Thinking about trading my '08 M3 for a '04 - 08' Viper

[Invadermoose]

...To use as a daily. YES, IT MAY SOUND CRAZY, BUT HEAR ME OUT. Before my M3 I had a 2010 Camaro with a big whipple supercharger, a camshaft, exhaust so loud that it gave some of my passengers tooth aches, and 600 rwhp. It ran 11.1 in the 1/4. The reason I'm telling you this is so you know I dont mind driving a loud, hard to handle car every day. I honestly dont find my M3 much more luxurious than my Camaro. The only things my M3 has that the Camaro didnt are GPS and Bluetooth.

I think the M3 is boring, It's slow (in my opinion), and for a car with just 400 horsepower, the ride should not be so damn stiff. I bought the M3 because I thought it would be a very comfortable but very fast daily, It was neither. Shortly after I bought my M3, I decided to get a weekend car. I bought a 2012 Maserati Granturismo and I LOVE it. Best car I've ever owned. So with my weekend car covered, I want a new daily, and I'm thinking 2004 - 2008 Viper. I want to go back to that raw american feel.

I have a few questions, though, and it would be awesome if some could be answered:

Most people say it's bad to drive every day, but WHY?

Is the air conditioning really so bad it feels like you're being cooked alive?

Is it true it can't be driven in heavy rain?

Is it true that 2004-2008 vipers break a lot?

Is there a specific model or year I should get? my max spending limit is $55,000. Like for example would 2006 be significantly better over 2005? Is there anything I should look for when buying?

If I get a Gen 3 will I need to change the x-pipe out so I dont roast in my car?

And last.. How much attention to these really get? Will I be followed home like I sometimes do in my Maserati? I'm in west florida..

OH ALSO... If you happen to be in Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, or even Brandon and you want to let me RIDE, not drive, but RIDE in your viper, I'll fill up your tank and be very grateful.

 

[ACRucrazy]

Most people say it's bad to drive every day, but WHY?

Cramped, hot, loud, not a lot of storage room, stiff ride, ok MPG

Is the air conditioning really so bad it feels like you're being cooked alive?

The A/C works fine its the cabin heat that cooks you alive. Even with A/C on full on hot summer days I find my cabin still hot as hell. Its blowin cold, but cant keep up with the heat. Again, Dynamat Xtreme would help out wonders in this situation, both sound and comfort.

Is it true it can't be driven in heavy rain?

Sure it can, with proper attention and tires.

Is it true that 2004-2008 vipers break a lot?

Not true.

Is there a specific model or year I should get? my max spending limit is $55,000. Like for example would 2006 be significantly better over 2005? Is there anything I should look for when buying?

Coupe or convertible? 03-05 convertible only, 06 coupe, 08 Gen IV, much improved. If I were shopping I would find a Gen III coupe or Gen IV.
Gen III you can modify easier, cams, tune, super charger, etc.

Gen IV seems to be the same mods. K&N, Mopar PCM, Headers, exhaust, gears, suspension etc. If you don't want to modify it the Gen IV is a better car. Better engine, better trans, better clutch, better rear end, better oiling system. 100 more HP over the Gen 3. (better exterior colors IMO) As a daily Gen IV is worth the extra price of admission IMO

If I get a Gen 3 will I need to change the x-pipe out so I dont roast in my car?

It would be wise to do so. Dynamat will help all the way around on Gen III or IV

And last.. How much attention to these really get? Will I be followed home like I sometimes do in my Maserati? I'm in west florida..

At a car show about 2 weeks ago I was parked in between a Porsche and Maserati GranTurismo Sport. The crowd was at my car all day ignoring the Maserati. I took home the trophy

 

[MoparMap]

I've been daily driving an 04 since January and have had zero issues with it.

I think a lot of people don't like to daily them because they think it looses some of the "special feel" you get driving one. I'll admit, I do get a tad tired of it from time to time, but I have another car I can hop in if I really want to get away, but 9 times out of 10 the Viper keys are what I pick up (also because my other cars are old 70's cars, so the Viper is really the best equipped).

I've driven mine in some pretty heavy downpours without any issues. I've got SuperSport tires on mine and they've worked out really well. I've been pretty impressed with them. Even in the 20 degree cold of winter they did okay, though you really just have to be careful and not be stupid. Drive the car like you're not expecting it to have traction, don't push your luck.

My A/C works just fine, though on a really hot and humid day it might take a little time to cool off (like 5-10 minutes on full blast), but on cooler days I'll actually have to turn the temp dial up to keep from freezing me out.

Don't think there are really any big issues with the gen 3's unless you really pound on them and start upping the power significantly. The diffs can be a little questionable, but even ones that have really badly pitted gears still usually run fine until something completely lets go. What have you heard in general about parts breaking? There are potential issues with the oiling system as well from what I've read, but they're only really seen on track cars with slicks, not a daily driven car.

