2009 Who has one?

[viperfuntime]

I am interested in hearing from those who have driven the 2008 Coupe and now purchased the 2009 Coupe if they can differentiate the driving experience with the reflash to the drive by wire system (PCM), frame upgrades, and/or the new 6 spoke forged wheels?

How does the car respond or feel in comparison or is there essentially no difference?

Does it feel any quicker?

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Essentially no differences that you can feel.

 

[PaViper]

except the weight difference from a lighter wallet

 

[BlknBlu]

Aren't the 09's a little heavier from the new frame than the 08's.

Bruce

 

[ViperGTS]

A little?
100 pounds...!?

 

[Darbgnik]

A little?
100 pounds...!?

100 pounds? Really?
Whats the improvement? Over Gen 3's as well?

 

[ViperGTS]

100 pounds. Rear part of the frame. Reinforced.
That's what I heard during the tech sessions in Detroit (VOI-X).

 

[Smog Dog]

A little?
100 pounds...!?

Hi Markus! I believe the weight increase is 40 pounds. If you buy the new 6 spokes, that goes a long way toward getting back to where the 08 started, as they are quite a bit lighter than the other wheels (except Sidewinders).

Bill

 

[09 Venom]

Essentially no differences that you can feel.

Has to be with improving the DBW, otherwise why make a change at all if it won't go noticed?

 

[Jeff Monheim]

I noticed the difference right away! Quicker responce and a more linear pull. But I only drove my 09 about 6 miles and now have it tucked away all snuggled and warm until spring!
I also like the 6 spoke wheels. I have EUROTECK two piece rotors and they will really show up well. You may want to paint the Original stock rotor hats or centers as they will be very expossed and will show any rust.
Just my .02

 

[bluesrt]

I noticed the difference right away! Quicker responce and a more linear pull. But I only drove my 09 about 6 miles and now have it tucked away all snuggled and warm until spring!
I also like the 6 spoke wheels. I have EUROTECK two piece rotors and they will really show up well. You may want to paint the Original stock rotor hats or centers as they will be very expossed and will show any rust.
Just my .02

u been struck by the placebo efect...

 

[viperfuntime]

I would think the second year of production of the Gen IV is good for something other than a price increase. Usually any first model year has some items that get sorted out by year 2. In the case of the 2008 the drive by wire (PCM)is probably one case for that. I would think there are a few others but maybe the nailed it on the first year

Does anybody know what the weight of the 6 spokes are compared to the side winders or 5 spokes?

 

[adamlotus]

100 pounds. Rear part of the frame. Reinforced.
That's what I heard during the tech sessions in Detroit (VOI-X).

does that mean 08s may have a frame update like the 9697 vipers did?

 

[bluesrt]

does that mean 08s may have a frame update like the 9697 vipers did?

i think the frame upgrade had to do with gov crash standards but dont quote it.

 

[Smog Dog]

does that mean 08s may have a frame update like the 9697 vipers did?

It was to meet a federal government safety requirement for 2009----that's all.

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

It was to meet a federal government safety requirement for 2009----that's all.

Thats all? What requirements changed and is there a downfall to having an 08 compared to an 09?

 

[bluesrt]

dont know but probably a simple structure differance for silly politacs,no better or worse on either year in my opinion.08 and 09 are the same monster but a few simple tech differances.all in all if u want 09 programing in ur 08 computer,it will be available in some time as called(computer re-flash) or (update)

 

[Smog Dog]

Thats all? What requirements changed and is there a downfall to having an 08 compared to an 09?

I don't think there is a downfall to having an 08 compared to an 09. The throttle response has been a non issue for me. And apparently for Mark Jorgensen, too. The 08 weighs less, and costs less. There were several price increases during the 08 model year, and at least one increase of around $2400 in the 2009 model year. As you know, some different colors were available from year to year. That could also help decide which to buy.

Bill

 

[SHELBYVIPER]

Aren't the 09's a little heavier from the new frame than the 08's.

Bruce

The 08's had a weight increase occurring between early and mid production. The added weight came from beefed up half shaft's being done on all model's. Cannot recall if the added weight was 20 lbs or 40 lbs per car. This added weight was not factored into the intial advertised weight of the 08's.

