Told ya...

[PDCjonny]

Those are the crossover buyers Hoboken, who didn't crossover.
Don't discount the fact that the name "Dodge" still means junk to a lot of people regardless of the price tag.
Not saying it is, but to some anything American is mass produced junk.

 

[Free2go]

Some "interesting personal perceptions" can be construed as humble brag.

 

[HobokenViper]

Some "interesting personal perceptions" can be construed as humble brag.

You are too kind, really.....

Construe/twist whatever you want, but I actually joke all the time that we are the "poor slobs" in town, and have no desire to change my ways to fit in. I'm definitely easy to pick out as the "Jersey guy" in town and don't apologize for it at all. Haha!

And I agree with the other post that people like many of my neighbors wouldn't be caught dead driving a Dodge (ahem, SRT) just because of the brand name, or because it isn't a European import. Really small minded if you ask me, as who really cares what brand name something is, especially if it's truly something special.....?

 

[Free2go]

So you guys are like the Beverly Hillbillies? I get it. I like that. Ok, back to the car. Does anyone think that if they would have made the GenV like EVERYBODY was hoping for, and priced it around $179k that it would have sold better? And I am not trolling. Just wondering if SRT could have gone the Ford GT route.

 

[FrankBarba]

after I smoke your lame-ass vette I'll bang your wife/gf/sister because she'll be a lot more interested in the dude with a Viper than the beta male who bought a vette to drive to his weekly manscaping appointments."

Lets see what your wife/ gf / sister looks like, so we might be able to take a poke at them.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I could list a dozen reasons that don't have anything to do with the performance of the car or its competition. They've all been rehashed ad nauseam in threads like this. Those considering a Viper for the first time naturally seek information on forums, and this is the kind of discussion they find. They probably won't care about the past history of the car, or what was important to owners of previous generations. They knew it as an unrefined beast that didn't appeal to them, but are now giving the new and improved Gen V a look.

So #1 has to be the lack of broad and strong support on this forum and Viper Alley's. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

#2 Viper Owner Stereotype. You may not realize the impact of it, but there are so many members that present their character in such a poor light personally, and the community as a whole, and the "target customer of the new refined Viper" will shudder at the thought of being affiliated with this sort of group. Heck, many previous Gen owners that have bought the Gen V don't want to associate with this group. Try to have a bit of class guys...the stereotype you've created really needs some work.

Now that SRT has addressed a few issues things will improve, and new reviews should all be mostly favorable. The car remains too extreme for most, thankfully, so sales will remain low. And because it has world class performance it will be profiled alongside the best out there. It will still not be the instant favorite to the casual tester, or to many previous gen owners, but if we don't scare away new prospective buyers it will be the success that Ralph and company envisioned.

Bruce

Not meaning to be condescending Bruce but there isn't a car built that doesn't have a buyer stereotype associated with it and every one of those stereotypes is less than flattering. So if that is any factor in sales it is a factor across the entire industry.

 

[05Commemorative]

Hello F2V, remember me? I'm of the GenI/II clan that bought Vipers regardless of the bashing it took from critics. We knew what we wanted and Dodge knew what we wanted and they built it for us. The result was a decade of a glorious car and mystic surpassing anything in automotive history.

You represent the target customer of the new refined Viper. And sales are down. Why?

Come on Chuck, you know that is not the reason. Really, are sales really down? They are up from the Gen4 sales when you factor how many have been sold in 1/2 year. I also think a bit dramatic to say Dodge built for us. They were Dodge when they build a modern day cobra and used typical cheap dodge interior parts and built one heck of a car without modern amenities. They really had no ability to do anymore than that anyways. We can all say we don't want those modern fancy things all day if we want, but that set of folks are the clear minority today. Even those of us that felt that way at one time no longer do. Me for example, no way I am spending $100k+ for something with a cheap interior and no technology. Those days are gone and they disappeared when your 20-30k cars have dramatically better interiors and technology. The car is simply in a difficult price range with stout competition and HP is not what wins the battle, but the overall experience does. Personally, think a marketing deal but also a competition deal and higher expectations all around. Also, said it before, offer an 8sp auto and a conv and you will double or triple sales overnight.

 

[HobokenViper]

So you guys are like the Beverly Hillbillies? I get it. I like that. Ok, back to the car. Does anyone think that if they would have made the GenV like EVERYBODY was hoping for, and priced it around $179k that it would have sold better? And I am not trolling. Just wondering if SRT could have gone the Ford GT route.

Ha! Definitely no hillbillies here, but also no snobs here either. Just a former bodybuilder/fitness model from Jersey with a loud obnoxious Viper transplanted into a quiet country town in Westchester full of the country club crowd. You can take the guy out of Jersey, but you can't take the Jersey out of the guy.....Haha!

I don't think that the Viper would have ever worked at that price point. Even if it came with 800 horsepower, it would be too dramatic of a price jump for the car to work, and then you really would have had complaints on here about price killing the car off. That would have had to be a brand new high end exotic car like that wild Chrysler concept car that was around a few years ago with 1,000 horsepower. That could have been Chrysler's Ford GT.

