Having just finished my 1st week of 500 miles with smiles a few observations and a question come to mind.

First and foremost, this beast is a blast to drive and I am so happy with my decision.

2nd, I have fallen in love with the exhaust note of the GCSRT8. The power and acceleration are addicting and the handling is just spot on for daily driveability.

My only complaint is, while acceptable, the interior materials are below par for a $45k plus vehicle. Still, the truck is put together very well with no rattles or squeaks and everything works as it should.

My only question is that when I look at the GCSRT8 from the rear the exhaust tips are not even. The driver's side is slightly higher than the passenger side. Is this fixable and does anyone else have this as well?

stick the handle of a baseball bat in the pipes and align them

Mine are even,I believe there is a thread on here.How to adjust them I am sure it is pretty easy....Try doing a search

Nice GCSRT8

Having just finished my 1st week of 500 miles with smiles a few observations and a question come to mind.

First and foremost, this beast is a blast to drive and I am so happy with my decision.

2nd, I have fallen in love with the exhaust note of the GCSRT8. The power and acceleration are addicting and the handling is just spot on for daily driveability.

My only complaint is, while acceptable, the interior materials are below par for a $45k plus vehicle. Still, the truck is put together very well with no rattles or squeaks and everything works as it should.

My only question is that when I look at the GCSRT8 from the rear the exhaust tips are not even. The driver's side is slightly higher than the passenger side. Is this fixable and does anyone else have this as well?

The exhaust tip is an easy fix - just adjust the hanger..if you think the quality is crappy than look at the '06 & 07's and youll feel much better.

Congrats on the new purchase. Search for build quality and you'll see tons of very similar posts to yours. It's still the best bang for your buck SUV no matter how you slice it. The exhaust can and should be addressed by your dealer.

Very easy five minute fix...nothing to worry about.

I have an 08 with 350 miles on it and I've got to say the interior is really well done for only a $47k car. Granted, you could buy a $35 Audi and interior would blow it away but in order to match everything else the SRT-8 has to offer you'd have to spend at least double.

The exhaust thing is simple. mine was off too and the dealer asked me to make an appointment but I aligned it with a broom handle in 1 minute....been fine since.

Concerning the truck leaning, no idea on that one.

...My only complaint is, while acceptable, the interior materials are below par for a $45k plus vehicle...
I'd have to disagree, especially on the 2008 models which have several interior improvements. I can't think of any other same-class vehicle with comparable features that is "better" interior-wise. The fit and finish is excellent and everything is well laid out and uncluttered. Cleaning the interior is a breeze.

The seats, a very important part of the interior which many overlook in their opinions, are more comfortable and more supportive than other vehicles in its class, and far better than what you get in the 100k+ Cayenne. At least they didn't use any paper-thin bezels (ala 4Runner) or a pencil-thin shift lever as I have seen in vehicles with supposedly "better" interiors. These are Jeeps and as such are a bit more "rugged". For the SRT, the focus was heavily on the performance side.

stick the handle of a baseball bat in the pipes and align them


DON'T USE A BAT. Either take it back to the dealer (it's an easy fix) or do it yourself. Near the rear axle there is a clamp for the pipe on the drivers side, loosen it and adjust your pipe ( till even ) an retighten the clamp TIGHT. It's that simple.


Jack

I'd have to disagree, especially on the 2008 models which have several interior improvements. I can't think of any other same-class vehicle with comparable features that is "better" interior-wise. The fit and finish is excellent and everything is well laid out and uncluttered. Cleaning the interior is a breeze.

The seats, a very important part of the interior which many overlook in their opinions, are more comfortable and more supportive than other vehicles in its class, and far better than what you get in the 100k+ Cayenne. At least they didn't use any paper-thin bezels (ala 4Runner) or a pencil-thin shift lever as I have seen in vehicles with supposedly "better" interiors. These are Jeeps and as such are a bit more "rugged". For the SRT, the focus was heavily on the performance side.


Well stated.



