250 miles in on my Viper - a few things I don't like...

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09 Venom

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Absolutely agree, not loud enough. the drone, if any, is minimal.
Really not concerned with gas mileage when purchasing an exotic supercar. The average Viper owner puts 2,000 miles on the motor annually per the most recent Viper Magazine.

Maybe it's due to all the great sounding loud Euro cars I've owned, but I just don't see why people say its too loud. If anything it is certainly not loud enough. I'm not abig mod guy but I'm interested to see what Corsa or Mopar offer to make this thing sound louder.

I have no problem with the hood latch either. It's not a vehicle that is to be left unattended anyway.

This car may be more refined than a Gen I from decades ago, but that's not a bad thing. I like the traction & stability controls. I feel there is more engineering on the V I stead of just putting parts together. Not disrespecting prior gens or their owners. In fact I love how the V built on the first 4 gens. I do believe its the best snake to date and that's not a bad thing is all.
 

SRTviper

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Really not concerned with gas mileage when purchasing an exotic supercar. The average Viper owner puts 2,000 miles on the motor annually per the most recent Viper Magazine.

Maybe it's due to all the great sounding loud Euro cars I've owned, but I just don't see why people say its too loud. If anything it is certainly not loud enough. I'm not abig mod guy but I'm interested to see what Corsa or Mopar offer to make this thing sound louder.

I have no problem with the hood latch either. It's not a vehicle that is to be left unattended anyway.

This car may be more refined than a Gen I from decades ago, but that's not a bad thing. I like the traction & stability controls. I feel there is more engineering on the V I stead of just putting parts together. Not disrespecting prior gens or their owners. In fact I love how the V built on the first 4 gens. I do believe its the best snake to date and that's not a bad thing is all.


Maybe someone hasn't told you this but you aren't driving a pagani, bugati, etc. You are driving a 100k american made car. If people can leave their ferraris, bentleys, and rollys royce in parking lots while they go to dinner or go out anywhere then a tiny 100k car should be safe. Plus if they don't increase gas mileage it would meet fed requirements pretty soon so you better hope they improve it.
 

Policy Limits

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Hmm well I've owned plenty of exotics and would never leave any of them unattended. This is especially true of this new Viper. The way it is constantly filmed and photographed and the look in peoples' eyes as they do so is only analogous to what I experienced in nearly four years of Lamborghini ownership. Therefore I'm treating this car the same way in that I'm choosing to never leave it unattended, irrespective of price or value. These just aren't the cars you bring to a movie theatre or a shopping mall IMO.
It got tons of attention just yesterday at a Casino during a photo shoot. People were trying to guess what it was unsuccessfully.

Where's yours?
 

Pythonpete

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SRT you want a car with better gas mileage and think the Viper is too loud, it's clear this car isn't for you. You also won't uderstand the attention that this car gets unless you own one. It's not for you, that's ok.
 

ViperSmith

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Maybe someone hasn't told you this but you aren't driving a pagani, bugati, etc. You are driving a 100k american made car. If people can leave their ferraris, bentleys, and rollys royce in parking lots while they go to dinner or go out anywhere then a tiny 100k car should be safe. Plus if they don't increase gas mileage it would meet fed requirements pretty soon so you better hope they improve it.
While I personally don't have an issue leaving my car at certain places (I like in a fairly wealthy area) - you need to get off your high horse.

I think the performance is fine and people get a little bend out of shape just because it lost to a 300k track purpose designed car. I think what they should focus on going further is the exhaust drone/heat problems and making the car more compliant with better shocks/springs (preferable a type of mag ride system) and that is really about it. Maybe even a tad more sound deadening in the GTS models. If they really wanted to spend money the entire frame of the car should be changed to complete aluminum. But other than that I think it is good as is. Maybe work on better gas mileage? It is very clear from Randy's experience that the viper is too stiff and that it is bouncing off the ground. Softer shocks and springs is what this car needs badly.

Oh it also needs DCT as an option even if it is a 10k option like on the r8 and it absolutely needs to fix the hood latch issue. The hood should never be able to open unless the car is unlocked or it senses the key within 5 feet of the car.

Even bugatti for their new supersports and vitesse have softed up the car and they found it gave the car more performance because they aren't bouncing the tires anymore. You need compliance for these luxury models. Let the TA/ACR/SRT be the super stiff track ones and the GTS be the compliant ones. That is why mclaren and ferrari are the best road cars. And even the r8 can be thrown into there.

