Anyone on here run a Jeep STR8?
Anyone on here run a Jeep STR8?
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Discussion

T5GRF

Original Poster:

2,036 posts

295 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
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I am looking to change the family wagon and the Jeep is looking top of the list. If you own one or have run one in the past I have a few questions:

Real world mpg, what can I expect on a run or around town?

Based on 5k miles pa, what sort of running costs can I expect in terms of servicing and tyres?

Are there any recognised common faults or issues I should look out for?

I think the car had a facelift in 2008, what improvements were made? Are these later cars more desrieable as a result?

Are there any essential options I should look out for given the fairly limited availability of used cars?

I am based in Herts, is there a decent specialist or main dealer that someone could recommend?

Cheers!



driverrob

4,847 posts

234 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
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Hi Mark.
I've only had mine since November and, being 9/10 retired, I've only done just over 1,000 miles in it.
Short journeys in this cold weather = c. 15 mpg. Cruising at "close to" NSL on the A30 & M5 I did see just over 19 mpg for a while. On the few occasions I've driven it hard I haven't dare have the mpg displayed. I'd guess about 5 mpg but I've seen that on 4 & 4.4 l Range Rovers I've driven.
Group 19 insurance, which cost me around £400 p.a., a bit less than the road tax of £475.
My local garage said they could do any servicing on it but so far I've only used Knowl Hill Garage near Twyford for a major service. £700 but over half of that was spark plugs and they collected it in the morning, valeted it and returned it late afternoon.
No choice in tyres but they can be had from c. £250 up. The wheels might be a vulnerable point. I had to have a small crack welded. Having a new one imported and fitted is unlikely to leave you any change from £1,000 so watch out for bad potholes.
Try to get the latest possible SatNav DVD with it as Chrysler charge an arm and a leg for one.

I can't remember many changes after 2006 (my model) but a reversing camera was one of them.

It's a road and track car (SRT). Suspension is a bit hard, real off-roading is not on. The seats are good. Luggage space is not as big as you'd think but actually the car is not as big as it looks from some angles.
The standard exhaust is quiet until you floor it. Then hell breaks loose and drivers of lesser cars - many Porsches included watch your rear end as you pull away. Nice.

I was lucky to get mine for book price but a lot of dealers are sticking 2-5k on top and waiting for a keen buyer as there are so few around.

Hope that helps.

T5GRF

Original Poster:

2,036 posts

295 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
quotequote all
Thanks Robert, really helpful!

Given you mention the Range Rover fuel economy comparison, what is rear legroom and boot space like compared to a FF Range Rover ? We will use the car a lot for family holidays so it needs to have plenty of room for all our gear.




Benbay001

5,895 posts

188 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
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There was a lovely PH owned one at a member organised event at Beauliea at the start of the year. It looked stunning.
In fact, i believe it may have been driverrobs that i am thinking of scratchchin

I would certainly get one over a RR if i was in your position.

driverrob

4,847 posts

234 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
quotequote all
I can't say I've spent any time sitting in the rear seat of any car for a long time. There's more than enough room for our Staffy to fall down between front & rear seats if I brake hard :-)
Load space is similar in area but less in height I'd guess in the Jeep.

I have remembered a couple of PDFs I have you might like: Full SRT8 US spec (so wheel & tyre sizes are wrong) and Full Parker's guide showing standard & optional equipment and when it became standard. Though, obviously, some owners might have paid for those options. p.m. your email if you'd like them.

T5GRF

Original Poster:

2,036 posts

295 months

Saturday 30th March 2013
quotequote all
Robert that would be great if you have time much appreciated!

Cheers

Mark

StefanVXR8

3,620 posts

229 months

Sunday 31st March 2013
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I can't advise on the Jeep aspect, but as an ex-300C SRT8 owner I can say that the engine is simply amazing, get yourself a Diablo Predator which gives a useful power boost and gearbox remap.

Other thing to note is that the OEM spark plugs are good for 100,000 miles, in the UK the dealers will tell you it's 30,000 miles which is incorrect.

Stef

HD Adam

5,155 posts

215 months

Sunday 31st March 2013
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StefanVXR8 said:
Other thing to note is that the OEM spark plugs are good for 100,000 miles, in the UK the dealers will tell you it's 30,000 miles which is incorrect.

