Gen2 owner here do I want a GenV

[Dman]

I've had every gen except the 1st. I've also had 11 mustangs since 1987, including two GT500's, a '12 and now a'14, and have driven a GT350. I take your question to be, should you keep the gen2 with a gen5, or sell the gen2 for another / different ride.

IMO, as someone who has had 2 vipers at once, and a viper and a stang, I'd go with the gen5 and something else, especially with both being coupes.

I miss my '99 RT/10, but would I trade it for my 800hp GT500, nah. And the GT500 rip your face off muscle feel vs the gen5 sleek, road race exotic feel, play off each other so well. I honestly feel like I have the perfect combo between the two. The GT350 is a great car, but it isn't "quick" or "fast", to me it's too much in the road race category to be very different. The GT500 just has that slam you in the seat nd holy shXt kind of feel, even with the track pack & perf pack options, it's a muscle car blast with some manners. The GT350 is almost docile in comparison. So, I guess I'd say gen5 like you're doing, yay. GT350 I'd say yes, but something a bit more brutal would be even more "different", and I highly recommend the GT500, I'm biased, but they are so much fun and you'll never confuse the feeling between the viper and the GT500. And I can say the GT500 strikes up as many conversations at gas stations and grocery stores as cars far more interesting, and plenty of attention at cars/coffee. It's no gen5, but then that's what you want, something different.

[John N]

Just happened to find a photo of a Gen 2 at the track amidst a couple of Gen V's......

Uummm, not to quibble but that is a Mustang in the middle.....

[DG1]

.....and maybe a Falcon and a Raptor and.... Hey ViperJon- were you attending a Ford rally?! That is one Mustang that I would own- thanks for the photo!
DG

[white ACR]

I have a Gen 3, Gen 4 and a ACR Extreme--love them all--love the differences--Dave

[GTSgreg]

I had a chance today to go on a drifting "beat on" session in a dodge promo gen 5 today, and hoooooly the acceleration and grunt is intoxicating. That being said, I still can't part with the gen 2, it's just a special car, B/W, which kind of is starting to have a somewhat aged "vintage-ness" to it, when comparing to the gen 5 luxuries. I like the idea of gt500, one of the 665 hp cars, but like the styling of the new gen stang so much more.....but gen 5 too......bahh. I guess the sad reality is I can't just buy em all, and then never work so I can just drive them all everyday!!!!!
IMG_4962.jpg

[BRACR]

I noticed the P-51 Mustang too.......an expensive flying machine to have and I would take a Generation V Viper and that Mustang !!!!!

[ACR08]

So I just got a Gen V after owning a Gen IV. All the talk about the Gen V got to me and I couldn't pass on it. This got me thinking about about the B/W Gen 2, my first love. Just went and looked at one today. It's amazing. Really thinking about getting it. However, it would probably be just a garage queen. I also happen to be driving a rental mustang and am loving it. Now, I want the GT350. I think once I sale my gen IV, I'll get a GT350 for a daily driver. I really want to drive a fun car every day. Good luck with the decision. You can't go wrong either way. I've only put a few miles on my Gen V (stupid winter) but it felt amazing and I can't stop looking at it.

[Fatboy 18]

I think you could compare this question to most classics, lets take Ferrari, The Gen II Viper would be the Ferrari Dino, a True Classic.
The Gen V would be the 458. Two very different cars. You would probably want one of each

Now go and earn some more money

[46hemi]

I for one would like both but don't think I would part with my gen II ACR to do it. It's the car that I lusted after when it came out so for me its an emotional aspect as well. I am sure the V is awesome in every way but after being in one for a very brief time you can feel how much more refined it is (relatively speaking). I love how raw the II is. It's hot, the interior is underwhelming for its time, it has no radio, it does not have a/c. It was the undisputed king of the streets when it was released. The V is a much better car I am sure in every mechanical way but the Hellcat is a much better car than my 71 hemi and for many of the reasons above I would never part with that to get the "better" car and I am not just speaking from a dollar value standpoint.

