Help me advise a friend on Gen I vs. Gen II

[ChrisGTS]

Hey everyone,
I have a friend who is strongly considering getting a Viper as a semi-daily driver. He wants an RT/10, but is not sure whether getting a Gen II is worth the extra money.
This would not be a track car -- just for street use. My friend is a very serious performance enthusiast, so things like loud noise or a stiff ride won't bother him.
That said, what we he be getting if he spent the extra $ to get a Gen II?
Thanks.

 

[monnieh]

If he can afford to get the GenII get it. 97up RT/10 is the best way to go. So many improvements a lot of people consider it a new Viper compared to the GenI.

 

[RonC]

Do a search on this subject. Has come up many times.

Basically Gen I = Head Gasket issues, no windows, 50HP less.

Gen II = No head gasket issues, windows, 50 HP, other +'s.

I like my Gen I, but have an arrow rebuilt engine, and like the nasty rawness (is that a word?) of the car. I also have fun watching people try to figure out how to open the door.

You need to be aware of the issues.

Ron

 

[LETHAL GTS]

I've got both.
As far as race car driving experience GEN 1 with side pipes. It feels like your going faster than you actually are.
Drive ability, go for the GEN II.
The Gen 1 is a hand full especially if you don't know how to fine tune your plenum cables. It easy, but you gotta kinda know *** your doing.

 

[Makara]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bigfoot:
I've got both.
As far as race car driving experience GEN 1 with side pipes. It feels like your going faster than you actually are.
Drive ability, go for the GEN II.
The Gen 1 is a hand full especially if you don't know how to fine tune your plenum cables. It easy, but you gotta kinda know *** your doing.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've had both. I love my GTS but I wish I still had my RT/10 too. The RT/10 is a blast to drive. I had belanger catback and high flow cats and the thing screamed. Total visceral experience to drive that beast. The GTS feels refined in comparison. I like it's looks a little more but that is like saying that I like the way Hiedi Klum looks over Elsa Benetiz. I'd take either in a heartbeat. Wait, maybe I like Elsa more than Heidi, wish I could have both. Heidi, I mean, the GTS is nice because it has windows and doorlocks. The novelty of not having those are cool in the RT but makes leaving Elsa.. I mean the RT/10 out of site a bit nerve racking. Everyone wants to put their hands on your toys.

As for how fun it is to watch people try and find the doorhandle in the RT/10s, I do miss that a bit. The GTS almost makes up for it when people try to find the seatbelt. People seem to get a kick out of the solenoid door poppers and the "pull in case of emergency" latch on the doors. I tell the more gullable people that it's for the ejector seat and yes, a few people believe me.


<FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Makara on 10-30-2002 at 03:45 PM</font>

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Winter is around the corner, the 2003 SRT-10 is soon to be delivered. I would expect some soft prices for the RT10 shortly.

I suggest the most current car he can afford.
General History:

92-95 GENI(400hp)
side pipes
no airbags
original suspension (little sensitive to road groves)
side curtains
17" 3 spoke wheels

96 True hybrid GENI/GEMINI (great year)
New chassis
New exhaust
GENI motor(415hp)
side curtains
17" five spoke cast Al

97-98
Power windows
GEMINI motor(450hp)
17 five spoke colored (cast 97) or polished (98 all forged) Al
Dual air bags

99-2000
18" wheels forged

2001-2002
ABS brakes

Good Luck

 

[MaxedGTS]

My first viper was a 1995 and had problems not related to the car itself. I did enjoy the car but now after having my 1998 and now 2000 the new cars are alot better for everyday driving. The older r/t was just as fun as my new car. You can always start off with the older car and if you don't like it trade it in. They don't loose alot of money.

Max

 

[Jeff Torrey]

After riding in a Gen II - I gotta say - My Gen 1 RT10 is an absolute beast. I recall a quote from another New England member driving a 97 GTS-"When you passed me I could feel the fillings rattleing in my teeth."
I often see the 50 horse power difference posted- I have reduced it to about 5 with the following modifications.
a) Belanger Cat Back System - around $500.00
b) KnN Filters and Smooth Tubes- Under $200.00
c) Sean Roe VEC 1 - Air/Fuel Modulator - around $400.00
BAM / Totaling $1100.00
*Now the Head Gasket thing can be corrected with a new set of gaskets. Many cars have already had it done. Ask and you may find a car with a completely rebuilt engine.
The window thing is true. It takes a little getting used to. May not be for your friend.
Let me put it to you this way. If you are going from a Z06 Vette I think the Gen II would a better (safer) choice. If your going from the 62 Vette- The Gen 1 would be a dream come true! But do not sell the 62 Vette

(...spoken on behalf of all the gen 1 owners. Sworn to defend its honor. The car is not for sale! ... and I DRIVE IT

 

[ExecUtron Technologies]

I love my GEN-I RT/10, but also love the newer GEN-II. I'm more comfortable in a GEN-II (GTS) and there are so many more "goodies" out there for them, but I like the traditional style of the GEN-I RT/10s. It's a hard call as ALL Vipers are great cars.

 

[Makara]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jeff Torrey:
After riding in a Gen II - I gotta say - My Gen 1 RT10 is an absolute beast. I recall a quote from another New England member driving a 97 GTS-"When you passed me I could feel the fillings rattleing in my teeth."
I often see the 50 horse power difference posted- I have reduced it to about 5 with the following modifications.
a) Belanger Cat Back System - around $500.00
b) KnN Filters and Smooth Tubes- Under $200.00
c) Sean Roe VEC 1 - Air/Fuel Modulator - around $400.00
BAM / Totaling $1100.00


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Is that dyno confirmed? I had what you have on your car plus 3" high flow cats. The car was very fast but I don't believe that it was quite as fast as my GTS. If anything, it might have had a little more torque way down low but couldn't pull at high rpms like my creampuff.

 

[Jeff Torrey]

Makara- I will Dyno in the spring or sooner if the snow stays away. My car was pulling 394 @ the rears before VOI7 and the VEC1.
Sean Roe promised 10-15 extra horse power from the VEC 1.
I drove that car 18.5 hours back from Nashville. The car has never run better. All the crap that builds up from running short trips is cleaned out. The exhaust tone has changed and the windows shake at 5000RPMs.
I will confirm ASAP

 

[ChrisGTS]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think my friend is going to get a Gen II RT/10 -- he has to sell his existing car and then he'll be on a Viper hunt!
I think what did it is driving mine! That's the power of the Snake!

 

[Achilles99]

Hi all! I'm the "friend" that ChrisGTS spoke of. Yes, he is right... driving his GTS impressed me. I currently drive a 550+ rwhp Supra, and don't get me wrong... I LOVE it. To be honest, I'll probably never drive a faster car on the top-end. However, I'm a huge fan of many sports cars, and I don't think that the Viper can be beat in terms of torque fun factor.

I'll probably stay out of trouble with a new Viper, too... HOPEFULLY! Anyhow, I appreciate all of your comments, and I look forward to joining the Snake brotherhood. The only thing left now is to find a 1998+ red RT/10. Anyone selling theirs

?

 

[Don]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Makara:
I tell the more gullable people that it's for the ejector seat and yes, a few people believe me.[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

rotf