Jack

The seats (front and rear) are excellent, and the interior is light years ahead of the 06 and 07s. That being said, the choice of interior material is unfortunate. It retains the same 90s-era plastic trim pieces that, quite frankly, cheapen a smart looking instrument cluster and some impressive technology. The MyGig screen is very clear, and functions very well. However, it doesn't seem perfectly intergrated into the truck, and instead has the feeling of being an aftermarket headunit (albeit very well installed). Finally, Chrysler could learn a thing or two from the Japanese AND GM in regards to ergonomics. Some of the buttons for the HVAC and the radio/nav are just placed poorly, and are very difficult to operate without taking your eyes of the road. For example, a button on the steering wheel (or at least one NOT all the way on the pax side of the headunit) for the voice activated commands is an industry standard at this point. Finally, the fit and finish of this truck is fairly good, but my truck arrived from the factory with a misaligned hood (easily adjusted) and I wouldn't say that the panels (interior and exterior) are great fitament. For kicks, slam a front door and watch the sheet metal on the roof flex :eek:

As I have mentioned in other threads, I was set to buy an 08 MDX and had completely ignored the SRT8 after being put off completely by the 07 interior. After our new MDX arrived at the dealer damaged, I decided to test drive an 08 SRT8 and fell in love with it and bought it on the spot. Despite the fact the MDX's interior is far better then the Jeep's (they are equally priced), to this day I have no regrets about not getting the MDX! This truck is unique and is just so much fun to drive, I literally cannot stop taking it out! Driving my Acura I would always feel a pang of wounded pride when I would pass somebody in a PCar on the West Side Highway. Now, with the SRT8, I just run 'em! It's the ultimate commuter car (safe for it's atrocious gas mileage) for us working stiffs, giving me something to look forward to on the commute to/from the office.

However, I think it is important that American car companies step up and acknowledge that buyers want cars with NICE interiors! Not luxurious, but nice. Most of our time spent with our cars is spent INSIDE of it. As such, ergonomics, interior material, and technology are KEY for beating out the Japanese in sales. It would appear that Ford and Chrysler are starting to understand this (GM is on-par or ahead of it's Japanese competitors in terms of interiors). My hope is that Chrysler abandonds the hard cheap plastic look that adorns these trucks, and replaces it with something similar to what GM did with the 08s.

JMHO.

-N

The MDX is a good example of a car that has vastly better materials in the interior. But, I'm still glad my wife wanted the jeep

Finally, Chrysler could learn a thing or two from the Japanese AND GM in regards to ergonomics. Some of the buttons for the HVAC and the radio/nav are just placed poorly, and are very difficult to operate without taking your eyes of the road.
Say what?? I sure hope Chrysler does not take any "ergonomics" tips from the Japanese. Japanese vehicle are among the worst out there as far as ergonomics go, especially models with the A/C controls integrated into the radio. If you want to sum up Japanese interiors, "awkward" is a perfect description. Don't get me started on GM, what, they have a couple of new vehicles with improved interiors. Ever seen the interior on the Trailblazer SS?

Take a look at the interior of the MDX, the center stack is a MESS of confusing and tiny buttons. The nav unit sticks out from the top of the dash like a sore thumb and the controls are a foot away from the display screen, near the bottom of the center stack (!!!). The steering wheel has 10 poorly laid out buttons on the front of it.

What is so great about the interior of the MDX? The shiny plastic wood? The hard plastic surfaces? The top of the dash looks like the same materials that the Jeep uses.


2008 Acurda MDX interior:

http://www.roadfly.com/new-cars/wp-content/uploads/gallery/2007-acura-mdx/acura-mdx-interior.jpg

I'll agree that the MDX has far too many buttons, etc. But, having test driven it, I believe the materials in the MDX have a much nicer feel. The same can be said of the Toureg. The first thing that hits you in the SRT8 are the vast expanses of black plastic. On the doors, the dash, etc.

I'll agree that the MDX has far too many buttons, etc. But, having test driven it, I believe the materials in the MDX have a much nicer feel. The same can be said of the Toureg. The first thing that hits you in the SRT8 are the vast expanses of black plastic. On the doors, the dash, etc.
How does test driving the vehicle reveal higher quality interior materials? I see just as much plastic in the MDX interior as I do in the Jeep.