You haven't even sat in a 2013 Viper and you want to tell us that own them how bad the "drone" is? You want to tell us how "hot" it gets? Softer shocks and springs?

Better gas mileage? It is a 640HP, 8.4L V10 - what on Earth do you expect?

Stick to reading magazines.
 

ViperSmith

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Hmm well I've owned plenty of exotics and would never leave any of them unattended. This is especially true of this new Viper. The way it is constantly filmed and photographed and the look in peoples' eyes as they do so is only analogous to what I experienced in nearly four years of Lamborghini ownership. Therefore I'm treating this car the same way in that I'm choosing to never leave it unattended, irrespective of price or value. These just aren't the cars you bring to a movie theatre or a shopping mall IMO.
It got tons of attention just yesterday at a Casino during a photo shoot. People were trying to guess what it was unsuccessfully.

Where's yours?
"Is that the new Porsche"

lmao

Personally, depends where I am going if I will leave it unattended. The mall at 7PM? No way. The mall at 1PM? Yeah all there are there are soccer moms. Then again, Tysons Corner VA is pretty wealthy. I am not too concerned with anyone messing with it. Out of this area, yeah I wouldn't... Certainly not DC!
 

SRTviper

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SRT you want a car with better gas mileage and think the Viper is too loud, it's clear this car isn't for you. You also won't uderstand the attention that this car gets unless you own one. It's not for you, that's ok.

Lol I said gas mileage just for something that could be improved. You think I give a damn? My car gets 12mpg lmao. I have a SHELBY GT500 DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS??? Real loud car. You don't think I get people constantly trying to talk to me every day or giving me thumbs up or taking pics of my car? **** I see a pic of my car on the shelby forum like every day. Guess what? I still take it with me to dinner and movies. Nothing happens to it.
 

SRTviper

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"Is that the new Porsche"

lmao

Personally, depends where I am going if I will leave it unattended. The mall at 7PM? No way. The mall at 1PM? Yeah all there are there are soccer moms. Then again, Tysons Corner VA is pretty wealthy. I am not too concerned with anyone messing with it. Out of this area, yeah I wouldn't... Certainly not DC!

Especially when at Tysons you see lambos, r8s, ferraris, and just yesterday I saw an aventador there. So when people say things like not leaving the car unattended I laugh.
 

SRTviper

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While I personally don't have an issue leaving my car at certain places (I like in a fairly wealthy area) - you need to get off your high horse.



You haven't even sat in a 2013 Viper and you want to tell us that own them how bad the "drone" is? You want to tell us how "hot" it gets? Softer shocks and springs?

Better gas mileage? It is a 640HP, 8.4L V10 - what on Earth do you expect?

Stick to reading magazines.

Of course I sat in one. I got to start it and rev the engine etc.... I already told you, the shelby has the exact same shocks, same as the GTR. All 3 cars are bumpy. And I rode in a gen IV and people say it feels pretty much the same so it seems to be bumpy. Especially when Pobst says after the TA got softer shocks it felt better. So isn't it safe to say the ride is a tad on the too firm side? Took me a while to get use to the view out the front it is so small. I am not on a high horse, I just find it funny when people treat this car like its made out of solid gold to the point where they are scared to leave it somewhere. I mean I doubt anyone is as OCD as me with my car, I wash it 2x a week to keep the paint perfect and I am so anal with where I park it and that is why it has no door dings (knock on wood) but I'd never let it keep me from doing things with my life like go to dinner or see a movie.
 

Nine Ball

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SRTViper, I think you should go back to your Mustangs and leave this site be. You are just acting like a rich kid know-it-all. None of us here care to read your non-informative points, they simply have no experience to back up the statements. Or, read more and post much less.
 

speedracervr4

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SRTViper, I think you should go back to your Mustangs and leave this site be. You are just acting like a rich kid know-it-all. None of us here care to read your non-informative points, they simply have no experience to back up the statements. Or, read more and post much less.

Maybe he should hook up with 1BADGTS and Evan Smith....
 

SRTviper

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SRTViper, I think you should go back to your Mustangs and leave this site be. You are just acting like a rich kid know-it-all. None of us here care to read your non-informative points, they simply have no experience to back up the statements. Or, read more and post much less.

Well I got the info I needed. Now I just want to see if anything goes wrong with people's cars. And the mustang will be the first and only so oh well. I was just entertained by peerblock's comments to all of you. I wonder what happened to him now that he hasn't commented anymore in this thread.

