too SRT or not to SRT?????

[Vipera]

Any Threads out there dealing with reactions after upgrading (maybe I shouldn't use that word, Converted maybe is better), to an SRT CONVERTIBLE from a GTS? I did a foolish thing yesterday... went to my local Dodge dealer thinking that I would do what I have done for the last few years and look at a SRT and laugh. Call it fate, or whatever you like, but the salesman was willing to pull it off the showroom floor and offered to let me go for a ride! All these thoughts were swimming in my head while I was tooling around. Being a GTS owner; I should hate the new body style...I should hate the smoother ride...I should...I should ect.ect... But the fact was I didn't. I kinda liked it. (God, and Gen2 owners forgive me) The power was there, but with no rattling whirring or clanking. I felt like I was in a real car again... We must have driven around for a good 30 min, we even stopped to have lunch at BC Broiler in Newport. I thought to myself this guy is really working me. But the bad part was that it was working! We parked it in front and it seemed like time stood still as everyone who passed buy stopped to have a look see. 3 people took cell phone pic's, one guy even made a phone call from inside to his friends telling them to pass buy. I dont know if that really happened or maybe it was just a mirage type state that the Viper had me in... anyway, we BS'd for a bit and sped back to HB. When we got there I saw my GTS waiting for me obviously pissed beyond reason, or I would imagine, having been sitting there in the hot sun (so. cal) for all that time. We started to talk $$ and as we were there I noticed that they were getting questions about my Venom. All I kept hearing was "It's a customers' car and is not for sale." Let me tell you it was a nice feeling to know that she is wanted that bad. Nevertheless, we got to a figure that I could live with, well sort of... and then I gave him the, let me sleep on it thing. He has been blowing my cell up all morning! Crap! Do I do it! Please, a few last minute thoughts from you guys (and gals) that converted... Thanx

 

[Robsviper]

I didn't really convert -- kept my '01 ACR but I bought a SRT this past month and drive it everyday -- the Gen3 cars make great daily drivers.

ps. I have the same color car as yours -- sapphire with stripes...

 

[wormdoggy]

Wow.......nice write up.
Thats like asking whether to stop sleeping with Pam Anderson and start sleeping with Angelina Jolie. Both are exceptional but maybe its just time for a change.

Hell............I think its a great idea , that is, if a ********* ( you can't have both ) is out of the question.

Patrick

 

[George Farris]

I have a 2002 GTS -

the SRT is a BETTER car ... and it looks great!

 

[Warfang]

If I can afford both, I would. I'm sticking with my GTS, but will definately add an srt in time. Had a lot of time in an srt and have to say it's overall a better car. My only reasons for sticking with a GTS is sentimental and I think its appearance is more timeless, although the srt is a good looker too.

I'd say go for it! You really can't go wrong with either, and sounds like you really want to do it, so give it a try. You can always go back or add another gts to the garage.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Well, you didn't mention whether you are looking at a Coupe or a convertible as that can definitely be a factor. Especially in So Cal. Assuming it is the vert, here is my take having gone from a GTS to the SRT:

1. The SRT is not track friendly. Besides the issue of roll hoops (largely cosmetic), there is a real issue of oil starvation on long sweep turns. If you are tracking your car on a road course, you will need to do some upgrades to make the SRT more track friendly. Rest assured it is a better performing car on the track once those changes are made.

2. The SRT is not as "exotic" as a GTS. A beautiful car as you already learned, and definitely a crowd pleaser as well. But you will occasionally wonder if the GTS didn't get just a touch more attention. And quite honestly, I can't answer that question as my SRT gets a LOT of looks and compliments.

3. The SRT is a better built car, as is the case for generally every newer car built on any platform. Less rattles, leaks, and uneven body gaps.

4. The SRT has better performance. Although stock-for-stock the SRT just barely squeaks out a 1/4 mile win over the GTS, in every other category there is no contest. Handling is superb and the braking will absolutely stun you.

5. The SRT is more refined. While some of the "purists" lament the loss of some of that "rough hewn" aspect, most consider it more of a "finished" product. While it rides a little better (and tighter), it can also out corner an equal driver in a Gen I/II. The addition of a removable ashtray (voila! It's a cupholder) offended many of those same purists, but it is a handy holder for cell phones, etc.

6. The SRT is a true convertible. As many pointed out, the fastest such car out there. Sure, there are quite a few targa-style cars such as the Murcielago, but only the SRT allows you to drop the entire top and enjoy sunshine from darn near every angle. In a climate such as Southern California, this single factor would lead me to trade my GTS without a second thought.

Whew! This touches on the main considerations I gave when I bought my first SRT-10. While still not as exotic looking as I would personally prefer, that minor trade-off doesn't seem to bother the legions of Viper fans that admire these cars. Getting a better built, better performing, more refined, and more "fun" car for those sunny days was well worth the trade. Up.

 

[Bob K]

Are you looking at an SRT Coupe or a vert? I kept both of my GTS's and added the SRT Coupe. Although I have only 360 miles on the new coupe I can say that it is a better car. It is smooth, tight and rattle free and it is just waiting for the breakin to end so it can show me what it can do. Side by side it makes the GTS look a little dated. Don't get me wrong, I love both GTS's which is why I still have them, but I am really looking forward to more seat time with the new coupe.

