Viper GTS

[schtick]

Anyone own or previously own 2000-2002 GTS Viper? Thoughts on enjoyment VS your E-Body.

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[rUNCHARGER]

No GTS but I sold my 70 Challenger A-66 with a Hemi swap to buy this 08 this year. It's a totally different experience. As you might imagine if you love driving your cars (like I do) there is no comparison in any way. If you are content to frequent car shows, B.S. your friends and have something that no one else has (although there aren't many Vipers out there either) then the old style muscle is usually one of a kind.
I'll probably buy another 70 Challenger soon but I'll never be without a Viper now.

Sheldon

[70chall440]

Yes, I have a 01 GTS ACR and love it, however as stated it is completely apples and oranges as to a comparison with a 70's era muscle car. It isn't so much that the viper is powerful (450HP new), it is how it applies the power, no or little parasitic loss thus more HP to the ground. They are awesome cars and I would not be without one if I could help it. I bought mine in San Diego from the 1st owner (ordered it new) and drove it back to WA state and smiled all the way home. Absolute thrill to drive and while there are not a lot of Bodies around, I would say I see slightly more Vipers perhaps but it never ceases to gather a crowd.

I will say this up front, driving a Viper (older one) is not like driving a muscle car; it is very unforgiving and will wrap you around a pole quicker than you can imagine. When you break the rear lose and counter steer, if you let off of the gas the car immediately goes where the front tires are pointed; it definitely takes some training/experience to control. This is not a car you nail it as you make a turn unless you really understand it.

[Topcat]

Yes, I have a 01 GTS ACR and love it, however as stated it is completely apples and oranges as to a comparison with a 70's era muscle car. It isn't so much that the viper is powerful (450HP new), it is how it applies the power, no or little parasitic loss thus more HP to the ground. They are awesome cars and I would not be without one if I could help it. I bought mine in San Diego from the 1st owner (ordered it new) and drove it back to WA state and smiled all the way home. Absolute thrill to drive and while there are not a lot of Bodies around, I would say I see slightly more Vipers perhaps but it never ceases to gather a crowd.

I will say this up front, driving a Viper (older one) is not like driving a muscle car; it is very unforgiving and will wrap you around a pole quicker than you can imagine. When you break the rear lose and counter steer, if you let off of the gas the car immediately goes where the front tires are pointed; it definitely takes some training/experience to control. This is not a car you nail it as you make a turn unless you really understand it.

I've heard that before about them and actually saw one that lost control on an on ramp and wrapped it into the guardrails.

[rUNCHARGER]

I was going to mention that as well. Basically you have so much grip that when you lose it things happen in a hurry. Not much grip in an old E-body so when it goes away you have a lot more time to respond to it because you are doing half the speed.
The other thing I like is that my wife loves to ride in it probably because of no fumes from a carbed engine as well as the A/C, modern stereo and seats etc. The fuel mileage is phenomenal as well. I can drive the Viper 3 times as far on the same gas as my old Challenger. It all adds up to using it way more than an E-body.
It sounds weird but driving my Viper gives me the same kick that I got from driving a Hemi E-body in the 70's and 80's. I don't get that same feeling in an E-body these days because times have changed.

Sheldon

[7212Mopar]

Saw one total at the town I live few weeks back. It was brand new and I think it was a 15 or 16. It happened next to an elemtary school and was already on a flat bed when I drove by. Stupid is what stupid does.

[70chall440]

Saw one total at the town I live few weeks back. It was brand new and I think it was a 15 or 16. It happened next to an elemtary school and was already on a flat bed when I drove by. Stupid is what stupid does.

 

[70chall440]

I was going to mention that as well. Basically you have so much grip that when you lose it things happen in a hurry. Not much grip in an old E-body so when it goes away you have a lot more time to respond to it because you are doing half the speed.
The other thing I like is that my wife loves to ride in it probably because of no fumes from a carbed engine as well as the A/C, modern stereo and seats etc. The fuel mileage is phenomenal as well. I can drive the Viper 3 times as far on the same gas as my old Challenger. It all adds up to using it way more than an E-body.
It sounds weird but driving my Viper gives me the same kick that I got from driving a Hemi E-body in the 70's and 80's. I don't get that same feeling in an E-body these days because times have changed.