Also I never claimed to be a know it all and if I come off as a "rich kid" well I hate talking about that but I hate even more when someone insults me and tries to insinuate I'm poor or something so I take it personally. I just make deductions based off logic. If saying the viper is bumpy because it uses the same shocks as 2 other cars and a professional racer thought it was bumpy and all of these means it is not bumpy well then sorry I must be stupid and I'll shut up now.
 

Steve M

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Lol I said gas mileage just for something that could be improved. You think I give a damn? My car gets 12mpg lmao. I have a SHELBY GT500 DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS??? Real loud car. You don't think I get people constantly trying to talk to me every day or giving me thumbs up or taking pics of my car? **** I see a pic of my car on the shelby forum like every day. Guess what? I still take it with me to dinner and movies. Nothing happens to it.

Watch out folks...we have a badass here!
 

my viper

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Especially when at Tysons you see lambos, r8s, ferraris, and just yesterday I saw an aventador there. So when people say things like not leaving the car unattended I laugh.

I laugh at your lack of comprehension that different people treat their cars differently. A Lamborghini can be pocket change for some and they don't care about leaving it unattended, while a much cheaper car can be years of saving for some and they care about where they are parked.
 

SRTviper

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I laugh at your lack of comprehension that different people treat their cars differently. A Lamborghini can be pocket change for some and they don't care about leaving it unattended, while a much cheaper car can be years of saving for some and they care about where they are parked.

There is a difference between parking the car in the ghetto or real tight between 2 cars and not going out places and enjoying it because your car keeps you from doing it. Life is short and you only live once. Cars are not investments for the most part.

Can someone kill this thread already.

I really want someone to. It really has run its course.
 

HobokenViper

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After all this mess centered around Peerblock finally calmed down we now have another public argument with SRTviper??? C'mon guys, both sides need to chill out and take this to PM battles. This public fighting over nothing is beyond painful and embarrassing to read. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, whether we agree or not, but please spare the rest of us all the stress of the nastiness going on here and rake this up privately.....

To the last point, I know guys that drive heir Vipers every week and even in the rain. While that makes me cringe a bit as that's not how I enjoy my Viper, I know that's how they get the most enjoyment out of their cars and a part of me wishes I could do that too. They will respray their fenders and side sills due to rock chips and dings and think nothing of it and chalk it up to maximizing their enjoyment of the car, and some of them will recycle their Viper when the miles get too high and get into a newer one when the time is right. Nothing wrong with that at all.

On the other hand, I enjoy merely owning my Viper and knowing it's sitting in my garage, and when I feel the need or have a show or group drive to go to, I take it out for a special treat to myself. Personally, that keeps every single drive in it a very special experience to myself and I never bore of driving it, and the smile takes weeks to go away after each time I drive it. My car will never go to a mall parking lot, parallel park on a busy street, drive in the rain, or get left in a parking lot while I'm in a movie, but that's my personal preference and how I choose to enjoy the car. I worked hard to earn it, as i do all my cars past and present, so why would i take it to a risky situation? Thats just me though. Nothing wrong with either side, but I can guarantee that should I ever decide to sell my Viper one day in the distant future, you would much rather buy my pristine car than the guys who drove them far more often in conditions mentioned above. The few times I've left my car unattended for even 5 minutes, I came back to find a small crowd of people around it doing an impromptu photo shoot, a couple times with the subject leaning against the hood or getting their fingerprints all over the paint that I keep like glass.

Ok, now lets all sing Kumbaya and try to get along..... We're all supposed to be friends with common interests on here, but you would never know it from all the personal attacks on this thread.....
 

doctorbob

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I agree. The thread has degenerated to personal attacks. Time for the flame suit on.:). Time to be adults and show one another some respect and understand there are five generation of vipers and there are people than prefer a given generation. Bashing viper members and their respective generation car is like stepping on a land mine. You anger viper owners and definitely not make an appropriate impression on us.
 

TrackAire

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Of course I sat in one. I got to start it and rev the engine etc.... I already told you, the shelby has the exact same shocks, same as the GTR. All 3 cars are bumpy. And I rode in a gen IV and people say it feels pretty much the same so it seems to be bumpy. Especially when Pobst says after the TA got softer shocks it felt better. So isn't it safe to say the ride is a tad on the too firm side? Took me a while to get use to the view out the front it is so small. I am not on a high horse, I just find it funny when people treat this car like its made out of solid gold to the point where they are scared to leave it somewhere. I mean I doubt anyone is as OCD as me with my car, I wash it 2x a week to keep the paint perfect and I am so anal with where I park it and that is why it has no door dings (knock on wood) but I'd never let it keep me from doing things with my life like go to dinner or see a movie.

