Need Advice..'08 ACR vs non-ACR

[09 Venom]

Just left a local dealer and saw in person for the first time a red/black ACR. Dealer also had several non ACR coupes in stock. Now that I could get the seat lowered I need to make a decision. Go for the ACR or a coupe. Had several great color/stripe combos.
The car will mainly be a street cruiser with occasional track time(If I am lucky once or twice a year). Those tires on the ACR sure do not look street friendly. Also, even though the ACR has an in your face personality(not that the coupe doesn't) the aero add- ons scream more function that esthetics. Also not a big fan of black wheels. But IT IS AN ACR. All you guys (and gals) usually give great advice, so what do you think. Thanks Chris

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Unless your OK with tracking it a lot, it sounds like the coupes for you.
But if you can out drive a stock coupe then go for the ACR. I don't know many people who can though.

 

[09 Venom]

Unless your OK with tracking it a lot, it sounds like the coupes for you.
But if you can out drive a stock coupe then go for the ACR. I don't know many people who can though.

I've been racing a long time but am by no means a race car driver so the coupe is good enough for me. I am just thinking is the ACR overkill when 99% of the time it will be street driven.
I just still am thinking about the WOW factor of the ACR.

 

[CitySnake]

There's been several posts about this. Seems like everyone posting has already made up their mind to buy the ACR and is look for support here. If you are not going to track the car on a regular basis, it makes little to no sense to choose the ACR over the coupe. That being said, if you are prepared to pay at least $10,000 more for the posing aspect, then stop seeking reason. The tires on the ACR are far less responsive on streets (due to their temp. working range) and relative lack of adhesion in rain. The ACR aero package is worthless (except for the look) under 60 MPH and completely unnecessary for street use (unless you continually take on ramps at 100 MPH).

You might also see if you can find a coupe with the aero package (if you didn't see any at your dealer).

Again, if you want to pose (which is not a bad thing by any means), then buy the ACR. Maybe you need to get more comfortable with just being a "poser"? I am!

 

[rocman]

Based on your post, I would say get the coupe. The ACR is meant to be on a track. The coupe is also a capable track car, but made for the street, which is where you will be most of the time. Keep in mind that the ACR also has a huge blind spot due to the side of the wing, so driving it on the street is also not as safe as a coupe.

 

[mcar00]

I've owned 6 Z06's and a Z51 C6 over the last several years and now I'm waiting for my ACR to be delivered (my first Viper). My thought is that historically the cars that dominated the Nring have been very high priced exotics. For the first time there is an opportunity to buy, what is for now, the top performing production built street car for under $100K which when compared to all its competitors just seems like a steal. Yes I do a lot of track days during the year but even if I wasn't going to track this car I think it is still pretty special and not sure if in today's economy it will ever be duplicated. No I don't think of it as an investment but I do think it will be a blast to drive on the track and the street.

 

[ACRBruce]

I've owned 6 Z06's and a Z51 C6 over the last several years and now I'm waiting for my ACR to be delivered (my first Viper). My thought is that historically the cars that dominated the Nring have been very high priced exotics. For the first time there is an opportunity to buy, what is for now, the top performing production built street car for under $100K which when compared to all its competitors just seems like a steal. Yes I do a lot of track days during the year but even if I wasn't going to track this car I think it is still pretty special and not sure if in today's economy it will ever be duplicated. No I don't think of it as an investment but I do think it will be a blast to drive on the track and the street.

+1. I do track my cars but not as often as I like so I really should have gotten a coupe or Vert as even the Vert is more car than I need for the track (with real roll hoops installed) But when I saw the ACR, my brain stopped functioning and my other head took over the thinking and before I knew it I ended up with the ACR. Do I regret the decision one bit??? Not in a million years.
Only once in many many years I get emotional when first seeing a new car and the ACR was one of that special car. Back in 85 when I saw the 255 tires on 7 inch wide rims on the Vette, I just had to have that car. Fast forward 20 years when I saw the Heritage colored (Gulf racing) Ford GT, the same hit me, and now the Viper ACR. I've owned other fine cars but none stirred my soul as hard as these three over the years, exotics included.

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

The look has to grab you first, or there is no reason to buy a car, the ACR fits the bill.

