Gen4 vs. Gen5 question

[William craun]

Just a simple question for those who have owned or driven both Gen 4 and Gen 5 vipers. A know this is a dumb question & comfort isn't really a major decision in buying a viper but, Is there big difference in ride comfort or quality for long road trips. Thanks

[ViperGeorge]

The Gen 5 is hands down more comfortable over the road. EXCEPT I do like the seats in the Gen 4 better. The pivot point on the Gen 5 seat is about 5 inches above the seat bottom. This creates a "hole" at the lower part of the back which causes pain in as little as 100 miles (at least for me and several others I know). many use a small pillow to fill the gap.

[commandomatt]

I agree with George. The seats are better (for me) in the 4. The 5 cabin feels more spacious (don't know if it actually is bigger). In the 4 you are more planted and not a lot of room to work with

[ViperJon]

The Gen 5 is hands down more comfortable over the road. EXCEPT I do like the seats in the Gen 4 better. The pivot point on the Gen 5 seat is about 5 inches above the seat bottom. This creates a "hole" at the lower part of the back which causes pain in as little as 100 miles (at least for me and several others I know). many use a small pillow to fill the gap.

I agree. IMO the Gen V seats are awful and I'm not prone to back issues they just don't seem to be ergonomically correct.

[SilveRT8]

I had a Gen4 and 2 Gen5 and prefer the 5 on all counts. Never felt uncomfortable in the seats, even on some 7 hour trips, just made a custom bracket to lower the back part of the seats to fit better height wise.

[cubeman]

The Gen 5 is hands down more comfortable over the road. EXCEPT I do like the seats in the Gen 4 better. The pivot point on the Gen 5 seat is about 5 inches above the seat bottom. This creates a "hole" at the lower part of the back which causes pain in as little as 100 miles (at least for me and several others I know). many use a small pillow to fill the gap.

Yep, When doing long trips the lower back is a killer.

[ViperSRT]

I understand that Gen V seats were changed at some point to improve the lower back interface region (Tony from Venzano indicated they had a solution for earlier versions). I see the complaints above are from earlier models, which may be important to understand. My 2017 is very comfortable overall and more comfortable than the Gen 3/4.

[Martin]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but the seats in my Gen V are very comfortable. In fact, they're more comfortable than most of the other seats I've sat in - and I have a bad lower back. I do miss the lumbar support of previous seats, but I don't experience any pain when driving.

[ViperJon]

I think most people like the feel of lumbar support to make the seat really comfortable, that seems to be the missing factor.

[TheMadMachinist]

Gen 5 car ......... Great

Gen 5 Seats....... Suck.... But their pretty to look at.

Gen 2 Seats.......Great

[ViperGeorge]

I understand that Gen V seats were changed at some point to improve the lower back interface region (Tony from Venzano indicated they had a solution for earlier versions). I see the complaints above are from earlier models, which may be important to understand. My 2017 is very comfortable overall and more comfortable than the Gen 3/4.

I believe the seats were changed after Ralph drove one to Florida and complained about the seats. The change was made prior to any production car being released as far as I understand but the change did not solve the problem. One of the SRT engineers brought a Gen 5 to Hastings for a Viper Rendezvous a couple of years ago. He drove it from Detroit. I asked him if his back hurt and he said yes. I then showed him the gap at the bottom of the lower back. He said we should be able to fix that, but they didn't. The car needs a lumbar or a small pillow. Venzano adds some additional padding in the lower back. I sat in one of Wayne Raul's car with the Venzano interior. Better but still not great. If you get a Gen 5 buy a small pillow.

By the way, the seats in my 14 GTS, my old 15 TA, and my 17 ACR are of the same design except for the covering. My GTS has leather, the TA and the ACR have ballistic nylon or some such thing.

[ViperJon]

Viper George is right. Same seats in my 2014 TA as in 2017 GTS-R. Same design anyway but different materials.

[SRT_BluByU]

I thought the seats on my 2014 and 2017 were/are fantastic. They best seats of any car I’ve owned in fact. I believe these seats to prefer a more uprpight driving position than reclined.

[Bruce H.]

