Seriously a considering a Gen IV

[Johnny_C]

Hi all,

I recently sold my Gen V ACR and as everyone states in these forums...I'm already on the hunt for another Viper hahaha. To tell you a bit about my ownership history, I've owned a 2002 GTS, a 1997 GTS, a 2000 RT/10, and a 2017 ACR. As you can see, the one Gen I haven't sampled is the III/IV and I'm considering a 2008 or 2009 Gen IV coupe. And given that I liked the looks and visceral nature of the Gen II but preferred to have some of the improvements of the Gen V (dead pedal, better brakes, and cruise control hahaha), I'm thinking that a Gen IV might be that sweet spot I'm looking for.

I was hoping to hear from a few guys in the forums as to what they like/dislike about the Gen IV ownership experience and, if there's anyone who's gone between the Gens, what were some of the pros/cons?

Thanks in advance and always appreciative of the help and wisdom of the forum members,
Johnny

[proedge]

How come you decided to sell your Gen V ACR? Did someone make you an offer you couldn't refuse?

[Johnny_C]

How come you decided to sell your Gen V ACR? Did someone make you an offer you couldn't refuse?

You got it. I love the car in theory but in practice it wasn’t the right car for me. Didn’t mind the ride stiffness - it was more the tires hahaha - weather often finds itself in the low single digits/negatives (Celsius) and, depending on what you read, those tires shouldn’t be used in those conditions. Additionally, the prospect of heavy rain was often a threat for some longer drives I wanted to do and from what I gathered, those Kumhos aren’t great in moderate to heavy rain storm. So all of this added up to me not using the car as much as I wanted to.

[proedge]

Where are you located? Sounds like you're in Canada. I'm in BC

[Aevus]

You got it. I love the car in theory but in practice it wasn’t the right car for me. Didn’t mind the ride stiffness - it was more the tires hahaha - weather often finds itself in the low single digits/negatives (Celsius) and, depending on what you read, those tires shouldn’t be used in those conditions. Additionally, the prospect of heavy rain was often a threat for some longer drives I wanted to do and from what I gathered, those Kumhos aren’t great in moderate to heavy rain storm. So all of this added up to me not using the car as much as I wanted to.

Makes sense. (in Canada as well...)

But maybe a Viper is not the best option ?

[proedge]

A friend of mine is looking for something in the $100k range currently also and is considering a Viper. He sold his R8 V10 last year. Nowadays there's not much else out there for the money. I told him to consider the AMG GT-S, a 2016 or 2017 model can be had in the $100k USD range with decent mileage. Have you looked at those? They're definitely a lot more civilized.

[Johnny_C]

Where are you located? Sounds like you're in Canada. I'm in BC

You got it - Ontario

[Aevus]

Unless you want a convertible, I don't see much interest going from a gen 5 ACR to any other previous gen Viper... Especially if the important factors are tires, cruise control, etc...

Bytheway, there is no traction control on the Gen 4

[Aevus]

But if the goal is to simply downsize and get a not too costly but fun/liveable Viper, I would say go for the Gen 3 and make few modifications on it.

[sonicbloo]

Unless you want a convertible, I don't see much interest going from a gen 5 ACR to any other previous gen Viper... Especially if the important factors are tires, cruise control, etc...

Bytheway, there is no traction control on the Gen 4

No cruise control either on a gen 3 or 4, aftermarket kit's are available though

[TheMadMachinist]

I too started out in a Gen 2 with a Paxton I then upgraded to a Gen 5 back in 2014. I was getting a lot of miles on the Gen 5 and with the extended warranty in place there wasn't much I could do to it as far as upgrading it. About four years ago I found a salvage title Gen 4 that needed a little work. So it gave me something to work on as well as a way to slow down the milage on the Gen 5.

I really like my Gen 4 it's more of a hotrod if you will. Than how refined the Gen 5 is. It is my choice for cruising around town but that's not to say I haven't drove it to Idaho and back six months ago. I will say the two cars are almost night and day different but in a good way. The Gen 4 is always a thrill without the nannies that the Gen 5 has. Yes i know you can turn them off in the Gen 5 and I did for the first two years I owned it. I don't know if any of this helps you but just think of your old Gen 2 with another 150 more hp. and maybe a little stiffer ride and better transmission and rear eand.

