Gen V Walkaround Impressions

BigDawg

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Well I finally saw a Gen V up close at Helfman in Houston. They have a loaded Blue/Silver Stripe GTS with the track package. It also has a $10,000 "market adjustment". I went in with plans to finally order the '14 SRT Jeep if we could agree upon price. Needless to say the market adjustment turned my stomach so Helfman will not be getting my business.

The pictures definitely do not do the car justice. The car looks bubbly, tall, and narrow from the front in pictures. Especially when you put it next to the GTS-R. However, in person the front is low, wide, and very aggressive. I never thought I'd say this but I actually love the front. The car is very curvy. IMO they improved upon the original GTS here.

The interior goes without saying. Nineball already pointed out the best part, the dashboard. It is definitely lower and pushed further away from the driver giving the impression of a larger cabin. It helps tremendously.

The engine cover looks ridiculous but we already knew that. The engine looks like it belongs in a Cadillac Deville.

Now for the surprise, it's the rear that looks strange to me. I don't know what Ralph is talking about when he says the GenV has the tallest spoiler yet, the spoiler is tiny on the Gen V. The rear looks very funny to me and I know why now. The original GTS had a lot of shape in the rear, an actual bumper, the duckbill was tall, and almost the entire width of the back extended to the rear fenders. In the Gen V the fenders taper back toward the rear and it feels like the tailights and rear section are squished in. The rear is also almost flat. This is the best way I can describe it. Even at the current width, had SRT made deep vents on each side of the tail lights instead of under tail light it would have given the impression of a much wider car. Instead, the car looks more narrow from the rear than it actually is.

All in all, it's a beautiful car. The only glaring flaw in the design is the front is too wide for the rear. it overpowers the rear in my eyes. The rear end needs some more muscle.
 

Nine Ball

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I agree, the front looks much wider and mean, compared to the rear. But, seeing it out on the street driving, it still looks much wider out back than any other cars. I do wish they had kept the vents and body overhang on the corners of the tail lights, that is one of my favorite features on previous coupes. No other car has that look.

Tomball Dodge since you are in Houston. No mark-ups. They might even have inbound SRT Jeeps.

Tony
 

Lee00blacksilverGTS

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There's an SRT dealer in Houston other than Tomball?:dunno: Give Bernie a call or PM him. PM me if you need contact information. He can fix you up with the Jeep and you will be supporting a dealer that supports the Viper and does not tack on charges.
 
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BigDawg

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Thanks for the advice on Tomball. MSRP with the options I want is $68,375. I've already found one for $64,700. I'm hoping to get one for a grand or two under invoice. It could be wishful thinking but we'll have to see...
 

I Bin Therbefor

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Thanks for the advice on Tomball. MSRP with the options I want is $68,375. I've already found one for $64,700. I'm hoping to get one for a grand or two under invoice. It could be wishful thinking but we'll have to see...

$68,375??? Maybe, 108,375 or 106,375? Surely not 168,375.:dunno:
 

ViperGal

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Second the Tomball Dodge recommendation and your in Houston to boot!

They will take good care of you and set you up - no mark-ups! We bought our last 3 vipers and 4 cars from that team.
:drive:
 
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BigDawg

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Well I got one! Went to a different Helfman, the River Oaks location, just to check out a color (Billet Silver) and ended up walking out with it. Got $500 under invoice. Otherwise I was headed to see Bernie.
 

georgethedog

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I saw a couple at Roanoke and I had similar impressions. I do not like the rear of the car. Too wimpy looking. It just has no pizzazz--very plain. There are too many cars out there with a similar taillight setup IMO. Great car overall, but it really does not do much for me, and that is a good thing since we recently bought a lake cottage and I am saving for retirement and two kids' college fund... Carry on...
 

ViperSmith

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Man, you guys sound like the C7 forum complaining about the new rear end

(i kid i kid)

I have the SRT with the body color rear fascia, I think I may swap for carbon fiber
 

VENOM V

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Man, you guys sound like the C7 forum complaining about the new rear end

(i kid i kid)

I have the SRT with the body color rear fascia, I think I may swap for carbon fiber

The carbon will make the black wheels and white paint pop. Go for it
 

VENOM V

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Nice! The blacked out grille looks sinister. Thinking of getting its big brother down the road, the 2014 Durango. I need seven seats for girlfriend and our four kids.
 
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BigDawg

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Nice! The blacked out grille looks sinister. Thinking of getting its big brother down the road, the 2014 Durango. I need seven seats for girlfriend and our four kids.

Maybe if you're lucky they'll come out with an SRT Durango
 
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