My wife and I have found the Gen V TA to be quite comfortable and well equipped (and have just enough luggage space) for long distance road trips. Longest was Canada to the Gulf for NVE2 over 13 days with a bunch of extra touring on the way down and back, and we've done numerous other road trips lasting up to one week. We both have bad backs and found the seats unusually comfortable but obviously some find they need a pillow. I didn't need a pillow but did enjoy the use of ear plugs on occasion. No experience with a Gen 4.

[SilverACR]

I feel the G4 has more windshield view and in the G5 I had to lean farther forward at a stop light. I haven’t owned a G5, but have been lucky enough to drive one. Suspension felt relatively equal and honesty the seats for the short time in the G5 felt great.

[Dustin]

Having drove my TA to vegas from chicago for NVE 3 and taking my gen 4 on a road trip to the tail and back I put a ton of road trip seat time in my cars this summer. Im 5'6" 160 lbs and my gen 4 feels better for road trips

[ViperGarageElite]

AS an owner of both 2010 ACR 1:33 2017 ACR extreme each has it's own feel. I'm 6' 1" sit upright the 1:33 feels supportive and tight. Extreme feels different as if I must sit upright to feel tight and supportive. Both are a joy Extreme is way more dossel feeling when pushing hard. I have motons on both with belanger headers on 1:33 so when on longer travels shocks are set to street settings which I think makes each car ride very comfortable no matter what seat i'm in as I smiling and enjoying these awsome rides to even notice.

[ViperGeorge]

Well as you can see some people love the Gen 5 seats while others hate them. Previous Gen seats did not garner the same reactions. Most people it seems felt the Gen 2,3, and 4 seats were fine while about half of the people hate the Gen 5 seats while the other half love them. In any event if you end up hating them a small pillow for your lower back fixes the problem. I use a foam lumbar pillow from O'Reilly's Auto Parts.

Other than the seats the Gen 5 is more sophisticated, better stereo, Navigation, rear view camera, cruise control, and more power. Gen 5s do tend to run much hotter on track than previous Gens so be forewarned.

[SSG]

Did all Gen 5 Vipers come with the same seats, or were there options for different styles?

[ViperGeorge]

Did all Gen 5 Vipers come with the same seats, or were there options for different styles?

Design was the same regardless of model. Seat covering varied based on option chosen. Could have high end leather, regular leather, or ballistic nylon.

[slowhatch]

Design was the same regardless of model. Seat covering varied based on option chosen. Could have high end leather, regular leather, or ballistic nylon.

Is this really true through?

I feel like the bolstering is different between the TA, GTS, GTS Laguna, SRT, ACR seats. Or is this a figment of my imagination?

This is an extremely subjective conversation but I much preferred the seats in my Gen 4 from an ergonomic perspective. In every other way the gen 5 is superior.

[ViperGeorge]

Is this really true through?

I feel like the bolstering is different between the TA, GTS, GTS Laguna, SRT, ACR seats. Or is this a figment of my imagination?

This is an extremely subjective conversation but I much preferred the seats in my Gen 4 from an ergonomic perspective. In every other way the gen 5 is superior.

Yes it is true. I have a 14 GTS and a 17 ACR-E. I've also had a 15 TA 2.0. Seats in the GTS are leather and electric but otherwise the seats are the same. Pivot point is five inches or so above seat bottom and all of them have the same gap where a lumbar support should be.

[swexlin]

Is this really true through?

I feel like the bolstering is different between the TA, GTS, GTS Laguna, SRT, ACR seats. Or is this a figment of my imagination?

This is an extremely subjective conversation but I much preferred the seats in my Gen 4 from an ergonomic perspective. In every other way the gen 5 is superior.

Agree here. I had a Gen3, but the seats were the same as a 4, and about the same as in my 2007 SRT8 Charger as well. I'm 5' 10" 155 lbs, and the seats in my 2013 are very comfy (I have the full leather) and fit my ass very well. No issues. That being said....the seats in my 2003, and my Charger, were the most comfortable seats in an vehicle I've ever owned.

[ACRSNK]

Love the seats in my Gen V. One of the most comfortable cars ever.

[ViperPete]

My wife and I drove from FL to Detroit and back in our 2013 with ZERO back pain. Stop for gas every half tank you you're good with circulation. So, every 150 miles or so get out and move around.
Sorry not much experience with Gen 4 seats. They are more "kushy" though.