Picking up some parts and ran into my new car in the show room... But they would not let me take it home, something about someone else already paid for it.. dammit...
The gen 1 is barbaric, I don't think I would ever buy one. The gen 2 is a little better, especially the GTS. I almost bought a 99 GTS before I bought my first SRT-10. The gen 3 is much more user friendly and I still prefer the coupe in that generation. The gen 4 that I drove was a worked up ACR and the most fun I have ever had driving a car. I drove several of the first 3 gens but only 1 gen IV. If I had the cash I would buy a gen IV ACR, but I don't, so I won't
I got to drive a pre-production Gen V last September. It felt tighter and the braking was better than my Gen II (with upgraded stoptech system). Interior is superior to all other gens and overall it's an awesome car. I didn't get to open it up, but I'm sure my Supercharged Gen 2 feels a lot stronger in a straight line. Maybe one day I'll get one, but I'll never give up my Gen II for it.
682RWHP/655ft tq. It's a heads/cam Roe 2.8L blower car. Not the power of a TT car, but it's enough fun for me. I thought about going TT, but I don't like the cutting of the frame and a FMIC that blocks the air to the radiator... Someone needs to crack the codes for the PCM of the gen IV and V so that there is an affordable tuning option. A lot more Viper guys would be happier about the Gen V if it was tuneable.
I have one in my garage. . I have had the opportunity to track most of the Vipers, my ZR1, a 719 whp Porsche Turbo, a Murcielago, and others, but not this Viper... yet... ;-) I can tell you that in terms of an all out 'driver's' experience, this Viper is the best car I have ever owned. My ZR1 is very, very close in terms of 'which is fastest', and the Vette is a bit more confidence inspiring - as I spent three days with it on Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, with Ron Fellows and his crew. It is more confidence inspiring to me, less likely to be thrown away on a corner. BUT!!! The 2013 Viper GTS is clearly more visceral and more fun to drive. Additionally, just looking at the Viper will cause an adrenaline high! It is my favorite car, ever. Two gripes, 1) exhaust note could/should be more aggressive, 2) I don't care much for the touchscreen interface.
Well, I am 6'1" and 195 pounds, and to be honest it is a tight fit for me with the seat pusheed all the way back and down. I will tell you that at most race driving schools, one will be coached to move the seat FOWARD to an almost uncomfortable position. In fact, I've been told this in almost every driving school I've attended. It is a more aggressive (vs comfortable) driving position, but one that clearly is best suited for fast driving, fast reaction, maximum visability, minimum movement, and hence better race driving. :beer: