I've been lurking here for a while. I'm looking to buy an RT/10 or GTS. I was wondering if any of you have ridden in an RT/10 with a hard top on and a GTS. I would like to get some impressions of the difference felt in the cabin. Thanks!
Ride Difference between GTS and Roadster with Hard Top
- Thread starter Mr. B
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hemihead
Viper Owner
Much better in the RT/10.
Why you ask?
Because I know I can take that stink'n top off!
Why you ask?
Because I know I can take that stink'n top off!
01sapphirebob
Enthusiast
I would say you should focus on which one you like better in terms of looks. I've owned both GTS and RT/10 and for me personally I liked my RT/10 better because it's an open air vehicle. To me that is what the viper experience is all about.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
There isn't much difference. The GTS might feel a little roomier, maybe.
Mutts02GTS
Enthusiast
Ditto on Chucks comments, I'm 6'2" and I had zero headroom in the RT/10 but I have about 2" in my GTS
Fatboy 18
Enthusiast
Ive driven a Gen1 RT/1O and Own a Gen2 GTS
I'm around 6,2"
I found that on the RT/10s there seems to be a difference in the windshield pillars, screen surround. I'm not sure weather this is because of how your sat but I find the GTS much easier to see out of. If you have the soft top up on an RT/10 is can seem rather low, you don't get this feeling in the GTS.
I know the screens are different sizes between the Gen1 cars and the Gen2 but having been a passenger in a friends Gen2 RT/10 it still felt the same, (and that was with the top off).
I guess its all a matter of preference, being able to remove the roof is a great thing on nice days, but I like the feeling of the GTS
I'm around 6,2"
I found that on the RT/10s there seems to be a difference in the windshield pillars, screen surround. I'm not sure weather this is because of how your sat but I find the GTS much easier to see out of. If you have the soft top up on an RT/10 is can seem rather low, you don't get this feeling in the GTS.
I know the screens are different sizes between the Gen1 cars and the Gen2 but having been a passenger in a friends Gen2 RT/10 it still felt the same, (and that was with the top off).
I guess its all a matter of preference, being able to remove the roof is a great thing on nice days, but I like the feeling of the GTS
I think you should first decide which body style you like better. Its isn't really a matter of which rides better, but whether you prefer a removeable top or not. The car feels a little more solid in the GTS, and you will get more squeeks and rattles in the RT.
Either way, red Vipers ride the best!
Either way, red Vipers ride the best!
Thanks for the input guys. I like the looks of the GTS better, especially from the rear. But it would be nice to take the top off on nice days. That probably wouldn't happen too much with me, if I had an RT the hard top would be on 90% of the time. So it sounds like the hard top on an RT seals up pretty nice and quiets the cabin. That's more what I was curious about.
I'm leaning towards GTS, but to be honest I'm sure I will be absolutely thrilled to own either!
I'm leaning towards GTS, but to be honest I'm sure I will be absolutely thrilled to own either!
Dan Aseere
Viper Owner
Have a RT /10 and a GTS...On a nice Sunday afternoon if I feel the Viper urge I always seem to select the RT first. It is the true Viper expierence.
dave6666
Enthusiast
Please, someone explain to me how that how driving around in my GTS I'm not getting the true Viper experience? Is that dumb or is it just me?
I'm driving the freakin' car and that is the experience I want.
I'm driving the freakin' car and that is the experience I want.
F
FrgMstr
Guest
I am fairly sure he is referring to the first Vipers that had no roof or side windows as being the "true Viper experience."
dave6666
Enthusiast
Well name the experience something else then because I truly own a viper and I truly experience it every time I drive it and it truly has a roof! Or am I getting ripped off every time I turn the key?
How about original Viper experience.
I agree with your hardtop comment as I, unlike the sun loving Tony, prefer to keep the hardtop on and crank up the a/c on those hot summer days. I must admit, there is nothing like driving the RT on a beautiful, sunny 70's-ish day in the spring or fall.
In terms of styling, it does really come down to whether you like the rounded, higher (but cool) shape of the GTS rear-end or the flat, chopped very low look of the RT. For me, I always preferred the low, chopped low look of the RT...especially when the top is off. Totally, one's personal styling preference.
And, Dave, I truly agree with your statement of truly appreciating that truly exhilarating experience of truly driving your GTS....which truly is a Viper, last time I looked!!!!
And, if you purchase a yellow GTS/RT, you will have plenty of opportunities to evaluate the differences in rear styling by examining all the red Vipers driving in front of you!!!!
In terms of styling, it does really come down to whether you like the rounded, higher (but cool) shape of the GTS rear-end or the flat, chopped very low look of the RT. For me, I always preferred the low, chopped low look of the RT...especially when the top is off. Totally, one's personal styling preference.
And, Dave, I truly agree with your statement of truly appreciating that truly exhilarating experience of truly driving your GTS....which truly is a Viper, last time I looked!!!!