[GTSgreg]

I think you could compare this question to most classics, lets take Ferrari, The Gen II Viper would be the Ferrari Dino, a True Classic.
The Gen V would be the 458. Two very different cars. You would probably want one of each

Now go and earn some more money

All good points from you all. Definitely think earning more money is the solution!!! It's a new year, new season to make some money, maybe fall of 2017 I'll have my answer lol

[ACRSNK]

I for one would like both but don't think I would part with my gen II ACR to do it. It's the car that I lusted after when it came out so for me its an emotional aspect as well. I am sure the V is awesome in every way but after being in one for a very brief time you can feel how much more refined it is (relatively speaking). I love how raw the II is. It's hot, the interior is underwhelming for its time, it has no radio, it does not have a/c. It was the undisputed king of the streets when it was released. The V is a much better car I am sure in every mechanical way but the Hellcat is a much better car than my 71 hemi and for many of the reasons above I would never part with that to get the "better" car and I am not just speaking from a dollar value standpoint.

^^^ This...

While the Gen V is a much better car in almost every way, much more refined, better engineering, faster, more power, better braking and on and on and on, there is something to be said for having the privilege of getting behind the wheel of the car that Viper is associated with the most, and that in my opinion is the Gen II. There's a reason that the Gen V styling is a look back to the Gen II Viper. The Gen II Viper is arguably one of the best looking cars out there. The B/W GTS is a stand alone in many respects. Having had the opportunity to own one and also having a 92 in the stable currently along with a Gen II ACR, I can tell you first hand that it truly feels special when you get behind the wheel of one of those cars. My 92 gets more attention that most any other car that I have owned, except my 2000 Cobra R, which turned heads everywhere. So while they may not be the latest and greatest by any stretch, there is something very special about driving on of those machines that just can't be replicated by the newer cars in my opinion, no matter how much faster or refined they are. I say keep the Gen II and add a Gen V to the stable, but don't get rid of the Gen II. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[texasram]

gen 5 is everything the gen 2 wanted to be but didn't have the technology and refinement to be 20 years ago. I did the same thing as you---owned a gen 2 and bought the gen 5 also because it's everything the gen 2 wishes it could be now.

this

[Rare Snake]

It's really neat to see how many people feel the exact way I do in taking the jump from Gen 2 to new. My '01 GTS was a wicked car, but it's not even fair to compare the two.

My '95 though...I sure miss that car on a hot, sunny day.

Dason

[commandomatt]

If its all about performance, fit, finish and comfort, then we just have to completely rule out any old cars as not being up to those standards

Any 60's or 70's muscle cars and vintage sports cars from that same era. For us Viper fans, anything pre Gen V would be sub standard. This regardless of rarity and specs.

Someone was looking into a Lambo or McLaren could not consider older models either as the current ones are that much better (in most cases)

Also, if this is the only thing important, forget about these Gen V's in a few years as the 'other' current brands will keep getting better and better. So in 5 years when brand X is making a car that will out perform the Gen V's in every way possible, does that mean we should just abandon the 'old cars' in the relentless pursuit of perfection

I think many of the older models, regardless of brand, are worth owning and keeping. They may not deliver what the new cars will but its like high end audio. When you buy the latest equipment, you are already buying an obsolete model in many respects. Now, if you don't feel the need to own the absolutely latest and greatest, then there is older equipment that will give you an amazing experience

I agree with those who have said that the Gen II GTS may be the Viper that made a bigger impact in the market than any other Viper. Is this not worth owning ? Would you rather have Miura or a Murcielago ? As mentioned, a 70's Hemi Challenger or a Hellcat ?

I think the new Gen V is a 'better' car as well but I would wait until I could own both. Down the road, it may be the Gen V that will be sold and replaced by something better.

[Boosted Motorsports]

I think you could compare this question to most classics, lets take Ferrari, The Gen II Viper would be the Ferrari Dino, a True Classic.
The Gen V would be the 458. Two very different cars. You would probably want one of each

Now go and earn some more money

[ViperTony]

I had a 2000 GTS and told everyone I will never sale it after hearing all the talk about the G5 and this being the last year I decided to go for it. I purchased my 2017 SRT almost three months ago and forgot about my G2 from the first drive. The G5 is just freaking "AWESOME"

....hopefully you'll drive your GenV faster than 25mph as you did with your G2. Do I dare suggest you take the G5 to the track this year? Happy New Year my friend!

[ViperTony]

I have a 96 GTS (and a couple other toy cars), and am intrigued by owning both the Gen2 and a Gen V. This is probably a biased place to ask, but Is it great or needed having both? Will I still even want to drive the Gen2? Or should I go more diversified and get something like a GT350?

