About To Pull the Trigger on a New 2012 but Want Some Advice

[nick71692]

Hey guys, new to forum, and new to the SRT scene. Certainly no stranger to cars, but am looking for any insight that can be shared. Just a little background on me, I am a die hard Audi fan and have owned 6 S4s in a row, including 2 of the latest B8 models with the supercharged v6. The car has been a ton of fun but during a recent visit to pick up my wifes new car ('13 VW GLI), a left over 2012 300 SRT8 caught my eye. Especially since they were taking a ton of money off of it. Now I know that is because 1. it is left over, and 2. the 8 speed is coming out which all SRT models have needed FOREVER. That being said, I am okay with getting the '12, and I am also okay with RWD as opposed to the quattro. I have not driven the car yet but like everything I see from an option standpoint (I do wish it had the leather package)

Here is a listing to the car: edit (I havent made enough posts to link yet)

They have already agreed to drop it another $2k. Just curious to get your guys thoughts are and if anyone has moved over from an Audi? I think they did a great job with the interior, but personally I dont know if anyone does a better job than Audi from that standpoint.

All in all I am definitely considering making the change but want to make sure I am making an informed decision, and not something I will regret 6 months down the road.

Thanks in advance for all the help.


Oh yeah if I do end up doing it, are there any must do mods?

[MADDOG]

The 8-speed won't be used with the SRT8 for a bit yet.

I'm not seeing too much in the way of any focused questions here. What is it you want to know? Just whether or not any former Audi owners now own an SRT8?

Typical mods would be intake, exhaust, tuner (when it becomes available) and possibly some suspension lowering. After that, it's pretty much wide open.

Have you driven the car yet? Take it for a drive. Check out the seating position, blind spots, handling, etc...they are very different cars from the Audi offerings.

I personally like the 5-speed transmission in mine. The NAG1 transmission is plenty stout and it needs to be.

[Jet driver]

I owned a BMW 525. Had nothing but problems with it. So I though I'd take a chance with a 2005 300C when they came out. Never looked back. Since then I've had four LX vehicles. All have been reliable. My latest is a 2012 300SRT. Great car only issues I have is paint peeling around the spoiler and the back panel rattles and buzzes when you turn up the stereo. Which is being addressed by the dealer. I have a early model built in DEC 2011. Its big, comfortable, fast, and economical. I get 26MPG at 70. It might be worth waiting for next years model. The five speed trans is the weakest link of the car. It's durable but outdated. The eight speed would be a huge improvement. Either way I think you'll be happy.

[toasteroven]

I can sum up the SRT8 like this:

"The transmission, used in the SLR and other high-torque Mercedes, is the weak point on the car."

That should tell you how rock solid I think it is. I think the 5-speed is fine, and don't consider it weak in any way. Sure, it could be the 8-speed, but why wait?

[Gibby]

I feel the same. I have no qualms with the 5-speed tranny. It's smooth and tough, and I still get 25 MPG on the highway with my giant 6.4L Hemi. I love my 300 SRT8 more than a human baby.

[nick71692]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess to address the first post, it was more of a general overview of things you have learned during ownership, i.e. what annoys you about the car, wish you could change, etc....

How well do these cars retain value after a year or two? One of things I have always loved about the Audi's, specifically the S4, is how well they retain their value.

[MADDOG]

An impressive blend of power and classic design, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 provides its owner the opportunity to outperform most cars on the road and do so in style. From it's HEMI engine, robust suspension and interior appointments, the car lacks nothing the discerning buyer may be looking for. While some may have considered the interior of the first generation a bit stark and lacking in visual appeal, subsequent upgrades to the interior appointments have elevated the car's overall appeal to new levels.

I purchased my car new in 2007 for just a shade over $43K and private party resale today, with 42K miles on it, is $25K in my market. A depreciation of less than half its sale value in 6 years would be considered above the norm.

I initially learned that the car can quickly exceed legal speeds in the blink of an eye, that you can wear out the rear brakes first if you drive it too hard (traction control system and traction issues), that it does have it's peculiarities as do all cars and that for the price there's no better buy in the performance sedan market.

[SRT8SOON4ME]

I agree with the above statements. Although I haven't gotten mine yet, I am currently working a deal on a 2012 SRT8 (Wish me Luck). In my experience with some 8-speeds it just seems like they are always trying to find a gear. Now, it may not be true with this 8 speed. But it makes me a little gun shy. Plus, we just had a baby 6 months ago. $1200/month for daycare won't allow me to get one brand spanking new. Good trade off as far as I'm concerned. As for the 5-speed, I embrace it! I can't see that the 8-speed will be that drastic of a change in mpg. I'm guessing 3-5mpg more average? That's great, but I'm sure my foot will be up it's ass a fair amount and I will gladly sacrifice the extra dollars at the pump for the fun factor. As stupid as it sounds, the old cliche of "don't buy it for gas mileage" is somewhat true. Now, if it performs the same and gets better mpg, hell yeah! But the money is not something I can swing. Let me correct that, the money is not something my wife will let me swing. Haha!

[toasteroven]

Absolutely nothing about this car irritates or annoys me. The ride is fantastic, the size is "just right", the visibility out is great, and all the bells and whistles make the price difference between it and a SuperBee completely justified. We still get comments at gas stations, restaurants, etc. when we pull up. "Nice car!". I am impressed that the maintenance is as "cheap" as it is. I spent more per yearly quarter on my SRT-4s for oil changes and other maintenance items. With the exception of the fuse box recall (which was not a big deal), we've had zero major issues. Minor issues: an intermittent passenger airbag light which was solved with a cleaning of the harness, a low voltage issue what was fixed with a ground resecure, and I burned off the Goodyear F1s in 8k without driving hard. But those are all a half-day in the service department, and a new set of AS-03s barely have any wear on them with a minor sacrifice of traction at the extreme of the performance envelope (which I don't visit on public roads).

I looked at a new S4, S5, C63, M3, and some used cars like a E63, M5, and really nothing can beat the bang-for-the-buck, and you're either compromising by buying used, or going down on size and power. You get a ton (well, 2) of car very nicely appointed, with decent fuel economy for the weight and power it has. If you're nervous about kilometers racking up and knocking your warranty down (SRTs come with 3/60 b2b), spend the extra 2k on a good warranty package for peace of mind.

The SRT8 lets you feel great without the pretentiousness of a Benz or Bimmer, and hurts the wallet far less. It also does not depreciate as fast as people think it does or should as MADDOG pointed out. It also pisses people who buy some of those cars off (especially C63 owners) when you point out they basically paid a premium for the badge.

[07BBSRT8]

SRT = Best bang for your buck! Period.

The only downfall IMO is the city gas milage. But I didn't buy mine, or the other one that I have, or the other two that ive had for gas mileage, so its not really an issue for myself. It'll get 25 MPG on the highway, and then embarrass cars with two less doors, and cars that cost twice as much! Take it for a test drive, the car should sell itself!

Let me put it like this: There are a lot of butt hurt BMW, Mercedes, and Audi owners driving around South Jersey right now, because a Fat American Sedan just blew their doors off for half the price! Now dont take that as a shot to those car makers as I love all cars, and like Bimmers, and Audis and Mercs. Im just stating that for less money, you can look just as good if not better, and leave em all chasing your tail lights!