Sheldon

  this is one of the reasons I am converting my 440 Challenger to EFI, so that I might actually drive it. IMO driving the Viper is unlike driving anything else other than a full on road race car. I have had Corvettes and they are not close, although I haven't driven a C5,6 or 7 so that might be different. All I can say is that a G2 Viper is as close to a street legal race car as I think you are going to get and still have something that has some comfort to it. My ACR was ordered with both AC and Stereo as they were options for the ACR (not standard equipment). It also came with a 5 point harness which I have to say is very uncomfortable..

[schtick]

Wow! Quick and informative replies. I do, in fact drive my Cuda at least 3000 miles per year. Even drove to the Nats in Ohio from CT last summer. My problem is that I only have room for one and at this time I'm just looking for thoughts before I make the decision to trade. Feel free to talk me out of it......or into it.

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[mopar jack]

Went to the SRT driving school in Vegas back in 2008 and one of the first things we were told is that 1 in 4 (25%) of the new Vipers sold were wrecked on the way home from the dealership!

[70chall440]

Went to the SRT driving school in Vegas back in 2008 and one of the first things we were told is that 1 in 4 (25%) of the new Vipers sold were wrecked on the way home from the dealership!

I believe it, makes for good parts availability 

[70chall440]

Wow! Quick and informative replies. I do, in fact drive my Cuda at least 3000 miles per year. Even drove to the Nats in Ohio from CT last summer. My problem is that I only have room for one and at this time I'm just looking for thoughts before I make the decision to trade. Feel free to talk me out of it......or into it.

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Just depends on what you want, a E Body and a Viper are 2 very different vehicles. I love my Viper as well as both of my Ebodies, I don't know I could or would pick one over the other, however if I "had" to, I think I would keep the Viper... That said, getting a Viper is probably easier than an Ebody or at least getting that way.

[Road_Runner]

A Viper GTS is one of the few cars I might change my current mix of cars for.  Agree 100% with comments above, the only thing I'll add is  old cars like our E bodies or my Roadrunner give you a sense of speed at far lower levels than modern cars which by the time you realize how fast you're going you very well may be in over your head.  My son called home tonight to describe a 3 car wreck that happened right in front of him driving into Atlanta involving an Infiniti, a Mustang and a Vette.  He said the Infiniti driver was probably hurt or worse as he planted his car into the median going at least 120+ MPH.  The Mustang hit the outside wall, and the Vette hauled ass away from the accident scene.  Old cars give you the sense of speed at far lower speeds which at my age does the trick.  When I owned a C5 Vette I could drive way faster but it never felt like it was going as fast as my older cars do now.  As my wife reminds me, at my age my reflexes aren't  what they used to be so although new Vettes & Vipers are very apealing, my old cars are a good match for me at this stage of my life. 

Later, Jim

['Cuda Hunter]

I struggle with the decision to sale all (well some anyway) of my cars and buy a viper.  I'm getting closer and closer.  Would love any year of the cars, but would really like one from the last 4 or 5 years.

[HP2]

I will say this up front, driving a Viper (older one) is not like driving a muscle car; it is very unforgiving and will wrap you around a pole quicker than you can imagine. When you break the rear lose and counter steer, if you let off of the gas the car immediately goes where the front tires are pointed; it definitely takes some training/experience to control. This is not a car you nail it as you make a turn unless you really understand it.

That is the truth. I looped by Bros Viper at the dragstrip one night. Left the tree in 2nd, hazed the tires until I shifted to third, hammered the gas and promptly ended up facing the wrong direction. Never left my lane though. Ended up running a 24 second e.t. and 105 mph from mid track.