I have both Gen2 (with mods in my sig), had the 2013 LE and now have the GenV ACR. They're very different Vipers it's like trying to compare apples to oranges. What I do know is that I can never get rid of my Gen2. It's just different. I actually prefer the Gen2 over the ACR when I want the thrill of avoiding death in it. It makes more power than my ACR, it's raw, no nannies, handles differently, commands respect from it's driver but is very rewarding.

The ACR doesn't give me the fear of death when I push it or test my driving limits. This may be because I spent 9 years respecting the G2. With the LE I felt I was driving a luxury leather couch. The ACR is much more "refined" than the G2 even with the stiffer suspension. What amazes me with the ACR is what I can do with it that I dare not do in the G2. And...it's surprisingly fast. Like surprisingly fast and even more rewarding to drive. Modern sure but it's a different kind of fun for me.

All around the GenV is a much better car than the Gen2. But it will come down to driver skill to determine if it can be driven better than a Gen2. The Wizard....in his Gen1...puts every generation Viper to shame at least on Auto Cross days.

[Jdmuscle]

I'm all up for diversity in one's stable of arsenal. That said the GT350 can't even hold a candle to what a Gen V can offer you. Poor quality and panel rub paint problems along with a granny driving a rented V6 in the next lane is what a mustang experience is. Yeah they sound good.. just like vanilla ice.. one hit wonder.

Get the gen V, you will never regret it.. but if you want to diversify then get something else.. not a mustang. That said would you miss your gen 2 or never drive it? I have a 90s sports car and always miss driving it and will always keep my old lady around. If you have the means and space.. keep them both and you'll enjoy them, just don't do a mustang. Do anything else.. challenger hellcat, ZL1 or a Z06 or anything.

[dhx]

I have both a G2 and a G5. The G2 makes it's power down low, the G5 makes it's power up high. Both wonderful experiences. Both completely different driving experiences, and yet still similar in many ways. Owning both simultaneously is not redundant. I don't own both because I have money to burn or love showing off, but rather because I love them both that much.

I repeatedly look up pricing on all the super cars I used to lust after, still thinking I will find another car that I will obsess over for years until I find a way to afford it, but I close my ebay tab each night realizing that I have exactly what I want, the perfect combination of sports car and muscle car. ok ok i would take a carrera GT

[Uranium235]

I had a Gen 2 for almost 10 years. Sold it for a Gen V last April and haven't looked back. The Gen V is ten times the car that the Gen 2 is. Same raw feeling, better sound, better interior BY FAR, and better looking (in my opinion.)
The Gen 2 was a fun, fast car. The Gen V is a fun, fast car that I can take on a road trip.

[Purple Haze]

Love it!!! Go to air shows every year and that makes a good point...

Just happened to find a photo of a Gen 2 at the track amidst a couple of Gen V's......

[ACR Steve]

Gen 2 I attribute to driving a good performance Classic car- Power is good for the period , handles good for period and the brakes stink compared to today ....... but its still really fun to drive it. It forces you and all your senses at all times. Constantly engaged or else

Gen V- Modern day sports car- Power amazing , Handles amazing and the brakes are amazing......... really fun to drive but at the same time during that drive you can take some time and enjoy the scenery. When you really want to go fast its supper engaging but when you don't want to be so engaged its ok as well. You will survive

With that said I have had every ACR (2,4,5) each one when I owned it was my favorite car in the world until I drove the next.

Well I am lucky to say I drive my favorite car in the world............ so I say buy it

[racegate]

I had a GEN2 which I sold for a GEN5. After I first sold the GEN2, I thought maybe I should have kept it for many of the thoughts outlined in this thread and by the OP. After spending some time with the GEN5, I never thought about the GEN2 again. The GEN5 experience is purely additive, and I didn't miss anything about the GEN2. That said, I'm not a collector, and if you are, I can see the appeal there. But from a pure driving / enjoyment perspective, you won't be missing anything. You can make the GEN5 as raw and rowdy as you want, or as tame as you want -- your choice.

[Bill Pemberton]

Now the Blue Car pictured, folks, that is what you get when you see the car listed as a FCA Executive car at the Auction.

[v10enomous]

Have both and drive both... I actually think it would be tougher to part with the Gen2 even though the Gen5 is a better car by every conventional measure.

I'll add that having a Shelby Mustang has always been on my bucket list since the 70's and I like the GT350 but I am waiting to see the new GT500 as well. I look at cars like the modern Boss 302 and Z/28 and what happened to their values and think the same could be the case with the GT350. It seems like newer cars are becoming like cell phones and become obsolete pretty quickly.