 

[compcoupe21]

Chris, just the fact that you mention 1 or 2 track days a year is enough for me to say ACR. IMO if you can afford to spend 100k then make it 105k and get a set of rims and rubber for the street, that's what I plan to do when my ACR arrives. All of the answers in this thread are correct in one way or another but to me the most prominent reason to get the ACR is because of it rarity and race ready abilities if you are going to track it. At the end of the day you are going to chew up on coupe tires anyway a couple of times a year on the track not to mention some spirited street driving so why not have the king in your garage! What 153 ACR's in '08 and probably no more than that in '09. Who knows if they will continue to build it, you can already see the '08's laying around (case in point the dealer you mention that has one) and once the market (buyers for a car like this) dries up they will cease to build them. Even though the Ford GT was a much higher ticket of about $165 everyone knew they were stopping at 4000 over two years and at about the 3000 mark they became readily available. Their are only so many asses for these seats and you would never have a problem selling it and getting some good coin back in your pocket unlike a regular coupe which they can't give away right now, just my opinion. Whatever you do good luck and p.s. what dealer around here has all those Viper's, I'm in CT. Dan

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

I've been racing a long time but am by no means a race car driver so the coupe is good enough for me. I am just thinking is the ACR overkill when 99% of the time it will be street driven.
I just still am thinking about the WOW factor of the ACR.

I'm not sure how user friendly the splitter would be on the street.

 

[wallbanger]

Depends on the PRICE....the acr has a great suspension and u could certainly sell the ugly black sidewinders with their tires.. then u could put whatever rims/tires on u're acr and have a great adjustable suspension...soft and forgiving but stiff when needed...
You will also get lighter rotors with the acr

If u get the coupe you would not have the quality suspension the acr has but you will not be spending as much..

If the coupe is 20k cheaper then u can add motons/rotors for 7k and you ready to track occasionaly...you save 13k but you will not have the track capabilities of the acr

 

[Brian GTS]

Buy an ACR for the looks...I would! Heck, thats half the reason most of us bought a Viper in the first place...the **** styling!!! If the ACR looks better in your opinion, go for it I'll tell you, if they drop a yellow ACR out of Conner sometime, out comes my checkbook, and it won't be on the track very much at all.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Good points made on owning an AMERICAN supercar that spanks all the other competition and only paying $100k for it.

 

[09 Venom]

Thanks guys for all the replies. My wife even told me that it seems I have already made up my mind and i am just looking for
support. As far as pricing, the ACR will run me roughly 14K over the coupe..not a deal breaker by any means..and yes I would get a new set off wheels/tires for the street.

 

[09 Venom]

Depends on the PRICE....the acr has a great suspension and u could certainly sell the ugly black sidewinders with their tires.. then u could put whatever rims/tires on u're acr and have a great adjustable suspension...soft and forgiving but stiff when needed...
You will also get lighter rotors with the acr

If u get the coupe you would not have the quality suspension the acr has but you will not be spending as much..

If the coupe is 20k cheaper then u can add motons/rotors for 7k and you ready to track occasionaly...you save 13k but you will not have the track capabilities of the acr

wallbanger, the coupe is viper red with graphite stripe, two-tone red interior with graphite bezel...awesome looking car.

 

[gb66gth]

Obviously a Coupe!

 

[snakeplissken]

Buy the ACR I had a 08 SSG Coupe and now the ACR and the ACR is the one to own. The ACR performs very well on the street with the stock tires.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

ACR is the only way to go. You may be mad later on if you buy anything else. You can easily get street tires for it too.

 

[doctorbob]

I would pick the ACR but I am bias. I have had multiple vipers and the ACR is the best of the lot. I initially ordered a blue and white convertible in 2008 and frankly after awhile the car no longer gave me the thrill and pride of ownership that I had experienced with my prior vipers. I ordered a 2009 ACR and Dodge took my order as a 2008. Sold the convertible and am happy just with the ACR. I plan on driving the heck out of it as I have with my previous vipers and I got a 7yr/100,000 warranty on the it with that in mind.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

How do you ACR guys feel about driving around with the wing on the back?

That's the only thing I wouldn't care for on a daily driver.

I like the softer more gentler machine gun hand of a stealthy coupe. But that's me.

