Sat inside the new 2013...DAMN IT !! NO ROOM compared to my gen2

[Jack B]

I put Gen4; seats into my Gen2, I could not believe how tight they were. I am 190 lbs, anybody larger could start to run into interference. They are a far nicer seat.

It would be nice, I think the bottoms of the Gen IV seats were designed for some high school kid. Too tight!

 

[Bonkers]

wouldn't change a thing except for more padding in the seat bottom.

I gotta say I thought the GenV was roomier than the Gen2 as well with my only
complaint being how 'thin' the seat felt. I think its a porportion thing - guys with
longer legs seem to be more cramped while guys like me with the longer torso
fit fine.

 

[Fatboy 18]

There's a guy in the picture?? Thought it was a wart.

That's not very nice, calling Silver RT8 a Wart!

 

[Viper808]

That's not very nice, calling Silver RT8 a Wart!

he's not a wart ..he's a goiter

 

[SilveRT8]

That's not very nice, calling Silver RT8 a Wart!

Well ! I do shop for clothing at WalWart

 

[kratedisease]

I understand the people who say I weigh too much and need to loose weight. Fair assesment. I cannot argue.

My only point being that I have sat the Ferrari 430 and the new 458 and I fit in all of them fine, no problem. ( never owned a ferrari, just sat in them) . Ferrari figured it out years ago that to expand your market base of buyers you need to make the car a bit roomy. All I am saying is that if I feel VERY comfortable in the new Porsche, and C6 Corvette and if Gilles wants to expand the market of who buys a Viper then you need to make the car more roomy and NOT just expect to upgrade the interior and expect buyers to come running. Even GM with the Corvette knew their C4 was an ergo nightmare and as soon as the "roomy"C5 came out sales almost doubled. I was just expecting the new 2013 Viper to be void of the previous mentality of no room inside and inabilty to look out the windshield unless I duck down. Its 2013 and sorry but it is so unacceptable.

Fact. I bought my 1997 NEW off the showroom floor back in 1997, and was willing to deal with the somewhat compromised interior room because no car could touch it as far as performance. Today the 2013 Viper is no longer "untouchable" in the 1/4 mile and around the track

Fact. I sat in the 2013 Viper at Security Dodge in Amityville NY and felt that when I closed the door that my left shoulder and left arm was pressed between my thorax and the door panel with NO room to move it around. I did NOT feel that my gut, belly or abdomen or any point BELOW my chest or thorax was tight. SO there is plently of room for FAT guys but NO room if you have wide shoulders and are broad.

Fact. I went home and sat in my 1997 Viper GTS and it had more room in the shoulder and left arm area and I can move my left arm freely.

Fact. The new 2013 Viper has less head room ( about one inch less) than my 1997 Viper GTS. I checked by feeling above my head in both cars. Both cars have enough headroom that do not cause a problem for me at 6'2'' but anyone taller might be an issue,

Fact. Both my 1997 GTS and the 2013 have a issue (for me) with the roof overhanging too low and causing me to need to bend my head down and duck down to fully look out the windshield. This might have been acceptable back in 1997 but this is UNACCEPTABLE in 2013. Sorry.

Sorry, but I Love the Viper and wanted to buy the GTS Launch and was even willing to overlook the fact that at this point the car has a manual transmission whereas every other high dollar performance car has gone to paddles. ( my OPINION ONLY-- , just that at this price point I rather have paddles like every Ferrari and even the GT-R)
But once I sat in the car I was fustrated that the car had less room across the shoulders where my left arm was pinned and the pesky windshield visibilty overhang issue is still there after 16 years.

I was super excited about this Viper and love the brand. I collect all things Viper and have for the past 16 years. I have the Viper pinball machine, all the factory leather jackets, the Viper posters in the garage hanging next to my car, and all the diecasts. I was not to happy with the styling of the gen 3 and 4 and was all jacked up when I saw the 2013. But will have to pass on this car unfortunately.

 

[viperbilliam]

Good points, kratedisease. I do believe it was a major goal for SRT to make the Viper more comfortable, and not just for smaller people. There's no need to reduce shoulder room or head room for a car like this. Hopefully SRT is taking notes for the 2014/15. With a low volume plant like Conner, design changes can be made relatively quickly. The head/shoulder room aren't seat issues and thus not as easy to change. Any one else feel the new Viper is a little crampy? The cramped feeling gets old quick regardless of how good the rest of the car is.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

--- but NO room if you have wide shoulders and are broad. I went home and sat in my 1997 Viper GTS and it had more room in the shoulder and left arm area and I can move my left arm freely.

Well, that's a little worrisome to me. Though I am skinny as a snake and only a little over 6', I have very wide shoulders, and my 2003 had my left side hurting just like you. Need to find a 2013 and sit in it.

 

[kratedisease]

Visually, for me, the car painted blue with white stripes is an absolute stunner and show stopper. The outside lines are awesome when I saw the car in person ( especially the curves on the hood) . And the upgraded interior is high quality. The car has so much going for it but i believe a few small issues are holding it back. I cannot buy a car I cannot safely drive due to ergo/room issues. Before I actually sat in the 2013 Viper the only reservation I had was that it had no paddle transmission. Not the biggest issue since the car has so much otherwise going for it.

