Uh...so about the fit. It’s super tight. Makes the Performante feel like an SUV. I am going to make it work, because I love the car, but I will probably invest in the seat lowering kits for both seats. The pedal box is wonky too, but I understand the pedals can be adjusted, so at some point I will play around with that. The car is so unique and is a perfect complement to my other cars.
The pedals move fore and aft with a switch on the steering wheel column. I also was able to get more foot room by removing the dead pedal. Much much better.
Yeah...I am going to need to play around with the pedal box. It’s a super weird setup. It seems like it’s slanted to the left of the seating position, but that might just be because my 6’6” frame is pretzeled into the small seating compartment.
It is because the trans tunnel has to be so big with the location of the trans, all Vipers are like this. You will get used to it in time and it will become second nature.
Yeah, by the end of the second drive, I was already getting the hang of it. Initially though, it felt like I had 3 feet rather than 2.
Thanks partly to this thread, I'm on the hunt for a Gen V Viper. Had a 96 GTS and 2005 convertible, I've always wondered how the Gen V drove and felt compared to the earlier versions. Did not know there were only 2200 gen v vipers made between 2013 and 2017.
They were horribly marketed and priced (regular cars, not the ACRs)....and all the fiascos with the media cars falling apart. But I hear nothing but good things about owning a Gen V. Cadster....will be waiting anxiously for the results of Viper vs FGT showdown.....
So I did my first legit back to back drive this evening. The cars could not possibly be more different. As a qualifier, I just embarked on a meticulous break-in of the Viper. Having only 19 miles when I got it, I am taking every logical precaution. These engines go boom at a more common rate than I care to think about. I am doing break-in exactly according to factory recommendations (see attached). That said, I put 80+ miles on the Viper this weekend, including 30 tonight. When I got back with the Viper tonight, I immediately departed with the FGT. Here are the basics: 1). The FGT cabin seems HUGE compared to the Viper. Impossible to overstate how cramped the Viper is. My knees go right into the dash. It’s a minor miracle I can reach the pedal box. 2). The Viper has a loud and brutish exhaust tone, but I find it kind of dull. The FGT with the whoosh of the supercharger has a much more melodic and interesting note. 3). I am still getting use to the transmission in the Viper. If I am honest, I feel like a kid again learning standard drive for the first time. Meanwhile, the FGT is easy, smooth, confidence inspiring, and provides a different level of certainty in the shift point. 4). Both cars feel super “racy”, but they develop the feeling differently. The FGT is lower to the ground, and the rear mid-engine set up contributes to a strong race car sensation. Meanwhile, the Viper is fully planted and super stiff. It feels like the aero would keep you from ever losing grip. Both feel tremendous. 5). The FGT steering is much faster. Both have good sensations at turn in, and both have significant grip, but once more, they accomplish those outcomes much differently. 6). I have not explored WOT in the Viper, but I think both cars will have similar thrust, which is to say both will be significantly slower than my other cars (812 and Performante), which is perfectly fine, as I never really explore those limits anyway. I don’t track my cars, I am I only drive on empty country roads. All of these cars go zero to jail in about 4.7 seconds, so that doesn’t really matter. 7). Both cars provide the feeling of driving American automotive history. Both represent throwback type cars, the FGT is literally a refined and modernized throwback, and the Viper is intentionally the unrefined bastard child of a modernized race car and an old school American muscle car. 8). Both cars get enthusiastic responses. Horns honk and engines rev when driving by. Everyone waves. Cars speed up or slow down to come up next to me for a better look and often a video. 9). Fit and finish seems superior in the FGT, although the Viper is decent too. The Viper has a huge back up camera, which is a welcome feature. 10). The Viper gets blazing hot on the inside after about 20 minutes. You almost have to turn the AC on at that point, and the AC is loud. 11). The FGT runs at about 205 degrees, and the Viper runs at about 190 degrees. Not sure what might account for that difference. 12). Both cars are in my “forever collection”. I will update once I am through the break-in period. Of course, 500 miles for me might be about 3-4 months I’m afraid. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Nice write-up, thanks. I would say the answer to #11 might be an older cooling system with lost capacity. My car (with most of the coolant system now having been replaced, and everything else thoroughly gone through), runs cooler than yours. Now maybe, I have somewhat less desire for a Viper due to the interior room, pedal box, and heat into the interior.
The coolant temp can be adjusted in the FGT with a tune. I have the Torrie tune which for Hot South Florida adjusts when the fans come on’. BTW the silver ACR raffle car which BJ had on the lot recently was my car.
Got another 50+ miles in this morning. Nothing says ‘Merica like blasting an loud, flamboyant, orange Viper around the backcountry roads of NC. I really love the car. Still in the tedious break in process, but despite being limited as such, it’s quite an event driving this car. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I just received and installed my 4th set of floor mats from Andrew @Exoticare, this time for the Viper. As usual, he provided a superior product and I am really pleased. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
It’s occurred to me, that I did not double back to acknowledge the PPF job that my local installer did on the Viper. This is the 3rd time I have used Brian for a 100% PPF, and he did an exceptional job once more. The Viper is not easy, with the enormous hood, and all the vents and cut outs. He installed an Exoshield also, along with ceramic on all the PPF and the wheels. His QC is on point, and his pricing is super competitive. Additionally, he now offers pick up and delivery in a fully enclosed trailer. I did not need that service, but others might. Brian Brown Exclusive Detail www.exclusivedetail.com [email protected] Phone: 704-525-5225 IG: @exclusivedetail704 https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_S7FsBZuC/?igshid=pdt8qa1ogrmm
Love this thread! I had a Gen1 for 12 years before my 360, missed it when I traded it and always thought.....what was my ultimate Viper......Being a analog fan I thought a GenIV ACR would fit the build, so the hunt began, my favorite color combo was black on black, (after life with a few red sports cars), one with one red drivers stripe, (on the GenIV's the stripe ran through the steering wheel). It took a bit and then found it. It's a 1 of 36.......Good luck with your Viper! Love it! Would love to see our two go down the road together, how cool would that be
Handsome rig you have there. It’s an iconic American sports/muscle car, that’s already a throwback to a completely different era. I love it.
I’ve put over 400 miles on the car since I purchased it. I could not be any happier. I’m finally nearing the end of the formal factory run in process (only had 18 miles on it when I acquired it). Once it hits 500 miles, I’ll swap fluids including diff, and then drive it like I stole it. In the meantime, I’m enjoying my romps, albeit somewhat subdued, around the backroads of NC. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here’s a cool video to remind us how special the Viper is. I am loving mine. Can’t hardly wait for spring.
Once a viper owner , always a Viper Lover..my 05 was very tight and quite a profile it has! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Montauk Lighthouse. Love it there. Have you ever visited the nearby Camp Hero Radar Tower? Huuuge! pretty cool. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login