29th Jan 2004, 21:31

Hot wheels rolling on floor laughing out loud

28th Feb 2004, 09:49

I appreciate all the opinions and points of view expressed above. Let me express my opinion now and I do not mean to offend anyone.

I believe the Viper is indeed a cool car. Dodge did an impressive job in packing so much power into so little weight and space (please do not tell me an S2000 is lighter, I know). I like the way the viper looks.

Here is the grab though, as with any exotic, there is a price to pay (in addition to the dollars). The stiff ride (natural in any car that pulls a whole G), the bad fuel economy (450 horses need a lot of hay), and certainly more maintenance than an average car (450 horses need many many cowboys to look after them).

Bottom line is, like the Corvette or the Mustang, the Viper is an American icon mobile. Each has it's own way of entertaining the person behind the wheel, but ultimately they all do it. Although I would personally not buy any of these cars (I need a 4x4 to suit my life style) I do respect them.

I do not believe in anything such a perfectly reliable car. I think cars (like people) are allowed to have their own faults and imperfections.

Let's make it this way. You can have a car that's 100% PERFECT and hate it and have a car that gives you nothing but trouble and love it. Bottom line: Follow your heart. The rest is just spare change.

6th May 2004, 19:23

I purchased an 2001 RT/10 new from a Dodge dealer here in Maryland. Although I think the car is one of the coolest looking cars made, it had a lot of shortcomings for a $75K car. Overheated in 90 degree weather... Dodge told me that was normal. Forget using the air condition, the big V-10 pumps so much heat into the cabin that the AC is useless. Also, be careful not to toast your legs on the door-sills as the exhaust pipes are plumbed through them.

Oh, then there is the ridiculously plastic interior. It's by far the cheapest plastic I've ever seen in a car. The lumbar support bladder in the seats is pumped using a hand pump... get that, a hand pump.

Squeaks and rattles galore. The interior of the trunk has no light, nor does it have a gas strut to hold it up... not even a simple bar to hold it up. Come on...$75,000 for this.

Granted, I had no mechanical problems during the 2500 miles I owned it, but for $75K, I expected more.

I traded it on a 2001 Corvette Z06. I don't care what you say, it's just as fast. I ran a 2001 Viper at Capitol Raceway in Maryland. I ran a 12.20, he a 12.35. I also got a couple on the street. The handling is pretty evenly matched, except the Viper has a lot more bump steer. The Corvette doesn't overheat, the A/C works beautifully, the interior is better (although not by much). Cheaper insurance, way better gas mileage, better reliability. The only thing you buy when you get a Viper is the "look at me in my pretty yellow Viper" quotient. It's for people with serious self esteem issues or if you just have ridiculous amounts of money to throw around.

I only make about $120K/year. So, this was a pretty big investment for me. Maybe for someone else who makes a lot more, it would be a no-brainer.

9th May 2004, 07:01

ONLY $120K a year? I'd kill to make $120K a year! By the way, Just about any high performance sports car will overheat in 90º weather. They're not meant for driving in those kinds of conditions. Let me guess, you were probably sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic when it overheated right??? And, why would you need A/C in a sports car to begin with? Get going fast enough with the windows down and you'll be plenty cool.

14th May 2004, 10:25

I think people should wake up and realise its not all about massive engines and horsepower, a proper sportscar should have a good power to weight ratio, I'd rather have a Caterham Superlight any day, it'll match a Viper in a straight line and thrash it on the corners, and all from a 1.8L.

A viper is all about show. buy a real sportscar.

6th Jun 2004, 19:47

Guys quit making reviews based on video games you throwing people off let them go test drive it and fall in love or hate for ever... Xam.

15th Jun 2004, 13:09

A Caterham Superlight beat a Viper?!?! who do you think you are kidding? a 8.0 litre V10 is hardly breaking sweat pulling a car like the Viper, the Caterhams got a poxy little 4-pot 1.8 plucked right out of a family hatchback and like it or not over a quarter mile the Vipers muscle will prove just too much, sure a Caterham will outcorner a Viper, but so would a Ford Focus! it ain't big or clever to knock the Viper for the fact it doesn't handle.

15th Jul 2004, 08:45

To the person who originally wrote this review: what is the VIN of your Viper? It can easily be validated whether the review was legitimate or not.

Also, a Viper can corner near 1.00 lateral g's. Why the comments about the Viper not handling??

6th Aug 2004, 13:51

Exactly! A VIN # will tell all. We all know that there are Dodge haters and vice versa. The bottom line is that a Viper is a true unique machine!! A Corvette is for everyone who wants to be like everyone. If second place is where you like to be, so be it! A Viper is like a Harley. An American Bad Ass.

21st Aug 2004, 18:29

Heh... this is all very humorous. I guess people just forget that the Viper was designed to feel like a modern day muscle car, and that's all there is to it. Anyone who has driven a classic muscle car knows that comfort and features isn't what matters, it's all about the power under your foot.

14th Oct 2004, 07:30

I think it is funny how people say that the viper is faster than the Vette. Well it should be. The vipers have a way bigger engine. I seen a corvette and viper drag down a quarter mile twice. the corvette lost by.22 and.28 of a second, and the drivers switched cars after the first drag race. HMMM...