Test drove SRT8, found new love for the Z

[aris_unlimited]

Well I stopped at the Nissan dealership today because I have seriously been considering going with something a little faster than my Z (mods in sig). I looked at some of the newer 350z's and of course the GTR which I could never afford lol. But then I noticed that they had an 06 charger SRT8, and I always wanted to try one out because it is supposedly a step up from the Z.

So took the SRT8 out for a test drive. Upon starting out the 6.1L V8 hemi was shamefully quiet, almost to the point of not being able to hear it at all. But a few minutes later when I got to really step on the gas it did make somewhere closer to the noise expected.....still needs an exhaust I suspect. So the salesman encouraged me to take it out on the highway and really get on it. Get to the highway and just floor it. It picked up pretty quickly and (according to stock specs) faster than the Z does even though the automatic in the SRT8 feels sluggish. But it really didn't have that quick factor, it did not throw me back into the seat like the Z does and the pucker factor was minimal. Took it up to about 110mph and started to go around a gradual curve in the road. Suspension is definitely too soft for me. It kinda bobbed and floated around the corner like a luxury car would, made me a little nauseous to tell the truth lol.

Got back to the dealership and had to tell the salesman my thoughts on it. And that I didn't really want it, because in my mind even though on paper its faster it just didn't stand up to my Z. I even offered to take him for a test drive in my Z, which he did take me up on.

Fast forward 15 minutes. Get back from the test drive. He loves the Z lol, can't stop talking about how it definitely (in his mind, and mine) is superior to the SRT8.

Feeling lucky that I have such a car. I climbed in for the nice ride home, knowing that I was getting the better deal.

The End lol

Cliff notesTest drove 2006 Charger SRT8Decided I like the Z betterAchieved new-found love for the Z

[dasoupdude]

Cliff notesTest drove 2006 Charger SRT8Decided I like the Z betterAchieved new-found love for the Z

Instead of getting that srt8 you should just put a little bit more money into the Z and make it better than what it already is.

My buddy has a magnum srt-8. It literally is a wagon on steroids.

[aris_unlimited]

Instead of getting that srt8 you should just put a little bit more money into the Z and make it better than what it already is.

My buddy has a magnum srt-8. It literally is a wagon on steroids.

Oh, I totally agree with you. After I get my headers installed (in a couple weeks or so) and then add an exhaust, next major mod will be a supercharger. Add a supercharger to a Z and I am sure it would smoke an SRT8 charger/magnum etc.

[evildky]

I guy in our local Z club has an SRT8, he dyno's it at our dyno day, formt he rear it sounded like ataurus, form the fornt with the hood popped you could hear the intake, it had a much mnicer sound, sort fo a growl, I just don't care for dodge

[RCAnismo]

Oh, I totally agree with you. After I get my headers installed (in a couple weeks or so) and then add an exhaust, next major mod will be a supercharger. Add a supercharger to a Z and I am sure it would smoke an SRT8 charger/magnum etc.

You should consider trading the 350 in for a 370, That will give you the extra power you need and you can stay all motor

[JPE22]

Had a similar experience. Test drove a friend's G8GT and expected it feel a lot faster than the Z. Well after test driving it i was a bit disappointed. I can't feel the low end torque like i thought i should. It felt sluggish and heavy (which it was). I did race it in the HW with my THEN stock Z and lost pretty bad

It was a badass car tho, did what it's suppose to do. I wouldn't mind owning one

[BD350Z]

I still say our Z's are hella sexier no matter what dodge car till maybe a viper srt10 then they start to come close

[aris_unlimited]

You should consider trading the 350 in for a 370, That will give you the extra power you need and you can stay all motor

lol. No thanks. I am going to be happy when my payments on this one are over, don't want to start getting more and probably higher payments after that.

[04Venom]

I don't have a Z, but I've heard about the exceptional handling of the car.

I am not surprised by the tone of the stock exhaust, nor the engine of the SRT8; contrary to what other would have you believe.

How fast were you going around that curve?
Modified by 04Venom at 11:02 AM 11/11/2008

[aris_unlimited]

I don't have a Z, but I've heard about the exceptional handling of the car.

