swexlin
10-11-2014, 06:18 PM
Today it rained, hard, until about noon, and by 3, the roads were still a bit damp, but I couldn't take it anymore, and backed the Snake out of the garage. I drove her to Pike Creek, DE cruise in (where there were questions galore!) and back home, about 55 miles on a combination of highway, back roads, and stoplight congestion. And, she's now officially broken in (to me, at least) as I ran into light rain on the way home. I'm sure somewhere in her previous 7200 miles, she has encountered rain! The roads were just damp, not really wet, and the Corsas didn't lose traction even once, however, I wasn't pushing it. More thoughts:
1. Did I mention this car was fast? (Of course, you all know that). My 03 had some light mods, and was pretty brutal down low, and no slouch up top either, however, this car is so much more composed, that I don't realize my speed, and how quickly I got there, until I look at the speedo.
2. The lighter flywheel really does make a difference: this engine rev much faster then my 8.3. Just rowing through the gears is intoxicating. I see no need to change out the shift lever, it's not as short as the MGW I had, but it clicks into gear no problem, and I haven't missed a shift (yet). Just need to train myself to let 1st wind a bit higher, to avoid that damn 1-4 skip, which could actually be dangerous in certain situations.
3. I'm not normally a gizmo and gadget guy, and I rarely used the EVIC in my 07 SRT8. The gauges in my 03 were really all that I (felt) I needed, and was happy. However, I am impressed with the abundance of information available in this car, and the SRT performance pages are kind of cool. I've set my dash the way I like it, and find myself running with the oil pressure/voltmeter/coolant temp setting up on the screen
.
4. The brakes really work, and well. My 03 and the SRT8 stopped on a dime, no complaints about the Brembo setup on either car, but this car seems to haul down as much as it hauls ass. Perhaps it's the Stoptech rotors, or maybe just the way it's set up.
5. The steering wheel feels great, much like the steering wheel in my Dart (they are very similar). Thick where you need to be, and just feels right in my hands. The steering itself is also much improved, and it requires very little input to tell the car where to go.
6. I think I mentioned before that the car is simply planted. I purposely took a couple roads where my 03 required a lot of attention, and the 13 took it like a Lincoln (relatively, LOL). While this is still a Viper, and it is still two hands on the wheel (except when shifting), I already have a bit more confidence on the pretty bad (pothole-patched) PA roads here in Chester County, some of which are still terrible after last winter.
After I got home, I'm so anal, that I had to get some detail spray and microfiber, and clean the car up after getting caught in the rain. Well, and I have a show at 10 am tomorrow, and won't have time to clean it up, as I'm going to the gym first, then right home and out. My 03 had some funny nooks and crannies, but the sexy curves on this car hide a lot of water and water spots! However, I enjoy detailing my cars, and I'm going to have a good time with this one. I'll have to get on Autogeek and see what polish/wax combo is good for the Adrenaline Red paint.
Oh, one other thing. I noticed tonight with the car off and silent in my garage, when I depressed the clutch pedal to put her in gear, it has a minor squeak. Of course, you can't hear it unless everything is quiet. Normal?
Well, that's all for tonight. She may be the only Gen 5 at the show tomorrow (we have a few PA members coming), in a sea of P-cars, a Lambo or two, and other interesting iron, so I'm expecting may questions. Thanks for reading my post.
1. Did I mention this car was fast? (Of course, you all know that). My 03 had some light mods, and was pretty brutal down low, and no slouch up top either, however, this car is so much more composed, that I don't realize my speed, and how quickly I got there, until I look at the speedo.
2. The lighter flywheel really does make a difference: this engine rev much faster then my 8.3. Just rowing through the gears is intoxicating. I see no need to change out the shift lever, it's not as short as the MGW I had, but it clicks into gear no problem, and I haven't missed a shift (yet). Just need to train myself to let 1st wind a bit higher, to avoid that damn 1-4 skip, which could actually be dangerous in certain situations.
3. I'm not normally a gizmo and gadget guy, and I rarely used the EVIC in my 07 SRT8. The gauges in my 03 were really all that I (felt) I needed, and was happy. However, I am impressed with the abundance of information available in this car, and the SRT performance pages are kind of cool. I've set my dash the way I like it, and find myself running with the oil pressure/voltmeter/coolant temp setting up on the screen
.
4. The brakes really work, and well. My 03 and the SRT8 stopped on a dime, no complaints about the Brembo setup on either car, but this car seems to haul down as much as it hauls ass. Perhaps it's the Stoptech rotors, or maybe just the way it's set up.
5. The steering wheel feels great, much like the steering wheel in my Dart (they are very similar). Thick where you need to be, and just feels right in my hands. The steering itself is also much improved, and it requires very little input to tell the car where to go.
6. I think I mentioned before that the car is simply planted. I purposely took a couple roads where my 03 required a lot of attention, and the 13 took it like a Lincoln (relatively, LOL). While this is still a Viper, and it is still two hands on the wheel (except when shifting), I already have a bit more confidence on the pretty bad (pothole-patched) PA roads here in Chester County, some of which are still terrible after last winter.
After I got home, I'm so anal, that I had to get some detail spray and microfiber, and clean the car up after getting caught in the rain. Well, and I have a show at 10 am tomorrow, and won't have time to clean it up, as I'm going to the gym first, then right home and out. My 03 had some funny nooks and crannies, but the sexy curves on this car hide a lot of water and water spots! However, I enjoy detailing my cars, and I'm going to have a good time with this one. I'll have to get on Autogeek and see what polish/wax combo is good for the Adrenaline Red paint.
Oh, one other thing. I noticed tonight with the car off and silent in my garage, when I depressed the clutch pedal to put her in gear, it has a minor squeak. Of course, you can't hear it unless everything is quiet. Normal?
Well, that's all for tonight. She may be the only Gen 5 at the show tomorrow (we have a few PA members coming), in a sea of P-cars, a Lambo or two, and other interesting iron, so I'm expecting may questions. Thanks for reading my post.