26th Feb 2007, 10:00

The Viper may be a lot of things, but it's certainly no bargain. $85K+ for basically a big engine pales in comparison to the refinement of a Porsche.

26th Feb 2007, 14:15

Viper is a great value and can be compared to high end exotics. It's a low production vehicle... with a race inspired frame. How many indistinguishable Porsches are everywhere. Same as the Vette. That is mainly why I would not want one. For the same money you have 510 hp vs. 355 hp with Porsche... The Viper engine 8.3 litre vs. a 3.8 Liter. I have driven Porsches as well. Add another $50k and get back to me.

27th Feb 2007, 06:07

'For the same money you have 510 hp vs. 355 hp with Porche...'

Yes, but at least a Porsche will make it round the first corner it meets, without having to slam its breaks on! The Viper may have fantastic straight line speed, but in terms of handling & build quality, its found wanting.

27th Feb 2007, 08:42

6:07 its doubtful you have driven either based on your comments. The Porsche comparison is on a normally aspirated engine in this price level... with less power, braking. You have to spend over $100,000 for a turbo. The Porsche does has cup holders while the Viper does not. I would much rather have a low production vehicle (1300-1400 a year) instead of the hundreds on thousands of Porsche out there. The Porsche costs more to maintain. This year you cannot even buy a Viper... next year it will be available again. I have driven nearly 50,000 miles in a Viper and drove a Porsche modified 400 hp Turbo on a regular basis prior. The Porsche was in the shop frequently... granted, it was modified.

27th Feb 2007, 08:45

14:15 seems to think all cars weigh the same so the difference is only in their engines. Having allegedly driven Porsches, he should know that they are much lighter cars and therefore do not need tons of gas guzzling engines to drive them.

Want proof? Just look at the performance figures of the Lotus Elite/Exige. Faster than the Viper with better handling. Yet the engine is nearly 2/3 smaller than the Viper's.

27th Feb 2007, 18:23

This is the guy who wrote the review again...

Before I bought the Viper, I did, in fact test drive a Porsche 911 Carrera S. Now don't get me wrong, the Porsche was an amazing car, but it was similer to my M3 in that it doesn't have the guts in the low RPM range that I was looking for. The Viper on the other hand, you could be at only 1500 RPM in 3rd gear and you still get thrown in your seat when you give it gas. I am not in any way dissing the Porsche, as it was a very refined car with an amazing engine, but it is just not the same as the Viper.

27th Feb 2007, 20:38

The simplicity and the driving experience is what it is all about. I have driven many refined cars, but they lack a true driving experience by isolating you too much from the road. What also amazes me is how nice a Viper can be on a extended long trips on the interstates. You can race and then drive them home. Driving conservative you can achieve high mpg not that that is an issue. Its also amazing you can get up to 60 mph in under 4 sec. and have still have 5 more gears left at other times. The handling is incredible and the stopping distance/brakes are better than any car I have ever driven. Being over 6 ft. requires being pretty limber with entry and even with the seat lowered another inch it's a bit tight on headroom with the top up. They are very reliable and able to be daily driven at times especially living in Fla. A number of Viper owners have more than one in the same household.

28th Feb 2007, 06:49

My son test drove a Lotus almost bought one nice car, but bought a Viper and then modified it. The NSX is also a great car to drive very civilized, but underpowered. I use to drive my bosses 930 Porche Turbo grey car... it was fast, but not a Viper. The boost kicked in above 30 mph and the g's kicked in. Light car... all you see is the top of the headlight rims as the landscape goes by. All these cars are fun... enjoy them. If you drive the Viper it is by far the most exciting of all I mentioned.

10th Feb 2008, 08:28

17:45 so if ever discontinued is that going to lessen the desirability... that reminds me of a former co-worker that bought an original 2 seat 427 Cobra. Had bought it upon return from Vietnam. That domestic has slightly appreciated a bit since wouldn't you agree? His only regret was he sold it on the upward spiral. My biggest regret is that I don't have it as well. I have done the same myself to a lesser degree as well with musclecars that have still appreciated many times and not under current production. Many with Vipers own more than 1 by the way in the same garage. Usually a coupe and a convertible in Fla.

4th May 2010, 15:29

I've driven a Porsche, and only ridden in a Viper. I drive a Dodge SRT-4; basically a Neon on speed, and the Porsche had a lot in common with my little Dodge... It had balls in the higher RPMs, whereas the Viper had balls through out for the most part... They are both really nice cars, but I'd never own a Porsche seeing what my grandpa went though with his... He totaled it 2 years ago, but it was still in the shop several times a year.

The Viper held the road fine; great actually, it was a little sloppy, but could easily keep up with a Porsche in most situations, and like most rear wheel drives, it's probably not too smart to keep the pedal to the floor on turns... But I'm just a girl with a pink SRT-4 that ate the wheels off of a Porsche Boxster on Hogridge road.

Impressive performance out a stock car that is shocking, is the Stratus SXT coupe; my sister's is fudgin quick compared to what I had expected. It still can't touch my SRT-4 though.

I really think it just depends on who's driving with some cars, but when it comes to the big boys like Viper or Porsche... can one be better than the other? They have their good points, but I'm not dumb enough to spend that much money on a car, and then race it down the road at an ungodly speed; those cars aren't tough enough when you flip. :)

SRT is my initials too... which is just a random kewl fact...

Sara Renee Tou***

1st Sep 2010, 14:49

Sorry, but that is bogus. The Viper will put lengths between itself and an Exige in a drag race. Don't even get me started on the Elise, that would just look like it was going backwards. On a track, an Exige might be able to take the Viper, but I still doubt it. All that power in the snake still gives it the advantage out of the corner. That explosive acceleration and huge stopping power do much for the Viper.

31st Dec 2019, 15:20

This car definitely takes real skill to drive. I would advise never to drive in traffic. Raw and powerful. I realize this is a old post. Few amenities; even dropping the seat an inch, your head is in the headliner at 6’1 or above. Very hard entry when the top is on. You have to severely lean back to enter. I’ve had some fast Corvettes. Here’s the appeal of the Viper today. 500 or more HP from the factory. Low production. Race inspired frame. Basic amenities which actually add to its appeal. And it takes skill to drive. Today the pricing is much better as used.