C6 to Viper?
#2
Le Mans Master
Not sure about the new ones. I sat in a 2006. Pretty difficult to get in, and a pain to get out of. I like the looks, but it didn't have as much hp as my Z06. I think I sat in it for less than a minute. Too cramped and too expensive for me.
#3
Instructor
The prices I've seen are 3 times a Vette
#4
Tech Contributor
The Gen 5, with nearly 650hp on tap is a track monster when well driven. If not well driven and/or properly setup they are a handful. The suspension is tight and will get your attention.
Later years like the Gen 5 have a nicer interior but it's somewhat like putting lipstick on a pig. It's still cramped, it's still hot, it's still a challenge to get in and out....but it's better (IMO) than the older versions.
If you intend to have it as an occasional weekend car, it'll be enjoyable unless you have poor roads in your area...in which case even short drives will be rather uncomfortable. If the intent is to drive it regularly....I'd pass unless you're into self-abuse. If you're buying it as a track day toy...
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
I don't own one, but have been in many on the race track while Instructing.
The Gen 5, with nearly 650hp on tap is a track monster when well driven. If not well driven and/or properly setup they are a handful. The suspension is tight and will get your attention.
Later years like the Gen 5 have a nicer interior but it's somewhat like putting lipstick on a pig. It's still cramped, it's still hot, it's still a challenge to get in and out....but it's better (IMO) than the older versions.
If you intend to have it as an occasional weekend car, it'll be enjoyable unless you have poor roads in your area...in which case even short drives will be rather uncomfortable. If the intent is to drive it regularly....I'd pass unless you're into self-abuse. If you're buying it as a track day toy...
The Gen 5, with nearly 650hp on tap is a track monster when well driven. If not well driven and/or properly setup they are a handful. The suspension is tight and will get your attention.
Later years like the Gen 5 have a nicer interior but it's somewhat like putting lipstick on a pig. It's still cramped, it's still hot, it's still a challenge to get in and out....but it's better (IMO) than the older versions.
If you intend to have it as an occasional weekend car, it'll be enjoyable unless you have poor roads in your area...in which case even short drives will be rather uncomfortable. If the intent is to drive it regularly....I'd pass unless you're into self-abuse. If you're buying it as a track day toy...
#6
Melting Slicks
I almost made this switch but to a Gen 3. I thought about it and honestly it is way too small for me (6'3 250). I love the car to death but I felt like I was getting into a Miata with a big motor.
#7
Tech Contributor
Short of there being a Ferrari, McClaren, or other exotic, a decent driver dominates a track day. Having said that, toss in a well driven C6 ZR-1 or a C7 Z06 (minus cooling issues) and it's a driver's race.
Of course you could go "all in" with an ACR
If you have decent streets where you live, I think you'd find it to be a unique and fun weekend car.
#8
Instructor
I've always wanted a Viper... I can't come to terms with blue book, and nada having their values, and owners/dealers having their own. If the Gen 2 Viper GTS are ever sold at what it's claimed they're worth, I'll have one, if not, I'll always enjoy my Vette.
#9
Le Mans Master
i'm with the others here. I looked at vette's and vipers before i bought my 2010 GS. my vette is in pristine condition for 35k. comparable vipers (age and mileage) are 2-3x the price. this is a tired/overused line.... but the vette really is the best bang for the buck.
#10
Instructor
Here's an observation. A good friend I got my Z06 from is an aggressive street driver but no track events. He's had 2 Vipers and 3 Z06's...2 C5's and the C6 I got. Even though he's a Mopar guy he says no more Vipers. His opinion is they're not much car for the money, especially compared to the Vettes. I value his opinion and perspective since he has a bunch of high HP cars including a Jaguar F1 (or whatever the 2-seat rocket is called) and a late model Gullwing Mercedes. Interestingly, he says the best value for the money...hands down...is the Vette!
#11
Melting Slicks
Here's an observation. A good friend I got my Z06 from is an aggressive street driver but no track events. He's had 2 Vipers and 3 Z06's...2 C5's and the C6 I got. Even though he's a Mopar guy he says no more Vipers. His opinion is they're not much car for the money, especially compared to the Vettes. I value his opinion and perspective since he has a bunch of high HP cars including a Jaguar F1 (or whatever the 2-seat rocket is called) and a late model Gullwing Mercedes. Interestingly, he says the best value for the money...hands down...is the Vette!
It was pretty outrageous looking, and obviously a supercar. But I've always felt Vipers are already overpriced, and this thing is even crazier. For that kind of money I'd be driving something Italian.
#12
Le Mans Master
The newest Viper is the ultimate track day car, but a terrible street car.