 

[CitySnake]

And ACR would be my first choice, hands down, for my third car. But to drive on the street on a sunny day, three seasons each year with a fixed roof is downright depressing. But that's just me.

On the track ACR RULES
On the street, Conv > ACR and Coupe
Deciding on an ACR vs. Coupe for the street depends on your priorities. Figure them out (as if you haven't already) and make your move.

 

[Grant]

For most people's uses on the street, I believe the standard Viper will out-perform the ACR. With the suspension properly damped, its too stiff for optimal handling on many street corners. Also, its tires do not work very well when they don't have much heat into them. In colder weather or without the sun on the pavement, I believe the standard PS2s may be better. You'll also experience more problems with ground clearance. Needless to say, the standard Viper is the faster car from a roll-on race.

1 or 2 track days a year isn't much; I'm shooting for 3 to 5 every month in mine. I'd let someone buy the ACR who will really use it. If you just like the look, why not a coupe with the aero kit? Its functional and cheaper.

 

[[email protected]]

Unless you want a convertible.
ACR all the way.

 

[09 Venom]

Buy the ACR I had a 08 SSG Coupe and now the ACR and the ACR is the one to own. The ACR performs very well on the street with the stock tires.

ACR is the only way to go. You may be mad later on if you buy anything else. You can easily get street tires for it too.

I would pick the ACR but I am bias. I have had multiple vipers and the ACR is the best of the lot. I initially ordered a blue and white convertible in 2008 and frankly after awhile the car no longer gave me the thrill and pride of ownership that I had experienced with my prior vipers. I ordered a 2009 ACR and Dodge took my order as a 2008. Sold the convertible and am happy just with the ACR. I plan on driving the heck out of it as I have with my previous vipers and I got a 7yr/100,000 warranty on the it with that in mind.

Real nice guys..after leaning towards the coupe.. Now I'm really confused.

 

[musicncars]

Real nice guys..after leaning towards the coupe.. Now I'm really confused.

get a coupe w/ the aero package.

 

[ASPIRATIONS]

Chris
Sent you a PM...Kevin

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

The fact that you are uncertain makes me want to suggest a coupe. I'd like to see every ACR tracked regularly. I think it's an injustice not to. But I'm an extremist.

 

[Nader]

Great post. When I first saw the my Viper in person, there was no other car in the world. It definitely is am emotional purchase.

I would purchase an ACR for many reasons - It is a history making Viper, it is a car to keep and enjoy for a long long time, and i think is a bargain when you consider all the upgrades it has.

+1. I do track my cars but not as often as I like so I really should have gotten a coupe or Vert as even the Vert is more car than I need for the track (with real roll hoops installed) But when I saw the ACR, my brain stopped functioning and my other head took over the thinking and before I knew it I ended up with the ACR. Do I regret the decision one bit??? Not in a million years.
Only once in many many years I get emotional when first seeing a new car and the ACR was one of that special car. Back in 85 when I saw the 255 tires on 7 inch wide rims on the Vette, I just had to have that car. Fast forward 20 years when I saw the Heritage colored (Gulf racing) Ford GT, the same hit me, and now the Viper ACR. I've owned other fine cars but none stirred my soul as hard as these three over the years, exotics included.

 

[JonB]

Just left a local dealer and saw in person for the first time a red/black ACR. Dealer also had several non ACR coupes in stock. I need to make a decision. Go for the ACR or a coupe. Had several great color/stripe combos.
The car will mainly be a street cruiser with occasional track time(If I am lucky once or twice a year). Those tires on the ACR sure do not look street friendly. Also, even though the ACR has an in your face personality(not that the coupe doesn't) the aero add- ons scream more function that esthetics. Also not a big fan of black wheels. But IT IS AN ACR. All you guys (and gals) usually give great advice, so what do you think. Thanks Chris

Chris: Get the Coupe. ps. Use CAUTION in 'lowering the seat' due to the seat track airbag sensor, and the underseat translator-gateway module. SEARCH THIS TOPIC.

SRT Engineers Note: "Now that I could get the seat lowered....." ....Sells Cars.

 

[Mopar488]

It sounds like the coupe works for you. If there had been an ACR on the lot, especially a black w/ single red stripe, I would have gotten the ACR just for the look.