97 GTS test drive thoughts

[marteeni]

Finally had a chance to drive a GTS (have been reading this site for about 6 months)! Took out a '97 blue/white with 30K miles that was for sale at a local dealer. The car was in pretty bad shape (curb rashed wheels, front spoiler scraped up, interior weatherstriping ripped, drivers door wouldn't close right, oil on engine valve cover right side, and barely idled). The dealer let me take it out by myself and I can see why viper owners immediately upgrade the shifter and stock exhaust! The car was completely stock and had some good acceleration, but not as much as I was expecting (I currently drive a stock '93 ZR1). The car did, however, handle extremely well! Some things that surprised me were the hood release being OUTSIDE? and no back seat adjustment. All in all, the ride wasn't as thrilling as I had expected (maybe I expected to much), certainly not a huge leap above my ZR1. Are the GTS's '99 and newer any better?? I still am interested as the looks of a GTS are outstanding. I just wish Dodge would have put a little more thought and money into the interior, especially for a $70K+ car.

 

[MichaelP]

Back seat adjustment SOB I didn't even know GTS's had a back seat.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

Sounds like the Vette is your kinda car you shoud stick with it.

 

[Jim Hodel]

Let me get this straight - you go out and drive a trashed out Viper and then wonder why it wasn't as 'thrilling as expected'.

I think you are actually more intersted in criticizing Vipers then you are in having a discussion about the cars.

Jim

 

[Venom Lover]

So clearly you were driving a beat-up car. I would suggest you not give up your quest. If you find a '97 in better shape, give it a try, or look at a newer car. The newer ones have some interior "refinemenets" such as pebbled dash and some aluminum trim that makes it a bit more upscale, but don't kid yourself, if you want nice leather and interior trim, go buy a Jaguar XKR.

As far as performance seeming similar to your ZR-1, no offense intended but the '97 GTSs run low-12's or upper 11's bone stock, whereas the ZR-1s are low-13's if memory serves. Should be a solid second quicker in the 1/4. If you couldn't notice a difference, you either didn't get on it through the gears, or the car also has a mechanical problem. The GTS feels like it pulls harder off the line to me than my Z06 did, and I believe the Z06 pulls harder off the line than a ZR-1, so you should be able to notice the difference.

 

[marteeni]

Thanks guys for the "positive" comments! As far as the "negatives", I was not intending the post to be a slam on Vipers by any means! It was simply my observations from "one" 30 minute drive in a Viper GTS. I realize this Viper was not an average example from the Viper community! I was just pointing out issues with the car that I was surprised about AND expected from what I have read on this forum. I also posted as I had some questions as well.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by marteeni:
Thanks guys for the "positive" comments! As far as the "negatives", I was not intending the post to be a slam on Vipers by any means!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sure, but the slams are what makes for fun reading. You should see how badly we've lambasted some of our own.

Now, about this comment...
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by marteeni:

I just wish Dodge would have put a little more thought and money into the interior, especially for a $70K+ car.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're driving a Vette and you're knocking the Viper interior??? The interior of a Vette makes a guy feel like picking up the kids and groceries.

I never heard of a race being won because of a car's interior. Interiors are a waste of time and money. All we want to do is go faster.

Enjoy your cupholder.

 

[King GTS]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bsteinhagen:
Marteeni: In order to really appreciate the GTS you need to spend some time with one. I have owned Vettes for 27 years and still have three (01 Z06, a 96GS and a 93 Vert) and it has taken me some time to get used to and comfortable in my 2001 GTS. I had driven three Vipers over the last few years and until you get some seat time you really cannot appreciate the car.


One of the things I have noticed as I have grown more comfortable is that my ability to drive the car more easily and to apprecite the power and the handling has grown with every mile.


I was asked the other day by my Vette Tech how the 2001 GTS & the Z06 compared. I told him that they were both so unique that I could not really compare the two cars. They both are designed with go fast in mind...but they take totally different approaches to getting to the same basic conclusion.


I would suggest a drive in a GTS that has been treated well and is in good condition. I think you might feel a tad differently.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree.

