New owner, few observations and questions if you don't mind

[gpearl]

As I mentioned in my intro thread, I put in a factory order for a gunmetal pearl/black GT on the weekend. I've owned a lot of sports cars, always wanted a Viper. Last week, I test drove a '13 twice. Tight fit in the cockpit (6'1", 250), ingress and egress is interesting. Loved the interior. Quiet exhaust note until you tip into the throttle, then raucous sound. May I ask for advice on a few issues:

1) With my height, I'm looking at the bottom of the headliner and difficult to see the colours of traffic lights when close up. Is it realistic to lower the seat an inch or so?
2) I've heard there is a long build wait. I phoned Dodge, and they told me my best source was the dealer. I await a response. Does anyone know if there is an objective way to find this out? I'm in Canada.
3) I'm coming from a Shelby GT 500. Very fun car, but squirrely handling if cool and/or wet. Does the Viper handle more predictably?
4) Is Nav standard on the GT for this year. I've looked at the literature which seems a little ambiguous on this?

Thanks for any help.

[s_c5519]

1) With my height, I'm looking at the bottom of the headliner and difficult to see the colours of traffic lights when close up. Is it realistic to lower the seat an inch or so?

Thanks for any help.

I can only help with #1. A vendor here is offering a kit to lower the seat a few inches. http://driveviper.com/forums/threads...is-almost-here!

[Voice of Reason]

1). Your best bet is the seat lowering kit that just came out, there's a recent thread on it if you search.
4) Nav is standard on all 14+ cars, it was an option in 13.

[ViperSmith]

#1, you can get it pretty low and back from the factory - the 2013 had spacers that would limit how low you could go. i am 6'2'', albeit 190# and i can see well. stop lights, just a fact of life you'll need to to slouch down and peer out the window

#2, your dealer will be your best bet. i think build times are 2-3months but i could be wrong

#3, if you take it easy you'll be fine. i've driven mine in the cold and rain, just don't mash the throttle

#4, nav and backup camera standard on all the models now

[Dman]

Welcome

1 - if you were sitting in a '13 it's possible it still had the original spacers in the rear bracket, making the seat sit about an inch higher than in a '14 or later, so if that's the case you will get more room in a '14 or later car or a '13 with the spacers removed. SnakeOyl also has a seat lowering kit that is set to be released in March.
2 - good luck on that
3 - here's my thread on this topic: http://driveviper.com/forums/threads...highlight=dman

4 - I believe it is, the upgrade infotainment is standard on the GT, but I'd check with the ordering dealer to be sure.

[Rocket]

For those more "stocky" Gen 5 owners that came from a Gen 3/4 - are you able to "coerce" - read bend :-) the bolsters (like you can on the Gen 3/4) out to accommodate bigger drivers?

[gpearl]

Thanks for all the answers. These cars just seem like great value. Standard nav and a back up camera are icing on the cake.

[Dman]

Thanks for all the answers. These cars just seem like great value. Standard nav and a back up camera are icing on the cake.

Agree 1,000%.

And, FWIW, I can't imagine the car without a backup camera. I also have the TA spoiler and the visibility out the back is too dangerous without a backup camera, it's awesome this is now included.

[BOOSTED]

I ordered my car in Sept ..... Its finally due here tomorrow. So it took about 6 months to build.

[gpearl]

I ordered my car in Sept ..... Its finally due here tomorrow. So it took about 6 months to build.

Wow, not the answer I wanted to hear. It's a '15 I assume?

Is Alberta closer or further to Detroit than Vancouver....

[ViperSmith]

Wow, not the answer I wanted to hear. It's a '15 I assume?

Is Alberta closer or further to Detroit than Vancouver....

He ordered in Sept, but the plant didn't start production until December.

[ViperDC]

He ordered in Sept, but the plant didn't start production until December.

Exactly, yours should get there much faster. Congrats on the car, you ordered one of the best colors.

[Viktimize]

Wow, not the answer I wanted to hear. It's a '15 I assume?

Is Alberta closer or further to Detroit than Vancouver....

Detroit is East, so Alberta is closer. Doubt that will make any real difference on your delivery time. Where in Alberta are you? We have a whole pile of owners here in Edmonton area. My 2014 just got delivered yesterday morning, so I will be out and about soon as the roads are clear. If you're into meeting up with others for big road trips and events, check out the western canada section. I will be going on every trip to BC that happens this summer.

[gpearl]

Detroit is East, so Alberta is closer. Doubt that will make any real difference on your delivery time. Where in Alberta are you? We have a whole pile of owners here in Edmonton area. My 2014 just got delivered yesterday morning, so I will be out and about soon as the roads are clear. If you're into meeting up with others for big road trips and events, check out the western canada section. I will be going on every trip to BC that happens this summer.

Just joking. I live in Vancouver.

I'm expecting 3 months or so. Congrats on your car.

[gpearl]

Follow up on my order. It's at D status, which when I did a search seems to normally happen within a week or 10 days or so. Waiting anxiously.

[Dusty1]

On number one, I use the reflection from the hood to see the lights, works well unless you are too close.

Richard

[lmcgrew79]

As I mentioned in my intro thread, I put in a factory order for a gunmetal pearl/black GT on the weekend. I've owned a lot of sports cars, always wanted a Viper. Last week, I test drove a '13 twice. Tight fit in the cockpit (6'1", 250), ingress and egress is interesting. Loved the interior. Quiet exhaust note until you tip into the throttle, then raucous sound. May I ask for advice on a few issues:

1) With my height, I'm looking at the bottom of the headliner and difficult to see the colours of traffic lights when close up. Is it realistic to lower the seat an inch or so?
2) I've heard there is a long build wait. I phoned Dodge, and they told me my best source was the dealer. I await a response. Does anyone know if there is an objective way to find this out? I'm in Canada.
3) I'm coming from a Shelby GT 500. Very fun car, but squirrely handling if cool and/or wet. Does the Viper handle more predictably?
4) Is Nav standard on the GT for this year. I've looked at the literature which seems a little ambiguous on this?

Thanks for any help.

Im 6ft and hunker down pretty far in the seat. Still bend over for lights if i pull up to far. Visibility seems the same as my gen 4, but the gen 5 has a large bulkhead in the front, it dont seem to change the visibility but you def notice its there. Ive drove the new gt500's .Viper will be just as squirrely and worse, especially when its cold and wet. Problem is you have very large tires and alot of grip, but when you loose that grip its at a higher rate of speed and sudden. Snap oversteer and tank slapper comes to mind. Enjoy!