And, if you purchase a yellow GTS/RT, you will have plenty of opportunities to evaluate the differences in rear styling by examining all the red Vipers driving in front of you!!!!
Russ M
Enthusiast
If your going to take the top off for the majority of the time then RT all the way, but if its going to be occasionally then the rattling from the top may drive you nuts eventually.
After riding around in both and RT and a GTS for many years now I can assure you there is no difference far as head room goes the double bubble top on gen 2 RT's is basically a GTS room with squeaks and rattles built in.
However like everyone else that has ever ridden in an RT tells you there is no comparison when you take the top off, put the windows down, and remove the rear window. The only option you have in the GTS is to turn on the AC.
After riding around in both and RT and a GTS for many years now I can assure you there is no difference far as head room goes the double bubble top on gen 2 RT's is basically a GTS room with squeaks and rattles built in.
However like everyone else that has ever ridden in an RT tells you there is no comparison when you take the top off, put the windows down, and remove the rear window. The only option you have in the GTS is to turn on the AC.
ViperGTS
Enthusiast
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I used the hardtop on my RT/10 once. Bringing the car home.
One thing to mention - the hardtop tends to produce some "noise" when driving.
Rubbing on top of the sports bar. Annoying.
One thing to mention - the hardtop tends to produce some "noise" when driving.
Rubbing on top of the sports bar. Annoying.
vpower01
Viper Owner
Looks like you answered your question.
I think your are more of a GTS guy, solid top on most of the time and the rear end look on the GTS is for you.
Rt/10s are squeaky and harder to see out of. My car is so loud I cant hear the squeaks and I like the low roof line but im 6.0 and a 6.2 guy would not be as comfortable in an RT compared to a GTS.
They are both great but I think you would not like the RT/10 as much as the GTS if you got one.
That being said I love my RT and would never change.
99 R/T 10
Enthusiast
Well name the experience something else then because I truly own a viper and I truly experience it every time I drive it and it truly has a roof! Or am I getting ripped off every time I turn the key?
How about original Viper experience.
Dave has been hiding the fact his "GTS" is actually a Vetper conversion. Easily spotted by the white hood vents.......................
dave6666
Enthusiast
Yes, they are so white. Please observe the white hood vents in this pic with bird's car.
When I was backing on to the dyno that day they looked extra white. For your approval...
This worries me though.
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When I was backing on to the dyno that day they looked extra white. For your approval...
You must be registered for see images
This worries me though.
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musclenutz
Enthusiast
Well,i own both so you can't say i am biased. It all depends on what you like. The GTS is a much more comfortable ride with no wind blowing through the windows etc..and a lot quieter from inside. The RT/10 is loud and almost impossible to hear the radio ,much less carry a conversation with a passenger...but man it feels good! It all depends on what you want in a drive.
ViperGTS
Enthusiast
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nothing better than a roadster at +150 mph....darling, did you say anything
uh, you lost your scarf
must be the little wind
uh, you lost your scarf
must be the little wind 2000_Black_RT10
Enthusiast
btw Dave, unfortunately.. you're not getting the true Ford pickup truck driving experience either..
You must be registered for see images
TexasPettey
Enthusiast
I have done both, although not owned both. In terms of ride, there is no difference. A lot of the interior room, looks, and water tightness will depend on the specific hard top that you get. I think that you can buy an aftermarket top that will get the same interior feel to a GTS, but it will always have a couple of extra squeaks from the top not being permanent.
SSSSE YA
Enthusiast
I agree 100% ...
CitySnake
Enthusiast
Unfortunately, I fear the problem with rattles and squeaks from the gen 2 roadsters are due to a poorly adjusted hartop fixtures. When I put the hardtop on my 2001, it was completely silent. And this is with use in and around NYC where the road surfaces are something less than consistently smooth. Now it DID take Chuck 2 or 3 visits to get it right, somewhat due to the gradual compression of the weatherstripping, but after it was set up properly, it was air and watertight.
As others have mentioned, it's all about personal preference and an owner's interest in having the best of both "driving" worlds.
As others have mentioned, it's all about personal preference and an owner's interest in having the best of both "driving" worlds.
ViperJames
Enthusiast
I had this same confliction before buying my 01 RT/10. I personally like the look of the GTS a LITTLE better, but roof off is the ultimate driving experience. Unless you are someone who typically take the car to the track, I don't see the point of buying GTS. Nothing better than having that open top feel on a beautiful day.
Well, specific to my RT, I just recently purchased a factory hardtop as mine was originally not purchased with one. As you can imagine, fit from one RT to another is not a science, so car spent some time at Chuck's place getting fitted. Even with all that adjusting, it still squeeks a bit...no rattling. I do find it only squeeks on particularly bumpy roads. I always wanted to at least have the option of driving without the top.
Personal preference!
Personal preference!
