Has anyone gone from a 13/14 GT500 to a Viper

[GOTSRT?]

My 14 GT500 is being picked up by the new owner this week.
While I enjoyed the car (my second Shelby, 08 prior) I just wasn't in love
with it anymore.
I primarily bought the car to make my product for the 13/14 updated 5.8
engine (www.m-hracing.com)
My original intentions were to buy a new Z06 with the Z07 package ( auto )
I never realized I was in the same price range as a GEN V Viper.
I have a lead on a white 14 TA which is what I really would like.
If not I will order a 15 in white and load it up with the options I want.
We don't have the luxury here in New England to go out and test drive cars
and inventory is practically non existent on any semi exotic. (and our weather is brutal)
So my question is, has anyone made the jump, and what are their impressions and thoughts?
This forum has been a wealth of information! Thanks

[Dman]

I haven't made the jump, but I've had 9 mustangs. Two were ('11 and a '14) GT500's. I have a 2014 GT500 now with Revan Racing's Stage 6 kit on it, aftermarket wheels & MPSSs, it's a Track Pack and Performance Pack optioned car. I've been in stangs since '87 and in viper since '99 (every gen except gen1).

If you have any specific questions, I'm happy to help.

Vipers feel more like shifter karts compares to mustangs, but the gen5 changes that a bit. The interior is so upgraded, my gen5 is my first coupe so that may also contribute to the improved feel of the interior also.

Performance wise, the way I describe the difference in the cars is that my GT500 rips your face off right when you hit the gas pedal, scares the Be-Jeebus outta everyone when I take them out. The Viper feels more controlled and less crazy, then as you rip it up over 4K RPM people start grabbing for the oh-sh!t handle. I do very well with GT500 on trackdays, it drives around vettes and porsches, etc., so it's no slouch in turning, but the viper is like a scalpel in cutting corners and you feel it immediately.

One thing that's shocking better is the clutch feel on the viper, it's so friggin light. The GT500 (and I removed my assist spring for better feel) is like doing one leg squats. The viper is just so light it feels unreal after driving the GT500.

Both cars are about the same overall speed in a straight line, my GT500 is a solid mid-10 car and the Viper is supposedly also, I've not tracked it yet due to winter, but I do have Belangers on it already and from 3K up it starts freight training and at 4K it's screaming, and the grip is amazing.

Comfort is the same to me, now, if it were in any earlier Viper I'd say the GT500 is more comfy, but this gen5 (I have laguna interior) is so nice, and adjustable pedals are the key. Visibility in the GT500 is way better (mine has the glass roof which is awsomesauce) but the Viper isn't bad IMO.

I find the Viper much easier to drive. When guys say the viper is "hard" to drive at the track, I say try taking a 800+HP mustang to the track, then try driving the Viper. Whether on the road course or drag strip, I've always found my Vipers easier to drive than my stangs, the grip is so amazing, and from gen4 up the rear is so controllable (prior gens once they went, they went) you can Tokyo drift it and just smile on gen4/5. The wheel lug patterns are a pain, if you're used to 30 options on track wheels and borrowing your friends slicks for a rental, forget about that, lol.

I will say that my '14 GT500 trans is the best stang trans I've ever had, my '11 was a bit notchy even with the MGW, this '14 is butter. As good as it is, the gen5 Viper trans will blow your mind, I can't imagine there's a slicker and smother shifting trans out there in stock form, I love the shift feel.

Here in MD I find the attention is about the same, I can get mobbed in the Shelby and certainly in the Viper, I've been videoed a ton driving down the road in both, funny.

Again, any particular questions, happy to help.

- - - Updated - - -

BTW, if you're on stang forums (SVTPerf, etc), my handle in that community is "Daffy".

[Zybane]

You really get as much attention in a Mustang as you do a Viper in MD? Mustangs are like a dime a dozen around where I live.

[GOTSRT?]

HA, Daffy, you bought my Black Chicanes (GOTSVT?) !
Great write up!
I have Vans 13-5 kit, just never installed in. The new owner gets all those goodies with the car.
ZYBANE< the further North you go, the more likely you aren't to see
GT500s/Z06/Vipers

[Dman]

You really get as much attention in a Mustang as you do a Viper in MD? Mustangs are like a dime a dozen around where I live.

