Jeep GC SRT8 versus TrailBlazer SS, SS won...???

[WhiteDiamond]

Yep, Car and Driver rated the TrailBlazer SS as the winner of their shootout between the SRT8 GC and the TB SS.....Said day, the old men complained aobut the 'stiff' ride of the SRT8 and the inability to hitch up more than 3,500lbs(exhaust comes out center, so no hitch for more). Apparently, the Trailblazer suited the old men's Arses a fair bit better and they could tow 6500lbs............Oh yeah, the SRT8 GC WON EVERY SINGLE PERFORMANCE CATAGORY!!! IT WON ACCELERATION TESTING BY A HUGE MARGINE!! I generally respect Car and Driver for their opinions, but I think they put their collective heads up their sensitive arses on this one.....

Todd

[330toSRT8]

Yeah, I agree. Can't imagine anyone buying a GCSRT8 to tow more than 3500 lbs anyway.

[1fast400]

The problem is that the SS isn't a performance piece, it IS a regular SUV. If that is what you want, buy a REAL SUV. If you want a performance car, buy the SRT8

[WhiteDiamond]

Originally Posted by 1fast400

The problem is that the SS isn't a performance piece, it IS a regular SUV. If that is what you want, buy a REAL SUV. If you want a performance car, buy the SRT8

Not exactly true. The SS version comes with the Corvette's LS2 motor, beefier suspension components tuned for more handling capacity, and a slightly upgraded brake system. It is a sportier SUV than the run of the mill, but it certainly isn't in the leaque of the SRT8 GC.

Todd

[DarkSyde]

Todd,

Hear you loud and clear my man. And as a former GM faithful, and I can't begin to describe to you how dissapointing the TB SS is driving one. I went to test drive one and the thing literally falls on it's face. I came up to the test drive mind you in an Escalade with the LS-based 6.0L w/LQ9 Heads, 345hp model. Not fast by any means, but it does alright. Let me tell you, I could barely feel a difference bewteen my old 6.0 Escy (full-size SUV) and the LS2. They must have drug hella timing out of that engine or something, because it was a dog, nothing like driving a C6 or GTO (now before anyone goes ape on me for syaing that, I know its not supposed to feel like the others, as it is an SUV (sort of), but we all know what the Jeep would 'feel like', and that is, damn fast.) Upon looking at the TB SS, I find the Jeep SRT-8 to be that much more of a HUGE bargain and value. The TB I drove has a sticker of 40,225, with the new (read in: GM choking on the chit that theyre building) sticker price of 37,715. I can justify the difference in price in many many areas quite easily, but will defer to saying that the brakes, nav, and autostick alone should more than make up for the price difference. Of course, then there's the obvious performance difference, styling, INTERIOR (huge, huge diff IMO), handling, build quality, and just about everything else about it.

I dont want to peeve off anyone here that might own a TB SS, but I have to say, that they will never sell one of these fugly birds to any 'gear head' I know. The TB SS to me felt no faster than a Silverado SS.

You get what you pay for ladies and germs. The new TB SS is truly 'cheap'. A true representative of the General's fading lineup.

And to the people the did the comparo, they wouldnt know their ass from their elbow when it's comes to performance-oriented equipment.

[WhiteDiamond]

Originally Posted by DarkSyde

Todd,

I came up to the test drive mind you in an Escalade with the LS-based 6.0L w/LQ9 Heads, 345hp model. Not fast by any means, but it does alright.

The last GM vehicle we owned was a 2003 Escalade with the 6.0L and AWD. It was a nice ride, but no way we would have bought it had my wife not qual'd for the GM supplier price. I hope GM is setting the new Escalade apart from the rest with a little more enthusiasm...The new 6.2L with a 6 speed auto does look interesting.

I think C&D is just trying to help GM out. What did they loose this quarter?? I think I heard 4.8 billion was the grand total on the loss....DCX is still doing okay, not great, but certainly much better than the other North American builds. At least C&D was VERY CLEAR in the fact the SRT8 GC smoked the SS in all performance catagories..

Todd

[GSM]

Originally Posted by WhiteDiamond

Yep, Car and Driver rated the TrailBlazer SS as the winner of their shootout between the SRT8 GC and the TB SS.....Said day, the old men complained aobut the 'stiff' ride of the SRT8 and the inability to hitch up more than 3,500lbs(exhaust comes out center, so no hitch for more). Apparently, the Trailblazer suited the old men's Arses a fair bit better and they could tow 6500lbs............Oh yeah, the SRT8 GC WON EVERY SINGLE PERFORMANCE CATAGORY!!! IT WON ACCELERATION TESTING BY A HUGE MARGINE!! I generally respect Car and Driver for their opinions, but I think they put their collective heads up their sensitive arses on this one.....

Todd

We picked up our SRT-8 Jeep yesterday ....!

Its an awesome ride, We have the s/c kit and a few goodies to enhance this beast in the next week


Scott

[330toSRT8]

Originally Posted by GSM

We picked up our SRT-8 Jeep yesterday ....!

Its an awesome ride, We have the s/c kit and a few goodies to enhance this beast in the next week


Scott

Yay! I can't wait to hear how it performs.

[Vanillac Jr]

Ill give you my 2 cents coming from a GM person.

The thing is money. Since it has a SRT badge on it prepare to spend big bucks over the SS. On ebay they are going for slightly over sticker. A pretty loaded TB SS with a MSRP of $40,430 has an invoice of $36,704. Say you get it for $37,000 which is very reasonable, take the $1,000 rebate and $2500 on the GM card and you are down to $33,500. Its like a $12,000 difference. To be honest if I had the money I wouldn't know which one to pick. Overall I like the jeep but 1) its small inside, I always get my leg caught between the steering wheel and seat when getting out of my sisters truck(she has an 05 GC and im 6') 2) i believe its harder to modify because I dont believe there is tunning out for the hemi motors yet (I could be wrong though) 3) the SRT8 motors do have problems (So far the LS2's have been pretty good) 4) its has limited towing capabilities and 5) im personally not a fan of the front bumper. I would like to be able to tow my GTO to the track with a truck. Now on the other side of the fence the TB SS has a few things I dont like about it also. The quality of the interior is not really up to parand the exhaust exits on one side due to the gas tank. The SS does have out tuning for it already. I heard that the truck is a dog from a dead stop up to like 2500-3000 rpms stock and the tune fixes it.

But like I said if you have the money and like the GC SRT8 go for it. No doubt its a nice ride.

[330toSRT8]

Originally Posted by Vanillac Jr

Ill give you my 2 cents coming from a GM person.

The thing is money. Since it has a SRT badge on it prepare to spend big bucks over the SS. On ebay they are going for slightly over sticker. A pretty loaded TB SS with a MSRP of $40,430 has an invoice of $36,704. Say you get it for $37,000 which is very reasonable, take the $1,000 rebate and $2500 on the GM card and you are down to $33,500. Its like a $12,000 difference.

The base MSRP is $40,220, so that's around $7k difference, but still a significant amount.

Originally Posted by Vanillac Jr

3) the SRT8 motors do have problems (So far the LS2's have been pretty good)

Please tell me about these SRT8 motor problems. I haven't heard of a single one that occured on more than one vehicle.