05Commemorative makes many very good points and I agree with just about all of them.

 

[Oilman1934]

Hoboken, if you don't tell you neighbors it's a dodge theywouldn't have a clue, most of the idiots here in Valhalla think my 2001 is 100k $. Plus

 

[ViperSmith]

I have to agree with 05Commemorative, part of SRT's issue is there is INSANE competition in the market right now. We are in a BOON of performance cars at the moment. We are living in the world of the P1, 918, LaFerrari.

We may never see such an awesome time for performance cars again in our lifetimes

 

[Free2go]

"Former bodybuilder/fitness model"....here we go again

 

[HobokenViper]

"Former bodybuilder/fitness model"....here we go again

Folks, we have a member/troll.

 

[ViperSmith]

Folks, we have a member/troll.

He was banned from the Alley

Should tell you something.

 

[VENOM V]

He was banned from the Alley

Should tell you something.

I didn't know that was possible, that's like getting kicked out of reform school. He's Free2go, he won't be missed LOL

 

[Free2go]

Please, I'm not a troll. I'm a card carrying member here....venom class. And I didn't bail to the VOA when it was the popular thing to do either. I was banned from the Alley for flaming the senior trolls over there. Now, I too have been researching and studying the possibility of buying a new Viper. Was fantasizing about a blue with white stripe through the liscence plate T/A. Everything I said to Hoboken was legal and within the parameters of forum rules here. If opposing views toward the Gen V are not welcome here...neither should incessant humble brag and a general snobby attitude.

 

[HobokenViper]

Free2go - I don't think any of us cares about you having opposing views about any Gen Viper. Everyone is allowed to have their opinions here, that's why it's called a forum. Needlessly stirring the *** just to cause trouble and pick fights is a whole other story.....

What we generally have an issue with on here is unsolicited and uncalled for personal attack comments, however minor or bad they may be. First off, I think it's generally assumed that if someone has a Viper in their garage that they have achieved some level of success in their lives, are probably living in a decent neighborhood, and are living comfortably, if not better. You act like you are surprised and angry that I don't live in the projects or something.....yet I'm probably in a similar situation to most other Viper owners on here, including yourself.

If you think that someone making casual passing mention of their past career in order to make a joke about themself is bragging or snobby attitude, then maybe you should look in the mirror and see why that bothers you...? I don't understand how what I did as my career for a few years in the past could be taken as bragging, especially since I was merely making fun of myself with that comment, thinking you would get the joke after the popular "Jersey Shore" show made everyone in state seem like a bunch of meatheads. Apparently you have a sore spot against people who belong to a gym and work hard to stay in good shape?

Personally, I could care less if people on here are pro athletes, successful Wall Street guys, lawyers, doctors, or workers in McDonalds. If they are successful and happy, then I'm happy for them. From your snarky comments, you seem as if you are the exact opposite kind of person and get annoyed or jealous when someone might have experienced a taste of success, or has done something interesting or different than the norm with their lives. Maybe that attitude has held you back in your own life??? Either way, you don't know me, and I don't know you, which gives both of us no right to pass judgement on the other.

Now can we please quit this nonsense and get this thread back on track, or just end it altogether if nobody has anything else to say on topic either way?

 

[Free2go]

I'm not jealous of anyone's success. I exercise and take care of myself, and am a business owner with many successful friends and customers whom I respect and admire. When you explain in more depth, I can see your initial inferences a little more clearly. It's cool. You just come off as a snob. Doesn't mean you ARE one though. Back to the Viper...I'm good now.

 

[Oilman1934]

Free2 go, making friends everywhere, aren't ya!

 

[HobokenViper]

Free2go, you really are such a nice guy.....Just have to laugh at that last underhanded complement.

On another note, any update on when the ACR or Vert is coming out? Can't wait to see if they are planning an RT-10 type vert look, or another style. And curious what the specs will be on the ACR. Looking forward to the day my wife gives the thumbs up to let me get another toy.....might be a couple years unfortunately.....

 

[Free2go]

Oilman, I make friends a little differently than most. How would an ACR be different from a T/A besides having a rear wing or maybe some canards?

 

[TrackAire]

Oilman, I make friends a little differently than most. How would an ACR be different from a T/A besides having a rear wing or maybe some canards?

Shocks that have multiple adjustments, swaybars, different trans ratios or rear end ratios, electronic differential, CCB's, adjustable ride height, very aggressive splitter/aero, rear wing that adjusts as you drive, seats, harnesses, lighter weight like the ******** package, diff cooler, trans cooler, different wheels, R-compound tires, lighter or lexan rear window, different brake cooling ducts, different durometer suspension bushings and oh yeah, that nifty stripe package. That's just a couple of things that could be changed.

