Gen II Or Gen IV?

[STL RT/10]

So I'm thinking about selling my '02 RT/10 and upgrading to a Gen IV ACR. I have driven a late model ACR and really liked it, but I don't know that I could part with the "rudeness" of my Gen II. It is a bit louder, seems to rumble more and just is a little more brutal in my opinion. I really like it, have for 10 years now. However, an extra 150 HP and much improved handling would be welcomed. For those of you that have / still do have both of these generations, what are your opinions? The cost of the upgrade would have to be figured into the equation as well. I'd have to part with the RT/10 and likely one or two of my other "more common" cars to make the upgrade happen. Thoughts? Thanks!

Matt

 

[troublemaker]

Going from a Gen2 RT/10 to a Gen 4 ACR is a little more of a jump than just 2 Generations. I love the Gen 2s, but the only thing it is better as is sitting still and that's just subjective at that. I think the early cars have the looks, but the Gen4 ACR is going to do everything better once its rolling. I don't think you will miss the crudeness so much, the ACR is still a crude monster, just updated. It's faster, turns better, brakes better, more docile to daily drive, that list can keep going.

It kind of comes down to what you are after. If you like a nice summer night cruise with the top off, you will miss the RT. If you want to spend time on the track, the ACR is probably what you are looking for. You are looking to go from a car that was meant to cruise in to a car meant for the track, it will be a big jump but I don't think you can make a bad decision when these are your 2 outcomes.

 

[Allan]

If you are trying to dominate the roadcourse, the gen IV ACR is only limited by fear, and the skill of the driver. Same thing I guess with the gen II, but the ACR is more of a track day weapon than any other Viper. For street use and cruises, stay with the brutal gen II, or get a regular gen IV.

 

[Paul Hawker]

This reminds me why I bought my first Viper, a 96 GTS.

It reminded me of the Shelby Cobra I always desired, but did not want to deal with the hot & loud interior, no heater, no A/C, questionable reliability, expensive parts, and difficulty getting my G/F to come along for rides longer than a couple hours.

That Coupe opened up a whole world to me. I could drive anywhere I wanted. It had all the creature comforts, and just wanted to run.

I have since gone up the food chain to Gen III and IV as the Viper developed, I have gone along for the ride.

All Vipers share the same DNA, and some generations call to each of us more than others.

I now embrace the more refined interiors, the smoother ride, the wider power band, the stronger transmissions and even the ability to purchase extended warranties to take the worry out of putting on the miles.

For many, once you experience the newer car, there is no going back, however there are always some that want to stick with their first love.

(I have this same conversation with my Harley buddies that still pine for their old kick start 45's)

 

[DMan]

If you think you'll miss your gen2 then that's ok, you just don't want to regret the swap. Moving from gen2 to the gen3, I didn't regret. I still miss my 2000 gen2 but never regretted moving on. When I went to the gen4 I did regret it for a few mos. it was so much smoother it felt tamed to me, not what I look for in a Viper. Then spring rolled around and I got to push the car, my swap from gen3 to gen4'cost me $19k atnthentime, and HP and rear end difference were worth it, the other stuff was just gravy. The car handles so much more predictable and you can finesse it so much more with ease, it really is amazing how something that looks so similar can feel so different. In the end I was very happy, just took me a couple mos to realize.

 

[STL RT/10]

Thanks for the replies. Please keep them coming. Need to win the lottery so I can have both!

Matt

 

[SLViper]

I loved my 1995 RT/10, but the 2000 RT/10 was better at everything. Likewise My 2010 Vert has even more of Everything I Loved about my Gen1 & Gen2. Also Better Sound, Ride, Handling, Interior, top, stereo and what's brutal now is the 600HP! Was 74 and sunny today and the Viper Always Thrills! Every Time! Today's silly comment from a guy while getting gas. "beautiful car I believe I would rather have that than any Corvette"

 

[hou99gts]

I had a Gen II GTS and a Gen IV ACR at the same time for over 2 years, sold the Gen II GTS since I wanted to drive it 9.5 times out of 10. The only thing I miss is the idle of the 708 cam in the Gen II. If you are okay with the stiffer ride of the Gen IV ACR, you will not regret the decision.