I am not surprised by the tone of the stock exhaust, nor the engine of the SRT8; contrary to what other would have you believe.

How fast were you going around that curve?

Modified by 04Venom at 11:02 AM 11/11/2008

I went around the same corner with each car and each time I was going about 110 mph or so. The SRT8 just kinda bobbed around it.......made me nervous for a second and then naucious lol.

[rmezz13]

if you are looking for something to replace a 350Z, good luck. I would recommend something with an LS motor, good suspension (or add good suspension) then you should have a suitable N/A replacement. But nothing is like the Z. Not the most powerful, but what it can do all around makes that power worth more!... Just like the new GTR, it does more with 480hp than most cars do with 500-600+ hp... I believe the Z is the same way. May not have more power than a Mustang GT or an SRT Charger, but does more with what it has than those two do. And they have 2 more cylinders! Its a hard car to replace. I vote IS-F Lexus or RS6 sedan Audi (my next buy will be one of them, if not a GTR).

[04Venom]

I think it all depends on what you are looking for in a car. I've heard nothing but rave reviews from Ford guys on how well the 350Z handles.

Heck, just by looking at the car you can tell it handles well. It's more aerodynamic than any SRT or Mustang that's for sure. I also scrath my head in dismay that the GTR has 480HP and can achieve a 0 - 60 of 4.0 seconds. Or is it mid 3's? The GTR is definetly a force to be reckoned with.

[arnmag]

This thread actually hit home..I have a 2003, Pikes Peak Z. Mods are injen intake, plenum spacer , jwt flyweel and stage 3 clutch. I also have headers but a 2007 exhaust and rims. I love my car as it is my dream car...This is where it hits home. My wife owns a 2006 Charger with a hemi...Damn,is her car fast...way faster than mine. When I showed her this post, she just laughed...Her car is really swweeet and way fast..she practically runs away in a straight shot...But throw in some curves and its a different story..

[aris_unlimited]

This thread actually hit home..I have a 2003, Pikes Peak Z. Mods are injen intake, plenum spacer , jwt flyweel and stage 3 clutch. I also have headers but a 2007 exhaust and rims. I love my car as it is my dream car...This is where it hits home. My wife owns a 2006 Charger with a hemi...Damn,is her car fast...way faster than mine. When I showed her this post, she just laughed...Her car is really swweeet and way fast..she practically runs away in a straight shot...But throw in some curves and its a different story..

Really? Her car is able to run away from you with all your mods? That doesn't make much sense considering a stock Z should outrun a stock charger R/T not by much, last I looked it was like 0.2 in the 1/4. Unless you both have mods done to your cars, cuz usually V8's will accept power mods better than V6's.

And as running in the twisties, best thing ever!!!

[Retired Chief]

Seems odd to me too. Every review I’ve read on the hemi fed charger puts its 0 to 60 at around 6.0 seconds give or take a 1/10. Reviews of the 07 and 08 Z’s 0 to 60 run anywhere from 5.1 all the way to 5.4. Are the ’03 Z’s that much slower? I wouldn’t think so but I’m not an expert.

[04Venom]

Hmmm... That's a 5.7 Liter V8 making 340 horses. I think they make 340 Lb FT/TQ. If anything, the Charger may catch you on the top end. How much power does a 350Z make?

[xjmxstac]

vq35de: 287hp vq35de rev-up: 300hpvq35hr: 306hp

I believe the charger is significantly heavier than the z.

[04Venom]

Sounds like the Z will beat the 5.7 Liter Charger off the line, the Charger may catch up; but at what speed?

[xjmxstac]

Or distance....1/8 mile i'd say z. 1/4 mile i'd say charger. 14 miles in Nürburgring i'd say z!

[arnmag]

You guys are making me feel really bad. Her car has 360 hp where I put mine around 310-320. I don't launch very well with my clutch(not that used to it yet). We really never went head to head from stop, usually following each other and goofing off. My car is not that quick but from 4th and up is a monster, I think from the plenum spacer. She has automatic,with the triptronic shifting and it seems like the car is at 90mph in no time at all. We need to take it to a drag somewhere and see who wins..Just don't want to embarass myself and lose to her. You see,her dad was a top fuel dragster racer,so she has been around it all her life...lol