Was buying a Z06, decided to check out the Gen V. first

[ddominator1]

I absolutely love Driveviper.com. what an awesome Viper family we have here and cannot wait to get my ta 2.0 in june! VIN number assigned 2 weeks ago and ready to rock and roll! Post asap

[Nine Ball]

I've had the base model '13 SRT and now the '14 TA, and I would only recommend the "must have" options as the 2-mode electric shocks (TA, GT, GTC, GTS) and the rear view camera (only early '13 SRT's didn't have this standard). The rest is just cosmetic, upgrades that can be done later for most parts. I do like the Sidewinder wheels, they are the lightest model. I also like the 2-piece Stoptech brake rotors, those save about 32 lbs of rotating mass on the car vs the standard rotors.

Interior wise, I had the upgraded leather in my SRT, and now have the ballistic cloth in my TA. I prefer the cloth, it looks better and breathes better. Also, I put 10K miles on my SRT with the leather, and the seats still looked brand new. Not a single crease in them. The Laguna leather doesn't age as well, it shows wrinkles and indentions easier than the other interiors. If I were picking leather, I'd go with the standard GT or standard non-Laguna GTS leather, the type with the suede inserts.

The fastest model will be the SRT base model with track pack (Sidewinder wheels, 2-piece rotors) because it is the lightest model. The fastest around a road course is the TA model. The TA cars seem to hold their value best, as they are a good balance of luxury and performance.

Since you are only 3 hrs from Houston, I'd suggest making an appointment with Bernie at Tomball Dodge and visiting the locked vault upstairs. They have several cars in stock, which would make it easy for you to see all the different options and compare the different trim levels. These pics were from 3 weeks ago. That Stryker Orange and the Comp Blue were making me drool. Silver too!

[FLATOUT]

Congrats, this looks awesome! Love the new silver cars.

Andy Wheeler

I was in the same boat, looking at ordering a loaded Z07. Glad I didn't. I couldn't find a silver 14 GTS so I ordered a 2015 GTC Billet Silver through Bernie at Tomball mostly because of recommendations from Forum members, having a reliable dealership that I can count on for service and parts and it's only a 3 hour drive for me. My car came in around $111k MSRP give or take, hasn't started production yet and I ordered it the first part of March. I went with the GTC because it already came with a lot of the GTS equipment and options but was less $. I got the Napa w/ Alcantara Suede seats, upgraded stereo, Advanced Aero package, Matte Black Sidewinder II's with Corsa tires and the SRT (6 vent) hood.

[swexlin]

I absolutely love my '13 Track Pack car. Like Tony said above, it has the lightweight Sidewinders, and 2-piece StopTech (and wow, do they stop!) May car also has the full leather seat upgrade. It doesn't have rearview, I've never had a car or truck with one, so I can't really say I "miss" it, but as on my Gen 3, the ass on this car is big, and would be nice to have.

Honestly, in the years I owned my 07 Charger SRT8, I never once used the "3-mode" ESC, so again, I don't miss it here. As to the 2-mode suspension, maybe, but not a deal breaker. Whatever Viper you choose, it will STILL be supercar performance, at a fraction of the cost. And of course, one of the best looking cars on the road.

[Junkie]

Ron?

I've got a 14 TA that I love! The dusk mod suspension and 6 vent hood were must items for me.

Silver looks amazing

[Vipercompany]

My twin brother has a c7 and they can be used as a daily driver comfortably. The viper is more of a track/weekend car. So if your planning on daily driving, like I was, I would not recommend the viper. I'm looking at ordering a Z06 as a daily driver after putting 2000 miles on my viper. Viper isn't as comfortable all around as the c7.

I recommend Bernie at Viperexchange. Great guy and a straight shooter that will tell you like it is.

[ViperPete]

I am taking delivery of my 2013 GTS this evening.

I have wanted a Viper for over 20 years so it has always been an easy decision for me. Corvettes are too popular and too boring. The only time I ever drove a Viper was when I rented a yellow 2005 convertible on Oahu back in 2006. From what I remember by driving it was this: People all over the place took pictures of it and me. Has more power than you can use daily. Is comfortable. Has a wicked great sound. Has a great stereo. Beautiful to look at.

I have a 2014 Maxima and a 2005 Ram SRT10 that I drive daily so the Viper isn't ever going to be a daily driven car. Weekends probably.

