Long drives in a Viper

[jjp11]

I consider the seats in my Gen 2 to be more comfortable than the seats in my Nissan GTR... Quite honestly, they are more comfortable than about any other car seat I've sat in. The ride may be a bit bumpy and heavy traffic is a PITA.. But don't ever let someone try tell you the seats aren't comfortable.

 

[Steve M]

You can install cruise fairly cheap from what I have seen but if this guy's gal complains about the ride then I would leave her at home!!

I have cruise control by snake oil, wireless. Love it

Gen 4 = Drive-by-wire throttle bodies = no cruise control, at least not that I've been able to find.

 

[AJ02]

Took my GTS from Fort Worth to central Illinois last spring. About 1600 miles round trip. Never got uncomfortable. Only stopped for gas and little boy's room.

 

[brantdw]

Its not bad for long trips. Yes, sitting in traffic is the worst. Its nice to see people putting on the miles and getting their cars out for trips.

 

[jdeft1]

Rock-hard, twitchy car. No cruise control, plenty of complaints from the wife.....and....

I LOVE it.

I've logged many, many,many long miles in mine over the years.

Cheers!

 

[Allan]

Rock-hard, twitchy car. No cruise control, plenty of complaints from the wife.....and....

I LOVE it.

I've logged many, many,many long miles in mine over the years.

Cheers!

Yes, these cars are great!

 

[webby]

My wipers work fine I was riding with someone in a Viper once and it started to drizzle and he didn't know how to turn his on because he never used them! HAhaha

But I will just echo the other comments... long road trips are fine, I've made a dozen. Three with passengers (two were girls) and no complaints from them about comfort or noise.

 

[Viper98912]

When you first start out the car does remind you and your passengers that you're in a stiff uncomfortable sports car. But once you get riding it smooths out and you also forget that you're in it because it's an overall fun ride. I've had no issues of discomfort nor have my passengers on long trips. The wipers are interesting to watch the first time you turn them on. If you get stuck in traffic on the highway, that does get somewhat annoying. The open road is an enjoyable experience that is not uncomfortable, surprisingly.

 

[96GTS]

I switched off driving mine from Atlanta to Little Rock, and when I wasn't driving I was comfortable and slept well. You will notice that the car seems to find the rut/low spots in the road and stays there. The ride can be harsh on rough roads (I remember a comment "It punishes you for being stupid enough to drive it on bad roads"), but I've had back surgery (courtesy of Iraq) and it's not that bad. The bottom line is test drive one and form your own opinion. Personally, I love mine and wouldn't think twice about using it for a daily driver if I were ever in that situation. Find your local Viper club president and let him know what your intentions are, and they might be able to arrange for a member to meet up with you and go for a ride. It would also be a good idea to get someone from the club to go with you to check out a Viper if you're looking to buy one. That way you know some people with Vipers in your area, and most owners are great about helping/giving advice if/when you need it. Most clubs meet once a month and you could ask to attend to see what it's all about; the car is awesome but the best part of ownership is the people/friends you meet.

 

[DMan]

I'm 6'3" and 195. In my 3rd viper, I've done 4-11 hrs at a time and been as comfortable as any other average car. I avg 23-25 mpg on long highway cruises. Biggest test was just this past VOI. After the events I drove down to SC to visit some teams I have there, then drove back to Maryland, 11 hrs, pouring rain and fog, through the mountains. Car handled totally fine thru the bad weather, only time it's seen rain, and even creeping along at a safe pace I was as comfy as you can be for sitting that long. This viper interior being uncomfortable is an urban legend IMO. for the wife, she's good for an hr, for longer she's ok if I have the top up. It's not the comfort but the noise that gets to her, I have an Aero exhaust and with the side pipes it's just about 36" from your ear. On those 4+ hr drives I go top up myself, at VOI we did a never ending 5 hr cruise and kept the top down, end of the day I was fine comfort wise, but my ears felt like I got home from a concert. LoL

Dave.

 

[Baked]

We drove from Salt Lake City back to Calgary, Alberta in one day. That's over 1400 km's in our GTS and I'm about 6'2", with no issues. We've also done 8 hour + trips many times in the viper.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Long distance cruising is most enjoyable in Vipers. The President of SRT and their chief engine designer just completed a 5,400 mile shake down ride in the new 2013 Vipers. They now have cruise control, fantastic stereo, adjustable seats, track/comfort suspension adjustment, rear camera, GPS, keyless entry, temperature control, all the comforts of home.

A lot of your decision as to whether the Viper is comfortable depends on your personal expectations. Of course a mini van is going to be more comfortable and convenient, but there is absolutely no reason that a cross country cruise in a Viper cannot be one of the most pleasurable of experiences.

 

[Grisoman]

The most uncomfortable aspect of long Viper drives are the admirers pacing alongside long enough to shoot a pic with their cellphone . . . . . it can be distracting.

 

[ViperGTS]

12/13 hours of driving in Europe and US/Canada...no problem here.
Slim down if the seats are to tight

 

[djviper]

My knees can't handle the offset pedals of the gen2 viper for more than 100 miles.

 

[eucharistos]

I always document my road trips, have quite the photo video library

2006 NY - LA in Ford GT
2010 NY - Vegas RS4
2011 Vegas to Miami - 2000 Cobra R
2012 Pacific NW trip - 2009 Viper ACR
2012 Sweden - Amalfi Coast Italy - 997 GT3 RS

 

[Policy Limits]

I always document my road trips, have quite the photo video library

2006 NY - LA in Ford GT
2010 NY - Vegas RS4
2011 Vegas to Miami - 2000 Cobra R
2012 Pacific NW trip - 2009 Viper ACR
2012 Sweden - Amalfi Coast Italy - 997 GT3 RS

now thats awesome!!!

 

[viperbilliam]

Have to get used to the lack of cruise control for the long haul but I had a 2001 Vette Vert with cruise control and would take my current 05 Viper over it any day for a long drive.

 

[Sybil TF]

Gen 4 = Drive-by-wire throttle bodies = no cruise control, at least not that I've been able to find.

Sorry, I meant gen 2's or 1's for that matter that you can get an aftermarket cruise control.

 

[Steve M]

Sorry, I meant gen 2's or 1's for that matter that you can get an aftermarket cruise control.

I think it is offered for Gen IIIs as well...I wonder if something could be adapted from the Gen V for the Gen IV crowd since the engines are so similar. Probably wishful thinking.

 

[George Farris]

Coast -to - coast twice in my Gen 1. No crisue control..

Put curise control on my Gen 2. Longest trip so far Amarillo to LA and back ...