what do you drive in the winter

Jeffblue

Cunnos

Sounds like your brother is a Jeepster, as am I. The SRT-8 is a beast, and I absolutely miss the utility aspect of the Wrangler. You never have to worry about getting stuck or not having enough space. Very dependable especially where I live. I think i might go back and get me an old 97 TJ. I miss the old engines where the torque was there whenever you needed it. Being a new Z owner, i didnt realize how much care the car needed, thats why the Jeep is most likely a good option for me. I can throw crap in the trunk, roof, drive through mud, park anywhere and never worry about it

Cunnos

Hahaha thats awesome. its missing teh mcahine gun on the roof though. You need those when entering parking lots that are full of Hybrid drivers

rha600

Pentastar engine info
Chrysler's flexible new Pentastar V6 — Autoblog

TheWeatherman

Excellent choice. That should allow you to save up some cash as well for when the Pentastar V6 Jeeps drop. You will probably find yourself driving the Z most of the year. The '97 would make good sense with the 4.0L I6. Make sure you keep a battery tender on the Jeep for when you need it badly. Also, you will find the Z as a "not so useful" utility machine, but 75% of your day-to-day things, the Z should do alright. Just think of if you have to move and need a trailer. There's your Jeep. You need to do a little landscaping? There's your Jeep. Picking up some new furniture? Jeep. Snow? JEEP!

All other times.... Z. I was trying to see if yours had the sport package. Watch out with these Potenzas when the weather gets below 50°. They get a little slippery even on dry roads. That compound on the tire works best when it's warmer. You still can cruise around when it's -20°. Just watch out with those tires. Always keep a battery charger around your garage with the Z in the winter just in case. The battery seems a little weak, though I haven't had a problem with mine. It just sounds worse than my other cars have starting in the winter.

Sidenote: My brother is a total Jeepster. He always has been. The new goal for him is going to be the 2012, redesigned SRT8. It's been caught out testing, so it looks like a go. 6.4L Hemi with 480+ HP and AWD? DROOL. Within this past year, he's made me become a Dodge/Jeep fan with all of the new products they are rolling out. Do some research on that Pentastar. It's quite interesting. That is going to be Chrysler/Fiat's world engine. When they put Multi-Air on it, it's going to be really powerful. THEN, they're going to start putting turbos on it as well. The twin-turbo 3.6 is estimated to have well over 500HP with Multi-Air. It will be one of the engines in the Maseratis. Wow.

TheWeatherman

RHA, that Jeep is... Drool. That thing destroys my Z. Trust me, I've tried. Not even close.

510z

I use a 1989 BMW 325I. great car.

rha600

Jeep/Chrysler is also supposed to be coming out with an 8speed auto tranny in 2013 (I think). The "problem" with the SRT is that once you get into the 500hp area guys are having to upgrade the tranny. Of course there are some that have put 15K miles on the stock tranny with 500+ but most seem to have to replace it. The new 6.4 will have the same tranny in it which to me is odd because the tranny we have is the same one that was in all the 55 series MB AMG cars. SL55, S55, CL55... those cars were all 500hp (at the flywheel not the wheels) cars and I'm surprised AMG would cut it that close and not have a beefier transmission.

Thanks! The AWD is a huge bonus coming off the line. My warranty is up in Feb so I'm going to start some little mods on it. CAI, Diablo tune... Should be in the high 12s with just that.

I'm looking to get a Z in a couple months. I'm kind of waiting for the 2011's to hit the lots and see what kind of deal I can get on a 2010 in either the cherry, or if they will put NAV in it for me, a 40th. I'm just trying to decide if I want a 6MT or the 7AT.

Cunnos

yea the ole 4.0 I6 was the best, thing lasted no matter what i dragged it through, mud, water, snow, sand, there is a lot to be said for that engine. It just seems like the Jeep is the perfect compliment for a Z owner, you have one car that is high maintenance and another that you dont have to worry about.

I have the 40th so I think i have everything that the sport has, the only thing my car doesnt have is a Nav. When i store it in a few months im taking the battery out and putting it in my condo so it doesnt die. I also will be putting it up on a lift and increasing the PSI on the tires so they do not get ruined. On a side note, the Potenza tires are not the most reliable in wet conditions, noticed this a few times this year when takes corners on side roads, thank GOD for vdc.

I cannot wait to see what Chrysler puts out on the new Jeep models. I just read the entire article on allpar and it looks like the engines and models are getting many iimprovements that arebadly needed for the Jeep line. Time to start saving! PS---how do you like the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. personally i think the exterior looks like they are moving towards the "minivan 4x4" look like the Lexus and Nissan Murano which i dont like to much, but everything else looks great on the car, especially the interior

Sandra Dee

A black Ford 150 4 WD-only if there is snow or ice. Otherwise, I ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ


it.

TheWeatherman

Cunnos, if this is your first time having two vehicles for different parts of the year, here's my opinion. Make the two quite different from eachother. In my experience, you will really enjoy the differences between the two cars, and appreciate each for its' strengths and weaknesses. The process is quite fun. As far as your thoughts on a WRX... naw. You're trying to keep the sport around, and from my previous statement, for some people, ESPECIALLY those who really like Jeeps, it would get boring to you. I'd think you'd get into your heavily used WRX and say, "Aw, this thing. Okay. It will get me where I need to go." You get into your ol' I6 TJ and say, "Yeah! Let's go bust some drifts! I can't do this in my other car! Let me throw it in 4WD." That's fun. THEN, in the summer, you have the option of also cruising around with your top and doors off while being able to get all of your other jobs done. How fun is that? I really like the way you're thinking, and keep up that mentality. Though some may not agree with me, I think you and I sound like the same type guys. (Older, turbocharged WRXs seem to lose a lot of power as they age. I talked to a guy with one with the bugeye headlamps and he said, "I can't believe how slow my car is getting as it gets older." I don't know what it is, but that's my only fear with turbocharged cars. Things wear out a little more quickly. I could be wrong, but that's what he said.)

Sidenote: As far as the new Grand Cherokee, if they made the styling too wild, it wouldn't appeal to as many people. This previous gen WK Grand, I thought, was the most agressive GC to date. I really think the new Grand is much "classier" and I believe that's what they're going for with this. It's supposed to be their flagship, and with all of the great quality materials, looks like they hit it. Personally, I think it still looks agressive. It seems just a little weak with the taillights. The rest of it... I like. I think you and I might change our tune when they drop the SRT8. Like any car, you make a few minor tweaks and it can make all the difference. Have you read the reviews on the 2011? I have yet to find anything bad said about the truck. Supposed to be a really nice machine... Except for the stupid five-speed tranny, which works fine, but I just believe needs more gears. Five is so, middle-2000's.

TheWeatherman

See Cunnos, here's someone who gets it. Something totally different from the Z! An F150. Sandra Dee probably likes driving the Ford as well and appreciates it for what it is. Am I in-line Sandra?

Red__Zed

06 wrangler sport.

Modshack

__________________

Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S
Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

TheWeatherman

Oh yeah Modshack? I keep this fleet of Supercharged Range Rover Sports in my garage. JK. Dream garage. My parents. Jerks.