I am most likely going to swap out the rear end gears in the Gen 4 soon for something in the order of 3;50 and that should add to the excitement. It's my understanding that the Gen 4 platform is the least friendly to power upgrades. I did install a Gen 5 intake on mine and a throttle controller. I can't say enough good things about the throttle controller. As dumb as this mite sound when it's turned up it really feels like you just added a extra 100 hp. Worked so good I installed one on my Gen 5 as well.

Aevus says buy a Gen 3. I wouldn't agree there are quite a few better parts in the Gen 4. Transmission and rear end are two of the major ones and a way cooler hood too. But if you want a vert or plan on dumping a bunch of money in the motor to make big power. Those would be the only two reasons I would think anyone would want a Gen 3 over a Gen 4.

For all you Gen 3 guys I am in no way knocking the platform. As we all know it really comes down to what you plan to do with the car and that is the most important thing to think about in your search.

[Johnny_C]

Makes sense. (in Canada as well...)

But maybe a Viper is not the best option ?

You're asking the right question - and my brain has asked it on NUMEROUS occasions hahaha - but my heart keeps pulling me back. I feel like this is similar to that first relationship to a super hot girlfriend that doesn't treat ya right...but my god does she look good.

[Johnny_C]

A friend of mine is looking for something in the $100k range currently also and is considering a Viper. He sold his R8 V10 last year. Nowadays there's not much else out there for the money. I told him to consider the AMG GT-S, a 2016 or 2017 model can be had in the $100k USD range with decent mileage. Have you looked at those? They're definitely a lot more civilized.

That's a great suggestion but I'm hoping to do something with 3-pedals and I think there Merc is only offered with an auto/paddles. I'm also warming up to the idea of something with 2 pedals given the premium that manuals are commanding

[Johnny_C]

But if the goal is to simply downsize and get a not too costly but fun/liveable Viper, I would say go for the Gen 3 and make few modifications on it.

Some great suggestions here - not really looking to get a vert but have definitely noticed that the Gen 3 might be the best sports car for the money in this market at this time.

[Johnny_C]

I too started out in a Gen 2 with a Paxton I then upgraded to a Gen 5 back in 2014. I was getting a lot of miles on the Gen 5 and with the extended warranty in place there wasn't much I could do to it as far as upgrading it. About four years ago I found a salvage title Gen 4 that needed a little work. So it gave me something to work on as well as a way to slow down the milage on the Gen 5.

I really like my Gen 4 it's more of a hotrod if you will. Than how refined the Gen 5 is. It is my choice for cruising around town but that's not to say I haven't drove it to Idaho and back six months ago. I will say the two cars are almost night and day different but in a good way. The Gen 4 is always a thrill without the nannies that the Gen 5 has. Yes i know you can turn them off in the Gen 5 and I did for the first two years I owned it. I don't know if any of this helps you but just think of your old Gen 2 with another 150 more hp. and maybe a little stiffer ride and better transmission and rear eand.

I am most likely going to swap out the rear end gears in the Gen 4 soon for something in the order of 3;50 and that should add to the excitement. It's my understanding that the Gen 4 platform is the least friendly to power upgrades. I did install a Gen 5 intake on mine and a throttle controller. I can't say enough good things about the throttle controller. As dumb as this mite sound when it's turned up it really feels like you just added a extra 100 hp. Worked so good I installed one on my Gen 5 as well.

Aevus says buy a Gen 3. I wouldn't agree there are quite a few better parts in the Gen 4. Transmission and rear end are two of the major ones and a way cooler hood too. But if you want a vert or plan on dumping a bunch of money in the motor to make big power. Those would be the only two reasons I would think anyone would want a Gen 3 over a Gen 4.

For all you Gen 3 guys I am in no way knocking the platform. As we all know it really comes down to what you plan to do with the car and that is the most important thing to think about in your search.

