Interior Heat and Quality of Construction Questions RT/10 v SRT

[LW VIPER]

I have a 96 RT/10 (first year of the rear exit pipes). The interior gets hot, and the sills get hot. I've read that this is also a problem on the new SRT.

Does anyone have a comparison of which of the two is hotter in the interior, comparitively?

Also, my 96 was apparently hand built, and I like the beefiness of the frame, and the more racer like interior. But I'm curious as to which is actually built better. I like the concept of a top I don't need to leave at home, and power windows, but not if the build quality went down since the merger.

A buddy owns a lot with a new 2003 SRT in Silver that he will work a deal for me on my new (to me) 96 RT/10 and I'm giving it some thought. Mostly I would want to make sure that the interior heat isn't as high or higher in the SRT than the RT/10, and that the build quality and ultimate reliability is higher in the new car than in the old one.

And I'd prefer people with actual experience with both of the cars. This is not a bashing exercise, this is comparative shopping.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[Skip White]

Buy an SRT, you won't regret it in any way.

Skip W

 

[SylvanSRT]

car is better in every way. A/C actually works. real usable trunk. brakes are world class. top takes no time at all to put up or down. car has much more power and better balance. heat is probably better orless of an issue than your '96. All Vipers are hand built. you will not miss your RT if you get the SRT!!!

 

[Steve-Indy]

Larry, as we have both of the Vipers that you have mentioned...I can say without a doubt that the 03 is a far superior car in build quality and performance...BUT, I would add that our 03 is pretty warm on an 80 degree day with top down on freeway at 60mph. And, by the way, I still LOVE to drive the 96 RT/10 !!!

If you are looking at a 2003, BE SURE to investigate the car's status as to recalls and TSB's.

P.S. I haven't yet driven a Viper that I didn't like !!!

 

[HiYoSilver]

Had a 95 RT/10 now have Silver 03 - has all the advantages listed above - more refined but still savage - can't wait till the next ride !! Bob

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

My first(purchased 12/18/95) Viper was a 96 RT10, Red/yellow wheels. Loved that car. Five Vipers later I love my red 03, SRT10. The two compared: Heat is the same or worse in the SRT, both built by hand, never used my RT soft top-to much of a pain and it took most of the trunk space when doing a overnight. The SRT's top is great up or down in a minute or less. The A/C really works in the SRT. SRT has much better performance- braking, balance, and acceleration. I actually use the DC player in the SRT.
In my opinion easy choice SRT10 wins by a mile.

 

[Viperfreak2]

The 'DC' player! Too funny! LOLOL

 

[LW VIPER]

Assuming one is going to get a great deal from a "buddy" who owns the dealership, what would one expect to pay to step into a slightly used silver 2003 from a slightly used 1996 black RT/10 (both with less than 9500 miles on them)?

I'm guessing $34,000 on the 96 and $69,000 on the '03.

Sound about right, SRT owners? This is Silicon Valley, and the dealer is located in Los Gatos.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

If your RT is "nice" I would expect $36-40K. The SRT on the other hand is likely to be a little more than 69k, your spread is on target.

 

[LW VIPER]

Thanks Fred:

Took a few of my co-workers out for a spin today..... literally. One of the guys I rode motorcycles with was in my car when I threw the rear end.

In my fomer C-5, it corrected for me before I could, and I almost crashed because I tried to straighten out an alreay straightened vehicle.

The old instincts popped today, and I steered into my slide, hooked up, and took off.

What a treat!! Have to admit that I love the rude, crude RT/10. Another one of the guys I took for a ride had taken the Barber course and said he preferred my Viper to the GTS that he drove in the course. That was interesting.

I am more than surprised at how much fun Dodge has packed into these cars. I'm beginning to doubt whether I want a more "refined" version.

Of course, I haven't driven the SRT yet.

Thanks,
Larry
96 RT/10 Black w/silver stripes (9200 miles - 400 miles since a week ago and that's with it raining)

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Larry,

Join us Tue., 3/2/2004, at Santana Row for our monthly meeting. Talk with SRT owners who have owned all GEN's.

Looking at all GEN's together may also help your choice.

Driving - invite your friends to Thunderhill for three days of maximum Viper Driving experience. Friday is the Brian Angen Memorial, Sat and Sunday is Viper Days. This will be an outstanding weekend of open track driving with wheel to wheel racing of the Viper League. I do suggest all Viper owners take a few Skip Barber driving programs and a yearly refresher like a Car Control Clinic plus autocross as much as possible and Viper Days depending on your of risk acceptance level. The safest way to enjoy full throttle driving!

 

[knuk]

I owned a 96 RT and now have an SRT - in comparison the 96 is like a tractor
( a fast tractor!)

 

[LW VIPER]

Fred:

Were you guys driving on Saturday? One of my partners said he saw a group of Vipers meet in front of the B of A and take off up Highway 9.

Drop me a line at [email protected]

I couldn't make it tonight to Maggianos, but I will in the future.

Larry

 

[Phoenix SRT]

The SRT is a better car in every way. It is hotter, however. The good news is that with the top and windows up, the a/c is efficient enough to do a pretty good job of keeping it under control. Put the top or windows down, however, and you could cook a turkey on the passenger seat.

 

[Snakester]

I don't know about the heat in the SRT-10s, but after I swapped out the stock cats with high flow cats it cut the sill (and interior temperature) in half! Plus I still easily passed CA smog testing. I will gain you a little power too, but the big reason to swap them out is the reduced cabin/sill heat.

Although any power difference can be easily equalized between the R/T10 and SRT-10, the new Viper does have a ton of mechanical improvements, from the new top to the great brakes. But most people are mixed on the SRT-10's styling.

I like the SRT-10 Viper, but I like the R/T10/GTS better.

-Dean.

 

[SnakeEye]

... But most people are mixed on the SRT-10's styling. ... -Dean.

Yeah right; enjoy your 2000 model RT-10.

 

[Nowayforya]

I am a new Viper owner, so I don't know much about the previous models. I can tell you, I love my 04 SRT-10. I have not noticed any unusual heat problems, as compared to previous cars that I have owned, but its not Summer in Texas yet.