Yep, the Shelby GT500 gets a LOT of attention (you probably don't have GT500's at a dime a dozen), there are times I get more in it than the viper ... maybe cause people see it as more approachable, people love stangs or hate them, when they love them, they show it. I get cellphone videoed all the time in it, a little creepy, lol. Of course it also sounds like a jet from the front and a NASCAR from the back, not exactly subtle.

8939

[Dman]

HA, Daffy, you bought my Black Chicanes (GOTSVT?) !
Great write up!

Hey!! Loved those rims. Gotta love the small car enthusiast world. There are definitely a few guys running GT500's here with their vipers. As well as ZL1 or Z28 guys, or Vettes, many cross over to other US perf cars, so it's as common as them mixing with L&F cars. Gen5 Viper is the deal of the century IMO and now with the mods available, it's up to you how much to play with it, without breaking the bank.

[Synergy]

I think you should go for the White TA... I heard it's the nicest one out there! :drive:

[GOTSRT?]

Thats the plan!
:t15150:
I think you should go for the White TA... I heard it's the nicest one out there! :drive:

[swexlin]

I think you should go for the White TA... I heard it's the nicest one out there! :drive:

What? You are selling already? You've only had it a couple monhs?

[Synergy]

It's not official... but I miss my Lambo :fpopcorn:


What? You are selling already? You've only had it a couple monhs?

[Shooter]

I haven't made the jump, but I've had 9 mustangs. Two were ('11 and a '14) GT500's. I have a 2014 GT500 now with Revan Racing's Stage 6 kit on it, aftermarket wheels & MPSSs, it's a Track Pack and Performance Pack optioned car. I've been in stangs since '87 and in viper since '99 (every gen except gen1).

If you have any specific questions, I'm happy to help.

Vipers feel more like shifter karts compares to mustangs, but the gen5 changes that a bit. The interior is so upgraded, my gen5 is my first coupe so that may also contribute to the improved feel of the interior also.

Performance wise, the way I describe the difference in the cars is that my GT500 rips your face off right when you hit the gas pedal, scares the Be-Jeebus outta everyone when I take them out. The Viper feels more controlled and less crazy, then as you rip it up over 4K RPM people start grabbing for the oh-sh!t handle. I do very well with GT500 on trackdays, it drives around vettes and porsches, etc., so it's no slouch in turning, but the viper is like a scalpel in cutting corners and you feel it immediately.

One thing that's shocking better is the clutch feel on the viper, it's so friggin light. The GT500 (and I removed my assist spring for better feel) is like doing one leg squats. The viper is just so light it feels unreal after driving the GT500.

Both cars are about the same overall speed in a straight line, my GT500 is a solid mid-10 car and the Viper is supposedly also, I've not tracked it yet due to winter, but I do have Belangers on it already and from 3K up it starts freight training and at 4K it's screaming, and the grip is amazing.

Comfort is the same to me, now, if it were in any earlier Viper I'd say the GT500 is more comfy, but this gen5 (I have laguna interior) is so nice, and adjustable pedals are the key. Visibility in the GT500 is way better (mine has the glass roof which is awsomesauce) but the Viper isn't bad IMO.

I find the Viper much easier to drive. When guys say the viper is "hard" to drive at the track, I say try taking a 800+HP mustang to the track, then try driving the Viper. Whether on the road course or drag strip, I've always found my Vipers easier to drive than my stangs, the grip is so amazing, and from gen4 up the rear is so controllable (prior gens once they went, they went) you can Tokyo drift it and just smile on gen4/5. The wheel lug patterns are a pain, if you're used to 30 options on track wheels and borrowing your friends slicks for a rental, forget about that, lol.

I will say that my '14 GT500 trans is the best stang trans I've ever had, my '11 was a bit notchy even with the MGW, this '14 is butter. As good as it is, the gen5 Viper trans will blow your mind, I can't imagine there's a slicker and smother shifting trans out there in stock form, I love the shift feel.

Here in MD I find the attention is about the same, I can get mobbed in the Shelby and certainly in the Viper, I've been videoed a ton driving down the road in both, funny.

Again, any particular questions, happy to help.

- - - Updated - - -

BTW, if you're on stang forums (SVTPerf, etc), my handle in that community is "Daffy".

Great comparison Dman. I'll be picking up a GT350R when it becomes available.

[ViperGeorge]

I had a 13 GT500, deep impact blue with white stripes. Standard seats, 6 speed. Liked it very much but it wasn't a Viper. I had snow tires on it and drove it pretty much everyday for 9 months. I sold it to buy a 14 Viper GTS in white with gunmetal stripes and aero. The Viper is actually easier to drive. The clutch is much smoother than the Shelby. The Shelby's clutch was like an on/off switch, hard to modulate. The Shelby was pretty darn quick though I'm sure the Viper would take it.

