According the Chris, the head of the VCA in the KC region (and someone who traded his GTS for a new SRT in 03) a SRT HAS BEEN clocked at 202 MPH with the top up and he knows more about the car then anyone you could hope to meet. "Better performer because of top end" (even if it were true).... yeah, OK. Handling, braking, 1/4 mile... all suddenly do not mean anything.
The SRT is a generation ahead of the Gen2 in the engine, brakes (3 generations ahead there), suspension, interior, QUALITY etc.... just deal with it. It doesn't take anything away from your GTS's, it is just how it is. If you took a new SRT to your crooked friend in Texas, for the same money he would be able to give you A LOT more car. 1/4 mile, road course, top end, etc... any category but braking. DLM same thing only more.
As a weekend car I would not sell my 95 for any other car available including the SRT. That was not the point. So I can completely understand someone driving a Gen1 or Gen2, especially SC'ed, not wanting to sell it for a SRT. However, I can also understand how someone could trade a Gen1 or Gen2 because now that I have researched, seen, and driven the SRT I understand what an outstanding Viper it is. I am looking for an everyday car (which for me isn't really that much driving) and the SRT is 100% perfect. I could go pick up a 02 GTS..... not for me. That's another great weekend toy, one of the best like my 95, but no way would I want to drive it every day over the new Viper. It's not even close.
The only real complaints you GTS big mouths have are really about styling. Something I never mentioned beyond saying that the SRT is 110% Viper. Whether you like the new Viper or not is completely up to the individual because it is a much different (and better) car. If you only like the coupe you are prob not going to want or like a convertible. I was comparing it directly to MY Gen1. The Gen2 had improvements but not nearly enough for what became a $75-$85,000 car (my 95 was $53,000 new) and I'll never understand how those improvements over the Gen1 were OK but the many, many, many improvements in the Gen3 over the Gen2 make it "less of a Viper." A lot of you GTS guys, especially the ones with mods (thus have a lot invested and worry about resale) have done a lot to hurt the new SRT. You all complain about how the motor rags review your car but then have no problem continually hammering the SRT based on seeing some pictures, which makes you a lot worse than the rags in my opinion because they are all Vipers and you are supposed to know better.
Believe it or not D-Dog... MANY of us feel that a plain red GTS with a big, stupid, ricer looking spoiler, side-skirts, and rear-end nonsense is hideous but probably would not say so because it's still a Viper and we support the car. Unlike 90% of current GTS owners regarding the SRT. FYI - Your car to me is hideous. No wonder you have so much sh*t to say about the new Viper... you transformed yours into something that to me looks like a Viper mistake. I'd keep driving my Vette before trading down to something like that. Thank God there's a new Viper!!