You've listed a lot of points and opinions, here are some that I've found from personal experience and facts.

I'm not sure where people get the rough ride aspect of a Gen 4, but when my Gen 4 had the stock suspension, I and my wife found the ride to be very comfortable. Maybe my car rode smooth because I understood what pressures to keep the tires for comfort and performance (most are over inflated, 3 or 4 psi on our low profile tires makes a huge difference in ride quality), maybe my suspension moved more freely due to correct torque, alignment, etc.

You list the magnetic shocks as something the Viper needs.....really? Why would I want a system that makes my car slower on a road course? Name the Ring record holder, Laguna Seca record holder, etc? I know the 458 uses them (again, what was the F-cars Ring time?) but IMO you can only change a shock setting so much without changing the spring rates. Is the magnetic shock nice for cruising, yes they work ok....but for the ultimate in performance, do you really think those magnetic shocks have the valving to cope with one spring rate that is suppose to handle everything from cruising the mall to setting road course records?....no, and the track time records prove my point. The future is hydraulic suspension, just like the McLaren uses. If designed correctly you can even program the suspension per track for each corner because of the cars on board GPS. Wanna go drag racing and have tons of weight transfer to the rear?...easily done with this system. Nothing will ride smoother and be more comfortable for the street while being a terror on the track. This is old technology that will just get more and more affordable, Citroen has had a version in production for over 40 years. The hydraulic suspension also allows you to raise the car for steep driveways and speed bump clearance. Since SRT likes to sub out technology from the UK and have worked with McLaren in the past, I do think this is a marriage that should happen. And while we are at it, time to move up to an electronic rear diff, especially since it is a RWD car. Again, a much more broader range of adjustment than a traditional posi type diff, easy to tie into the suspension program and even custom programming for the track.

An auto is a necessity, not for any other reason other than it will make the car faster on the road course, drag strip and on the street. The real question is whether a DCT is the best choice. Since the Viper is not a rev happy monster like the Italian and German supercars, maybe a traditional auto with a torque converter is a better set up. With 7 or 8 gears, super fast shifting (not milliseconds but quicker than you could ever shift by hand) and a torque converter to absorb some of the instant torque shock that our V10's produce down low, this may be the best setup and be lighter than a DCT box that can handle 600 plus pounds of torque.

Cheers,
George
 
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PeerBlock

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That is all. PB (&J) needs to post on the other forum...

This is my forum - the Gen 5 forum. If we're going to discriminate and decide who belongs here and who doesn't, then anyone that doesnt' own a Gen 5 or doesn't appreciate one should head over to the "other" forums.

I think what they should focus on going further is the exhaust drone/heat problems and making the car more compliant with better shocks/springs (preferable a type of mag ride system) and that is really about it.

Drone isn't an issue in a GTS and probably overstated by mag editors looking to nitpick so they don't come off as fanboys for a company that didn't pay them off by buying lots of ads in their magazine in exchange for a "glowing" review.

Maybe even a tad more sound deadening in the GTS models.

Doesn't need it. It's really just right the way it is. SRT didn't wing it, they put a lot of time, effort and consideration into everything but the floormats.

If they really wanted to spend money the entire frame of the car should be changed to complete aluminum. But other than that I think it is good as is. Maybe work on better gas mileage?

Keep in mind that they still need to comply with all the federal regulations, and that an all-aluminum frame may not fare well in crash tests. Not saying it's not possible but they had a limited budget. In any case, the viper is pretty light and has a great power:weight ratio.

It is very clear from Randy's experience that the viper is too stiff and that it is bouncing off the ground. Softer shocks and springs is what this car needs badly.

Not nearly as much as he was bouncing the tach off the rev limiter, clearly a limitation of the primitive manual transmission.

Oh it also needs DCT as an option even if it is a 10k option like on the r8 and it absolutely needs to fix the hood latch issue. The hood should never be able to open unless the car is unlocked or it senses the key within 5 feet of the car.

Don't agree about the electronic transmission being a necessity but I would not oppose it being offered as an option as long as they don't discontinue the manual. Agree with the issue about the hood latch, of course.

Even bugatti for their new supersports and vitesse have softed up the car and they found it gave the car more performance because they aren't bouncing the tires anymore.

You can and should select tires and suspension settings on a per-track basis. The softer suspension doesn't lead to higher performance capabilities it only boosts driver confidence which allows them to push the car a bit more than they would if they thought they were about to spin out.

