When Dodge came out with the Viper RT-10 it put the world on notice. It was the only real American supercar, and the only supercar in the world that most people would or could have. Things have changed, and Dodge has made some major mistakes. Number one is the power to weight ratio of their new snake. It has become second tier, and maybe bowing to such cars as the 2007 Shelby. This is very sad, and I don't know what to say. In the past I was the biggest viper fan, but now it feels like I'm falling short to believe in that car. If Dodge do not care why should anyone else. The best viper ever producted was the 98 GTS. 0-60 in 4.3 top speed 192; now thats real performance. Numbers don't lie the new viper is slower or equal to the 98 GTS. ( 1998 Motortrend flat out test) Looks fade but performance lives forever.

 

Um... you're right... numbers don't lie... But your numbers are wrong...

1998 Dodge Viper GTS: . . . . . . . 0-60 - 4.1 sec, QM - 12.2, Top Spd - 193 mph, . . HP - 450
2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe: 0-60 - 3.9 sec, QM - 12.0, Top spd - 199 mph, . . HP - 510

So I respect the fact that you like the '98 GTS better, but it isn't the fastest in any category...

 

Not to mention that the 3.9 0-60 is from the convertible. The coupe would shave some more time off that, not much though obviously.

You were saying?

-Matt-

 

I think people are not understanding the content of my post. The 2006 viper has a zero to 60 time of (3.8-4.2 depending on which test you read) and a 1/4 mile time of (12.1-12.3). I'm guessing you have to account for temp. pressure and so on. Top speed of 190. So the over all preformance is about the same as the 98 GTS. So should we expect eight years in the future the viper is doing 0-60 in 3.6 1/4 mile in 12.0 with a top speed of 191 and get 13-22 mile to the gallon. If you are happy with that then fine, live in paradise; but I demand more. I will not be happy until america makes a no nonsense super car for under 100k. The only thing that comes close is the Ford GT, ZO6. The ZO6 being 99% of the turth. (truth= over 200 mph for less then 100k)

 

The sad thing is the 98 viper had 450 hp and is a little slower in 60-1/4 mile times with a better top speed. So the over all performance is the same, but the 98 can out perform in some areas.Thats what I was saying.

 

199Mph, that's due to the electronic governor. 4.2 to 3.8 seconds is an amazing noticable difference for any car to be able to pull its weight that quickly. If that's just in one generation, think of the possibilities of the next generation, the one with over 600hp. Low threes?

Have you checked the prices on the GT's lately? You can't touch them for under 100K, it's way more expensive then the Z06 and SRT-10 by a long shot. Anyways, the GT is a nonsense supercar. Compare the designs from the 60's to today, they are nearly identical. I'm not saying it looks bad, infact I like the designs, but a little updating would have been great. Also, most if not all GT's were recalled due to suspension problems. You don't see that stuff happening with the SRT-10, so you can't go off trying to compare price or reliability with the GT vs. Viper.
If you plan to keep your car stock, either Vette or Viper, and have financial difficulties, then the Vette is the one for you. But if you want something with potential (better suited with upgrades) that will make heads turn, then the Viper is for you.

I see a comparison of the two with a guy who's biased on the Vette. I'm willing to dump the Viper and agree with you, but your arguements saying "the Vette's the true king" doesn't really show much 'content'. Would you agree?



-Matt-

 

Again, you were saying?


-Matt-

 

I wrote "All hail the new king" for two reasons. One I saw people saying the ZO6 is a copy of the viper. Second to show there is a changing of the gaurd. I'm not loyal to any car company, just the cars I can buy. I think the viper is a great car but it's not what it should or could be. I only talk about stock cars because speed is money so you can just spend until you reach the speed you want. Nevertheless starting in a cheaper car with equal or better performance gives you a leg up. So I'm not trying to ofend anyone, just push for awesome cars that anyone can buy.

 

And the Viper can not come off the car lot and do 199, it can only do 190........ again thats what I'm saying

 

Then I agree with that statement. As I said before, if you plan to keep your car stock, either Vette or Viper, and have financial difficulties, then the Vette is the one for you. But if you want something with potential (better suited with upgrades such as the Hennessey Twin Turbo) that will make heads turn and will get the best speed record @ 255Mph, then the Viper is for you.

Since when? It comes from the factory limited to 199 and doesn't have a problem getting there.

One more thing, being affordable to the common man doesn't make it 'the new king'. It's just a poor man's sport car if money is an obstacle.


-Matt-