Educate me? Yes, I am back...

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

So after being exiled for years, I am back, and while I see lots has changed, some of the same faces are here (good and ugly , they know who they are).

So my knowledge of the Viper world ended about 08 from what I recall, at that point, I had bought 3 new ones from 02-06 (2002 ACR, which is my name sake on this forum, 2005 srt10 (as if I need to spell it out, like there was anything else available that year, lol), and then 06 Coupe (Paxton super charged from Woodhouse).

Then I got sucked into the world of GTRs (and basically kicked out of this one by an over zealous admin).

But here I am again, 3 GTRs have been bought since my leave, 2010 Zr1 (hated it), Lamborghini Murcielago and a host of other irrelevant cars.

I did however for the first time in like 8 years, walk into a Dodge Dealership and inquire about an ACR.

At this point, the Viper world has changed so drastically in offerings (most we ever had was 2-3 models each year), that now I consider myself uninformed on the lineup.

My intentions at this point, are to figure out if its time to come back to the Viper world by buying an ACR. I am now living in the south again (amen!) where sports cars can be used year round, and I dont have to buy AWD cars just in case it snows while I am out and about (like I did for years in Chicago).

There is still a Viper in the family tree, I gave my Dad my 06 Paxton Coupe, and here is a photo of the family lineup, for cars that matter... there are others, but these are the only ones my son's will pose next to

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[Steve-Indy]

Welcome back! I would suggest that you call Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse or John Gastman at Roanoke since they will take the time to assist you in this new, complex ordering circumstance. They can be trusted.

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

Those two names havent changed. What I am looking for is owners feedback, yes I know both those gentleman sell the cars and own them as well, but I'm reaching out to the community as a whole for some insight. I have no interest in getting a sales pitch, or wasting their time should I decide not to pull the trigger.

My last Viper came from Bill, and I placed my hold order for a Jeep TrackHawk/Hellcat with him, so my question still stands if actual owners could give me some insight, as I know there are a few versions and are they worth the uptick in price each time you move up the model line.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Mopar Steve]

X2 on Roanoke, John Gastman. I purchased my last Viper from him. Honest first class guy.

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

I'm hoping we posted at the same time, else I'll just delete this and move on.......

 

[Steve-Indy]

The feedback you receive may depend on exactly which ACR type said owner specifically purchased out of the many, many options available. Of course, this info then needs to be matched with your plans and appetite for performance, service, maintenance.

 

[CWhiteRun]

I'm hoping we posted at the same time, else I'll just delete this and move on.......

are you still in Chicago? Or did you move back to NC?

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

The feedback you receive may depend on exactly which ACR type said owner specifically purchased out of the many, many options available. Of course, this info then needs to be matched with your plans and appetite for performance, service, maintenance.

Exactly my point. We have all bought cars (well most of us on here), and sales people are great about selling cars, but what I wanted was real world experience from owners about the various options/trim levels, I dont care about paint color or leather options. I want to know if ACR's are worth the premium, or get just an SRT or GTS. Conceptually, I get it, that each tick up gets more goodies, but in the end they all have the same motor, and in a drag race (no thats not my sole use of the car, I actually plan to get back into Track time, now that my lifestyle affords me that kind of time), all things being equal, the one with leaast resistance, and lighter weight will win. The ACR's downforce hurts it relative to its other trim levels, until you get it on a track

I remember back in the day, a gen 2 acr vs a GTR was not 'a worthwhile investment' if you paid for the package, because Moton had much better shocks available, the wheels were nicer but lighter/stronger options were available, and even the racing harnesses were 5 points when most felt 6 was ideal. Yet, I was very glad to have owned a gen 2 ACR, loved the car (60k miles worth before I sold it).

So I am just here to get some feedback on if the ACR's are that much better, and what they are like to live with daily (I'm that guy who daily drives his Vipers, GTRs and Lambo, I dont have a 'normal car' nor do I ever want one).

I get that things have changed around here, 10 years ago there would have been pages of replies, now I see posts 'age' here for days before people respond to them. I'm just trying to get real world feedback, I mean this is a forum of owners/enthusiasts after all right? We came here to read/write about these awesome machines!

Thanks,

Jon

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

are you still in Chicago? Or did you move back to NC?

1991-2005 NC
2005-2008 Chicago
2008-2010.5 Cali
2010.5-2016 Chicago
2016- ???? NC (Moved here April 1st, jokes on NC !)

 

[broomrider]

I do not own an ACR. The new ACR has set multiple track records and can virtually set up any way you like regardless of pkg. Welcome back! I believe that it would be
A worthwhile investment for any car enthusiast. Everyone I have spoken with who owns one has nothing but good things to say. In my observations they are stripped down where bells and whistles are
Concerned but only to decrease weight. Every little bit helps. I think they are kick *** but that's my opinion.

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

I'm not here to stir the ***, I am just now getting light shed on why these forums arent as lively as they used to be. I remember when you'd have to find your active post a few threads down because so much activity was occurring. Now things just 'sit there.'

I have no agenda, but when I see something like this "Last edited by ViperJeff; 23 Hours Ago at 10:25 AM. Reason: We don't promote the competition" bothers me, thinking heavy moderating is occurring and free exchange of information is not allowed.

 

[ViperJeff]

At the Hatfields bar and grill the McCoys hung a banner on there building inviting patrons over to the McCoys bar and grill for a good time. What happened next was heavy moderating

 

[AZTVR]

At the Hatfields bar and grill the McCoys hung a banner on there building inviting patrons over to the McCoys bar and grill for a good time. What happened next was heavy moderating

In this case, it looks like a Hatfield was the transgressor, though.