 

[viperfuntime]

The 08's had a weight increase occurring between early and mid production. The added weight came from beefed up half shaft's being done on all model's. Cannot recall if the added weight was 20 lbs or 40 lbs per car. This added weight was not factored into the intial advertised weight of the 08's.

Can anybody else confirm the beefed up half shafts for 2008's and 2009's versus early model 2008's?

Also, if what you stated is correct the extra weight is not part of the federal crash test frame upgrades on the 2009 which is also extra weight?

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

Can anybody else confirm the beefed up half shafts for 2008's and 2009's versus early model 2008's?

Also, if what you stated is correct the extra weight is not part of the federal crash test frame upgrades on the 2009 which is also extra weight?

An 2008 delivered to dealer in Sep 2008, would probably have the beefed up half shafts, no?

 

[Viperless]

The 08's had a weight increase occurring between early and mid production. The added weight came from beefed up half shaft's being done on all model's. Cannot recall if the added weight was 20 lbs or 40 lbs per car. This added weight was not factored into the intial advertised weight of the 08's.

My TNT heavy duty Gen2 half shafts weigh 17lbs each. My stock shafts are lighter than that. I have a hard time believing they added 10 lbs per half shaft let alone 20 lbs per.

 

[rcl4668]

I would think the second year of production of the Gen IV is good for something other than a price increase. Usually any first model year has some items that get sorted out by year 2. In the case of the 2008 the drive by wire (PCM)is probably one case for that. I would think there are a few others but maybe the nailed it on the first year

Does anybody know what the weight of the 6 spokes are compared to the side winders or 5 spokes?

Someone reputable (Jon B, Chuck Tator or Mark Jorgensen?) posted elsewhere that the new 2009 six-spoke rim weighs about the same as the ACR/Sidewinder rim.

 

[SHELBYVIPER]

Can anybody else confirm the beefed up half shafts for 2008's and 2009's versus early model 2008's?

Also, if what you stated is correct the extra weight is not part of the federal crash test frame upgrades on the 2009 which is also extra weight?

As I mentioned i do not recall the exact added weight from the upgrade but believe it was around 20 lbs. You may want to post the question over on the ask the GRAILKEEPER forum. I am sure Herb can give you some more accurate info on the 08 production updates.

 

[viperfuntime]

As I mentioned i do not recall the exact added weight from the upgrade but believe it was around 20 lbs. You may want to post the question over on the ask the GRAILKEEPER forum. I am sure Herb can give you some more accurate info on the 08 production updates.

I will try that next. I really want to know if the computer reflash was done for the 2009 and if the driveability is any different considering the upgrades.

 

[ViperGal]

I noticed the difference right away! Quicker responce and a more linear pull. But I only drove my 09 about 6 miles and now have it tucked away all snuggled and warm until spring!
I also like the 6 spoke wheels. I have EUROTECK two piece rotors and they will really show up well. You may want to paint the Original stock rotor hats or centers as they will be very expossed and will show any rust.
Just my .02

re: The quick response ... I understand there is an upcoming flash for the drivability issue of the quicker response and that it will be available for the 08 due to some government standard of two year compatability ... so much for that advantage of an 09 ... of course the 09 is still has the extra weight disadvantage - much like the trip home from Thanksgiving dinner vs. the trip out.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Govt. standards are correct on the frame, and the increase was supposedly around 35 lbs.

Interestingly the MSO does not show the increase in weight , and in fact we have a couple that are actually less than last year, so I would figure on the increase as being close to what is noted above.

Drive-ability --- I can't feel any difference.

 

[cheryl mccally]

I have an '08 ACR and I will get the PCU when it comes out but I've had 3 Vipers and they all feel pretty much the same in throttle response. When you have that much torque, you don't feel the jump when you mash the gas as much as you do in a high HP but lower torque car. Same thing in a motorcycle. That's why they make Harleys and crotch rockets, they both go fast but feel different.

 

[Darbgnik]

I have an '08 ACR and I will get the PCU when it comes out but I've had 3 Vipers and they all feel pretty much the same in throttle response. When you have that much torque, you don't feel the jump when you mash the gas as much as you do in a high HP but lower torque car. Same thing in a motorcycle. That's why they make Harleys and crotch rockets, they both go fast but feel different.

They make Harley's that go fast?

 

[X-Metal]

They make Harley's that go fast?

if they do, they dont do it for very long!