 

[MES]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Some things that surprised me were the hood release being OUTSIDE? and no back seat adjustment. All in all, the ride wasn't as thrilling as I had expected (maybe I expected to much), certainly not a huge leap above my ZR1. Are the GTS's '99 and newer any better?? I still am interested as the looks of a GTS are outstanding. I just wish Dodge would have put a little more thought and money into the interior, especially for a $70K+ car.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Some thoughts... yes the hood release was on the outside of the car

I've always been puzzled by that myself, but that's the way they all are. Also remember your trying to compare the Viper to a ZR1 (400HP??) which is not your average Vette, that's probably why "the ride wasn't as thrilling as expected" What do you mean by "are the 99's and newer better"? In what way? There are small refinements along the way with the biggest being ABS in '01 but basically they are all going to be very similar (performance, ride, interior) Your catching some flack for that interior complaint, mostly because nobody buys a Viper for the interior. Also when you say it "barely idled" have you driven other 97's ? The reason I ask, is because it may have been idling normally. The 96-98 GTS have rough idles, it lopes a little and shakes especially during warm up. I've been asked on more than a few occasions if my car was running right or had a cam, based on the way it was idling. If you really want to find out if it was just that car or if all Vipers are like the one you tested, try driving a pristine 00 or '01 they are nicknamed "creampuffs"

EDIT: The seats have the following adjustments: Slide forward & backwards, reclining back, and lumbar support (pump up) There is no height adjustment, but there are aftermarket lowering kits if your too tall. Also all three petals are adjustable with a knob below the steering wheel (move forward & back)

 

[MadMaxx]

The LT5s were no slouches, but they got nothing on the V10's. I always liked the plenum design of the lotus motor, but the V10 is a work of art!

Find a viper that has been well kept, and use that as your comparison. She should be smoother than that ZR1. As for POD, it should be smooth and get to 60 in a heart beat.

Lemme know if you want to sell your ZR1. Always have a place in my heart for the lotus stuff

MadMaxx

 

[BobK898]

LOL at Ron and Chuck.

 

[Gavin]

The last corvette guy I gave a ride at Laguna Seca, went out next Monday and bought a Viper.
Ya wanna see the thing get around corners and down the straights- common out and play Memorial Weekend - will be a few Vettes around and a few Vipers and we all give out rides.
THEN you will see what WE are all talking about.
Running around on the street, even in a good Viper isn't going to give you the real picture

 

[marteeni]

Thanks MES for the seat features info. I guess I should have looked closer. Also, you could be right about the rough idle due to the '97's cam. The car did pull hard to 80MPH, just not as hard as I was expecting (come to think about it, I was expecting alot more pull from my ZR-1 as well). I still don't understand why Dodge would put the hood release outside where people could get at it. Especially for as much of a people magnet as the Viper is. BTW, anyone in central Wisconsin want to meet up to show me a better example?

 

[genXgts]

Marteeni,

Fly out to Vegas and rent one for a day, that's your best bet, just don't rent one from the cruddy rental shops on the strip like I did.

My 96 I rented was baffed beyond belief, handled horrible, shakes and vibrations, little braking and thin air (ie less power) left a less than desirable image of the Viper at the time in November. I posted my findings here and was lambasted as well, simply stating that my RX7 Turbo at the time was more confident handling, not higher limits obviously, but more solid footing in transition, etc. Woo-haa, I was grilled by the Viper Veterns, I think Ron even gave a similar response about not deserving a Viper, funny stuff, somethings never change.....

Try Rent A Vette in Vegas or SteveB in Chicago (Cloud9 rentals) for some seat time in a nice example before shelling out that kind of bread, it truly might not be the car for you, it's as raw as they come, and that's why I bought it.........

 

[CAP]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by marteeni:
I still don't understand why Dodge would put the hood release outside where people could get at it. Especially for as much of a people magnet as the Viper is<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Most people do not have a clue where the hood release is anyway and probably would not be able to locate it if they tried. I have seen posts where owners were asking how to open their own hood.

When I pop the hood for someone who is not familiar with the car (i.e., most people), they stand in front of the car until I raise the hood and totally block their view. (They expect a conventionally opening hood.)

So, unless you run across some freak who is Viper knowledgable and just has to get under the hood - and the alarm is not set - or they can disable the alarm - or they are really big and there is no one to stop them - or they are confused and mistook your Viper for theirs - or they are dillusional and think they own a Viper when really they own a &lt;insert brand name here&gt;, or, or... etc., etc., - there is most likely not a problem.

IMHO

 

[agentf1]

Marteeni, I don't think you are going to feel a very big "Seat of the Pants" difference between the ZR1 or Z06 and the Viper. Before all you Viper guys jump down my throat, I do know the Viper is faster but am saying it is hard to feel the .5 seconds in the 1/4 difference especially around town or on a test drive. Atleast I couldn't. I actually thought my Z06 felt faster (Calm down, I know it isn't) but I think it is due to the different gearing in the two cars. I am sure if I was able to really lay into the viper to feel its full potential I wouldn't be saying this. Now a standard C4 or C5 to Viper I think you will see/feel a difference. In my opinion I would stay away from any used Vipers unless you really know its history. These are not the kinda cars most people baby. Even a low mileage viper could have had a hurting put on it. Lets see, 5000 miles could equate to approx 10000 1/4 mile passes. Flame suit on... Ducking...