Drove a Gen V today

[Angleiron]

I have owned (2) gen II's before I went to a gen IV...huge difference between the 2 models but the Gen IV is much better of a car but it still had a bit of rawness to it even though being so much more refined that the Gen II.

Drove a Gen V GTS this morning as I have been kicking the idea around to get a TA 2.0 before the Viper is gone for good (and it will be gone after 2017...for good according to the dealer who sells a lot of them...so get'em while you can). I wanted to see what the car was like to drive, how I fit in it, etc. Going to put my flame suit on just in case for the following.

Is it a better car than the previous generations? Yes...but...there is not much "Viper" to it anymore when you compare it to the previous generations. It is quiet...like almost too quiet. You couldn't really hear the engine revs like on the previous models...which is one of the things that I liked about the cars I have had and still have. Is the ride better? Yes...but it is almost too good...and that was after switching to "Sport" mode. I always thought one of the things that was liked about the Viper was that you could feel everything in the road...that has been toned down a lot in the Gen V.

The car shifts sweet, and there are no complaints about that. The Gen V could easily be a daily driver because it is that much more quiet, softer ride, is more comfortable, and with all of the apps that have been added it is almost luxury like compared to the previous generations. While it is a nice car...to me it seems to be missing the rawness which is why I have always wanted one and why I have had the ones that I have had. To some all of the refinements is probably welcomed, and not that I won't get one...it just seems to be a bit too refined if you have owned previous generations. It is something that you might miss.

There was a new ACR at the dealership that was done in Lambo orange and was a gorgeous car. When I mentioned I was on the fence about the 2.0 and an ACR I was told some pretty interesting things that confirmed why I want a 2.0. Unless you are going to track the ACR you will never utilize the car. Can't drive it if there is any rain or the air temps are below 50 degrees or you will be all over the place (according to the dealer). It is a track car...plain and simple.

[Stealth78]

I cannot confirm this but I believe that I was told there is a interior sound difference between the T/A and Base SRT cars when compared to the GTS model. You might want to explore (test drive) those options first if you are looking for that "rawness". Hopefully someone can chime in and confirm this for you.

[BJG32]

Strongly disagree here!

This version sounds the best right off the assembly line. All versions are too quiet, but gen V sounds the best stock. However, it is easily remedied with some hiflow cats or other exhaust work.

Race mode you do feel every bit of the road...more so then previous gens. Very stiff. I assume that's what you mean by sport mode?

Dealer is wrong about his assumptions. The ACR can be carefully driven in the rain or colder temps.....but grip issues in rain/cold temps is a tire issue not the car. Yes the ACR tires suck in less than ideal weather. This isn't a winter car in any version. If you are DD'ing this car ACR is the wrong choice. Really any viper should be parked Below 40 degrees or so.

Performance in rain or cold temps is not why you get a viper....but this car is the safest of all 5 generations in those conditions with it's ESC.

- - - Updated - - -


I cannot confirm this but I believe that I was told there is a interior sound difference between the T/A and Base SRT cars when compared to the GTS model. You might want to explore (test drive) those options first if you are looking for that "rawness". Hopefully someone can chime in and confirm this for you.

GTS has more insulation in it. TA will be louder in the cabin....but I just open the windows on my GTS!

[Malu59RT]

Which dealer had the orange ACR?

[ViperPete]

I drove mine in 25 degree {dry} weather and it did just fine. Hell 8 out of my 10 runs at the 1/2 mile event were below 30 degrees and I did as well as a stock Viper could do....152.33 mph..... So traction wasn't a consideration once i was moving.
The Gen V is more refined in every way than any other generation Viper. Period. I don't believe that retracts from the ownership experience at all.
The paint is better. The stereo is better. The interior is better. The engine is better. The transmission is better. The amenities are better. The fit and finish is better.....To me.... and a lot of other owners too.

Its all about perspective.

The older gen cars feel more raw because they are! Its like criticizing a younger child because they are awkward or not mature and then praising an older child because they are more disciplined and have better manners. They aren't comparable. They are at different stages of evolution/growth.

Buy what you like.

[BlknBlu]

I wish I had bad things to say about a GEN V, but none come to mind. My old GEN IV dinosaur will have to suffice.

Bruce

[ViperJon]

So basically all the positives about the Gen V you see as negatives because it's too "civilized". Nicer interior....bad. Modern electronics.....bad.
Adjustable suspension for softer or stiffer ride....bad. More comfortable seats...bad. No offense but it sounds like someone who is looking for reasons not to buy one.