Bob K

 

[C.Thomson]

I am currently in the process of switching from a '98 RT10. I say do it!

Also, I hear that you can get some great deals right now on SRT's.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Life is short -- do it.

 

[viperbilliam]

As long as you are OK with the money, you won't look back. I know what you are going through with the sales bit (these guys are highly motivated to sell these cars!) but I managed to pull myself away and sleep on it (I did it once before on a different deal) and decided I would rather have it in my garage than not; that's what the money was for. I always look forward to getting into it. Sorry I couldn't throw cold water on you! There will always be a little buyer's remorse right after the purchase but for me it was minimal and over in a couple of days.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

I feel your pain Vipera, as you know from my Gen II post "Ever seen a grown man cry" I'm in the same boat. I love my Gen II but the Gen III is a superior piece of machinery and I love the looks of the SRT/10 even though I’m not really a convertible guy. Going to show the wife a Coupe now.

And Thanks Y2K5SRT, just the kind of summary's I need to hear.

 

[Ron Hickey]

You've discovered what many other Gen II-to-Gen III converts have learned: the SRT is just a better car in every facet (except styling), and it's not like it doesn't attract attention. I made a similar decision last May, and I don't regret it for an instant. Do it!

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

(these guys are highly motivated to sell these cars!)

Jupiter Dodge FL. has 2 SRT/Coupes. Blue and Yellow, stricker price $87.300 said I could drive one away today for $81,000 plus tax and tag.

 

[AMong]

I like both the GTS and the SRT , both are equally fun , the SRT for the " Drivers " and the GTS for the " attention ****** " , but the GTS is no slouch as you know.

By the way , I would never buy a new SRT vert , when you can pick up an '03 with 1000 miles on it for 60k . Unless you have to have a new car , or a particular color. Either way , you cant go wrong.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

There has never been a better time to get into one of these cars. And they really are better. I was shocked how much better when I spent about 100 miles in one with a friend. And after shopping hard for the last three months the best deal is on a NEW 05 or 06. Not an 03. I'm not going to play the price game but call your Viper friendly dealer. You will be VERY surprised at what he can do on a leftover 05. They have cars and this is the time to buy, when the weather turns, the price will go back up.

 

[Vipera]

Update...
Went to see my new bud Eli at the Dodge dealer, to take one more close look...
Knowing what was going to happen inside me at any moment, being that emotionally all hell was going to break loose, he told me to hang on a sec and went to the back. He came out with a 06 Coupe which had come in sometime earlier that morning, which I could only imagine landed there just to make my life a little harder to deal with for the moment. He said:
"How about a ride"
Have you ever heard a more vicious, maniacal, hateful sentence than that!!!!!
So I did...
And glad that I did, I can honestly say that IMHO I like the vert better than the coupe. The vert-Viper seemed to be less constricting. (no pun intended) Are they smaller inside than a GTS? I could barely fit in the passenger side! Anyhow, after a bit of hemming and hawing, I came back to my senses and was able to compose myself, for a minute, and we started talking numbers. What I heard was...91K...90K... copperhead...rare...yadda yadda...$35,000 trade for a 01 Venom600.(yeah right!)So we ended with this; Final price 89,500 + T and L, and I keep both cars. Hummm... I bought my second Viper from these guys a few years back, (01 ACR which I then traded for the Venom 2 mos later. No comments please) and I think that I did ok. After a minute of thought, I skated out of there again, with a let me check my bank thing, since I was not interested, in letting my Viper go for $35K. I hopped into my baby and we drove off. I guess it's true that familiarity breeds contempt. I drove around for a bit engine screaming, bouncing, rattling, ect ect...Loved every minute! I thought to myself, be it ever so crumbled, there is no place like home. I learned two things driving her back, One, I'm going to keep her, and two, I'm going to call Bill Pemberton who has sent me a few messages with what I can only imagine better prices on a new vert. I'll keep you posted. Thanks to all for your time and comments.

 

[SRT10Mike]

There has never been a better time to get into one of these cars. And they really are better. I was shocked how much better when I spent about 100 miles in one with a friend. And after shopping hard for the last three months the best deal is on a NEW 05 or 06. Not an 03. I'm not going to play the price game but call your Viper friendly dealer. You will be VERY surprised at what he can do on a leftover 05. They have cars and this is the time to buy, when the weather turns, the price will go back up.

I agree. There are still 05's available for $74K or less. (I am living proof).

 

[Gerald]

Try and be out of pocket about 40k or less on a trade and SRT10 purchase..

G

 

[ledfoot]

The good news: trading in to a dealer/new car purchase is a financial blood bath. good move resisting the temtation.

The bad news: you've been bit by the new car bug, and that itch aint going away anytime soon.

 

[DodgeViper01]

I agree. There are still 05's available for $74K or less. (I am living proof).

Totally agree with you. A few people I know have even gone as low as $68K to purchase and I have seen on various sites like cars.com, viperalley, and ebay for cars as low as $63K that have no mileage. Just have to look around. A dealer in Georgia just sold a red 05 for $63,100 with 300 or so miles.

 

[RainMaker]

Vipera,

Sent you a PM!

 

[whip383]

get the SRT. go for a used one with a few miles. ull get it in the 60's


c

 

[DodgeViper01]

get the SRT. go for a used one with a few miles. ull get it in the 60's


c

Highly possible if you look hard enough.