Should the next Vert be a convertible hardtop?

[Paul Hawker]

Been thinking a bit about the next Gen Viper.<br><br>Wondering if the next Vert should be a convertible hardtop, or cloth hardtop?<br><br>The down side of the vert hardtop is additional cost, weight less trunk room and complexity.<br><br>The upside is more styling options, quieter interior, upscale market.<br><br>Assuming that the Vert will not be the highest performance version. That there will be a standard coupe, and track specific ACR, perhaps the time has come for the Viper to step it up a bit with a hard top that folds down into the trunk. (Like Mercedes SL).<br><br>While the additional weight would slow it down a bit on the track, its additional elegance might expand the marketplace. The current Vert with cloth top is not acceptable at most of the tracks without roll bar enhancements. The hardtop and ACR would take care of Ring records.<br><br>Whatcha think?<br><br><br>

 

[bluesrt]

im all about it

 

[Slithr]

Verly interesting, as long as the performance was 'almost' as respectable as the Coupe & ACR, it could expand appeal/market. But, the roadster guy in me says I'd still like a soft top option (and add the roll bar).

 

[BlknBlu]

If I ever had a vert an additional hard top would be a must.

Bruce

 

[01sapphirebob]

For me that would be a big NO to a hard top convertible. Call me somewhat of purest but I think a convertible hardtop just dosent belong on a viper. I almost half wish they would go back to a true roadster but at the same time I like being able to just pull over to the side of the road if I get caught in the rain and just flip the top up rather then having to find a bridge or gas station etc.

 

[Smog Dog]

Terrible idea for Viper--not even a good idea for Corvette. Ask Herb......

Bill

 

[VYPR BYT 94]

A factory 3piece that fits in the trunk still gives the purists the flexibility to loose the weight on a track day or quickly get shelter from an unexpected storm cloud. If it rollstrunk that weight into the trunk, you've made it less flexible for individual tastes... imho

 

[Nine Ball]

Retracting hardtops add a substantial cost to a vehicle. Especially on a low-volume car like the Viper. I'd rather not see it. Instead, just offer a bolt-on fiberglass hardtop as an option for convertible buyers.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I almost half wish they would go back to a true roadster but at the same time I like being able to just pull over to the side of the road if I get caught in the rain and just flip the top up rather then having to find a bridge or gas station etc.

I normally agree with Bob, but the last thing ANY manufacturer should do is ever go back to a Gen 1 top design. I've made sailors blush and bikers ask me to quiet down while trying to put that POS on the car at times. I rank it up there w/the Aztek, and the pet rock. Ugly and completely useless. The Gen 1 hardtop isn't nearly as bad. PITA taking the sportsbar pad off, but light years better than the softtop

 

[01sapphirebob]

I normally agree with Bob, but the last thing ANY manufacturer should do is ever go back to a Gen 1 top design. I've made sailors blush and bikers ask me to quiet down while trying to put that POS on the car at times. I rank it up there w/the Aztek, and the pet rock. Ugly and completely useless.

I kinda agree. The only reason I kinda wish for it is I really like the "sport bar" look of my GEN II vs not having it on
my GEN IV. Maybe SRT has a trick up their sleeve though to somehow bring back that look while keeping the convertible top.

 

[Makara]

A hard top vert would weigh too much. No way, don't do it. Have a real roll bar in the car and keep it a soft top.

 

[BolsOut]

No. The Viper is a direct descendent of the ******* Cobra. We all love the car because of its Brute Simplicity.

Save all the techno-crap for the corvette crowd.

 

[Mopar Steve]

We already have it...Almost. On the SRT convert I have now, the forward most section is already "hard" covered in canvas, the back glass is solid and the balance of the top folds. To add just a little more structure to the top such that it would be entirely a hard top is (to me) very little work, and little to no additional weight. As anyone that has a convertible currently knows, when the top is folded the surface behind the seats becomes a hard top area.

I also wouldn't have a convertible without a hard top. So I purchased mine aftermarket, and after I painted it to match the car, it gets many compliments.

My vote would be yes! Simply finish the folding hardtop that is already started on the current convert's.

 

[madninjaskillz]

I agree with the other guys that a retractable hard top is a horrible idea. I think that goes against the essence of a Viper completely. How about a true targa top that fits in flush, doesn't create extra weight and can pop in and out with ease. That would be the best of both worlds I think. I have a red vert atm and like it a lot but a hard top that you can take out would be something I would buy in the next gen.

 

[Moundir]

I'll take a power soft top! How much could the motor and all the parts needed possibly weigh? Yes I'm a lazy bastard!

 

[ROCKET62]

You mean my convertible has a top? Hard to remember the last time I actually drove with the top up.

Cars, like women, look better *******!

 

[viperdrummer]

I had retractable tops on my XLR--V and my wife's XLR. They were highly entertaining to watch operate and you kept waiting to hear the sound of glass breaking but I think because of weight etc they don't belong on a true sports car. They also tend to swallow the trunk.

