Planned on buying a Gen3 Vert, then Coupe...now thinking Gen4

[AbsolutHank]

After the Gen3 prices started to drop and I sold my Vette, my Viper obsession starting innocently enough. My plan was to hop into a Gen3 Vert(always obsessed over owning a Vert, but never got around to it). However as my research has progressed, I have found myself wanting a 2006 coupe more and more. I just have a hard time getting past the rear end of the Verts - to say the coupe looks 10 times better is a gross understatement. The Viper is one of few cars where it seems the coupe is in more demand than the convertible.

Nevertheless, in my quest to get the most car for the money, I find myself thinking I should try to scrounge up some extra pennies and get into a Gen4 car, which will more than likely be the cheaper Vert with higher mileage.

I realize 100hp is alot of damn horsepower, and I'm sure the difference on the street is fairly dramatic. I've also read plenty of reviews, but is the "total package" of the 2008 cars worth the extra price tag? I don't plan on racing/tracking the car, just some spirited cruising and part-time DD duty

Is it fair to say the Gen3 cars are 90% of a Gen4 car, and that extra 10% isn't really even useable on the street? Or am I just trying to rationalize getting the cheaper Gen3

 

[QUICKSRT10/SRT8]

i just picked up my 06 coupe first edition with only 2,300 miles on it for $60,000. i thought it was a good deal the car is flawless. i like the gen3 better because it doesnt have the variable valve timing and such. also if you want mopar sells a cam, computer and exhaust for it that will give it some extra kick.

 

[AbsolutHank]

Maybe I should have mentioned I don't plan on doing anything to either car performance-wise, save intake, tune and possibly headers/exhaust. So the VVT on the Gen4s don't scare me necessarily.

 

[Billy Coons]

Get the Gen 3 or 4 and get a removable hardtop. The tops from AP Engineering & Autofrom Group look awesome!

 

[Nader]

IF you dont plan on many mods and can stand throttle by wire, gen4 is the way to go then.

Maybe I should have mentioned I don't plan on doing anything to either car performance-wise, save intake, tune and possibly headers/exhaust. So the VVT on the Gen4s don't scare me necessarily.

 

[SkyBob]

Get the Gen 3 or 4 and get a removable hardtop. The tops from AP Engineering & Autofrom Group look awesome!

That does nothing to the rear end, which is what he doesn't like about the convertibles.

Bob

 

[wallbanger]

you can always put a spoiler on the vert....besides you can fit a lot more in a vert....i prefer the gen 4..better sound,clutch,dif

 

[06blueviper]

No substitute for open-air motoring. Always nice to have the option of letting the top down in the vert whenever you get the urge.

 

[1BADGTS]

Have had every Gen Viper and then some dont waste your time with the Gen 3(unless money is that much of the factor ) as there really is nothing a Gen 3 can do that a 4 cant do MUCH BETTER .There are definate noticeable differences that you will experiance between the two cars.(EVERY PERSON i know that bought a 3 and then drove a 4 myself included got rid of the 3 a short time later for the 4 )

 

[treesnake]

Get a Gen 4 if you aren't going to mod the car.

Get a Gen 3 if you are going to mod the car.

A stock Gen 4 will be looking at the tailights of a modded Gen 3...

IMO... (from experience.... )

 

[SilveRT8]

The Vert will grow on you. I wanted a Coupe but got a deal on a 08 Vert and now I feel I have 2 cars in one. Cold or rain are the only reasons I will drive with the top up.

 

[FLATOUT]

Damn Ryan would you pick a car already LOL.

You know how forums work everyone is pretty much going to make an argument for the car they decided to purchase.

I have had several talks with you about my recent purchase. I wanted a coupe at around 50K but decided an earlier Gen III vert would be much cheaper and I would have some money left over to mod.

The vert grows on me every single day, and I totally love the car.

Lets face it you will be driving around town in a VIPER! There is know way to lose here you will love whatever you get.

Andy

 

[gofastr]

Gen IV

 

[Shandon]

Maybe I should have mentioned I don't plan on doing anything to either car performance-wise, save intake, tune and possibly headers/exhaust. So the VVT on the Gen4s don't scare me necessarily.

YOU WILL EAT THOSE WORDS I GUARANTEEE IT. I siad the same thing and then added a few of what you described to the car and it only made me want more and more and more Buy a Gen3 save the dollars and get Motons etc. You can tune a gen 3 up to within 30-40rwhp of a gen4 anyway.

 

[99 R/T 10]

you can always put a spoiler on the vert....besides you can fit a lot more in a vert....i prefer the gen 4..better sound,clutch,dif

Very nice shot


How is the Autoform spoiler mounted to the car?

 

[ViperGeorge]

I have an 03 Paxton Supercharged First addition. Great looking car and it will blow the doors off my stock 08 Vert. The 06 has plenty of power but a Gen IV ACR will outrun it in the twisties. It needs aero and more suspension mods to pull away from an ACR.

However, the Vert is what I prefer to drive for cruising around. Top down is the way to go unless you're going to track the car. Now of course you're going to say "I'm not going to track the car." to which I say "Yea, right." If you really don't track the car either a Gen III or IV will do. There aren't many cars out there that will out run a Gen III on the steet. I do like the more agressive hood of the IV though and I may put it on my 06.

Sign the "Please sign this petition!!!!" thread.