That is why mclaren and ferrari are the best road cars. And even the r8 can be thrown into there.

Ehhh...not so sure about that. What's best for thee may not be best for me.

Really not concerned with gas mileage when purchasing an exotic supercar. The average Viper owner puts 2,000 miles on the motor annually per the most recent Viper Magazine.

I find the viper's fuel gauge to be quite entertaining, as I can literally see it move down under hard acceleration. Hey you got 8.4L of displacement turning at 6500 RPM - it's a thirsty car and I'm glad that my carbon footprint is bigger than most peoples'.

Maybe it's due to all the great sounding loud Euro cars I've owned, but I just don't see why people say its too loud. If anything it is certainly not loud enough. I'm not abig mod guy but I'm interested to see what Corsa or Mopar offer to make this thing sound louder.

What I really like about the stock exhaust is that it's very mellow at cruising speeds, but quite loud under WOT. I wouldn't want it to always be loud, even when I'm just driving down the highway.

I have no problem with the hood latch either. It's not a vehicle that is to be left unattended anyway.

Fortunately I don't think a lot of people know about this but it's really one of those *** deals...like just make it so the latch is disabled when the car is locked. Some guys I know have had people mess with their rides while they were at car shows of all places; cars were not unattended.

In fact I love how the V built on the first 4 gens. I do believe its the best snake to date and that's not a bad thing is all.

It certainly did and it's an amazing car and machine in general.

Maybe someone hasn't told you this but you aren't driving a pagani, bugati, etc. You are driving a 100k american made car. If people can leave their ferraris, bentleys, and rollys royce in parking lots while they go to dinner or go out anywhere then a tiny 100k car should be safe. Plus if they don't increase gas mileage it would meet fed requirements pretty soon so you better hope they improve it.

This is an asinine comment. The dollar amount doesn't matter, what matters is the attention factor. The viper is a show stopper, literally. You are more likely to see any of the cars you listed. If people see a viper parked outside they are going to gawk, some idiot is going to touch it and who knows what else they will do when they think nobody is watching.

You could also not vote for democrats/liberals that allow the EPA to impose these ******** mandates on auto makers in a thinly veiled attempt to get us all into electric cars with names like "cube" and "leaf".

Lol I said gas mileage just for something that could be improved. You think I give a damn? My car gets 12mpg lmao. I have a SHELBY GT500 DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS??? Real loud car. You don't think I get people constantly trying to talk to me every day or giving me thumbs up or taking pics of my car? **** I see a pic of my car on the shelby forum like every day. Guess what? I still take it with me to dinner and movies. Nothing happens to it.

The GT500 is cool but it isn't really a stand-out car, it's basically another mustang and people see mustangs routinely every day. I'm sure it has its fans but until you've driven a viper you probably won't understand what it's like. I drove by a car show in my viper and stopped at a red light. All the people at the car show stood up and came over to the barricades and stared at my car, snapped pics and some even cheered. Pretty cool, I didn't expect that much of a reaction. I have other "cool" cars and they never generated a response like that.

SRTViper, I think you should go back to your Mustangs and leave this site be. You are just acting like a rich kid know-it-all. None of us here care to read your non-informative points, they simply have no experience to back up the statements. Or, read more and post much less.

So what? He's not entitled to his opinion because you don't like something he said?

The members of this forum needs to respect the fact that this forum exists for an American car, is a company based in America and benefits from America's way of doing things, most importantly the first amendment and the free and open internet. We just had a celebration for these things a few days ago...well, at least I did.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, whether we agree or not, but please spare the rest of us all the stress of the nastiness going on here and rake this up privately.....

Disagreements can be discussed and debated without people resorting to character attacks, but if they do, they should not expect people to just roll over and vanish.

We're all supposed to be friends with common interests on here, but you would never know it from all the personal attacks on this thread.....

You'd think so, but this is also the internet where everyone is right all the time. :)

Bashing viper members and their respective generation car is like stepping on a land mine. You anger viper owners and definitely not make an appropriate impression on us.

You do realize that you are in the Gen 5 forum AND that nobody was or is bashing viper members or their cars in this thread. The older members of this club should be more motivated to making a positive impression on new owners or there won't be much of a club left.
 

kratedisease

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PeerBlock, you seem like a very nice guy. PeerBlock, Can I be your friend ? PeerBlock, you are very popular. PeerBlock, everyone wants to be like you. PeerBlock, where can I buy the shirt you are wearing ? PeerBlock, where did you get those shoes ? PeerBlock, can I be your friend ?
 
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