[Viper 95 Kim]

Im sorry , no disrespect to a fellow Ford owner & life long stock holder, but I think the horse poop has got to you a little. To even put mustang & Viper in the same conversation is just wrong. Lets see 25K starting price w a 4 cyl pony , a bunch of decals & some bolt on stuff, cram a big engine in it, put a signature on the dash, add a hood scoop (that doesn't even work)and poof it becomes a limited edition, hand built, wind tunnel designed & tested exotic muscle car. Capable of setting world records at ,Nurburgring , Laguna Seca, Daytona & Le Mans , not just once but many times over. Im sorry the average person cant tell one mustang apart from the other. Ford has made a bloody fortune with putting decals & pretend air scoops on cars. Is Mustang cool , ?sure. Is it in the same league as Viper ?? not in you wildest dreams. Make the change, spend the money, join the club & do not , repeat do not look back. You are in for the ride of your life, it will consume you on the street & on the track , the snake bite will simply change your life.

[V10powerr]

Having owned many mustangs I agree it does not matter how much hp a stang has these cars are a different league. I like stangs but the next step up maybe a vette then a viper lol
No disrespect. Go to a viper and U will not look back

[ViperGeorge]

Im sorry , no disrespect to a fellow Ford owner & life long stock holder, but I think the horse poop has got to you a little. To even put mustang & Viper in the same conversation is just wrong. Lets see 25K starting price w a 4 cyl pony , a bunch of decals & some bolt on stuff, cram a big engine in it, put a signature on the dash, add a hood scoop (that doesn't even work)and poof it becomes a limited edition, hand built, wind tunnel designed & tested exotic muscle car. Capable of setting world records at ,Nurburgring , Laguna Seca, Daytona & Le Mans , not just once but many times over. Im sorry the average person cant tell one mustang apart from the other. Ford has made a bloody fortune with putting decals & pretend air scoops on cars. Is Mustang cool , ?sure. Is it in the same league as Viper ?? not in you wildest dreams. Make the change, spend the money, join the club & do not , repeat do not look back. You are in for the ride of your life, it will consume you on the street & on the track , the snake bite will simply change your life.

Of course the two cars are in a different league. I've owned Vipers since 1998 (currently have 3) and despite some of the remarks being levied about the Mustang in this thread I'd have to say for the money it was a hoot. Naturally it is not a Viper but my GT500 only cost $56K. My Viper was more. For an everyday car the GT500 was quite good and with snow tires actually did ok in moderate snow. It sounded great, drove really well, was very fast, and it was comfortable. I would say with the exception of the clutch, which I didn't like it was very good. Mind you I'd rather have a Viper that is why I sold the GT500 and bought a 14 GTS to replace it as my everyday car (well except in snow).

[Vombomb]

Not coming from a GT500 but I do have a 14 ZL1, and the biggest difference to me is the supporting community. More maturity when asking questions *as long as it's not on the alley, lol*, friendlier more knowledgeable people, less road racer attitudes.

[rlhay2]

and the biggest difference to me is the supporting community. More maturity when asking questions *as long as it's not on the alley, lol*, friendlier more knowledgeable people, less road racer attitudes.

I had a 1100+ rwhp TT GT500 for a few years. I still miss it a little...my daughter misses "her back seat". The Viper is growing on me but it was nice having the option of anonymity.
With the Alley being an exception, the Viper community is substantially more mature and supportive.

[TitleMine]

You really get as much attention in a Mustang as you do a Viper in MD? Mustangs are like a dime a dozen around where I live.

Penny a dozen here. When I lived in Quakertown, you couldn't spit without hitting two GT500's. I mean, they're sweet looking cars, and Chris Harris is right, the bang-for-the-buck is absolutely off the chain, but I literally see probably 100-150 Mustangs for every Viper I see. Outside shows and meetups, I might see two Vipers on the road in an entire year.

[Hamrhead]

I've had 3 Vipers so far ('06 Coupe and Two '08 coupes). Traded the last '08 on a '13 Shelby back in 2012 as I was intoxicated with the new 662hp engine. Mine was Eleanor - Sterling Grey Metallic/Flat Black Stripes. Loaded but no Glass roof.

