Anyone looking at a Grand Cherokee Trackhawk?

[M4Now!]

Originally Posted by AlexZTuned

I haven't driven a Trackhawk, but there's no way it handles even remotely close to an E63S (I've driven it on track and it will lap faster than the lighter C63S). The Jeep weighs nearly 5300 lbs and ran 12.0 sec @ 115 mph when tested by Car and Driver. An E63S weighs around 4500 lbs and runs low 11's at 126 mph out of the box. The E63S handling is actually pretty phenomenal and has very impressive grip. You can definitely feel the weight when tossing it into a sweeping corner, but the grip and ability to power out of a corner is seriously impressive.

What he said ^

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I don't get the comment it's "impressive for the weight" - it's mind blowing in terms of published results. This is a 4500 pound AWD wagon running on serious tracks using street tires and lapping faster than Porsche's mid-engined Cayman S which weighs ~1500 pounds less and is, as noted, mid-engined among other things.

You may notice the weight, and it may feel really heavy and not satisfying to drive in that manner.

But man, what the hell, how did they manage to make that vehicle perform like that and why isn't the same translating into much better results for the f8x, 718 Cayman S, etc.

Hi Joe, the reason I qualified it is that after a few laps at mosport the E63 had overheated its tires and I had to lessen the pace. It also had some sketchy behaviour like the rear end moving around A LOT under max effort braking.

These magazine tests have the drivers taking 1 or 2 flying laps to get the best time, and it isn't the 20-30 minutes fun runs that you'd do at a typical DE

Very impressive car indeed but it really is at its best for very high speed cruising not for DE use

I personally have much more fun in lighter cars that are consistent for a full session.

In fact, my brother got his E63 wagon to replace a 987.2 Cayman S PDK when he had a kid, thinking the E63 would be a stellar "do it all" car that would handle daily driving duties and DEs. He was sorely disappointed on the DE front, and got a GT4 and sold the 63.

I hope you all have a chance to track these cars and see what I mean for yourselves. I'm just trying to pass along my and my family's real world experience.

[someguywithanm3]

You can always modify a "beater" for DEs and save your nice expensive car from wear and tear.

I could never be happy having one vehicle as a DD and track car. I hated changing out the rotors, brake pads, wheels/tires. Not only that, but a car set up for the track tends to suck on the street and vice versa.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by someguywithanm3

You can always modify a "beater" for DEs and save your nice expensive car from wear and tear.

I could never be happy having one vehicle as a DD and track car. I hated changing out the rotors, brake pads, wheels/tires. Not only that, but a car set up for the track tends to suck on the street and vice versa.

+1

It's nice to drive the fancy cars but a true track car (aka race car) is best

[someguywithanm3]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

+1

It's nice to drive the fancy cars but a true track car (aka race car) is best

Yeah, a dedicated track car is the way to go in my opinion. Bushings, paint, fluids, seats, etc all take a beating.

[WERKE]

Originally Posted by Vectors2final

Currently have an SRT8 JGC and it's pretty fun. Handles very well with the Adaptive Bilstein dampers.

If we didn't need something bigger, we'd probably jump on it.

Yeah, Grand Cherokee SRT is surprising. The handling and suspensions are really fun in sports mode or track ... and 6.4 sound is unique. After an X5 50i and a Volvo VX60R, I prefer the Jeep.

[M_DRlVER]

Originally Posted by WERKE

Yeah, Grand Cherokee SRT is surprising. The handling and suspensions are really fun in sports mode or track ... and 6.4 sound is unique. After an X5 50i and a Volvo VX60R, I prefer the Jeep.

I just picked one up two weeks ago. Have gone through two 6 cylinder JGCs over the last 6 years. Also went through an e92 M3 and the F80 M3. I wanted one car to do both, go fast and haul ass (literally, my wife and dogs). Didn’t want to shell out X5M cash, and not for nothing, this jeep is one par with the M in terms of interior quality and looks.

[WERKE]

Originally Posted by M_DRlVER

I just picked one up two weeks ago. Have gone through two 6 cylinder JGCs over the last 6 years. Also went through an e92 M3 and the F80 M3. I wanted one car to do both, go fast and haul ass (literally, my wife and dogs). Didn’t want to shell out X5M cash, and not for nothing, this jeep is one par with the M in terms of interior quality and looks.

Totally agree with you; great looking truck !

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by M_DRlVER

I just picked one up two weeks ago. Have gone through two 6 cylinder JGCs over the last 6 years. Also went through an e92 M3 and the F80 M3. I wanted one car to do both, go fast and haul ass (literally, my wife and dogs). Didn’t want to shell out X5M cash, and not for nothing, this jeep is one par with the M in terms of interior quality and looks.

I disagree with the interior quality comment. I have spent a ton of time in the Jeep SRT8 and I don't remember the last time I saw a X5M with cracking and delaminating carbon fiber interior trim.

Don't get me wrong, it is a Very good vehicle and I love the looks but the X5M is in a different league.

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by M_DRlVER

I just picked one up two weeks ago. Have gone through two 6 cylinder JGCs over the last 6 years. Also went through an e92 M3 and the F80 M3. I wanted one car to do both, go fast and haul ass (literally, my wife and dogs). Didn’t want to shell out X5M cash, and not for nothing, this jeep is one par with the M in terms of interior quality and looks.

Are you running the all season or 3 season tires?

Great car!

[M_DRlVER]

Originally Posted by Figurka

Are you running the all season or 3 season tires?

Great car!

Those are he stock Pirelli one season....about the same as the PSS.

[M_DRlVER]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

I disagree with the interior quality comment. I have spent a ton of time in the Jeep SRT8 and I don't remember the last time I saw a X5M with cracking and delaminating carbon fiber interior trim.

Don't get me wrong, it is a Very good vehicle and I love the looks but the X5M is in a different league.

I wasn’t comparing it to the X5M, I was comparing to my current M3. The Jeep has less buttons due to the touch screen, where as the X5 has a button for every control. That picture you shared is also a 2015 interior. As far as feature for feature, practically identical.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by M_DRlVER

I wasn’t comparing it to the X5M, I was comparing to my current M3. The Jeep has less buttons due to the touch screen, where as the X5 has a button for every control. That picture you shared is also a 2015 interior. As far as feature for feature, practically identical.

nice trackhawk.

I've had some rental FCA vehicles over decades and have been in many generations of chargers, 300's, durangos, etc. There is a lot of improvement in this generation, but the plastics are still pretty hard, the leather stitching can be sloppy, the panel gaps are just ok.

My x5m was 97k plus taxes and fees after discount. how much cheaper was the jeep?

[M_DRlVER]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

nice trackhawk.

I've had some rental FCA vehicles over decades and have been in many generations of chargers, 300's, durangos, etc. There is a lot of improvement in this generation, but the plastics are still pretty hard, the leather stitching can be sloppy, the panel gaps are just ok.

My x5m was 97k plus taxes and fees after discount. how much cheaper was the jeep?

It’s just the SRT (500hp), not the Trackhawk (707hp). Sticker was 76k. I’ll agree with you, there is a WIDE range of quality to be found in this brand, but coming from my M3 to this is a nice transition. It does help that I’ve had two previous Gand Cherokees, so I already knew what to expect. My wife has a Grand Cherokee altitude without the luxury package, comparing her interior to mine isn’t even fair. The SRT now has Alcantara pillars and headliner, on top of the luxury package.