 

[01sapphirebob]

So I'm thinking about selling my '02 RT/10 and upgrading to a Gen IV ACR. I have driven a late model ACR and really liked it, but I don't know that I could part with the "rudeness" of my Gen II. It is a bit louder, seems to rumble more and just is a little more brutal in my opinion. I really like it, have for 10 years now. However, an extra 150 HP and much improved handling would be welcomed. For those of you that have / still do have both of these generations, what are your opinions? The cost of the upgrade would have to be figured into the equation as well. I'd have to part with the RT/10 and likely one or two of my other "more common" cars to make the upgrade happen. Thoughts? Thanks!

Matt

I can offer my opinion here. I have both a GEN II and a GEN IV. I love both cars very much and I will word it this way...After a drive in my GEN IV I'll go out in the GEN II and i'm instantly reminded why I LOVE my GEN II. It's something that's hard to put into words but the second I put my foot on the loud pedal I immediately get that s@%t eating grin on my face. Not saying the GEN IV is a bad car in fact it's superior in many ways but I always come back to my GEN II.


I LOVE THIS CAR. My GEN II is the Viper that I fell in love with all those years ago and I'm so glad I was able to put one in my stable. The curves, raw pawer, the impracticality of it, timeless design, wow factor, CLAMSHELL HOOD, Sneaky Pete, Just nothing like it on the road.

I REALLY LIKE THIS CAR I was lucky enough to be able to get a GEN IV and still keep my GEN II. The GEN IV is a better car in almost every way. MORE POWER, better seats, better brakes, better suspension, a convertible top, better transmission, better clutch, etc.

SO it really comes down to which car you like the most. There is something so primitive about the GEN II's that makes them such awesome cars. As silly as this sounds the things I hate about my GEN II are the things I love about it as well. I was strongly considering a GEN V and did not think twice about getting rid of the GEN IV to get it but looking deeper into the purchase I was gonna have to get rid of my GEN II and theres just no way I could ever do that. She's irreplaceable. The are both great cars but as I tell people all the time that ask me... "Which one do you like to drive more?" Every time I say..."My '01!"

 

[BlackOutBoxing]

Well put sapphirebob!

 

[99 R/T 10]

Sapphirebob put it perfectly. I had both my 99, 97 RTs. Bought a brand new 2008. Loved the car. It kicked ass in every respect stock for stock. Took the 2008 SRT-10 to the Tail of the Dragon and ripped into the corners 300+ corners! Raced it at Robeling Roads in GA, got it up to 165+ on the straight away. Ended up selling. That being said, I want my next car to be a 2010 ACR................

 

[Magyar1]

Really tough decision. I had my '97 Blue GTS for 15 years. I agonized for months. There is no more beautiful car save for perhaps a couple real expensive exotics (and perhaps an old Ferrari 355, which is one of my favorites). But the GTS is completely different. I love the retro, and having been in a 427 AC Cobra a few times when I was a kid, it's overall wonderfully brutish character reminds me of that car. If I could have afforded it, I would have kept the GTS when I got my Gen IV roadster. Even if it was just to stare at it in my garage before getting into the SRT! A Gen V, which shares so much of the styling, may be in my distant future, but is just too expensive. What I can say is that my Gen IV is a much better driving car than the GTS. It still looks great, perhaps even better at some angles, but in my opinion what it may have lost in overall looks to the GTS, it gains back in improved handling, forward visibility, and acceleration (perhaps not at the very bottom end but especially after 4k - hold on!). I also really like the interior. Not sure why all the car mags whine about it. Not crazy about drive by wire but getting used to it. I also had a '94 roadster which I really liked, but each generation yields further improvements. I think the Gen IV retains its down to earth meanness while making it a better driver's car.