After a few months the newness wore off. As mentioned above, it was just another Mustang. Brutally powerful - Yup, but otherwise I found it to be heavy, bulky, and somewhat clumsy compared to my Gen4. Traction was non existent in 1st, even w/ drag radials. It was ridiculously OVER geared - 60+ in 1st and 135+ in 3rd?? The stock shifter sucked as well - It would NOT go 1st-2nd at WOT! And I don't mean Power shifting either. Just simply removing my foot from the gas pedal and attempting to shift to 2nd gear quickly, then back on the gas. All it would do is grind...

Beyond that, it never got the attention a Viper does. I sold the car and am patiently shopping for another Gen4 or Gen5, depending on the car I find.

[GOTSRT?]

Shelby is gone, close to finding the GENV I so desire.

[KickAsp]

I haven't made the jump, but I've had 9 mustangs. Two were ('11 and a '14) GT500's. I have a 2014 GT500 now with Revan Racing's Stage 6 kit on it, aftermarket wheels & MPSSs, it's a Track Pack and Performance Pack optioned car. I've been in stangs since '87 and in viper since '99 (every gen except gen1).

If you have any specific questions, I'm happy to help.

Vipers feel more like shifter karts compares to mustangs, but the gen5 changes that a bit. The interior is so upgraded, my gen5 is my first coupe so that may also contribute to the improved feel of the interior also.

Performance wise, the way I describe the difference in the cars is that my GT500 rips your face off right when you hit the gas pedal, scares the Be-Jeebus outta everyone when I take them out. The Viper feels more controlled and less crazy, then as you rip it up over 4K RPM people start grabbing for the oh-sh!t handle. I do very well with GT500 on trackdays, it drives around vettes and porsches, etc., so it's no slouch in turning, but the viper is like a scalpel in cutting corners and you feel it immediately.

One thing that's shocking better is the clutch feel on the viper, it's so friggin light. The GT500 (and I removed my assist spring for better feel) is like doing one leg squats. The viper is just so light it feels unreal after driving the GT500.

Both cars are about the same overall speed in a straight line, my GT500 is a solid mid-10 car and the Viper is supposedly also, I've not tracked it yet due to winter, but I do have Belangers on it already and from 3K up it starts freight training and at 4K it's screaming, and the grip is amazing.

Comfort is the same to me, now, if it were in any earlier Viper I'd say the GT500 is more comfy, but this gen5 (I have laguna interior) is so nice, and adjustable pedals are the key. Visibility in the GT500 is way better (mine has the glass roof which is awsomesauce) but the Viper isn't bad IMO.

I find the Viper much easier to drive. When guys say the viper is "hard" to drive at the track, I say try taking a 800+HP mustang to the track, then try driving the Viper. Whether on the road course or drag strip, I've always found my Vipers easier to drive than my stangs, the grip is so amazing, and from gen4 up the rear is so controllable (prior gens once they went, they went) you can Tokyo drift it and just smile on gen4/5. The wheel lug patterns are a pain, if you're used to 30 options on track wheels and borrowing your friends slicks for a rental, forget about that, lol.

I will say that my '14 GT500 trans is the best stang trans I've ever had, my '11 was a bit notchy even with the MGW, this '14 is butter. As good as it is, the gen5 Viper trans will blow your mind, I can't imagine there's a slicker and smother shifting trans out there in stock form, I love the shift feel.

Here in MD I find the attention is about the same, I can get mobbed in the Shelby and certainly in the Viper, I've been videoed a ton driving down the road in both, funny.

Again, any particular questions, happy to help.

- - - Updated - - -

BTW, if you're on stang forums (SVTPerf, etc), my handle in that community is "Daffy".

Nice comparison, I don't have any mustangs now but have in the past, and you are right on. I find it interesting how you point out that the mustang is the harder car to drive. I would agree, and many might find that hard to believe, but as you stated the grip on the viper is amazing, the car is very planted with little body roll, and it does feel like a scalpel by comparison.

[Viper.954]

I've owned a bunch of Mustangs. The most powerful was a Terminator with a Kenne Belle. I considered a new Shelby but bought a Boss 302 instead. The Boss was the best car I ever owned until I bought the Gen V Viper. The Viper is a super car. I agree with most of the comments thus far. You will love the Viper.

[Synergy]

Take mine already! :slap:
Shelby is gone, close to finding the GENV I so desire.

[bubbaboy]

Driving my 14 GT500(750whp) is a blast. Traction is always a problem though, and warm weather kills the car. JD