I spotted both of these the other day. I've always liked them, for various reasons... and I thought it would be cool to compare, discuss, and hear what other people think about them.
I picked these two specifically for a few reasons:
1) They can both be found used for a reasonable price (under $20k... sometimes well under)
2) They are both essentially American products, meaning they're a little cheaper to repair and maintain
3) Both offer impressive power
and
4) Both are essentially luxury SUVs ("essentially" because that can be rather subjective... but both are generally considered to be such in the market.)
I don't want to get into other stuff, like BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz... because those things are in a different realm in terms of price and cost of ownership. Especially if you're talking about the performance models!
Anyway, here are the trucks:
Saab 9-7x Aero
Yes, it's basically a Chevy Trailblazer SS. In fact, it's MOSTLY a Trailblazer SS. They are all AWD, however... and apparently it's a better system than the AWD found in the Trailblazer (which I believe was only optional, not standard on that truck.) It packs the same 390hp LS2 V8 as the Trailblazer SS. It also has a bit of Saab luxury on the inside, even if the outside still looks like a Chevy. The Saab scoots to 60 in about 5.5 seconds, and weighs about 4800lbs.
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Sharing a platform with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the Jeep has a competent and well-made chassis. Add in Chrysler's 475hp Hemi, and it's a monster! Like the Saab, it also has AWD. It'll hit 60 in 4.5 seconds, despite weighing nearly 500lbs more than the Saab.
The Jeep is clearly the top performer, and probably wins in terms of style as well. The Saab offers two major benefits, however: purchase prices dip low... $10,000 for a higher-mileage model. The Saab is older, and the brand is defunct, making them far less desirable. However, since they're mostly Chevy, parts are readily available! The SRT8 seems to sell just BARELY under $20,000 for an inexpensive one. Even though it's an american-branded vehicle (unlike the Saab), many parts on it are likely foreign parts (again, unlike the Saab.) The hemi isn't a cheap engine to fix when it breaks, I've heard.
Anyway, this initially stated as a simple comparison of two cool trucks. Oddly, I find myself defending the weirdo Saab against the seemingly-superior Jeep! I'm not looking to buy either one of these. This is just for entertainment (and to give my brain a break from my schoolwork for a few minutes.)
Any input is welcome. I'm curious to hear what others think. Especially if anyone has had experience with either vehicle!
I picked these two specifically for a few reasons:
1) They can both be found used for a reasonable price (under $20k... sometimes well under)
2) They are both essentially American products, meaning they're a little cheaper to repair and maintain
3) Both offer impressive power
and
4) Both are essentially luxury SUVs ("essentially" because that can be rather subjective... but both are generally considered to be such in the market.)
I don't want to get into other stuff, like BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz... because those things are in a different realm in terms of price and cost of ownership. Especially if you're talking about the performance models!
Anyway, here are the trucks:
Saab 9-7x Aero
Yes, it's basically a Chevy Trailblazer SS. In fact, it's MOSTLY a Trailblazer SS. They are all AWD, however... and apparently it's a better system than the AWD found in the Trailblazer (which I believe was only optional, not standard on that truck.) It packs the same 390hp LS2 V8 as the Trailblazer SS. It also has a bit of Saab luxury on the inside, even if the outside still looks like a Chevy. The Saab scoots to 60 in about 5.5 seconds, and weighs about 4800lbs.
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Sharing a platform with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the Jeep has a competent and well-made chassis. Add in Chrysler's 475hp Hemi, and it's a monster! Like the Saab, it also has AWD. It'll hit 60 in 4.5 seconds, despite weighing nearly 500lbs more than the Saab.
The Jeep is clearly the top performer, and probably wins in terms of style as well. The Saab offers two major benefits, however: purchase prices dip low... $10,000 for a higher-mileage model. The Saab is older, and the brand is defunct, making them far less desirable. However, since they're mostly Chevy, parts are readily available! The SRT8 seems to sell just BARELY under $20,000 for an inexpensive one. Even though it's an american-branded vehicle (unlike the Saab), many parts on it are likely foreign parts (again, unlike the Saab.) The hemi isn't a cheap engine to fix when it breaks, I've heard.
Anyway, this initially stated as a simple comparison of two cool trucks. Oddly, I find myself defending the weirdo Saab against the seemingly-superior Jeep! I'm not looking to buy either one of these. This is just for entertainment (and to give my brain a break from my schoolwork for a few minutes.)
Any input is welcome. I'm curious to hear what others think. Especially if anyone has had experience with either vehicle!
Though mine remains stock.) The Trollblazer, I mean 9-7x Aero, can be purchased for 2/3 to 1/2 the cost of the Jeep, and a few thousand dollars would make it faster. 
(seriously... I'm going to have to pay to have it done... my ego hurts just thinking about it!)
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