Please stop me from buying a Jeep SRT-8
05-31-2007, 05:02 PM
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Okay, I really thought I'd buy an E61.
I think they're fantastic. I'm sold on BMWs. I did the OneLapofAmerica twice in a 3-series. Our faithful 1999 E39 528iT has been wonderful. We bought it used with 90,000 miles on it, and it'll clear 143,000 this week. It's a rare 5-speed stick, a great business car, kiddy hauler, and all-around ultimate family machine.
Except it's got a whiff of rust, and 143k on the original clutch, and it's time for us to move on.
I thought we'd get a 6-spd stick in a 530xi wagon. My driveway is nearly 1/4 mile long, and Pittsburgh's winters can be unforgiving... so all-wheel-drive is very attractive.
Except all the used ones are grey, and I'm not a grey-car guy. And they are all automatics. Doing a nat'l search for a stick shift 5-series wagon on BMW's CPO site produces zero cars. Zero.
A 535xi wagon would really be fun... but with a few toys they're stickering at... gulp... $62k. And the stick-shifts won't even be offered until September.
Hmmm... I could buy a year-old 420 hp Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 for about half that. As a 36 year-old financial planner, I'm all too aware of how valuable $$ is.
I've tried all-wheel-drive Caddy SRX's with the Northstar and Dodge Magnum Hemi R/Ts. My old BMW out-handles them... they aren't even close to the precision I've been spoiled by.
But the Jeep freakin' surprised me! The steering & braking are great. The toys in it are fun. The acceleration is comical. I'd likely keep it for 2-3 years and then start searching for a gently used 535xi wagon with a stick. (I'm completely uninterested in a BMW with an automatic. It's great if you love yours, it just isn't for me.)
Am I crazy to sell the BMW and buy a Jeep?
Please don't tell me the Jeep SRT is a truck... we have a Porsche 911SC and a Ford F250... I'm famaliar with sports cars and trucks and the SRT ain't a truck. Please don't tell me about Jeep quality either... scanning these boards reminds me BMW's aren't trouble free either. Oh, and I realize the Jeep is only going to go about half as far on a gallon of gas as my old wagon.
Otherwise, fire away or there might be a Hemi where are Bimmer is!
Thanks much!
I think they're fantastic. I'm sold on BMWs. I did the OneLapofAmerica twice in a 3-series. Our faithful 1999 E39 528iT has been wonderful. We bought it used with 90,000 miles on it, and it'll clear 143,000 this week. It's a rare 5-speed stick, a great business car, kiddy hauler, and all-around ultimate family machine.
Except it's got a whiff of rust, and 143k on the original clutch, and it's time for us to move on.
I thought we'd get a 6-spd stick in a 530xi wagon. My driveway is nearly 1/4 mile long, and Pittsburgh's winters can be unforgiving... so all-wheel-drive is very attractive.
Except all the used ones are grey, and I'm not a grey-car guy. And they are all automatics. Doing a nat'l search for a stick shift 5-series wagon on BMW's CPO site produces zero cars. Zero.
A 535xi wagon would really be fun... but with a few toys they're stickering at... gulp... $62k. And the stick-shifts won't even be offered until September.
Hmmm... I could buy a year-old 420 hp Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 for about half that. As a 36 year-old financial planner, I'm all too aware of how valuable $$ is.
I've tried all-wheel-drive Caddy SRX's with the Northstar and Dodge Magnum Hemi R/Ts. My old BMW out-handles them... they aren't even close to the precision I've been spoiled by.
But the Jeep freakin' surprised me! The steering & braking are great. The toys in it are fun. The acceleration is comical. I'd likely keep it for 2-3 years and then start searching for a gently used 535xi wagon with a stick. (I'm completely uninterested in a BMW with an automatic. It's great if you love yours, it just isn't for me.)
Am I crazy to sell the BMW and buy a Jeep?
Please don't tell me the Jeep SRT is a truck... we have a Porsche 911SC and a Ford F250... I'm famaliar with sports cars and trucks and the SRT ain't a truck. Please don't tell me about Jeep quality either... scanning these boards reminds me BMW's aren't trouble free either. Oh, and I realize the Jeep is only going to go about half as far on a gallon of gas as my old wagon.
Otherwise, fire away or there might be a Hemi where are Bimmer is!
Thanks much!
05-31-2007, 05:56 PM
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
The Jeep has a slushie?
(Even worse, a slushie made by a certain unnamed automaker headquartered in Stuttgart.)
(Even worse, a slushie made by a certain unnamed automaker headquartered in Stuttgart.)
05-31-2007, 05:57 PM
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Personally I think you're on the right track. The Jeep SRT is a pretty decent piece of kit.
05-31-2007, 06:01 PM
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My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
If you buy it, what's the worst possible outcome?
You hate it, scour the earth for what you want, sell it, and loose a few grand?
You hate it, scour the earth for what you want, sell it, and loose a few grand?
06-01-2007, 07:13 AM
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It seems as if you ask for help to your soul BMW mates in order to not retire yourself in a Jeep, and go discovering new lands...
By getting the Jeep ..Will you really use it for what it has really been designed ?
Let me doubt about it.
Be water my friend
BMW Power
By getting the Jeep ..Will you really use it for what it has really been designed ?
Let me doubt about it.
Be water my friend
BMW Power
06-01-2007, 07:18 AM
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My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
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I'd get the Jeep SRT-8. 
06-01-2007, 08:42 AM
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Wow... I thought I'd need a flame-suit, but you're all being pretty kind!
Yeah... the Jeep has a Mercedes 5-speed auto in it. The whole 420hp & awd combo seems like a great reason to make sure I've got a powertrain warranty. I'd much prefer a stick, but it's hard to buy what doesn't exist.
I think the SRT-8 Jeep was designed to make people smile, so yeah, I'd be using it for its intended purpose!
Thanks so far!
Yeah... the Jeep has a Mercedes 5-speed auto in it. The whole 420hp & awd combo seems like a great reason to make sure I've got a powertrain warranty. I'd much prefer a stick, but it's hard to buy what doesn't exist.
I think the SRT-8 Jeep was designed to make people smile, so yeah, I'd be using it for its intended purpose!
Thanks so far!
06-03-2007, 08:47 AM
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My Ride: '06 535d M-Sport Individual
Deep Green Metallic
19" Style 172 wheels
Individual Champagne leather
Media Pack
Visibility pack
Sunroof
Privacy glass
I looked at a Jeep SRT-8 when I was looking at replacing the wife's X5 4.6iS
It went and sounded well in a straight line but the ride quality was horrible, handling was questionable, the trim quality sucked and fitting a tow hitch was a pain because of the centrally mounted exhausts.
If its only an occasional car these things may not matter much I suppose, but I went out and bought a 2 year old Porsche Cayenne twin Turbo instead for the same money. Does everything the Jeep does but 75% better!
It went and sounded well in a straight line but the ride quality was horrible, handling was questionable, the trim quality sucked and fitting a tow hitch was a pain because of the centrally mounted exhausts.
If its only an occasional car these things may not matter much I suppose, but I went out and bought a 2 year old Porsche Cayenne twin Turbo instead for the same money. Does everything the Jeep does but 75% better!
06-03-2007, 11:18 AM
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My Ride: 05 530D Sport E61
I will never buy another jeep, I had a 4.7 Overland before the E61, when something goes wrong (as all cars do) they seam totally unable to get parts, My car was off the road for over 6 months waiting for a replacement head. Not acceptable on a 2 year old car