I also agree with you that the website is confusing. I originally wanted a base Viper because of the price of a GTS- but wanted all the stuff a GTS had. I ended up making a deal with Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse Dodge on a pre-owned GTS and I could not be happier. If you have 20 minutes to spare- do yourself a favor and watch the Viper Documentary "DNA of a Supercar" I have watched that video probably 30 times on my 70" 4k TV. LOVE IT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GDeTk_zJnI

At the end of the day you should make your decision on what you really want out of the car. I won't be racing the car much. I'll take it to shows, go on drives and that's about it. I don't even really care that its a brutally fast car. I want ownership experience.

[ACRSNK]

Gadfly,
I was going to order a fully loaded Z06 with Z07 package it was going to run about 108K.I went looking for a GTS fully loaded car and found 3, I had to have a fully equipped car because of all the great options. I went for the NA Viper over the SC Vette, 2014 GTS model, brand new, every option, 156,XXX MSRP bought for 105.6K. There are still some good deals out there on brand new 13s & 14s. Do some searches on Cars.com, Autotrader, etc. I like the dealers mentioned but I would not have got that price from some of the big dealers mentioned. Be ready to pull the trigger when you find a good deal, cash and no trade in helps too. You can find out options available on 13s and 14s by just doing a google search. My GTS was found by a forum member so tell us what you want and you will have 100s of eyes able to help you.
Remember Dodge discounted all 13s and 14s by 15K so the base price on my 2014 GTS went from 122K to 107K. Make sure you ask any seller what the MSRP was before the discount. Good Luck in your search

What he said.

This is absolutely the way to go about it. I'm sure you will find something that fits your needs. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Dusty1]

Once you get the car join either South Central or our region up here in Houston so you can come out and play with it. Have a lot of fun things we do on a monthly basis.

Richard

[Malu59RT]

I am local to you, know a bunch about the cars, and have a fully loaded GTS. If you want to meet up, you can drive mine as hard as you want, and I can answer probably anything you can think of. Maybe Junkie can also join, and then you get an idea of the differences between the GTS and TA. My Viper is a daily (except on rain days, because I don't want some idiot slamming into me).

[timberwolf]

I've had the base model '13 SRT and now the '14 TA, and I would only recommend the "must have" options as the 2-mode electric shocks (TA, GT, GTC, GTS) and the rear view camera (only early '13 SRT's didn't have this standard). The rest is just cosmetic, upgrades that can be done later for most parts. I do like the Sidewinder wheels, they are the lightest model. I also like the 2-piece Stoptech brake rotors, those save about 32 lbs of rotating mass on the car vs the standard rotors.

Interior wise, I had the upgraded leather in my SRT, and now have the ballistic cloth in my TA. I prefer the cloth, it looks better and breathes better. Also, I put 10K miles on my SRT with the leather, and the seats still looked brand new. Not a single crease in them. The Laguna leather doesn't age as well, it shows wrinkles and indentions easier than the other interiors. If I were picking leather, I'd go with the standard GT or standard non-Laguna GTS leather, the type with the suede inserts.

The fastest model will be the SRT base model with track pack (Sidewinder wheels, 2-piece rotors) because it is the lightest model. The fastest around a road course is the TA model. The TA cars seem to hold their value best, as they are a good balance of luxury and performance.

Since you are only 3 hrs from Houston, I'd suggest making an appointment with Bernie at Tomball Dodge and visiting the locked vault upstairs. They have several cars in stock, which would make it easy for you to see all the different options and compare the different trim levels. These pics were from 3 weeks ago. That Stryker Orange and the Comp Blue were making me drool. Silver too!

Ahem no photos of my lady please

[timberwolf]

On a serious note, I have owned 1 C5 Z06 and 2 C6 Z06s, and was next in line to get the C7 Z. I loved the Viper but I thought the new Z would destroy it performance wise. Then, well that never happened, and I realized my love for the Viper made more sense. I also think the Viper has timeless, classic lines that will age gracefully, whereas the C7's looks are trying to be modern and avant-garde, which may not age as well. Who knows. Time will tell.

When I heard the former President of Ferrari came down to see the first 2012 GTS Viper, and was left speechless. I knew I needed on like Oxygen.

[Nine Ball]

Ahem no photos of my lady please

LOL!