Thank you so much - this is exactly what I was looking for - and I kinda had a feeling that the Gen IV would be more raw of an experience than the Gen V but with some serious upgrades over gen 2. I think I'm more onboard with a Gen IV than a Gen III as I don't have any intentions of doing a built motor and would prefer a coupe.

Thank you for insights - greatly appreciated

[Aevus]

I think I'm more onboard with a Gen IV than a Gen III as I don't have any intentions of doing a built motor and would prefer a coupe.

no doubt gen 4 is the best option for you then. It's exactly the opposite of my project: I wanted a convertible with heavily modified N/A engine.

Buy a good well-maintained Gen 4, then put some brand new Michelin, some TKO parts + an alignement with max front caster, etc.. And you'll love it, even in spring/fall weather... ;-)

[Aevus]

I too started out in a Gen 2 with a Paxton I then upgraded to a Gen 5 back in 2014. I was getting a lot of miles on the Gen 5 and with the extended warranty in place there wasn't much I could do to it as far as upgrading it. About four years ago I found a salvage title Gen 4 that needed a little work. So it gave me something to work on as well as a way to slow down the milage on the Gen 5.

I really like my Gen 4 it's more of a hotrod if you will. Than how refined the Gen 5 is. It is my choice for cruising around town but that's not to say I haven't drove it to Idaho and back six months ago. I will say the two cars are almost night and day different but in a good way. The Gen 4 is always a thrill without the nannies that the Gen 5 has. Yes i know you can turn them off in the Gen 5 and I did for the first two years I owned it. I don't know if any of this helps you but just think of your old Gen 2 with another 150 more hp. and maybe a little stiffer ride and better transmission and rear eand.

I am most likely going to swap out the rear end gears in the Gen 4 soon for something in the order of 3;50 and that should add to the excitement. It's my understanding that the Gen 4 platform is the least friendly to power upgrades. I did install a Gen 5 intake on mine and a throttle controller. I can't say enough good things about the throttle controller. As dumb as this mite sound when it's turned up it really feels like you just added a extra 100 hp. Worked so good I installed one on my Gen 5 as well.

Aevus says buy a Gen 3. I wouldn't agree there are quite a few better parts in the Gen 4. Transmission and rear end are two of the major ones and a way cooler hood too. But if you want a vert or plan on dumping a bunch of money in the motor to make big power. Those would be the only two reasons I would think anyone would want a Gen 3 over a Gen 4.

For all you Gen 3 guys I am in no way knocking the platform. As we all know it really comes down to what you plan to do with the car and that is the most important thing to think about in your search.

Great comments, MadMachinist :-)

You're right, the gen 4 is much more refined than the gen 3, no doubt. Transmission, yes, but especially the improved engine oil system. Also better colors, nicer hood too, better flowing heads, of course 100hp extra and more exclusive (rarer).
That being said, the gen 4 ''needs'' pretty much the same mods as the gen 3 in regards of chassis/suspension and the DBW seems to be very bad and annoying (compared to throttle by cable of the previous gens) so at the end, at the actual market prices, you might end with a lightly modified gen 4 that will cost 20 or 30% more than a highly modified gen 3 with all the goodies and even more N/A power than a gen 5...

[Mamba003]

Agreed. My hybrid gen3/4/5 is for sale. Best of everything. 613 to the wheels and drives better than stock.

[Mamba003]

Viper.jpgViper Engine.png

[13COBRA]

The intake is pretty.

[Runcharger]

I really like my Gen IV. I've modified cars in the past but these days all I want to do is keep them clean and drive them. I think if you like modifying them maybe a Gen III is an easier deal to do that with but I like the 600HP, better cooling, diff etc. of the Gen IV. I also like the the no electronics of the Gen IV compared to the Gen V, more of a pure experience I think.

[Aevus]

I really like my Gen IV. I've modified cars in the past but these days all I want to do is keep them clean and drive them. I think if you like modifying them maybe a Gen III is an easier deal to do that with but I like the 600HP, better cooling, diff etc. of the Gen IV. I also like the the no electronics of the Gen IV compared to the Gen V, more of a pure experience I think.

Gen 3 is the best for modifications in general but I think Gen 5 is best for high power 1000hp+