Stef
I've not been involved with the Hemi engine but I'm not sure about this 100k thing for plugs.

The interval is the same for the F150 and although it's a slightly different style of plug, they last 100k but you can't get them out due to carbon build up on the projected tip.

The plugs either snap off or damage the threads then it's expensive heads off time.

I change mine every year on my F150.

StefanVXR8

3,620 posts

229 months

Sunday 31st March 2013
quotequote all
HD Adam said:
StefanVXR8 said:
Other thing to note is that the OEM spark plugs are good for 100,000 miles, in the UK the dealers will tell you it's 30,000 miles which is incorrect.

Stef
I've not been involved with the Hemi engine but I'm not sure about this 100k thing for plugs.

The interval is the same for the F150 and although it's a slightly different style of plug, they last 100k but you can't get them out due to carbon build up on the projected tip.

The plugs either snap off or damage the threads then it's expensive heads off time.

I change mine every year on my F150.
Yeah, I'm not sure I would leave them in for 100k without taking them out periodically and checking them. If changed every 30k it gets bloody expensive as the SRT8 has 16 spark plugs!

Stef

T5GRF

Original Poster:

2,036 posts

295 months

Monday 1st April 2013
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Thanks for the advice. The biggest problem seems to be finding one for sale!

Viper

10,005 posts

304 months

Monday 1st April 2013
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it looks like there's x2 good, low mileage's in the classifieds, was looking at them myself this afternoon, youll need a flight to Belfast

one of my mates drives his daily, ive had some time behind the wheel and loved it


Edited by Viper on Monday 1st April 18:28

nipsips

1,167 posts

166 months

Monday 1st April 2013
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I priced discs and pads for one of these the other day and it came up at over £1000 just for parts alone...

T5GRF

Original Poster:

2,036 posts

295 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
Viper funnily enough I spoke to Charles Hurst about the black one briefly on Friday but they were closing early until next Wednesday due to the Easter holidays, will hopefully know a bit more about it then.

I am not expecting this to be a cheap car to run but £1000 for parts only for front brakes sounds a bit eye watering..!

nipsips

1,167 posts

166 months

Monday 1st April 2013
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Sorry i was a bit misleading there - thats front & rear. They're expensive vehicles to maintain but worth it!

irishbloke

75 posts

168 months

Monday 1st April 2013
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Had a test drive in the black one last weekend. Seemed straight enough, quick and sounds like thunder! Had 3 year gap in service history that they were attempting to fill in from previous owner. Nice car but dont think I could live with the interior quality. A modern tractor is better finished in terms of trim quality and I mean that seriously.

T5GRF

Original Poster:

2,036 posts

295 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
Thanks Irishbloke, a 3 year gap in history sounds like a no go for me especially given the distance involved and hassle trying to buy it...

irishbloke

75 posts

168 months

Monday 1st April 2013
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The called previous owner and he claimed to have invoices and was to forward copies so may not be total no go. Put me off though as had only covered a few thousand milesin that 3 year period and even if I change oil myself I record even if no stamp as such.

driverrob

4,847 posts

234 months

Monday 1st April 2013
quotequote all
Strange coincidence ^^^.
Mine had service stamps for the first 3 years and 30,000 miles but nothing for the next 3 yrs/30,000 mi.
Still, it seemed in good nick, drove well, had a clear 100 point pre-sales check and MoT and, as I said, was a good price. So I took a chance.
From the SatNav, it seemed to have been in Spain recently. I tried to contact the last registered keeper but found a friend of his. he phoned the guy in Spain who said he'd only had oil & filter changes while he'd had it. That's why I had a major service done but all seems good.
Never having owned a "luxury" car, heated leather seats are heaven. As long as the plastic dashboard shows no signs of coming apart I don't mind that it's not stitched leather. I've owned and driven much worse.

T5GRF

Original Poster:

2,036 posts

295 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
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Driverrob, these cars do look a bit of a bargain in comparison to say a RR or Q7 but I understand the interior will be a bit of avlet down in comparison. Like you I am prepared to compromise a bit on interior quality to terrify the family with the 6.1 L V8!

hadenough!

3,785 posts

291 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2013
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Have you considered a cayenne turbo?