Y2K5SRT
Enthusiast
I was absolutely stunned. Oh sure, it wasn't a 2-Viper Chuck drive (left the paint on the car 
), but it was still an incredible eye opener. So here was the deal:
We are hosting the VCA folks attending the Belle Isle Grand Prix here in Detroit. After the ALMS race ended the Vipers (and others) were invited to run a couple "pace laps" around this beautiful road course. Well, having recently wrapped up a 5,000 mile drive in our own SRT10, we decided not to drive up to Detroit from Kansas City in it. As such, we were perfectly content to watch the Vipers take the track from the sidelines. Much to my shock, the folks from SRT asked if I would like a ride in a 2008. I had an emphatic "yes" out before they hit the "t" in "eight". So as the time got closer the gentleman from SRT said, "Why don't you drive it and see what you think."
That "yes" was just a little bit faster - having shouted it so loudly he is probably deaf in one ear now...
First things first: The pace laps rarely took us up to high speeds (never triple digits) but if you hung back you could play "catch up" pretty quickly. So no Chuck-style action. But it didn't matter. You see, we are on our third Viper and our second SRT10. We owned a 2003 and now have a 2005. I think I was one of the first owners to post driving experiences and pictures when we got our 2003 in January of that same year. So I feel pretty confident in saying that I am very familiar with how the SRT10 is set up and drives for the most part (sorry, no racing experience other than 1/4 mile).
My friends, I am very confident in saying that the 2008 truly deserves a "Gen IV" designation, as it really is a different car altogether. Oh sure, the skin is the same and the interior unchanged in the basic model. But the very second you hit that "Start" button you know this isn't like any SRT you have driven. And here is why:
For those of you that ordered 2008's, you are in for a real treat. For those of you on the fence - better jump quick as I wouldn't be surprised to see this model year "sell out", especially as other new owners post their own reviews. As for me, well, looks like I will have to have a heart-to-heart with my lovely bride. Hopefully she will leave mine intact.
), but it was still an incredible eye opener. So here was the deal:We are hosting the VCA folks attending the Belle Isle Grand Prix here in Detroit. After the ALMS race ended the Vipers (and others) were invited to run a couple "pace laps" around this beautiful road course. Well, having recently wrapped up a 5,000 mile drive in our own SRT10, we decided not to drive up to Detroit from Kansas City in it. As such, we were perfectly content to watch the Vipers take the track from the sidelines. Much to my shock, the folks from SRT asked if I would like a ride in a 2008. I had an emphatic "yes" out before they hit the "t" in "eight". So as the time got closer the gentleman from SRT said, "Why don't you drive it and see what you think."
That "yes" was just a little bit faster - having shouted it so loudly he is probably deaf in one ear now...First things first: The pace laps rarely took us up to high speeds (never triple digits) but if you hung back you could play "catch up" pretty quickly. So no Chuck-style action. But it didn't matter. You see, we are on our third Viper and our second SRT10. We owned a 2003 and now have a 2005. I think I was one of the first owners to post driving experiences and pictures when we got our 2003 in January of that same year. So I feel pretty confident in saying that I am very familiar with how the SRT10 is set up and drives for the most part (sorry, no racing experience other than 1/4 mile).
My friends, I am very confident in saying that the 2008 truly deserves a "Gen IV" designation, as it really is a different car altogether. Oh sure, the skin is the same and the interior unchanged in the basic model. But the very second you hit that "Start" button you know this isn't like any SRT you have driven. And here is why:
- The car fires up instantly due to what I think is a smaller flywheel (sorry, too tired to look up the specs right now)
- The idle is more smooth - not luxury-car smooth, but certainly more "refined"
- The exhaust - WOW! I have heard 1,000 Vipers and none sounded like this. Without the cross-over behind the seats I fully expected the "UPS truck" sound that 5 cylinders can make. But it was anything but. While I never went full throttle (crashing a pre-production car with an SRT exec at your side is baaaaad), everything from idle up to 5,000 RPM's sounded incredible. It didn't strike me that different from outside the car, but from inside there was a drastic difference. While I love the "lumpy" idle and sound I get from my SRT these days (708 cam), this one sounded like a deep, tuned Ferrari or something. Impossible to describe and do it justice, but it sounded wonderful.
- The cockpit was noticeably cooler without the crossover and those new hood vents really cool down that engine bay. I suspect that it cools everything else down as a result, including keeping those side sill temperatures within reason. Where I can see some lazy "heat lines" coming up from the vents on my 2005, the 2008 looked like it was venting out heat like a blow dryer. And that is a wonderful thing - that same heat escaping never gets a chance to heat up everything else it touches.
- Throttle response is quick and the torque comes on much faster than my previous SRT's. Not sure if it is the new rear-end or how the power is delivered, but that powerband seems to have even MORE grunt on the bottom end than in years past. Thankfully those PS2's can better address it. The gentleman from SRT probably thought I was an idiot as I was feeding the throttle more (and then less to overcompensate) to get rolling and maintain speed. Totally different throttle experience and in a good way. It was like a cat that simply wanted to pounce and which you had to restrain. And rest assured that is a good thing. No - a GREAT thing: Even with all the work done on my current SRT (1000 HP), the 2008 seemed as though it would trounce my car if you nailed the throttle. Sure hope it doesn't, as I can't afford any more mods to my '05.
- The shifting was phenomenal and again unlike any Viper I have driven. The throw was shorter, 10x smoother, and it almost seemed like it would pre-select the gears for you as you shifted. Indeed, one time I started out in 3rd by mistake and the car's torque brought it up to speed as if though it was in first. I was trying to figure out how first could last so long when I figured out my error (once again showing the SRT guy that he might have picked the wrong guy to drive this new beast). A quick click back into second really woke it up - and surprised me with how smooth it would transition.
- The ride was yet another totally different animal. Different shocks and springs undoubtedly played a HUGE role, but those non-runflats certainly did their part as well. The car rode more smoothly, handled better, and no longer "tracked" the ruts a fraction as much as they have with my other Vipers. Again, luxury car it ain't (purists can breath easily), but it just felt more controlled and was even smoother on the corners than what I can ever recall my other cars were. A few bumps on the apex wouldn't "jump" the car sideways - it would stay planted and continue down the turn unaffected. Hard to believe an even more competent track car could have such an improved ride. But it did.
For those of you that ordered 2008's, you are in for a real treat. For those of you on the fence - better jump quick as I wouldn't be surprised to see this model year "sell out", especially as other new owners post their own reviews. As for me, well, looks like I will have to have a heart-to-heart with my lovely bride. Hopefully she will leave mine intact.
