creature comforts of the Viper vs the Vette

[MannyC]

Guys,

I own two 1994 RT/10's and a 2001 Z06 (and some other 'stuff'.) I have a buyer for one of my 94 vipers and was going to keep the 2001 Z06 because it is an awesome daily driver.

I got to thinking about potentially selling the Z06 and getting me a 2001 or 2002 Viper, but I have never been in one that new and am curious how it compares in creature comforts to the vettes?

For example, my 2001 Z06 has:

Dual Airbags
Traction Control
Power Windows
Power Mirrors
Power seats
Seats that move all the way back when you unlock the car (easy access)
Auto dimming mirrors (in and out of the car)
Climate Control
and some other goodies.
Great instrument panel that tells you everything from tire pressure to current MPG, avg MPG, when you next oil change is, how much futher you can go before you run out of gas, etc.)

What does a 2001 or 2002 Viper not come with that is listed above? Would it be worth selling the vette and getting a newer viper for my daily driver?

Lastly, do the newer RT/10's with the hard tops seal up perfectly (no leaks, no wind hissing, etc.) ?

Thanks for any serious responses. No need for the typical 'I hate vettes and they are ugly' posts. I would get a 2003 which probably has more of this, but they are just too plain right now, and a bit more pricey than I want to spend on a daily driver.

Manny

 

[Moundir]

is you want creature comforts stick with the Vette. I sold a 00 vette that had everything you were talking about, with heads up display as well. The genII only have power mirrors and windows for comforts. Imo for a daily driver stick with the Vette

 

[Bob K]

Manny,
I have both an '02 Z06 and an '02 GTS so here are your answers:
Dual airbags - yes (you can turn off the passenger side)
Traction control - no
Power windows - yes
Power mirrors - yes
Power seats - no
Easy access seats - no
Auto dimming mirrors - no
Climate control- no ( air cond. - yes)
Fancy instrument panel - no
Other goodies - no

Both are great cars. It sounds a little like you would miss some of the "goodies" that your Vette offers as a daily driver. My suggestion : sell one of the RT/10's, buy a GTS AND keep the Vette as a daily driver.

Bob K

 

[Bob K]

Manny,
I have both an '02 Z06 and an '02 GTS so here are your answers:
Dual airbags - yes (you can turn off the passenger side)
Traction control - no
Power windows - yes
Power mirrors - yes
Power seats - no
Easy access seats - no
Auto dimming mirrors - no
Climate control- no ( air cond. - yes)
Fancy instrument panel - no
Other goodies - no

Both are great cars. It sounds a little like you would miss some of the "goodies" that your Vette offers as a daily driver. My suggestion : sell one of the RT/10's, buy a GTS AND keep the Vette as a daily driver.

Bob K
Auto dimming mirroe

 

[XLR8]

I just sold my 2000 Vette with all of the options because it was so mundane. If you have to ask you should definitely keep the Vette. One thing that I cant get over about the Vette is that it had more road noise than either of my Vipers. I got a SRT4 for a daily driver and put the stage one on it and I like it more than the Vette.

 

[ChrisXoxide]

I like the Viper but I'm 19 years old. My 19 year old business partner has a C5 vette, and I like driving it. I tohught the instrument panel was a nice touch, gas gauge and range and whatnot being much better than the Viper. I don't really ask for much in a car though.

Like as far as power seats, I don't see a reason? I never move my seat around.

You are overlooking a major thing though. Ability to park is important in a daily driver, and you might worry more about a Viper getting keyed than a vette. Vettes are more common so I don't think as many people would be inclined to do [******] to your car.

Does anyone agree with me on this? I don't feel good at all parking my Viper is alot of places around me. I've come out of my car after parking in Pep Boys and had a guy leaning into my car and looking at stuff (I had my top off on the RT10 and windows down). It doesn't bother me so much, but to think that he could just be ********** that day and key it or something is the worry.

 

[ChrisXoxide]

Oh also Manny, I saw your new rims (Purners). I think they look great.

I need to get a money tree in my backyard like you have.

