Gen II and Gen III/IV Comparison

[natsfan]

Looking to get my first Viper and am debating between getting a Gen II GTS or a Gen III/IV coupe. If I get get a Gen II will go for a 2002 with 15k or less miles. If I get a Gen III/IV I would probably get a 2006 maybe a 2008 with 30k or less miles.

How do the cars compare? Will one be more reliable? Is one better for a first time owner? I plan to drive the car a lot, own it for a long time, and learn to drive it well. Maybe even some autocross.

Here are the pros and cons I see of each car. However, I have not driven either so I don't know what I am talking about.

2002 pro:
Great looking design with a lot of history
Cheaper to buy
May become a collector car

2002 cons:
Brakes are not up to the performance level of the rest of the car
Older (will the car be less reliable and harder to fix?)

2006/2008 pro:
More power. (However, 450 is more than enough for me right now)
Better brakes
Better interior (In my opinion)

2006/2008:
Does not look as good (in my opinion)
More expensive.

Thanks for the help and feed back.

 

[viper vince]

I had a Gen 3 and now I have a Gen 4 night and day difference they fixed all of the issues with the Gen 4. They all are stupid fast!

 

[Casper]

is too subjective..

i prefer 1 and 2 gen look.. 3 and 4 (imho) losed their killer style..
for sure that 3 gen could be more confortable...but only you can know if this are good reasons to choose 3 gen..

By the way, this is RT and GTS side..and maybe everybody prefer 2 gen..You try to put same question in the Srt section and will get other answer..
This is a clear cue that is a too subjective choice

 

[agentf1]

I find the Gen II styling iconic and nothing compares. All you need is some Random Tech high flow cats and Corsa's and the car is perfect. No more heat issues and sounds perfect. Maybe upgrade the brakes if you are a ********* track guy. Brakes are fine for the street. They are also at the bottom of their depreciation right now so now is the time to buy, as time goes on they will be harder and harder to find nice ones at any price.

 

[Casper]

I find the Gen II styling iconic and nothing compares. All you need is some Random Tech high flow cats and Corsa's and the car is perfect. No more heat issues and sounds perfect. Maybe upgrade the brakes if you are a ********* track guy. Brakes are fine for the street. They are also at the bottom of their depreciation right now so now is the time to buy, as time goes on they will be harder and harder to find nice ones at any price.

i quote

 

[swexlin]

To the original OP: Gen 3 is 2003-2006. 2008 is start of Gen 4. If you can afford the substantial price differential between Gen3 and 4, go for it.

 

[natsfan]

Thanks all for the feed back. I realize the question is very subjective but was interested in people's opinion.

 

[Indy]

Power wise, there is not a big difference between the Gen2 and 3...the Gen2's were underrated and come quite close to the Gen3 in power. In terms of reliability, they are pretty much bulletproof as long as you do regular maintanance. Brakes on the 2002 Gen2 come with ABS, so they should perform well on the Autocross. In the end, I guess you have to decide if comfort is your priority (Gen3) or looks (Gen2 for most people I have talked to)....

 

[Viper98912]

You buy a gen 1 or 2 because you want one and it means something to you. You buy a gen 4 because you want an amazing performance car.

 

[blown daytona]

Granted the newer cars are faster and improved. I could have gotten any Viper I wanted, but the Gen II GTS has the lines that no other Viper has...It was my only choice

 

[slysnake]

2006/2008:
Does not look as good (in my opinion)

Personal taste. I personally think the Gen 3/4 body style is far more appealing. When I was looking for a car I had a down payment on a gen 1, but when the Gen 3 I have came available I jumped on it even though I had to eat the down payment I had already made. To me it was worth it. My recommendation would be to drive examples of the cars you want then decide for yourself.

 

[DrumrBoy]

No substitute for driving them before you decide what you really want. Gen 2's look great and have a feel that can't be matched by almost any other car out there. Some like it, some don't. The only way you'll know is to drive them and decide for yourself.

 

[Free2go]

Do you really want a 2002 "cream puff"? And as far as brakes go yer going to have to upgrade wether it's a 96 or a 2002. I'd rather have a forged bottom end than ABS....but that's just my opinion.

 

[natsfan]

Great advice all. Anyone know someone in the Washington DC area that would take me for a ride in either generation? I'll try and find a local Viper Club.

 

[natsfan]

Do you really want a 2002 "cream puff"? And as far as brakes go yer going to have to upgrade wether it's a 96 or a 2002. I'd rather have a forged bottom end than ABS....but that's just my opinion.

I've gone back and forth. But right now, I'll take ABS over the forged motor. I'm not going to boost the car and want to leave it stock and not upgrade the brakes if possible. Therefore ABS is more important to me. I have heard the lumpy cam sounds pretty awesome. If I find a nice B/W at a good price all this might change.

 

[ACRSNK]

GEN II all the way. Looking at the entire package, its tough to beat if you ask me. Good luck with your search.

 

[steve e]

1999 was the last year for the lumpy cam, 2000 started with a milder cam and bleed down lifters, I have never mod the brakes on anything I have ever owned , that was always last on my priority list made it as fast as possible, who cares about stopping.

 

[Free2go]

If you test drive a 96-99, then a 2000-2002....you will choose the former. Most people, when given the choice, will choose a strong horse over a weak horse. You may get the itch to mod.