 

[ViperJeff]

In this case, it looks like a Hatfield was the transgressor, though.

You are correct, i removed the McCoy banner. The Hatfields would have removed the offender, and I did not

 

[Free2go]

I'm not here to stir the ***

That's good because I step things up a notch when I have competition.

 

[labtec]

That's good because I step things up a notch when I have competition.

You mean like Izzy.... I'll show you, we're gonna take it up a notch....ahhh, my back Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[ViperCeeJ]

Sadly, I think Social Media has taken over the "prestige" of the forums. Our Facebook page is crazy busy, with Viper Owners and Enthusiasts from all over the world posting and responding. Perhaps, you should take a look at it, if you haven't already.

 

[AZTVR]

Sadly, I think Social Media has taken over the "prestige" of the forums. Our Facebook page is crazy busy, with Viper Owners and Enthusiasts from all over the world posting and responding. Perhaps, you should take a look at it, if you haven't already.

I never thought about facebook. Shows how old I am. It took me a minute to find what appears like an official site, versus someone's personal site with the same name. I assume this is where you are talking about? https://www.facebook.com/groups/4viperclub/?fref=nf

 

[plumcrazy]

2002, good to see you back !

 

[JANEY]

Yes, that's VCA's facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4viperclub/?fref=nf

 

[Paul Hawker]

For a little extra, un confirmed information, Automobile magazine feels that the ACR Extreme Aero comes with straight pipes, that may put it over the edge.

If you want to hear what it sounds like,

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/s...6A3382432196787D50AAB9F2A35C511DE5AC053152992

As far as the different models, many feel that the stock SRT, GT or GTS are the best all around street/track balance for everyday Viper owners.

TA 1.0 and 2.0 are for driving to, from, and on the track. Good creature comforts, but enhanced track performance, but not enough aero to slow it down on the faster tracks. Maybe lighter weight and slight aero may make them quicker at the drag strip and street performance.

ACR adds enough aerodynamics to really make a difference on most road courses. Takes away some of the very top speeds, but more than makes up for it in cornering speeds. Allows you to have that extra exit speed that really kicks you off the corners and allows you to gain on every track straight away.

Extreme Aero is not nearly as street friendly with low ride height, ground draging front splitter and rear diffuser. Capable of setting production vehicle track records on most road courses, and the tip of the spear for the Viper lineup.

Like you, I remember when there were very few options available. Each year had different colors available, but the performance was pretty much the same across the lineup. Now with so many options, and even the amazing one of one program, buyers have almost too many choices and need to spend some time equiping their cars to provide the performance they desire.

Glad to have you back, but just as there are more options on how to equip your viper the way you want, there are also lots more choices as to which forum you wish to get your information from. Variety may be the spice of life, but it also splits up the number of people on each venue.

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

2002, good to see you back !

Thanks Plum! Good to see you and some of the old usual suspects

For a little extra, un confirmed information, Automobile magazine feels that the ACR Extreme Aero comes with straight pipes, that may put it over the edge.

If you want to hear what it sounds like,

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/s...6A3382432196787D50AAB9F2A35C511DE5AC053152992

As far as the different models, many feel that the stock SRT, GT or GTS are the best all around street/track balance for everyday Viper owners.

TA 1.0 and 2.0 are for driving to, from, and on the track. Good creature comforts, but enhanced track performance, but not enough aero to slow it down on the faster tracks. Maybe lighter weight and slight aero may make them quicker at the drag strip and street performance.

ACR adds enough aerodynamics to really make a difference on most road courses. Takes away some of the very top speeds, but more than makes up for it in cornering speeds. Allows you to have that extra exit speed that really kicks you off the corners and allows you to gain on every track straight away.

Extreme Aero is not nearly as street friendly with low ride height, ground draging front splitter and rear diffuser. Capable of setting production vehicle track records on most road courses, and the tip of the spear for the Viper lineup.

Like you, I remember when there were very few options available. Each year had different colors available, but the performance was pretty much the same across the lineup. Now with so many options, and even the amazing one of one program, buyers have almost too many choices and need to spend some time equiping their cars to provide the performance they desire.

Glad to have you back, but just as there are more options on how to equip your viper the way you want, there are also lots more choices as to which forum you wish to get your information from. Variety may be the spice of life, but it also splits up the number of people on each venue.

This was honestly about as good of a reply as I could have hoped for. Paul, thank you for the time spent on that right up, gives me good insight into a lot of things!

Thanks,

Jon

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

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[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

Well...... ACR-E in a custom 1 of 1 Blue is what I went with The hellcat is a placeholder for my Plumb Crazy Demon I have ordered

 

[Shaggy]

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All yours??

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

Only one I didn't buy was the Gray Hellcat, its a placeholder for my Purple Demon thats coming.

 

[Shaggy]

Only one I didn't buy was the Gray Hellcat, its a placeholder for my Purple Demon thats coming.

So got a pic on where all these will be parking.....

 

[ViperJeff]

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Outstanding

However, I’d never make it to work

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

Outstanding

However, I’d never make it to work

And there in lies the rub..... I dont have to go to work LOL !

Can you please correct me from enthusiast to Owner, that was a slight done many years ago by ********* admin on here, that I hope is now gone.

 

[ViperJeff]

And there in lies the rub..... I dont have to go to work LOL !

Can you please correct me from enthusiast to Owner, that was a slight done many years ago by ********* admin on here, that I hope is now gone.

Your VIN is missing on your profile