First few street races in my new SRT8 + first impressions

[Nexus-6]

My SRT8 showed up last Saturday - this past week has been a busy week of driving to say the least!

Anyhow, finally hit break-in and went out tonight for a little cruise after hours. Within about 20 minutes I had my first few races....though I must admit that I was kinda looking for em. Friday nights are so easy around here....

First race was with an Audi S4 - pretty stout little car (exhaust is all I could determine as far as mods). I pulled a few car lengths from a stoplight and we held steady at that gap up deep into third. Did it again at the next light and same results. Slowed down, he pulled up and threw a peace sign out the window - cool car and cool guy.

Second one was sorta be mistake - someone pulls up alongside of me but not all the way at a stoplight on an access road to a local highway - I could just make out the nose but couldn't tell what it was. Didn't even consider it a little stop light fun even - just got on it and wound her up through 3rd again and slowed back down having fun...I look back to see him gaining just before he flies by...it's an Impala SS ('94, '95) - poor fella! Didn't even know what hit him. It was a pretty cool race considering that the SRT8 is esentially today what that car was to folks in the mid 90s. He wasn't as cool - as soon as I recognized it I sped up to pull up next to him at the next light for a real race...just as he decided to cut across 2 lanes to make what appeared to be an impromptu exit into an empty parking lot. Ah well.

So far I'm pretty happy with the SRT8. I'm very hard to please when it comes to what I consider fast - I'm a car nut and have several quick cars (Viper GTS, M Coupe, Lotus Elise, a pro-street '69 Camaro that runs 10s and I just added an 800hp Lingenfelter 427TT to the stable...rather, I had my Z06 undergo the most massive transformation possible - that machines has RUINED me for any other car...spinning the wheels at 120mph in 4th gear when boost builds is just insane and amazing...it's more like flying then driving)...anyhow, like I said it takes a lot to impress me and this car does a pretty good job. I do feel that it's just a touch underpowered but again, I'm pretty retarded when it comes to speed. For the price it can't be beat - you can cruise about in total comfort, treating it like a limo if you so desire. In a split second you can turn it into a pretty quick machine that handles and brakes MUCH better then any car this size has a right to.

Unfortunatly, my car had a few beauty marks right from the start - nothing major but you know how it is with a new car...you want it perfect. The drivers side door evidently had a chip in it big enough that the dealer repainted the edge of that door before delivery (the edge that seams up with the drivers side rear passenger door). Unforunately, even though the color is a great match, the angle isn't quite right so you can tell where it was painted. That bums me out. Brand new and already blemished. Unfortunately I'd have to probably repaint the entire car to get it perfect now.

My airbox was completely unclipped when it showed up but I didn't catch that for a few days - during the first few days there was a slight hesitation on 2nd and 3rd upshifts. When I found the airbox problem and snapped it down the shifting problems went away (which baffles me but hey, it was the easiest fix I've had to make in a long time!) - I kinda wonder how many Junebugs I snorkled up those first 200 miles...

One of the silver steering wheel plastic inserts is peeling up - no biggie but I notice it and it irks me just a touch.

The strangest thing so far is a sound I can't determine. It sounds like a slipping serpentine belt, but it only occurs when the car is hot and when I come to a stop and put it in park. While in park, if I give it just a few revs, the sound goes away. I was going to try some belt dressing this weekend to see if that changes anything...else I'll be taking her into the dealership to have them take a peek.

BA6 - my previous daily driver (my SRT8 is my "beater") had a $5K stereo system in it...very nice stuff, crystal clear - excellent sound. So I was pretty spoiled by that. I absolutely figured that I would be replacing the BA6 within a week of getting my car....but I have to admit that it's not - that - bad! It really isn't - in fact, it's good enough that I'll leave it as is for now (which totally shocks me - it's good enough in fact that I started digging around to see if I hadn't received Kicker speakers without the package markings!). I think I found the magic settings for me - bass +7 mid +8 treble +9 - just right of center and just rear of front. It's surprisingly....good. I know, I can't believe it either.

I do wish it had a 3.55 rear in it - I hope something comes down the pipe this year in that regard. I'm happy with the power but like my Viper which came with 3.06, the SRT8 is just a little long legged for my tastes. Once I swapped it (Viper diff) with a 3.55 I was happy - it's how it should have been.

Comfort is fine - though all of my other rides (with the exception of the FX35) are especially punishing so to me it's VERY comfy (the Elise with the sport kit is fantastic but you do need to wear a mouthgaurd when driving around). Seats are fairly comfy though I can't seem to find the perfect back angle for me which is kinda strange. Been experimenting all week.

Overall pretty damn impressive for such an inexpensive car.

Tonight I had a chance to really put it to the respect test - I had to visit with an event planner for an upcoming party at a very nice restaraunt here in Dallas. Well, when I pulled up it drew a little attention...not too much but a touch. The valet knew it wasn't a normal 300C.

When I came out 2 hours later my SRT8 was front and center in the #1 slot. Turns out that they had bumped a 911 aside to reposition the SRT8 (valets) so they could stare at it from their station. All 4 of them ran over and began to ask questions - they were totally into the car and there was some nice machinery parked there when I left. Very cool.

It does have incredible presence on the street - it's just a commanding bad ass looking car. It gets just enough attention - my other cars are often like mobile circuses so I'm relieved to have something somewhat low key but still stand out for those in the know.

Anyhow, enough ramblin' - you folks waiting for yours will love it. It's a great machine.

[CMYSRT8]

Congrats on your new car, Nexus-6!! ....Great post....It is a wonderful car...Welcome to the "8-club".....Remember to post some pics!...Enjoy!

[tgt]

Excellent detailed review, thanks and congrats!

-Travis

[Croozer]

I know you will be happy when the aftermarket starts kicking in.

[Northern Rider]

Great writeup from someone who really knows performance machines.

Thanks, Nexus!

[HealeyRick]

Nexus,

Is this you: http://home.comcast.net/~lwmont/
We spoke last fall on the Elise board when I was looking for some tips in buying an SRT-8 at MSRP. Welcome aboard!

Rick

[300C4ME]

Originally Posted by tgt

Excellent detailed review, thanks and congrats!

Ditto.

[Nexus-6]

Haha! Yup that's me - howdy!

That site of mine is about 1 year out of date - the Z06 isn't there, the SS is still listed and the 325ci turned into an FX35.

[Trainwreck]

What did you use to coat the garage floor?

Ray

Originally Posted by Nexus-6

Haha! Yup that's me - howdy!

That site of mine is about 1 year out of date - the Z06 isn't there, the SS is still listed and the 325ci turned into an FX35.

[cbutler32]

great review...
nice to see someone with a stable of fine automobiles adds the 300C srt-8 to it...
and give a very detailed report of the little things...
Keep up the drive reports...
I need those!
I can't take another pic of a 300C SRT-8...
their either black or silver...
unless Tawney Kitaen is on the hood...