 

[mitchdob]

If you test drive a 96-99, then a 2000-2002....you will choose the former. Most people, when given the choice, will choose a strong horse over a weak horse. You may get the itch to mod.

To each there own; they're all Vipers.

I have a 2000 ACR (GTS): Belanger w/ cat-muffler delete (straight pipes), 708 cam, TD1.7 rockers, ported/polished heads, comp coupe valves/seats/guides/springs​, 3.54 gears, Steel Gray w/ stripes, BBS rims. It ain't no 'weak horse'. In fact I wanted naturally aspirated Gen II ACR... and for me that is what a Viper is all about. But again, that's subjective. In my case I wouldn't trade it for anything. All Vipers are awesome machines.

 

[Free2go]

Um...it ain't no weak horse because you modded the hell out of it. Damn, I'd like to hear the exhaust note on that thing

 

[blown daytona]

Great advice all. Anyone know someone in the Washington DC area that would take me for a ride in either generation? I'll try and find a local Viper Club.

Where are you located? I am in Southern Maryland. With all the salt on the streets and the way the weather is going, it will still be sometime before my stuff (or should I say puff) hits the road 02 GTS.... Love my creampuff

 

[natsfan]

Thanks for the offer. I sent you a PM with my number.

 

[Blainne]

Owned both the GEN II GTS and the GEN III GTS. If your looking for more comfort or room its the GEN III, but the GEN II GTS to is by far the best looking Viper EVER made... Period. But all Vipers look awesome. Hardest part is picking which style of Viper you want.

And if your going to Autocross/race your Viper. A low mileage Viper is kind of a waste of a Mint Viper. A 5k mileage or a 30k mileage Viper will be just as reliable. The engines are pretty stout and hard to break.

 

[luc]

If you test drive a 96-99, then a 2000-2002....you will choose the former. Most people, when given the choice, will choose a strong horse over a weak horse. You may get the itch to mod.

Fastest car ever ( bone stock) was a 2000 RT. Don't add much credibility to your statement

 

[fuelman]

I have a 01 GTS and an 08 ACR and SRT 10, I will never sell the GTS or the ACR, but I will sell you the 08 SRT10, if that tells you anything. The Gen IVs are way more comfortable to drive, but my Gen II has the looks of no other car. In a drag race, the 08 SRT10 will dominate and once you learn it, will dominate most cars you come across. Mine has been 11.2 @ 129 mph, bone stock, with a little more tire high 10s very possible, My ACR has been 11.45 @ 125 mph (wing slows it down) and my GTS ran 11.88 @ 121mph with headers, corsa, air box, and a tune. On a road course or auto cross track, well the ACR really has no equal, there are many new cars that may keep up for a few laps, but few that will hang with you for 20-30 minutes. If you want a weekend racer that will beat all other street cars on the track, try to find an ACR you can afford.

 

[natsfan]

If you want a weekend racer that will beat all other street cars on the track, try to find an ACR you can afford.

Fuelman, really liked your reply and I think you did a good job explaining what its like to own and drive these different cars. When you say find an ACR do you mean any ACR or only the 08-10 ACR? I have been thinking about a 99-02 ACR, but have heard the shocks on a 01-02 ACR can be a pain to deal with because they need to get rebuilt every so often. I have been very tempted to pick up a 08-10 ACR, but told myself I wasn't going to spend that much when I began my hunt for a Viper. The cheapest I have seen is 73K. Then again rules are meant to be broken.

 

[PDCjonny]

If your looking for more comfort or room its the GEN III, but the GEN II GTS to is by far the best looking Viper EVER made.

The best looking, most fearsome and most respected Viper ever made is a Gen 4 ACR.
It makes any other Viper disappear.

 

[DEADEYE]

The best looking, most fearsome and most respected Viper ever made is a Gen 4 ACR.
It makes any other Viper disappear.

While it looks great, the Gen 4 ACR's looks appear forced at worst (think Trans-Am WS6) and utilitarian at best, IMO. In contrast, the Gen 2's design appears to be the natural outflowing of a marriage of beauty and brawn. As with all things aesthetic though, it's all opinion....in my opinion lol

 

[46hemi]

I think your use case may play into it as well. For the regular person who is driving around town, goes for a spirited rip every now and again and would like a respectable car to track on occasion as is, and a classic design, I think a Gen II ABS car is a very nice compromise. It is good at everything where the others may me great at some and less at others. It is really easy to make an argument for that car. I would have a drive in one first to see if the weak horse may be good enough for your needs (just don't try and race any Civic Type R's with the Gen II) , I think you may find it quite capable.

 

[natsfan]

I think your use case may play into it as well. For the regular person who is driving around town, goes for a spirited rip every now and again and would like a respectable car to track on occasion as is, and a classic design, I think a Gen II ABS car is a very nice compromise. It is good at everything where the others may me great at some and less at others. It is really easy to make an argument for that car. I would have a drive in one first to see if the weak horse may be good enough for your needs (just don't try and race any Civic Type R's with the Gen II) , I think you may find it quite capable.

Thanks. I agree and am trying to get a ride in one. We have been having horrible weather in Virginia so no one is taking their Viper out on the road anytime soon.