Don't know about years. Typically I think a lot shy away from 03's (first year bugs and whatnot). 2006 gives you the option of a coupe if that's your thing.

Can't say on the exhaust as mine was already gone when I purchased the car, but it's highly recommneded about anywhere you look.

Hard to say as each location is different. I'm in a smaller town, but even in the major cities I don't think I draw too much attention. Mine is silver, so it blends in a little better than the flashy colors or big wings on the ACRs. I gotten some questions at gas stations and the such, but don't think I've ever had someone follow me to ask me anything.

The big thing is really just what you're willing to put up with. Everyone's taste in different. Some think a car like a Viper is too harsh to drive day to day, but others don't mind the race ready ride of an ACR one bit. I personally think my car is pretty dang comfortable and the seats wrap me up good, though the ride can be a tad harsh on sharper bumps. I'm on the thinner side (6', ~170), so I fit in pretty easily though. I bought mine with the intent to daily it, so I didn't mind the mileage and could get a little better deal on it. Bought it with 43k on the clock and just rolled over 60k this past weekend (~9 months of driving). Only you will know if the car is for you, so hopefully someone out there will step up and offer you a ride or maybe even a drive.

 

[NO HEMI]

Whichever you buy(Gen3 or 4), the maserati should be the DD and the Viper the W-end car!!!, If you have never been or driven a Viper you will understand once you do it ( i drove mine daily for about 3 MO, while my jeep was getting a new transmission)

 

[Cobraken]

I second the proposition that the Maser should be the daily driver and the Viper be the weekender. The Viper is an anvil and you have to work at breaking it. The Maser has more space inside and so is more practical with a better ride. '06 coupe or genIV would be the better choice for a dd if you will not consider the Maser as one.

 

[1bad540]

I have an 03 and don't have the stock exhaust, I have never roasted in the car nor felt any more excessive heat than any other corvette Ive had. Im sure the corsa exhaust gets rid of the heat. The ac on mine is fine. Its small in side and it has racing seats that's your only downfall . Get one and enjoy, I don't remember off hand any vast improvements in any gen 3 so get the one that's the best and don't worry about the year. I was originally looking for an 06 but got an immaculate 03 with 3900 miles. The only draw back to the 03 is the black calipers but I swapped them with new ones! Enjoy.

 

[1bad540]

Btw Ive daily driven a worked c4 yrs ago and the viper is no more cramped than that, in fact its bigger.

 

[viper vince]

ACR crazy nailed it everything he said is true! I had a 2006 gen 3 and really liked the car and now I have a 2010 gen4 and LOVE the car buy a gen 4 if you can!

 

[intense5.5]

If your commute involves much stop and go traffic you will not enjoy the viper as a dd. They do not like to creep along. Aside from that, at 5'10"-200lbs I'm very comfortable in mine. Catbacks and high flow cats really helped cut down on cabin heat and the a/c handles anything I've needed it to.

 

[98intrigue]

I'm in Clearwater if you want a ride. I have a modified '06 coupe FYI.

For $55k, you're not going to find many Gen 4 Vipers...maybe one with 30k+ mileage. To some, mileage is just a number. To others, it tells the story of the car.
You can pickup a low mileage '03-'06 vert starting near $40k and reach upwards of $55k for a low mileage '06 coupe.

 

[slysnake]

I've heard a lot about the terrible cabin heat in Vipers but I have put 25k miles on my car now and I have NEVER thought the heat was a problem. Yes, you can feel the warmth. But it's just not that bad imo.

 

[Invadermoose]

Hey guys, haven't been able to reply all day because I've been pretty busy. Thanks for all the responses and the huge amount of help, though!! I called my insurance company and inquired about a 2005 viper SR10 I found, they told me insurance would only be an extra $36 per month, which is very doable. I've found a 2005 SRT10 in my price range, the insurance is pretty good, and all is well. I've also Pm'd 98intrigue about maybe getting a ride! Love this forum already.

 

[johniew398]

I have an 08 ACR. I have owned the car since new, five years. Never had a problem with cabin heat except when I had a minor leak in the condenser. This summer I noticed the AC will literally freeze you out if you have it higher than a couple of clicks on the fan.

Had had three minor issues: 1) had to replace the emergency brake calipers, 2) replaced the window regulator and 3) replaced the condenser due to a small leak. All of that was done under warranty. I have 13,500 miles on mine. It also has a 7 year warranty.

Just giving you an idea of what is out there. Of course if I were selling mine it would be in the $70k range so it's above your budget.