On a serious note, I have owned 1 C5 Z06 and 2 C6 Z06s, and was next in line to get the C7 Z. I loved the Viper but I thought the new Z would destroy it performance wise. Then, well that never happened, and I realized my love for the Viper made more sense.

LOL x2!

[Junkie]

I am local to you, know a bunch about the cars, and have a fully loaded GTS. If you want to meet up, you can drive mine as hard as you want, and I can answer probably anything you can think of. Maybe Junkie can also join, and then you get an idea of the differences between the GTS and TA. My Viper is a daily (except on rain days, because I don't want some idiot slamming into me).

Same here, and my factory clutch goes back in next week so it'll be out a lot more!

[99RT10]

When I heard the former President of Ferrari came down to see the first 2012 GTS Viper, and was left speechless. I knew I needed on like Oxygen.

That is a VERY special car. 1 of 1 I believe...............

[Vombomb]

Just the forum difference from the vette forums to here was a big deciding factor for me when I was deciding on another vette *C6 Z06* or the Viper... I don't know much about the Gen V's but as for the community, that alone was worth it to me Just stay away from the Alley lol.

[rlhay2]

I am local to you, know a bunch about the cars, and have a fully loaded GTS. If you want to meet up, you can drive mine as hard as you want, and I can answer probably anything you can think of. Maybe Junkie can also join, and then you get an idea of the differences between the GTS and TA. My Viper is a daily (except on rain days, because I don't want some idiot slamming into me).

Dodge should be paying you a commission for all the viper pimping you have done!!

But I am not mad, my wallet may be, but I am not...

[ViperDC]

Great choice. Vipers are simply more special than Corvettes. Sweet pics Tony, those Stryker Orange cars are amazing looking

[Aspirations57]

I am local to you, know a bunch about the cars, and have a fully loaded GTS. If you want to meet up, you can drive mine as hard as you want, and I can answer probably anything you can think of. Maybe Junkie can also join, and then you get an idea of the differences between the GTS and TA. My Viper is a daily (except on rain days, because I don't want some idiot slamming into me).

Wow ,what a nice gesture! Seeing that this may be the OPs first Viper it would be nice to just get the feel of the car he will not necessarily have to drive it real hard. Good on you!

[Rapidrezults]

I don't know why but these pictures make we want to go out and buy a bag of Skittles.

Get the Viper, you will never look back. I know about 5 or 6 people in the same boat about wanting to get the "new z06"...we all went to the dark side and we all couldn't be happier.

[viper04]

Same here, and my factory clutch goes back in next week so it'll be out a lot more!

Junkie
Are you not doing an aftermarket clutch? Your car is sweet.

[Junkie]

Junkie
Are you not doing an aftermarket clutch? Your car is sweet.

I'm putting a factory clutch in my car for the time being.

[ViperDog]

Gadfly, you can try KBB.com and build on there; it gives invoice. On the Dodge website, you can click on the standard options for each model and then paste into Excel to compare. For 2015, it doesn't show any difference in the insulation as did the previous years.

[timberwolf]

LOL!




LOL x2!

You know you're responsible brother!

[Gadfly]

Wow, Thank you all so very much. I am just floored by all the kindness I have received here, seriously, thank you all.

Gadfly from Supraforums? Welcome! If you're still a track rat the TA is best setup for you. I've tracked mine a lot and it has just the right amount of luxury for the street and multi-day road trips. If you're focused on luxury then the GTS might appeal, but some find their leather seats uncomfortable. Two mode suspension does ride very well, even on the stiffer sprung and barred TA, and I'd consider the 5 mode stability/traction essential for high performance driving (TA/GTS/GT/GTC). These are very well built cars, and finished exceptionally well. You'd appreciate them being quite rare, like the Supra, and some of the aspects that make it an exotic also makes it less easy to use as a daily driver (like every other exotic). I finally was ready to part with my TT after 14 years just a couple of months after getting my TA last summer...it's that good!

One in the same!

I miss my Supra everyday, I really do; thanks for the great advice, Thus far I have been very impressed by the Viper. What is a GTC? is that a new trim? You know me all too well it seams, I am still a track rat.



My plan is to buy a Gen V and build a turbo kit for it now there are some good ECU options (Pro-EFI), looks like I can run 800+ on the stock motor without too much in the way of issues.