 

[FranciscoR.]

lol...I worry about my 99 ranger getting keyed so a Vette, or a Viper is definetly a "worry"...lol

 

[Snakester]

I had a Corvette convertible before, and I'd agree that if you are asking these questions it's most likely that you will want to keep the Z06. I've driven a couple Z06s, and they are almost plush luxury cars compared to the Viper.

Still, I eagerly drive my GenII Viper almost every day, but I don't have a long stop-and-go commute to contend with.

I don't miss the power seats a bit. The computer readout stuff was nice (tire pressure, miles to drive before empty, etc), but I just watch the gas gauge when it's getting low.

The traction control was nice, but I just learned how to drive the car better over time, and learned it's limits (and mine).

The climate control is better in the Corvette, with better flow and air distribution (the Viper blows ice cold air at your groin), but it's wholly adequate with the hard top on. I've driven a few times on long trips through 105 + degree temps and it wasn't chilling, but it was fine.

The top seals out normal showers fairly well, but in a continuous heavy downpour you had better carry a towel.
My Corvette convertible leaked a bit under the same conditions as well. But I have no air hiss with the back window in, the power side windows up and the hardtop on.
I actually feels pretty buttoned down, almost like the GTS.

The Corvette has a more comfortable ride, but I have my Viper slightly lowered.

All in all, I would have a tough time going back to a Corvette. I really enjoyed owning and driving my Corvette, which was also my daily driver. But it is truly an event driving the Viper, and I haven't felt that in any other car the same way.

But then you already own Vipers, so you know what I mean.

-Dean.

 

[Viperzilla]

Don't forget that with the 2001-02 you're considering buying, it will have ABS.

 

[DR VIPER]

Manny,
I think with the ZO6 you get the biggest bang for your buck as far as value.
Even though I've always been partial to Viper,I'd become a ZO6 owner in a minute.

 

[snowmann]

No question, Z06 is a better daily... nuff said...

 

[WANTED]

i have owned 4 corvettes and now a viper, for a daily driver i bought a cad, after a viper just no going back to a vette for me at least, i was thinking about buying a older vette but now i am going to buy a older viper and see how mean i can make it, keep the viper, sell the vette, buy another viper then buy a cad for a nice daily driver ( it has all the comforts you will ever need ), by the way my wife thinks the viper has a nicer feel and ride then the vette.

 

[scottgf]

Hey XLR8!!
Tell me how you like your SRT-4, I was thinking about getting one for a driver, any problems???
(Sorry bout hi-jacking the thread)
Cheers,

 

[ViperJoe]

Drove the Z-06 from Chicago to Virginia 800 miles straight. Arrived like I just drove around the block.
Drove the Viper 300+ from New Jersey to Virginia and was in agony when I arrived.
Keep the Vette for a daily driver, NOW, how about adding a GTS to the stable

 

[tim721]

People dont flinch when they see a Vette...A Viper, and their reaching for their camera. A daily driver should attract less attention, and not be a prime target for theft or damage. I see 3 to 4 Vettes everyday...

tim

 

[96 GTS]

No question about it, my wife's 2002 ZO6 has more creature comforts than my GTS, but who cares? I've been on long trips in my GTS with absolutely no comfort problems. I don't need all that fluff to enjoy what my GTS was designed to do. I didn't buy it for a daily driver - I have several other cars for that. I bought it for its jaw dropping looks and its bone crushing performance.

 

[XLR8]

Hey scottgf. I think the SRT 4 is the best bang for the buck I have ever seen. I have taken it to the drag races and I feel like Elvis. Everybody has read about it and loves it. I took the Vette there twice and nobody even noticed. I have the stage one kit on it and it runs high 13s. The only problem is the seat bottom is a bit narrow, or I am to wide.

 

[Tom Welch]

I owned a 99 coupe, it had all the toys including heads up display. What it lacked, which to me couldn't be replaced..was my confidence! Sitting at a traffic light besides one of many Friday night takers left me always wondering the outcome and wishing I had my Viper out this night.

Do we need to say more?? Keep the Vette as a ******.

Tom