2016 ACR ride quality questions

[mark22]

Hello to everyone. Thank you in advance for contributing.

I am interested in buying a new Viper in the ACR configuration. I have never owned a new car and am excited to buy a car that I always liked growing up. I am aware different models exist, but I am considering getting the best current offering in the ACR. I am concerned about ride quality. I am very aware that this is a car that is tuned for racing, but I am not a racer. I am not going to push this car to extreme limits. This will be a weekend car that may see some spirited driving, but nothing dangerous or extreme. I have ridden in a 2013 GTS and thought the ride was very nice. With the adjustable suspension, can the ride quality be made similar if necessary or is car going to be like ridings on rails all the time? I would like to make an informed decision before spending a large amount of money on this car. All thoughts are appreciated.

Thank you

 

[broomrider]

Oh now hold on. Life is short. Buy the car, learn to drive it and push it to extremes. I promise you will be saying hell yes and WoooooooHooooo at the very least.
If an ACR isn't what you want, there are plenty of options in a Viper to get you what you are looking for. Like the TA. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

 

[mark22]

Oh now hold on. Life is short. Buy the car, learn to drive it and push it to extremes. I promise you will be saying hell yes and WoooooooHooooo at the very least.
If an ACR isn't what you want, there are plenty of options in a Viper to get you what you are looking for. Like the TA. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

I really like that answer. That's a great attitude and thanks for the encouragement. What's really awesome is that I met the 2013 GTS owner when his car (launch edition) was at the dealer getting a recall performed. I complimented him and he asked to meet up and let me drive his car to get a better feel for things. What a nice guy. The few viper guys I've met have been so unbelievably nice....I'm wanting to join the fraternity big time.

 

[AZTVR]

I just talked to a guy yesterday who had driven an ACR on the street. He said that it was definitely drivable; but, is really an outrageous, "look at me" machine on the street. So, candidly speaking here, be prepared to explain to folks everywhere you go, that, no, you don't track your race car. I am a track enthusiast, and even the base Gen V Viper is way out of my league, from a performance standpoint; but, I still want one just not an ACR.

Really, you should travel to wherever you need to go to drive an ACR first. I do understand the desire to want to own the baddest toy on the block; but, be prepared for the compromises and conversations.


__________________________________________________
Jim – ‘02 GTS ACR gray/silver -- sold – ( enthusiastic custodian for 8 years )

 

[Free2go]

Buy what you want, and do what ever the hell you want with it.

 

[mark22]

It's amazing the great answers I'm hearing. I was expecting a little bit of a hard time with mu question given I wasn't going to track the car. That being said, I would not get the extreme aero package. That is certainly a bit too much for me and something I wouldn't use. I totally recognize that.

 

[Free2go]

I would not get the extreme aero package.

No no no, get the extreme package. It's better to have it and not need it etc....

 

[Texas1]

Get the ACR... If you don't like the suspension remove it, sell it (as I'm sure there are many who would purchase it from you), and replace it with the new Viper Exchange Dynamic Suspension Package (I would have done this had I already not used my voucher for a Stryker Green w/ GT package...

 

[ViperJeff]

Get all the bells and whistles and enjoy

 

[Paul Hawker]

ACR will come with pretty firm shocks, springs and tires. While the suspension is adjustable, it still will provide a pretty aggressive package. Set at full soft, it should be pretty street friendly.

Lots of owners drive previous ACR models on the street all the time.

If you get the car, and it rides rougher than you like, you can always change out the tires and shocks to smoother riding stock ones. Good to keep the original parts for when you may later sell the car to someone that wants to take it to the track.

Don't be surprised if after you drive the car for a while you get the urge to take it to a track day. This has happened to many of us, and the opportunity to drive your own Viper on a track is for many the experience of a lifetime.

About every two years the VCA has invited their membership to a Viper Owners Invitational. These usually are held at a world class race track. The last was in Austin Texas where everyone got the opportunity to take their cars out of that fantastic Formula 1 touring circuit. Those that went had a bucket list time for sure. You are driving your own car, with a professional racing instructor in the passenger seat. They show you the correct line around the track, and bring you up to racing speeds by the end of the event. Hard thing to turn down for a Viper Owner.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

The new ACR is very stiff even on the softest settings (how it comes from the factory). We finished the very first full MCS suspension swap on a new ACR and delivered it yesterday. The owner drove it all the way home to TX. in one sitting then txt me to let me know how wonderful it was. We used rates slightly stiffer than the factory and the ride is still much better than the stock setup. Even with the shocks set to the track settings for compression and rebound. (would be even better if backed off a bit) We changed the ride heights, corner weighted and alignment I chose, I got to drive it about 140 miles before it was delivered and I'm very happy with the results. If you want to see more check it out here; https://www.facebook.com/Woodhouse-Motorsports-Division-167968157736/timeline/

 

[A_C_R]

The new ACR is very stiff even on the softest settings (how it comes from the factory). We finished the very first full MCS suspension swap on a new ACR and delivered it yesterday. The owner drove it all the way home to TX. in one sitting then txt me to let me know how wonderful it was. We used rates slightly stiffer than the factory and the ride is still much better than the stock setup. Even with the shocks set to the track settings for compression and rebound. (would be even better if backed off a bit) We changed the ride heights, corner weighted and alignment I chose, I got to drive it about 140 miles before it was delivered and I'm very happy with the results. If you want to see more check it out here; https://www.facebook.com/Woodhouse-Motorsports-Division-167968157736/timeline/

ok ride is imroved but track performance? I doubt MCS had any development time on an ACR

 

[donk_316]

ACR will come with pretty firm shocks, springs and tires. While the suspension is adjustable, it still will provide a pretty aggressive package. Set at full soft, it should be pretty street friendly.

Lots of owners drive previous ACR models on the street all the time.

If you get the car, and it rides rougher than you like, you can always change out the tires and shocks to smoother riding stock ones. Good to keep the original parts for when you may later sell the car to someone that wants to take it to the track.

Don't be surprised if after you drive the car for a while you get the urge to take it to a track day. This has happened to many of us, and the opportunity to drive your own Viper on a track is for many the experience of a lifetime.

About every two years the VCA has invited their membership to a Viper Owners Invitational. These usually are held at a world class race track. The last was in Austin Texas where everyone got the opportunity to take their cars out of that fantastic Formula 1 touring circuit. Those that went had a bucket list time for sure. You are driving your own car, with a professional racing instructor in the passenger seat. They show you the correct line around the track, and bring you up to racing speeds by the end of the event. Hard thing to turn down for a Viper Owner.

An thats the issue. too many people think this is like the previous ACR. this isnt a lightweight rims, slight upgrade on the brakes and wing. The new ACR is way more track focused. I think you will see alot of these driveway queens back up for sale after their owners realize this isnt a street car with track ability like the old ACR. The new ACR is track 95% and you might be able to drive it there also. Once you crank up the right height and remove the rear difuser and front splitter. enjoy the solid mount suspension.... good times on the streets...

 

[mark22]

So I'm gathering from most this is not a car I could drive one of my parents in for any length of time. Ask yourself, is there any chance my 68 year old mom could handle this for more than 15 minutes.....I guess that's the question to ask.

 

[ACRBruce]

I wouldn't want to give rides to seniors with dentures in my old ACR, definitely not gonna in the new one.

 

[mark22]

Ok, got it. Opinions appear to be varied. I am going to have to try to find someone with one and ride in it, I guess.