 

[09 Venom]

kratedisease, unfortunately sports car manufactures build cars to suit the average male height in the us, around 5'10". this is to fit comfortably. and that is the key word here...comfortably. Can I fit inside the Gallardo (I am 6'3" 220lbs) sure I can, but have to slide way down and tilt the head to see outside the windshield. There is a thread somewhere on these forums where certain individuals 6'4" and over said they fit fine in the Viper. Well I guess every ones definition of 'fits fine' is different. In all my previous Vipers I have had the 2" inch lowering kit installed. I am HOPING the new Gen V has solved this problem. (and with Mark J. little tip on removing that bolt giving us a bit more headroom) I am hopeful with the Gen V.

 

[madninjaskillz]

At 6'2" 235, I fit very well in my Gen 3. I love the way the seats feel and even drove the 03 I had before this one 4000 miles from SC to WA. The car was very comfortable. This is a big fear of mine when I go to buy the new one that I will not feel as comfortable driving for a couple of hours straight. Nothing you can do with broad shoulders I guess.

 

[kratedisease]

Yes, you are correct that not every body type can fit well in every sports car. No arguing that fact. BUT, the issue I have is that I have had no problem sitting in any other car except the Lambo Aventador and the new 2013 Viper. ( Lambo was a coffin with zero headroom, I had to duck down just to sit in the car.. I though I was in an MRI machine) Yes, possibly a taller skinnier guy wil fit better.

Ok then , but what's up with the low roof overhang ??? Is the car faster with a shorter windshield ? This is just wierd in 2013 ....

I do not expect the car to fit me like a glove, but less room than a 16 year old 1997 GTS ? I though cars are to get more ergo friendy with time and development ??

 

[kratedisease]

Sorry I started this thread. I am just fustrated that the new 2013 does not fit my build and i cannot see out the windshield. IF I was NOT excited about the new 2013 Viper, then I guess I would have never felt the need to vent my fustration and anger here on the forums. Sorry but I friggen wanted a new 2013 VIPER in the worst way .

 

[ViperGTS]

You guys crack me up! 300 pounds and he is complaining that a race car (seat) does not fit... Is it April 1st again?

Cars and seats are designed for 'normal' or 'standard' (weightwise too) people - not fat ones.

Just like a seat on a plane! Fatties must buy 2.

 

[NI-KA]

I am NOT sorry you started this thread. I to hope to own the new viper someday.

I also was hoping for drivers seats that would adjust instead of being bolted to the floor so others in my family could have the pleasure of driving a viper. I am 6'2" with average to narrow shoulders. It sounds like I will once again need a seat lowering kit. I have owned a 2006 coupe and currently own a 1997 coupe.

The seat lowering kits are OK but don't necessary allow for perfect driver position.

I am still holding out hope since I have not yet sat in the 2013 + my body proportions are different than yours but I am not overly optimistic based on all the above observations.

 

[kratedisease]

Yes, I did add the seat lowering kit to my 1997 two years ago and it made a huge difference. I was amazed how just one inch made looking out the windshield so much better. I got the one inch kit because I wanted to retain the ability to have someone else to be able to drive the car.

This is what I Friggin cannot understand .... The seat in the 2013 was all they way down but the bottom of the seat frame appeared to be at least 4 inches from the floor pan!!!

Why SRT would not get a seat frame with greater ability to completely Lay flat or close to flat on the floorpan amazes me , ESPECIALLY that the roof overhang on the windshield is so low !!!

I just figured that these obvious ergo issues would NOT be carried over into 2013.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

For the record, the latest figures out from the Center for Disease Control (yes I know all you guys in Texas surely think this is a communist organization with no credibility) reports these averages for folks in the USA over 20 years old: Men:
Height (inches): 69.3
Weight (pounds): 195.5
Waist circumference (inches): 39.7
Women:
Height (inches): 63.8
Weight (pounds): 166.2
Waist circumference (inches): 37.5
Damn people ARE fat in this country! A 40" waist is AVERAGE for a guy who is 5'9" tall? No wonder I can't find 15 1/2" neck dress shirts that aren't like tents down below.

 

[kratedisease]

Ralph Gilles must have made the car for himself, or anyone with his build.

 

[kratedisease]

For the record, the latest figures out from the Center for Disease Control (yes I know all you guys in Texas surely think this is a communist organization with no credibility) reports these averages for folks in the USA over 20 years old: Men:
Height (inches): 69.3
Weight (pounds): 195.5
Waist circumference (inches): 39.7
Women:
Height (inches): 63.8
Weight (pounds): 166.2
Waist circumference (inches): 37.5
Damn people ARE fat in this country! A 40" waist is AVERAGE for a guy who is 5'9" tall? No wonder I can't find 15 1/2" neck dress shirts that aren't like tents down below.

I am so depressed that I am so much taller than "average" .

 

[Solid Red 98]

I am 5'9 190lbs ( all muscle.....) and the Gen-V does fell tighter than my Gen-2. Visibility is also less overall. Getting in and out seems a tad harder, but maybe I was tired that day. In any event, few cars are perfect, and you have to get used to the quirks of a particular ride. If you like it, you will find the good and subsume the bad. The reverse is also true. I think the car is a beast and a worthy car to have, and an obvious upgrade for my current automotive love interest. If its not your cup for reasons of fit or something else, then there is always an Jeep SRT 8, a Corvette, or a used Hummer.....

 

[I Bin Therbefor]

5'11" 175 lbs No fit problem. Seat bottom too thin. Pedals are a bit too far to the left. Definate closed in feeling.

 

[madninjaskillz]

Wait, is Chris Christie shopping for Vipers now?

 

[Jack B]

No disrespect, but, the wider far exceeds the higher.

I am so depressed that I am so much taller than "average" .

 

[PeerBlock]

I wondered how long it would take for people to attack his weight just because he expressed his opinion.

Not long.

He claims he cannot comfortably fit inside a Gen 5 and says a Gen 2 is OK, implying that there is a problem with the Gen 5 being "too small". Is the car too small or is he just too big? Valid question; not an attack. Should SRT offer a special GTS-W edition with extra width? Maybe get rid of the passenger seat and center console, then make the front a bench seat and make the shifter one of those long handled jobs like they have on a school bus.

 

[Bruce H.]

went to the dealer yesterday and sat in the new 2013..... big ****... less room inside than my 1997 gts.... I guess Ralph Gilles is not that big of a guy !!. i am 6'2'' and 290lbs and the worst offensively tight area is the left door shoulder room or lack of it since I can barely turn the steering wheel with my left arm because it is wedged between my chest and the left driver door panel.... I left the dealership in my C6 corvette that felt like a motorhome inside compared to the viper....guess I am buying the new C&7 Vette instead... The 2013 viper cabin is tighter than my 1997 GTS viper cabin and the overhang of the roof down to the top edge of the windshield is way too low. Could barely see out off the car unless I ducked down. I see the stupid italian quirky nature added to the car. EVEN the owner of the dealership agreeded the new 2013 was tighter than the old gen 2 cars. so pissed....

I've read comments that the Viper is tight inside, dead pedal access is limited, pedals offset, etc, and wait to see if it's comfortable"enough" for me. I'm very excited about the prospect that I'll be able to fit and adjust my needs enough to be able to enjoy such a thrilling car, and will be very disappointed if I can't. But I don't expect that it should or will, and if it doesn't I won't be bitter that they didn't design it to meet my personal needs. Cars that suit most don't appeal to me at all, and makes finding the ones that do a challenging and rewarding process.

Good luck with the Corvette!

 

[Makara]

There is a kit for sale that gives a bit more room in vipers.

You must be registered for see images

 

[kratedisease]

I rarely post on most forums because the conversation tends to degrade to where it is now ( Picture above of treadmill). And comments about Chris Christie .

Its sad when the morons and drop outs push the conversation down to their level...

let me guess "MAKARA" and "Madninjaskillz" ...... you both have dual Phd's in engineering and you both are also physicians ( P.S. thats another fancy word for doctor... you two dopes) so you know that the treadmill will make me shorter and my shoulders will get narrower if use the treadmill, and therefore I will fit better in the car.

Its called READING COMPREHENSION. I said the car is too tight in the shoulder area ( Not abdomen...a fancy word for belly you goofy dopes) and roof over hang drops too low for my height. read my posts again.

VERY SIMPLE ... everyone else who posted got it....

 

[09 Venom]

not to hijack the thread, but is the seat rail the same used in the Gen III and IV? if so, I was told the gateway module has been removed and that nothing resides underneath the drivers seat. Wonder if the previous seat lowering kits work on the Gen V?

 

[Nine Ball]

I can compare my Gen 3 coupe vs the Gen 5. The Gen 3 feels tighter inside. The Gen 5 felt more roomy to me, and the dash was further away from me than in the Gen 3.

Can't compare cabin width against other cars on the market that do not have side exhaust. The **** door shape and the side exhaust are what make the Viper a statement, and unfortunately those also take up cabin width.

As for being overweight, your shoulders do get narrower when you lose weight. Men carry a lot of weight in skin thickness alone, especially if overweight.

Tony

 

[kratedisease]

not to hijack the thread, but is the seat rail the same used in the Gen III and IV? if so, I was told the gateway module has been removed and that nothing resides underneath the drivers seat. Wonder if the previous seat lowering kits work on the Gen V?

The seat in the 2013 was all they way down but the bottom of the seat frame appeared to be at least 4 inches from the floor pan!!!

Why SRT would not get a seat frame with greater ability to completely Lay flat or close to flat on the floorpan amazes me , ESPECIALLY that the roof overhang on the windshield is so low !!!

Yes , I hope that a seat lowering kit will be available......solutution to this 16 year old ergonomic/design flaw of low front roof overhang...