You cannot just change out the rotors aftermarket-wise to CCB's. You'll probably need new calipers too. There is a company I met at SEMA starting to do this and they are breaking into the market for the Porsche and GM guys (Vettes, Camaros).....and those kits are going to run mininum $10k to $20K. Never going to happen for a six lug hub from them, market is too small.

Cheers,
George

 

[Free2go]

Damn George...that was an educational explosion. Thank you

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Come on Chuck, you know that is not the reason.

It isn't? They have targeted a buyer that has dozens of cars from which to choose, Vettes, Porsche, BMW, Skylines, Mustangs, etc. By doing so they have left the Viper purists with no new cars to choose. I think they have placed themselves into a very, very difficult market. Time will tell.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

There is a company I met at SEMA starting to do this and they are breaking into the market for the Porsche and GM guys (Vettes, Camaros).....and those kits are going to run mininum $10k to $20K. Never going to happen for a six lug hub from them, market is too small.

Cheers,
George

CCB rotors are two piece. All that need be done is to build a hat and if offsets are the same for another make all they'll need to do is drill the pattern. For that matter they could sell blanks and let anyone with a rotorary table drill their own pattern. You are correct, the market is small but it will be tapped into eventually.

 

[VENOM V]

Shocks that have multiple adjustments, swaybars, different trans ratios or rear end ratios, electronic differential, CCB's, adjustable ride height, very aggressive splitter/aero, rear wing that adjusts as you drive, seats, harnesses, lighter weight like the ******** package, diff cooler, trans cooler, different wheels, R-compound tires, lighter or lexan rear window, different brake cooling ducts, different durometer suspension bushings and oh yeah, that nifty stripe package. That's just a couple of things that could be changed.

You cannot just change out the rotors aftermarket-wise to CCB's. You'll probably need new calipers too. There is a company I met at SEMA starting to do this and they are breaking into the market for the Porsche and GM guys (Vettes, Camaros).....and those kits are going to run mininum $10k to $20K. Never going to happen for a six lug hub from them, market is too small.

Cheers,
George

I would buy that car. I might have to wait for a few years and buy it used, but man that sounds like a dream machine. And although I'd love if it busted the Ring record, that's not required for me. I want my American Club Racer. A fitting name for such a beast.

 

[Mamba52]

Shocks that have multiple adjustments, swaybars, different trans ratios or rear end ratios, electronic differential, CCB's, adjustable ride height, very aggressive splitter/aero, rear wing that adjusts as you drive, seats, harnesses, lighter weight like the ******** package, diff cooler, trans cooler, different wheels, R-compound tires, lighter or lexan rear window, different brake cooling ducts, different durometer suspension bushings and oh yeah, that nifty stripe package. That's just a couple of things that could be changed.

You cannot just change out the rotors aftermarket-wise to CCB's. You'll probably need new calipers too. There is a company I met at SEMA starting to do this and they are breaking into the market for the Porsche and GM guys (Vettes, Camaros).....and those kits are going to run mininum $10k to $20K. Never going to happen for a six lug hub from them, market is too small.

Cheers,
George

Or you could buy this car Next year!!!! Too bad it's called Corvette C7Z06. Priced around $90k don't forget it also has dry sump and 660HP.

 

[ferraritoviper]

Hello F2V, remember me? I'm of the GenI/II clan that bought Vipers regardless of the bashing it took from critics. We knew what we wanted and Dodge knew what we wanted and they built it for us. The result was a decade of a glorious car and mystic surpassing anything in automotive history.

You represent the target customer of the new refined Viper. And sales are down. Why?

Hi Chuck. Yes, I fondly remember you...along with all the pruist/nanny posts vs guys like me who wanted ESC (remember my foolish crash?), back in 09. Anyway, good to see you out and about. Have you ventured over to the VOA yet?

As for sales being down, that's been beaten to death on the forums...but I'd bet SRT is laughing all the way to the bank.

ESC and nannies aside, the G5 is a fine ride, well improved over my previous G4. If you get the chance to put it through its paces, I'm sure you will be proud of the continuing Viper heritage. Oh, and yes, they did build the G5 for customers like me

 

[ViperSmith]

I love people who compare sales from the 90s to today.

There has never been such stiff competition in the market for high performance cars, ever.

The car is better than ever, faster than ever, but so is everyone else as well.

Get with the times.

 

[ferraritoviper]

I love the look of the Gen5 viper, but I would appreciate not being called a wanna-be just because I own a previous model. wow

Sorry, poor choice of words!!

 

[HobokenViper]

Saw this on the Gen III & IV forum and had to post it here. Funny how history repeats itself, isn't it? Seems like we all forget how things went back when the last major redesign happened about a decade ago, with all of the negative comments, slower initial sales, and debates flying back and forth about the car being doomed vs being awesome back then. Looks all too familiar, doesn't it??? And yet look at where we are now and how great the Gen III and IV Vipers were despite how things started off. Kudos to SLViper for finding this thread and waking it from the dead.

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/571618-so-if-the-SRT-10-is-a-better-car...