The following users liked this post:
Racingswh (04-29-2017)
#13
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2001
Location: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
Posts: 1,986
Received 184 Likes
on
137 Posts
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
I had a 2009 ACR Viper.
I think the seats are far superior than the C-6 Corvette. I would open the door and actually smell leather.
In 2009 the car did not have a computer helping you drive the car. That and old tires got a lot of people in trouble.
The ACR has lots of good stuff for track day. They just go fast around tracks.
I did not mind the ride. On the street it was firm but not crazy. I did not remember anyone complaining about the comfort or ride. I think it has more head room than a C6.
Mine was not a daily driver. I am thinking of getting another one. I had zero problems with mine,their forum people were very helpful and had an active club in my area.
I have seen some great deals on gen 5 cars. Just remembere you must have tires no more than 5 years old IMHO.
I think the seats are far superior than the C-6 Corvette. I would open the door and actually smell leather.
In 2009 the car did not have a computer helping you drive the car. That and old tires got a lot of people in trouble.
The ACR has lots of good stuff for track day. They just go fast around tracks.
I did not mind the ride. On the street it was firm but not crazy. I did not remember anyone complaining about the comfort or ride. I think it has more head room than a C6.
Mine was not a daily driver. I am thinking of getting another one. I had zero problems with mine,their forum people were very helpful and had an active club in my area.
I have seen some great deals on gen 5 cars. Just remembere you must have tires no more than 5 years old IMHO.
#14
Melting Slicks
It does work pretty well on the track. For reference I ran a 1:17.6 in the car at Summit Main last October with tons of laps in the 18's with my Dad as a passenger. Today Andrew Aquilante won the GT2 class at Summit Main with a best lap of 1:16.344. The rest of the GT2's were in the 17's. All of the T1 class cars were in the 18's or slower.
My Viper is a car that, if I wanted to, I can drive to the track and even do those lap times using the tires that came on it. Just not for very long because those Kumho's are junk and disintegrate in a day or so of hard use.
My Wife had a 2010 GS right up until she didn't and I just loved that car! Maybe my favorite car we have ever owned. Now she has 2010 Z06 and it's great, Also garbage as a street car imo but not nearly as horrible as the Viper. For the street I really enjoyed the GS.
Her Z was as quick, and soon it will be able to smash the Viper but the Z is more challenging to drive. It just doesn't put down power as well so it takes more finesses to drive it quickly. I can't wait til her Z is complete and we get to take both cars up to Watkins Glen this year. I am so curious to see which I can drive quicker.
Here they are:
#17
Melting Slicks
She had a left front GM brake line separate at the crimp fitting. She was at Summit Point Jefferson. A place without a lot of safe runoff areas.
She went down into a drainage area and came up and out the other side like Bo Duke. Car tail whipped sideways in the air landed on its right side and barrel rolled 4 times. Loved that car! So easy to drive quick. Just the right amount of power.
That's her running us down in the Viper in her C6Z so you could say she's made a full recovery!
I posted that to show why we needed to make the transition to the Z which just happened to have been already setup for the track.
She went down into a drainage area and came up and out the other side like Bo Duke. Car tail whipped sideways in the air landed on its right side and barrel rolled 4 times. Loved that car! So easy to drive quick. Just the right amount of power.
That's her running us down in the Viper in her C6Z so you could say she's made a full recovery!
I posted that to show why we needed to make the transition to the Z which just happened to have been already setup for the track.
#18
Instructor
Thread Starter
She had a left front GM brake line separate at the crimp fitting. She was at Summit Point Jefferson. A place without a lot of safe runoff areas.
She went down into a drainage area and came up and out the other side like Bo Duke. Car tail whipped sideways in the air landed on its right side and barrel rolled 4 times. Loved that car! So easy to drive quick. Just the right amount of power.
That's her running us down in the Viper in her C6Z so you could say she's made a full recovery!
I posted that to show why we needed to make the transition to the Z which just happened to have been already setup for the track.
She went down into a drainage area and came up and out the other side like Bo Duke. Car tail whipped sideways in the air landed on its right side and barrel rolled 4 times. Loved that car! So easy to drive quick. Just the right amount of power.
That's her running us down in the Viper in her C6Z so you could say she's made a full recovery!
I posted that to show why we needed to make the transition to the Z which just happened to have been already setup for the track.
Glad she made a recovery, thats looked very serious, amazing that you have a wife that drives fast, shame that u lost a car like though
The following users liked this post:
Racingswh (04-30-2017)
#20
Melting Slicks
A track needs to have adequate runoff which that track does not.
It's cool that we have a common interest. Her love of Horses is way more dangerous. Just got thrown again yesterday. lol!!
It was a shame. I loved that car and drove that more on the street than any other sports car we have ever had.