Stock tires (after TSB replacement at 3k miles) look like they will go 35k before replacement.

Brakes have never squeeled that I can hear (thank you Borla) and look like they are good for at least another 15-20k miles (I'm easy on them and drive 60% interstate and rural).

15k front and rear Differential oil changes will set you back $2-3 hundred if done by dealer. Transfer case and transmission changes at 30k = $$

3k mobile 1 changes will cost $100+ if you have dealer do them.

Depending where you live, you may want to invest in snow tires because frankly these things suck on icy roads and snow.

Insure it to the hilt and buy good wheel locks because these thing attract more unwanted attention from the lawless element than you may be comfortable with.

Prepare yourself to be approached by strangers at gas stations and parking lots giving you the once over and asking what kind of engine it has.

Buy a good radar detector and use it.

In summary: I love my Jeep and plan to keep it for years but I'm looking for a cheap older PU to use as my daily driver. JMO

That would be definately be handy - which specific mods contributed to the better mpg? Highway driving im assuming as well correct?

I couldn't say for sure. I had the heads/cam/headers done together, and the Intake mani/cat back done together, and the TB/injectors done together. The mileage improved after the TB and injectors, but thats probably because they completed the circuit. It had been running very lean before that and the stock injectors were maxxed out.

Highway driving? Well, i drive on the highway, but not at highway speeds. I sit in traffic for 45-60 minutes a day going to work. Coming home I get to open her up and run her at 70-80mph for about 15 miles.

gotta be straight up with ya.... i stopped reading your thread half way thru...

people obviously sayin these things are obviously people who dont own one :)

1000 brakes is what you will pay at a dealer and for new rotors etc.. its not necessary....

you pay to play... yes I do agree the TC change and front and rear diffs can be expensive... oil change is expensive...

BUT... this RIG actually is PRACTICAL... its a perfect DD if you arent overly concerned and financially concerned about gas mileage

GOOD LUCK BRO... you will NOT at the SLIGHTEST be disappointed.. its a NO BRAINER and arguably the best bang for the buck vehicle on the planet

I have an 06 and have changed the brakes once at a local shop. It cost me a little under $300. The tires are very expensive to change if you stick to the emt's. Living in Ohio, i've hit a pothole or two and popped some bubbles in the tires. I've had to replace 3 of them so far! Oil changes are expensive if you dont' do them yourself. It's the same as my vette, so i was used to it. Gas mileage is a definite consideration.

Thanks again for everyones input I really appreciate it. You guys definately convinced me that its not as bad as it seemed at first. I can deal with the gas mileage - I used to have an '89 Mustang GT as a DD that got about 8-9 miles to the gallon lol.

I'm sure I'll have some more questions when it gets closer to buy time :)

This forum kicks a$$

You could just buy a Honda civic or crv and be nice and safe and comfy and sip gas and be like 99% of the other ordinary, emotionless jagoff's on the road or you can get a GC SRT8 and smile everytime you sit in the driver's seat - your choice.

I use mine daily. Has seen snow once, wasn't great but wasn't horrible either.

the only downsides are:

1. keeping a black car clean/the wheels brake dust free
2. paying for gas
3. paying for service

all of which I remedy with cash infusions... I take good care of all my cars. this was bought as and is used as a family car - the most bad-ass family car you can get. and that's why I love it.

Go for it. Been daily driving mine for 15 months, 22K miles, other than tires and regular service, it's been great. Brakes are still fine....but I'm one to not use them much. I will go to Midas with aftermarket stuff when needed.

So I've been thinking about picking up a used srt8 as my daily driver. However I have been hearing from a few guys that the maintenance associated with them is a bit higher (which I would expect from any high performance vehicle) and that many have tranny/drivetrain issues. I was just wondering if anyone could she some light on some of this for me. Some of the things I was told was it needs its tranny fluid changed every 15k miles and the brakes around $1000 to replace. What is average life expectancy on the brembos? Is the $1000 an accurate quote? Are there any other out of the ordinary maintenance costs?

Keep in mind I wouldn't be taking it to the track or anything and its would be a daily driver. I drive about 30 miles to work and 30 miles back (all highway) 5 days a week. Other then that it wouldn't go far.

I guess I am trying to justify buying this awesome beast as a daily driver. I can understand the need for certain costs being higher then a "normal" suv but I want to find out what kind of costs I'm looking at. If its an extra $100 a year in random fluids each year and an extra $1000 in brakes (in addition to the regular assumed maintenance) every 3-4 years thats great. If your shredding through $1000 brakes every 6 months-1 year along with other various costs then it just may not be worth it for me. I hope you all understand what I'm getting at.

Thanks in advance for any input into this. I did some searching and found some similar answers but nothing quite as direct as I was hoping - I apologize if I missed it using the search feature.


If you are going to do it, do it soon, the EPP is almost over. Mine has been very low Maint.


Jack

You could just buy a Honda civic or crv and be nice and safe and comfy and sip gas and be like 99% of the other ordinary, emotionless jagoff's on the road or you can get a GC SRT8 and smile everytime you sit in the driver's seat - your choice.

haha Chim you my brother are one passionate man when it comes to gas and hybrids. Im convinced you are a Saudi oil salesman or maybe an SRT8 salesman haha cuz your pretty damn good at it, convincing for sure. I feel like if you saw 3 or more hybrids or prius or smart cars in a row, youd freak and just rocket launch them haha, I must say Im with you thoguh, screw gas, if your interested in an SRT, you factored out gas along time ago, otherwise GTFO :p haha.