 

[MoparMap]

I'd agree that the type of commuting you do would make a difference as well. I live in a fairly big town but commute to a pretty small one early in the morning, so the little city driving I do is largely void of traffic and the highways are pretty empty as well. Chugging around town in one might wear on your nerves since you'd likely be dieing to open it up.

 

[Timnineside]

Based on the research and the qualifications you're expecting I would say a Viper is right for you. Most of the issues have already been addressed but my .02 is I daily drive my 2010 ACR as much as I can, drive it the rain, when its hot, out shopping and so fourth with zero issues or concerns. Yes people will take pictures, and videos and follow you home or off the highway to chat. Yes some people will be ignorant and jealous and yes the occasional ***** will tell you nice vette.

I say go for a ride and see what you think. Vipers are a lot of bang for the buck and really can't go wrong with the right purchase. I always look at my Viper's as money in the bank that I can enjoy. Sure it may loose some value by driving it but nowhere near as bad as vettes and other similar vehicles.


-Tim

 

[C.Hermsen]

I just drove my 04 2,000 miles to Tennessee and back and never had an issue with heat, the AC was more than adequate. It also had enough storage space for my things, but that's about it haha. I also found it to be quite comfortable, and the only pit stops I made were for fuel. As far as the rain, you need to make sure you have GOOD tires, I have worn Nitto Invos on mine and it terrifies me in the rain. But I have a set of Kumho's I need to put on soon.

PS- thinking about selling mine for a lot under your budget

 

[C.Hermsen]

And yes, you will get attention like a superstar. Everyone that rides with me can't believe it, mine is also painted a Copperhead/Black ACR style so it sticks out a lot more than when it was just black.

 

[Vipes]

I don't think you'll have a problem daily driving a viper if you enjoyed daily driving a 600 rwhp Camaro. It's a reliable car that has a few luxuries like a/c, abs brakes, good stereo, etc. If you're taller you might be crammed if you like to drive with your seat tilted back. I didn't notice a heat problem but I just removed the xpipe last week mostly because the stock exhaust is so quiet. I personally don't like to drive the car on a daily basis because it's not the most comfortable ride since I'm not small and it's a tight cockpit (knees touch with the seat all the way back and my shoulders feel like they are pushed in from the seat) and I worry about the car if I have have to leave it parked for a long period of time. I drive it quite a bit though, sometimes two or three times a week but I enjoy taking breaks from it. Also, the constant attention from it can sometimes be overwhelming.

 

[Invadermoose]

I don't think you'll have a problem daily driving a viper if you enjoyed daily driving a 600 rwhp Camaro. It's a reliable car that has a few luxuries like a/c, abs brakes, good stereo, etc. If you're taller you might be crammed if you like to drive with your seat tilted back. I didn't notice a heat problem but I just removed the xpipe last week mostly because the stock exhaust is so quiet. I personally don't like to drive the car on a daily basis because it's not the most comfortable ride since I'm not small and it's a tight cockpit (knees touch with the seat all the way back and my shoulders feel like they are pushed in from the seat) and I worry about the car if I have have to leave it parked for a long period of time. I drive it quite a bit though, sometimes two or three times a week but I enjoy taking breaks from it. Also, the constant attention from it can sometimes be overwhelming.

Does it not have ABS? I told my insurance company it did..

 

[Vipes]

Does it not have ABS? I told my insurance company it did..

Yes they do, I was referring to the gen III Viper when I said it has a/c, abs, stereo, the minimum essentials needed for daily driving. Some of the later year gen II's have anti lock brakes too.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Vipes is correct...ABS first appeared on the 2001 Viper...and all subsequent Vipers.

The BIG improvement in stopping power came to Vipers in 2003.

 

[ulllose]

I can't help but laugh.....you mention buying a Maserati grand turismo for a weekend car, I'm assuming 100k+ and you called your insurance company to see if you could swing the insurance cost for a used viper? I'm all about being smart about spending hard earned money, but really if you have a 100k+ weekend car, being worried about how much a month insurance will cost for a 05 viper seems off. Btw ..If you want to save a few more bucks a year on your insurance, don't pay the insurance bill monthly. Either way good luck with the car search

 

[Invadermoose]

I can't help but laugh.....you mention buying a Maserati grand turismo for a weekend car, I'm assuming 100k+ and you called your insurance company to see if you could swing the insurance cost for a used viper? I'm all about being smart about spending hard earned money, but really if you have a 100k+ weekend car, being worried about how much a month insurance will cost for a 05 viper seems off. Btw ..If you want to save a few more bucks a year on your insurance, don't pay the insurance bill monthly. Either way good luck with the car search

I pay it every 6 months. It's always a good idea to call the insurance company, not really to see if I could pay it. When I bought my Maserati I was IMMEDIATELY dropped from the insurance because they "didnt insure exotics" were their words, so now I'm very careful about it. I've also got a few tickets that dont help too much.