 

[witz323]

I bought an '04 drop top last summer w/ no intentions of mods or tracking the car. I just wanted a bad A$$ convertible for summertime in wisconsin. I've added headers, hi-flow cats, and exhaust b/c i thought the factory sound was whimpy. Now it sounds like an animal. I also did my first track day this summer, and it definitely won't be my last. This car opens up so many doors. You'd be a fool not to try and track this car. It was sooooo exciting. I'm going to have the computer reprogrammed for better air/fuel mix and to get more out of the mods. Maybe even harnesses and a roll-cage for next summer. So get a convertible and go have some fun. I'm VERY happy with the power of the '04 especially after the mods.

 

[goldcup]

I'll have what 99 RT/10 is having!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wallbanger]

How is the autoform fitted to the car?..first there are 2 brackets that you apply to the underside of the trunk with a rivet gun(easy to do) .. then there are two small metal brakets that go from the underside of the trunk to the spoiler ... i circled them below.....

 

[Newport Viper]

If you arent going to the track often get the Vert. The top is very solid unlike my Gen1.

 

[Red Snake]

Go Gen II GTS. Classic Viper all the way.

 

[DPViper]

I have an 03 vert with a Paxton/3.55/Motons and an 08 Coupe. With prices down, I'd buy a clean Gen 3 and ship it to Mark Jorgensen @ Woodhouse for "the treatment". For $60,000. or less you'll have a screamer. Good luck

 

[09 Venom]

Although many say the genI, II are raw and original the Gen III, and certainly IV are just way better 'cars'. That being said I have driven both my genIII vert and gen IV coupe everyday for the past week. Here are MY summations:
1. Cockpit looks identical but the GenIV feels like a completely different car...tranny much smoother, better less noisy.....clutch-lighter, less play...........tires-world of a difference...........inside-much cooler due to no crossover exahust.....coupe more agressive looking than the vert..although vert looks more 'european'.

2. Even though I haven't redlined her yet, feels considerably faster than genIII (confirmed by two already running high 10 sec ET's stock)

Obviously price of genIII is cheaper but still expect to pay @50k for a low mileage (@5-6 thousand miles) genIII vert in pristine condition (look for '05 or '06).

 

[CarDude]

I have a Gen III vert (now wife's car) and a couple Gen IV Coupes. The Gen III has Corsa Track cat-back exhaust and Green Filters only. The Gen III throttle response is noticably different, both on accel and decel. When you get off the pedal the car unsettles quickly, whereas the Gen IV is much smoother in all regards (suspension, exhaust, and handling). Gen IV is noticably faster, and I would say a little easier to drive, but the HP in the 08s could get away from you if you are a rookie or not paying attention. We have thought about getting rid of the Gen III recently, but I have not let my wife drive the Gen IV, as I know she will want/take the SSG Gen IV. Don't worry she certainly doesn't have it rough as her daily driver is the Jeep SRT8 and my Audi RS4 when she feels like it.

 

[ViperGal]

You have a PM.

Have had many many his and hers Vettes before Vipers. Cannot wait for "just got my Viper" review.

And yes I love my Gen 4 - unbelievable! God Bless America!

 

[AbsolutHank]

Thanks for the info guys. I have no doubt that the Gen4 is the better car, I just wanted to know if the differences are really that noticable in day to day driving.

I really have been thinking about getting Jeff Lemke's coupe rear on an older SRT Vert...that would solve all of my problems. It would be a convertible, and it would have the coupe look on the rear. Plus, in the future I could add his hardtop for a really damn close representation of a coupe for the winter months. And even with the price of the car and rear conversion, I'd still have some mod money left over!

I've been changing cars every 18 months since I started driving, but this next purchase will be for the long haul, so I'm really trying to do my due diligence and get the particular Viper that will be right for "me"

All of your experiences and opinions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Coloviper]

If you are just going to drive your car normal street, unless you can get a cheap 08/09, than I would just get a GEN III as the driving difference will not be as noticable as the cost difference. I bought the GEN III Coupe new and have driven a GEN IV Coupe just for comparison.

Unless you are pushing it to the very edge of street driving insanity, you will just not notice the difference except for the ride of the cars as the PS2s there is a very noticeable difference in ride. Moot point as chances are you will be buying new tires on your used car anyway.

Vert vs coupe. I have mainly had coupes, fixed roof cars my whole life, hence I always lusted after a convertible, but after owning a few convertibles now, I find I end up driving them more with the roof up than down. It is nice to get out of the sun, but that is a preference thing to each their own. Resale, I think the Viper coupe has proven it will hold it's value better, so that is probably a smarter choice if cost is a concern, which it appears to be.

Either way, getting into any Viper is the way to go. I like the GEN III Coupe, but than again it is the only Viper I purchased new so it has a special place in my heart. With my mods of gears, flywheel, Bellangers, etc. it keeps me happy. Chances are any Viper purchase if you get a good trouble free car (of any generation) will make you just as happy. Boils down to which situation feels best, GEN III Viper with cash in your pocket or GEN IV Viper with no cash in your pocket. As they say for most, cash is king.

 

[BolsOut]

Whoooz tha girl in tha Yellow dress?

 

[ViperGal]

RE: noticing gen 4 on a daily basis.

Bang for the buck, Gen 3 will be hard to beat today.

That said, I do notice and enjoy the 100hp gain and other significant improvements such as the transmission, clutch and differential every time I drive.

Don't forget to post some pics when you pic up your new Snake.

ViperGal

 

[AbsolutHank]

Well it won't be a daily driver, but I hope to put at least 8K a year on the car.

After hanging out with member Flatout last night, I realized what's most important to me so I'm going to focus my efforts on a Gen3 Vert. That way I'll have money leftover for wheels/tires, 08 hood, exhaust etc. I'd rather have excess mod money and a much smaller payment than the extra benefits of the 08 cars that I won't take advantage of in street driving.