[Dman]

I found the biggest difference in gens was when I went from gen3 to gen4.

I have belanger headers, hilow cats into stock exhaust, since I need to pass emission, and at WOT you can't hear yourself think, let alone talk. I definitely don't consider it a quiet car, it is quieter than my other gens, but they were all verts with full bellanger or corsa. It is a smoother ride for sure IMO, but not the leap from a gen4 that going from the gen3 to gen4 was. When I got the gen4, I didn't like it for a few months, it was too smooth. I complained about it on the forums even. But the gen5 to me isn't that remarkable a feel difference. The feel of the gen3 vs gen4 on the track too was huge. The gen5 does feel a little less precise or in feedback, but it's also way less snappy, it's so predictable it completely solves for the old reputation of snapping out of control.

I could've daily driven my gen4, hec I drove it for 11 hours at a time on trips, including over 10 hours in pouring rain on one road trip. It's all about the tires. In a 4 season location, or where there's more rain than most, on an ACR I'd have an extra setup with Corsas or similar and save your Kumho's for warm weather and track days. You'd probably like the ACR more, it's a bit more raw, but your point is valid IMO, if you never track it, then you're owning an ACR just for the 3 letters, if you're not into that, then a TA is the perfect balance.

[mikesax]

so basically all the positives about the gen v you see as negatives because it's too "civilized". Nicer interior....bad. Modern electronics.....bad.
Adjustable suspension for softer or stiffer ride....bad. More comfortable seats...bad. No offense but it sounds like someone who is looking for reasons not to buy one.

yup!!

[viperr]

I had a 1999 RT-10 and put 50,000 miles on it in 9 years. It was a great car, but as a daily driver it was not what most people would like. I got a used Gen V GTS in January and have put 7,000 miles on it including my drive back to Washington from Illinois and a round trip to Mojave in April. It is way more powerful than my Gen II, but so much more comfortable. It is turning into my daily driver as long as it isn't pouring rain. It is quieter and has a lot of nice things like a back up camera and 18 speaker sound system but it still a pretty raw and powerful car. I am 71 and enjoy the nicer seats and nicer interior. I gained in performance and comfort ands have a warranty too. It seems to have brought me the best of both worlds.

[Terminator02]

Sorry OP but you did say you brought your flame suit; I have to disagree strongly. I moved straight from a Gen II ACR to a Gen V GT. The Start up and exhaust note is MUCH better than a stock Gen II. I was actually expecting the ride to be much more comfortable than my ACR and It wasn't. Is it more comfortable? Yes but I still feel every bump on the road and am just as engaged. Better seats=good. More power=good. Stop-tech brakes from the factory=good. I think people glorify what they have or just forget what "stock" is like if they have been driving a modified car for years. Stock exhaust has always been horrible on vipers and this is the first gen that the stock exhaust sounds "pretty good." However, it's all subjective and those are your thoughts so I respect them but I just totally disagree. Sometimes though people try to subconsciously talk themselves out of a car they aren't quite ready to get and maybe you are doing that here?

[lochnessmonster]

So basically all the positives about the Gen V you see as negatives because it's too "civilized". Nicer interior....bad. Modern electronics.....bad.
Adjustable suspension for softer or stiffer ride....bad. More comfortable seats...bad. No offense but it sounds like someone who is looking for reasons not to buy one.

This^^^^ I wouldn't have bought my GTS if these improvements weren't on offer. I liken "rawness" to "uncomfortable" and "loud". Qualities a $123K car should NOT have. I'm not 22 anymore.

[BDZ1984]

Which dealer had the orange ACR?

Do it!!!!!!

[LmeaViper]

You must have pretty good roads where you live, because even in sport mode on a rough city street it is almost unbearable.

[Mopar'er no car]

Well said OP




But after all its still not a vette. Talk about totally taking all of the senses out of the driving experience. Instead of the Death Trap stigmata they are literally like a rolling coffin. Much Respect to my elders but look over, next time you see that Vette...I bet ya a steak dinner its a grey hair minus the top portion..

[Bruce H.]

Funny, Gen V has been constantly criticized by the media for being too raw!

Drive a TA 2.0 since that's what you think you want... and you'll find it substantially different in ways that will appeal to you.

It's absolutely the car I'd have wanted at 22 had the high performance auto industry been capable of such a thing, and it still perfectly fits those same desires decades later. It's the elemental and engaging analogue driving experience that started in the 50's and '60's, perfected through the years, and perhaps never to be seen again in such a pure form.

[TA Two Oh]

Well said, Bruce!!!