I have a ECS Supercharged ZO6, and my plans are to keep it. I have been snake bit to the point where all I'm thinking about now is owning a Viper.
This spring my plans are to buy a Viper, but I kinda torn here.
I know that this subject has been beating to death, but please bare with me.
I'm almost 100% it will be a Gen II, but I do like the SRT (Black Mamba).
The car I have my eyes on is a 2002 GTS (Red/White Stripes)
Other than a ACR is this a good choice or are all Gen II Vipers basically the same.
If you would do it all over again, what would you do different if anything.
it's really just preference. the '96-'98 (i think) GTS has a lumpier cam, which sounds better than the '99+ GTS. i know the '96-'98 cars have Forged motors, which if you're going to mod, would be better, but they lack ABS. the ABS didn't come in untill either 2000 or 2001. i have a '97 GTS with the lumpy car and no ABS, my car is stock except for the Corsa exhaust. but it really depends on how you plan on using the car. how do you plan to use it?
it's really just preference. the '96-'98 (i think) GTS has a lumpier cam, which sounds better than the '99+ GTS. i know the '96-'98 cars have Forged motors, which if you're going to mod, would be better, but they lack ABS. the ABS didn't come in untill either 2000 or 2001. i have a '97 GTS with the lumpy car and no ABS, my car is stock except for the Corsa exhaust. but it really depends on how you plan on using the car. how do you plan to use it?
I dont plan on Modding it other than maybe some 19/20 wheels or something like that. I modded the hell out of my Z which fine, but this will be something the wife will get into. Bascially long drives and cruises. Things like that, if that makes any sense.
I dont plan on Modding it other than maybe some 19/20 wheels or something like that. I modded the hell out of my Z which fine, but this will be something the wife will get into. Bascially long drives and cruises. Things like that, if that makes any sense.
If its for the wife, test drive both with her. The gen 3 is a little softer around the edges.
it's really just preference. the '96-'98 (i think) GTS has a lumpier cam, which sounds better than the '99+ GTS. i know the '96-'98 cars have Forged motors, which if you're going to mod, would be better, but they lack ABS. the ABS didn't come in untill either 2000 or 2001. i have a '97 GTS with the lumpy car and no ABS, my car is stock except for the Corsa exhaust. but it really depends on how you plan on using the car. how do you plan to use it?
The 96 GTS and 97-99 verts and GTS's have a lumpier cam and forged pistons (hp ratings the same). 2001 was the first year for ABS.
If you're wanting wheels (starting at about $5,000) get a car that comes with them because they're EXPENSIVE. Also get one with aftermarket cats and exhaust for your enjoyment. Stock exhaust sounds bad and it keeps the cabin temps too hot. I recommend purchasing a Gen 2 with a big brake kit as well (as much as $5,000 cost).
You didn't seem to want many mods, but I paid $5,000 above cost of stock and got about $60,000 worth of tasteful mods and upgrades. My 98 GTS had 10 spoke wheels and runcrap tires. Part of the reason I crashed was the tires. Those tires are the reason vettes sometimes beat the 3rd Gen ('03-06) Vipers, as far as I'm concered.
I bought my ROE Supercharged GTS for highway driving long distance, with my wife. The ROE sc is perfect for cruising along in 6th gear at our low highway speeds and gets same as stock mileage. Stock Vipers also need their cheap stereo speakers upgraded as the rest of the Alpine system is good.
I made a set of cupholders after wearing my hot coffee while kickin' a Z06 though.
Hope this is helpful. Buy the car that you want and maybe get some extras whiel the prices are so low.
Ted
PS, for long trips the GTS has double the trunk area. And the wife will probably like being able to use the storage shelf behind the seats.
Last edited by RTTTTed : January 11th, 2008 at 08:28 PM.
Reason: addition
The 96 GTS and 97-99 verts and GTS's have a lumpier cam and forged pistons (hp ratings the same). 2001 was the first year for ABS.
If you're wanting wheels (starting at about $5,000) get a car that comes with them because they're EXPENSIVE. Also get one with aftermarket cats and exhaust for your enjoyment. Stock exhaust sounds bad and it keeps the cabin temps too hot. I recommend purchasing a Gen 2 with a big brake kit as well (as much as $5,000 cost).
You didn't seem to want many mods, but I paid $5,000 above cost of stock and got about $60,000 worth of tasteful mods and upgrades. My 98 GTS had 10 spoke wheels and runcrap tires. Part of the reason I crashed was the tires. Those tires are the reason vettes sometimes beat the 3rd Gen ('03-06) Vipers, as far as I'm concered.
I bought my ROE Supercharged GTS for highway driving long distance, with my wife. The ROE sc is perfect for cruising along in 6th gear at our low highway speeds and gets same as stock mileage. Stock Vipers also need their cheap stereo speakers upgraded as the rest of the Alpine system is good.
I made a set of cupholders after wearing my hot coffee while kickin' a Z06 though.
Hope this is helpful. Buy the car that you want and maybe get some extras whiel the prices are so low.
Ted
PS, for long trips the GTS has double the trunk area. And the wife will probably like being able to use the storage shelf behind the seats.
thanks for clearing that up, i couldn't remember the exact years.
Make sure you drive one with her in it first. The corvette would make a better long distance car for a passenger I would think. I dont mind it much but I have had plenty of passengers that cant stand it. If I could go back I would buy a car with lots of mods. Its an addiction that costs me lots now. If I were you I would find someone with a modified viper and go for a ride before you decide that you wont do much to it. An all motor car with a 650 package will blow your mind and I cant even imagine what some of these turbo kits must feel like. No other car feels like a viper.
If I were to do it all over i would buy a high mileage gts in the color i like then rebuild the motor, suspension, brakes and drive line and throw some turbos on it.
if i were to take a less extreme approch i would get a 96-99 gts mainly for the forged pistons and take it from there.
I recently sold my blown Z06 and bought a '98 RT/10, so I know where you're coming from.
Long drives in the Viper will suck compared to your Z06 in terms of comfort. A/C is not nearly as good, clutch is MUCH heavier, car is noisier and hotter inside, nowhere to put a drink, and a hard armrest. Your Viper will also be slow compared to your blown Z06 unless you do some real mods.
That being said, the Viper is a lot of raw, uncivilized fun. The GTS is sex on wheels, but I went with an RT/10 because I wanted to try an open car and on a nice day with the roof off, who needs A/C??! Nothing on the road looks or sounds like it, and you'll NEVER see yourself coming or going like you do in the 'vette. Of course you can make it go faster than your Z06 with some $$ thrown at it, too!
Linear Mode