A lot of folks had breakdown issues on the Caddy tops. I was lucky. Mine worked fine.

 

[ViperTony]

I'll take a power soft top! How much could the motor and all the parts needed possibly weigh? Yes I'm a lazy bastard!

Agreed but the push-botton power soft top would be the only 'nanny' i.e. lazy feature I want in the new Viper.

 

[kennyhemi]

Too Heavy!!

 

[CitySnake]

I'm not sure why such a choice would conflict with the "true" sportscar nature of theViper. I think a motorized folding hard top would sell more cars therefor eenhancing the longevity of the model. Why not make it an available factory option? There are plenty of potential buyers out there that would sacrifice the additional weight (and possible loss of trunk space) for what would likely be an expensive (and profit center for Dodge), push button folding hardtop.

I thoroughly enjoy the "bad boy rep" of the Viper brand, but I'm loosing sight of the "purest" argument to restrict optional luxury amenities in the current consumer marketplace. If you COULD have bought your Viper with a factory folding hardtop, but chose not to do same, would your "pure" Viper be any less a Viper?

 

[Paul Hawker]

Vipers were the most ********* in the beginning with the Gen 1, and have gradually gotten more upscale.

They already have electric windows, electric pedals, attached convertible tops, power steering, power ABS brakes, powerful stereo systems, a cup holder, carpeting, leather seating, reclining seat backs and adjustable tracks, tilt steering wheels, interior lighting, airconditioning, fog lights, heater, dimmable dash lighting, hydraulic clutch, electric door and hatch releases, glove and elbow compartments, security alarms, electric key fobs, throttle by wire, automatic choke, electronic fuel injection, emission controls, tire pressure monitors, lusterous paint jobs, factory stripes, cute but non functional fuel filler bling, and a host of other components that do nothing to enhance untimate track performance.

But still people refer to them as pure sports cars that will somehow be diminished with some up to date creature comforts.

 

[Moundir]

It's silly to even bring up the purist excuse! It's a convertible, who cares about 50 more lbs on it! No one buys a convertible to track it! That's why we have the acr and ******** editions

 

[01sapphirebob]

It's silly to even bring up the purist excuse! It's a convertible, who cares about 50 more lbs on it! No one buys a convertible to track it! That's why we have the acr and ******** editions

I respectfully disagree. While not sounding like a lot...50 more pounds on an
already heavy car is a lot. And again...it just doesn't fit (hardtop vert) what Viper is all about. Some would argue they stopped making the Viper back in '95 with the addition of the GTS coupe and all the "creature comforts" that it had come with. Now I'm not gonna lie, I like all aspects of my GEN II & GEN IV cars but I try to drive them as much like a GEN I as possible. Windows down and almost never using the A/C. But as some say to each their own. I have said it before and I will say it again, this is a very exciting time in the life of our beloved Viper. I just can't wait to see what SRT has come up with for us and I do look forward to what is in store for us. Very exciting time!

 

[Moundir]

Bob we can agree on one thing, and that's the way we drive! I've never driven the car with the top up, windows are always down as well and dont even know if the ac on mine work lol. The only time the top goes up is when I wash her

 

[shine]

It's silly to even bring up the purist excuse! It's a convertible, who cares about 50 more lbs on it! No one buys a convertible to track it! That's why we have the acr and ******** editions

I did, and do

 

[Moundir]

I did, and do

Ok, I take it back! Only Shine would buy a vert to race with. Not fair that's an acr vert though! most of us posers buy the vert to **** around town with. At least I did

 

[SkyBob]

Vipers were the most ********* in the beginning with the Gen 1, and have gradually gotten more upscale.

They already have electric windows, electric pedals, attached convertible tops, power steering, power ABS brakes, powerful stereo systems, a cup holder, carpeting, leather seating, reclining seat backs and adjustable tracks, tilt steering wheels, interior lighting, airconditioning, fog lights, heater, dimmable dash lighting, hydraulic clutch, electric door and hatch releases, glove and elbow compartments, security alarms, electric key fobs, throttle by wire, automatic choke, electronic fuel injection, emission controls, tire pressure monitors, lusterous paint jobs, factory stripes, cute but non functional fuel filler bling, and a host of other components that do nothing to enhance untimate track performance.

But still people refer to them as pure sports cars that will somehow be diminished with some up to date creature comforts.

Oh, my Gawd! Did he say cup holder? It's really a "not-a-cup-holder". It doesn't exist. There's nothing to see here. Move along folks.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Not to mention the Trunk Dress-Up kit, Tinted Windshield, Removable Ash Tray and Cigar Lighter.

Raw indeed : >)

I drove a Gen 1 a while ago, and found something about it really refreshing...especially when it started to RAIN!

 

[Joseph Houss]

Makara hit the mark!

MORE important than WHAT type of top.... is.....

REAL "ROAD COURSE APPROVED" rollover protection. EVERY Viper should be worthy of a weekend track event without need for additional appendages!!!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

No

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