It means I spent an hour checking it out very closely, pushing all the buttons, rubbing the leather, opening and shutting the doors (which, by the way, feel much more substantial), etc. I don't know where you "see" all that plastic (on the internet or in person), but I got a much more luxurious feel inside the MDX. For that token, the Touareg, Mercedes M, Rangerover Sport, and BMW X5 all felt much more luxurious. And they should feel that way. Those are $40k to 60k cars without a high performance engine. On the other hand, the SRT8 is based upon a much cheaper vehicle so it would make sense that the interior would have a cheaper feel.

That being said, those cars didn't put a grin on my face like the SRT8...

My only question is that when I look at the GCSRT8 from the rear the exhaust tips are not even. The driver's side is slightly higher than the passenger side. Is this fixable and does anyone else have this as well?


13 mm socket and ratchet will fix this. Here is a pic of what needs to loosened and re tightened. 5 minute fix at most. Better than an hour at the dealer.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w26/cmn1srt8/IMG_0912.jpg

After rotating both pipes at the joints with no satisfactory results, I moved mine back to the factory location and bent the misaligned one with a short piece of PVC pipe inserted in the tip. (be careful,the pipe bends VERY easily)

After rotating both pipes at the joints with no satisfactory results, I moved mine back to the factory location and bent the misaligned one with a short piece of PVC pipe inserted in the tip. (be careful,the pipe bends VERY easily)

You have got to be kidding??? Usually you only have to move the drivers side one but to each their own.

You have got to be kidding??? Usually you only have to move the drivers side one but to each their own.

Huh????????

Passenger side was turned to center on mine, and wouldnt "roll" at the joint. The more you turned it the worse it got. I even tried loosening both sides and averaging the fit.

Huh????????

That would be the pipe closest to the drivers side or the left one in the pic.

I agree wholeheartedly with Nabbs' post above. A couple of additional points I would add:
- Ergonomically, the position of the seat adjustment is very poor - I can barely reach it with the door closed. Essentially you get comfortable before you close the door and then that's it. A lot of competitors have the controls high up on the door.
- Paint quality. Lots of posts on this. My Jeep has bubbles, runs, blisters - in addition to the ubiquitous orange peel. NO excuse for this.

A couple of posters have asked what is so great about the MDX interior. I have never seen an MDX from the inside, but my wife drives an Acura RL, so my observations are from that perspective (BTW we paid less for her car than mine). The Acura interior (and overall quality) is light years ahead of my Jeep. Yes there are buttons all over the place, but here's a key thing with the Acura - there are at least 3 independant ways (voice command, buttons on wheel, buttons on console) to do most common things like adjust the radio or the temperature - you find a way that works for you and stick with it. Quality of materials and fit and finish - don't even get me started on the comparison.

Bottom line is I love my SRT8 and have no regrets - but let's not get blinded to the problems that it has. Based on my experience, would I buy (or recommend) any other Chrysler other than an SRT - NO!!! I think that is the key issue that Chrysler has to deal with. The SRT sales volume is way too small to support in and of itself - these things are meant to be halo cars for the whole line. Right now they're not doing much halo'ing, IMHO.

Just my opinions, your mileage may vary.

PS - I recently received a JD Powers survey. I gave my Jeep a "3" for quality but ticked the box that I was very satisfied. Inconsistent? I think not!

PS - I recently received a JD Powers survey. I gave my Jeep a "3" for quality but ticked the box that I was very satisfied. Inconsistent? I think not!

I don't even look at JD Powers anymore.. that survey is a crock of sh!t.

Everything goes in the trash now... if there's a defect, I voice my opinion where it can be heard and something can be done about it -- if someone is complaining about materials used in the interior or exterior paint imperfections the buyer knows this up front before writing a $45K check.

As far as taking a survey when you buy a spiffy new vehicle, who isn't happy? .. they just got rid of their old POS. Wait until your new car has 5K miles on it then send that ridiculous survey in.

I wonder why my experience with Toyota didn't reflect JD Power survey data. :rolleyes: