An Ode to the Viper

"willkinton247" (willkinton247)
11/05/2013 at 13:24 • Filed to: Viper

I recently decided that if by some miracle I was able to afford a new car in the $100-150k price range, I'd have to choose the SRT Viper. In all likelihood, I'll probably never drive one, much less come close to having the opportunity to own one. But that won't stop me from dreaming, so excuse me while I prattle on.

This car captures my imagination in a way that Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Audis and Porsches are unable to. Don't get me wrong, I drool over those cars too, and they capture my imagination for sure. But the Viper does it in a different way. Maybe its because it doesn't seem as pretentious or as exotic as its competition. It seems down to earth, but still capable of absolute brutality. Maybe its because I just don't see very many of them in the real world. I'm really not sure.

I shouldn't want this car. Chrysler makes me nervous and they always have. They have built a reputation of shoddy craftsmanship and poor execution that I have seen first hand, and from what I've heard, it still seems to be an issue. Look at the recent Jeep Cherokee launch debacle. Now I know Chrysler is going through something of a rebirth and things have changed. They say that their quality has improved, and that they promise they are better, but people say a lot of things. I could be totally wrong, but I still don't think I could look at any Chrysler at the moment and feel confident that I was buying a quality product. But when I think about the Viper, none of that matters anymore. Maybe it's a forbidden fruit, and that makes me want it even more.

The Viper has always had a special place in my heart. When I was in 3rd or 4th grade, I was standing at the corner bus stop one morning with the other kids and the parents, and a man in a red RT/10 rolled up to the stop. I was captivated. I had never seen any car like that before. My dad and I walked over to it and my dad spoke with the guy, but I was just so drawn it. I think I was compelled to touch it. But my dad pulled me back after an unknown period of time and the guy drove away with a sound I had never heard from a car before.

That was the moment I fell in love with cars.

After that, I hoped every morning that I would see it again, and occasionally, he would drive by and wave, and it would make my day. I started reading my dad's Autoweek, which only took me farther and farther into the automotive rabbit hole. My grandpa got me an R/C Viper GTS that was blue with white racing stripes, and it was my favorite toy for a long time. I also remember when they updated the car to the SRT-10. I didn't like its redesign. It was the first time I think I actively critiqued a car for its styling. I remember looking at the new angled body style and thinking that they ruined my favorite parts of the car. I never really learned to love it, and I shifted my eyes to other cars.

But the new Viper brings back much of the classic styling cues of the first and second generation: the intake on the hood, the two bulges on the roof, that glorious side gill. Actually, its all about that side gill. That curved side gill captured my imagination when I was 11 and it had the exact same effect now. As soon as I saw it, it brought me right back to being that kid at the bus stop. It has brought me back to the point of captivation. And you know what? It's 100% functional. I mean look at it.

I now know why I want one. It represents my car-loving genesis. Maybe, just maybe, I'll someday get the chance to meet this hero. Fingers crossed.

So what about you? You have $100-150K to spend on a new car. What would you choose? Why? Is there a car that caused you to fall in love with cars?

Photo creds: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ; !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ; !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ;

DISCUSSION (100)

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 13:34

Same as you, in this color.

Kinja'd!!!

SloW8 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 13:34

I haven't driven the current Viper. I did get the chance to do a thorough flogging of the last version in ACR form. As much as I am a red blooded American who loves cubic inches, torque and a manual transmission, I could not like that car and this one just seems to be an evolution. I went to the dealer to look at the current car and it does nothing for me. The version I looked at was the GTS with the different hood. It had some plastic vent inserts that looked like they belonged on a Dodge Neon from the 90's. They just looked cheap. The rest of the car looked like a Viper. But the Viper has looked like a Viper since it was born. I think they needed more of a departure from the last generation. Something revolutionary.

What would I buy in that price range? Hmmmm. GT-R comes to mind. Much more usable and just as fast or faster in the real world. If that is to tame, I would pony up $100k on a Kirkham Cobra and have a really hairy chested American driving experience. And have enough $ left over to get a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with a lift and some nice wheels and tires for a daily driver/off-road toy.

willkinton247 > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager
11/05/2013 at 13:43

Some may say that spending $5 grand on stripes is a bad thing. I am not one of them. If there was ever a car that looked good in stripes, this is it.

I'm more partial to the blue with white stripes. Although I do like that dark red...

Manuél Ferrari > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 13:45

Don't say you'll never drive one, let alone own one. If you work hard anything is possible. And even if you never do get to the point where you can own one you can always find a way to test drive one. Make friends with someone with an expensive car and go with him to the Dodge dealer. Ask him to let you drive it there so the sales guys think it's your car.

Sales guys will let you test drive anything if they see you rock up in an expensive sports car :)

willkinton247 > SloW8
11/05/2013 at 13:48

I have heard that the vents on this car are actually functional and help with down force. I'd also have to disagree with you about the departure from the previous generation. They departed from that and went back to 1996. Ha.

The GT-R is really amazing, but I don't know if I'd ever want one. It seems just too soulless, too clinical. The GT-R doesn't give me that fizzy feeling James May talks about when I think about it.

willkinton247 > SloW8
11/05/2013 at 13:50

Also, the only part that has stayed the same from the previous generation was the windshield.

willkinton247 > Manuél Ferrari
11/05/2013 at 13:52

Thank you sir. I am really hoping that pans out. Haha.

But I will also try to make friends with an owner of a nice car. More impetus to go to Cars and Coffee? haha.

Victorious Secret > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 13:53

I don't like the new one at all.

The old ACR was a hoot, but I don't know if I give the new one any nice words.

Manuél Ferrari > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 14:00

Haha yes, that is a good motivation to go to Cars and Coffee. And if you have any non-gearhead relatives with money you gotta get them into cars.

I wonder how much this new Viper will depreciate in the next 5 years. It doesn't seem to be selling that well right now because the base C7 is pretty quick for the price. A lot of people seem to be waiting for the C7 markups to come down. If the Viper doesn't sell as well as Dodge hoped then it could depreciate hard and be a good used car to buy in the future.

willkinton247 > Victorious Secret
11/05/2013 at 14:00

That's totally fair. What would you spend your $100-150K on?

Victorious Secret > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 14:04

150k goes to either the Maserati GT or AM Vantage V8.

willkinton247 > Manuél Ferrari
11/05/2013 at 14:05

Fortunately, there are definitely gearheads. My dad, for one. Unfortunately, while my family is definitely better off than most, no one is really that kind of better off.

I'll find a way. Life always finds a way.

SloW8 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 14:10

I get that it is much improved in many, many areas. I just wish that they had gotten a little creative with the body styling.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 14:57

I love the Viper, especially the ACR. I don't think the new one is enough of an improvement to be worthy of the hype surrounding it, and next to the Corvette it looks downright overpriced. It feels like it's being held back.

Collin Maley > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:20

I may go a bit over price range, but I've wanted a Ford GT since I was 6, when the concept came out. I went out and played Sega GT 2002 on xbox, and that's the game that got me obsessed with cars. To this day, the GT and the GT40 remain as the two cars I would take over anything else in the world. They represent car-loving genesis for me, and they always will.

willkinton247 > Collin Maley
11/05/2013 at 15:24

For me, Forza 2 was the game that really refined my taste, and exposed me to a wide variety of cars. It is also what really got me into sports car racing.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:32

Kinja'd!!!

http://www.cars.com/go/search/deta…

TheCrudMan > Manuél Ferrari
11/05/2013 at 15:34

When I was in highschool a guy had one >.< (original).

Clutchman83 > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager
11/05/2013 at 15:36

Metallic blue with white stripes or gtfo.

bfisch1629 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:38

I drove a TSX that was made my Saint Honda and it was a real disappointment in terms of quality. Squeaks and rattles, a failed AC compressor, warped rotors, couple interior bits failing and an automatic transmission that started to dither at low speeds around 30K miles. Any car you buy is luck of the draw. Drive what you love and if that car is made by Chrysler/ FIAT then so be it.

Samios > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:40

Hehehe, Get this one.

Squid > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:44

I've had an undying love for the Viper since '92. In '96 when the GTS Coupe was released I was head over heals for it. I about lost it when I saw a black ACR Coupe one sunday morning while out for breakfast. I will own a Viper one of these days. I don't care how long it will take for me to be in a place to own one, but I will own a Viper. There is no ifs ands or buts about a Viper being in my life at one point in time. I will assure you though, it will not be one of those tuned 1000 horsie Hennesey cars. I would love to have a '99 ACR or a '10 ACR in the awesomely ostentatious Viper Purple. I am not saying it is a maybe I'll own one, it is a guarantee that one will find its way into my garage and I will love it forever. You are not alone with the love for the Viper.

Jonathon Klein > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:45

This and always this.

Kinja'd!!!

SwerveCity > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:46

Nissan GT-R. I get butterflies just thinking about it.

Kinja'd!!!

Dream Theater of the Absurd > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:47

I love the looks of the Viper, and I know it's a very fast, very capable car. But I really wish they would make it sound more sporting; as it stands the Viper sounds like the world's fastest garbage truck.

Skynet > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:48

It depends on whether its my primary car or my "car on the side." Assuming the car has to be my daily driver I would probably get a 911 Carrera S-manual (because not-racecar). I would love a Viper, but a 911 has a "back seat" (at least in a pinch) which makes it infinitely more practical as a daily driver for my family of 3. If its a "car on the side" A Viper would be toward the top of my list but #1 on my list would be a Lotus Espirit S4s. Why? Like you, the Espirit S4s is the first car I fell in love with.

I fell in love with the S4s much in the same way as you fell in love with the Viper. My dad and I were at the LA Auto show when I was a kid and he somehow convinced the guy running the Lotus booth that we were thinking about buying one. The guy let us past the velvet rope and let me and my Dad sit in the Lotus. I was instantly hooked on all things car from that day forward.

Hart88 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:50

Kinja'd!!!

Next question?

TheCraigy > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:51

Bruh you should get yourself a 96 or 97 GTS and call it a day.

Six figures may be out of reach but mid 30k is certainly attainable.

5.OHHHH > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:53

AM V8 Vantage S

Kinja'd!!!

2 Wheels awesome! > Jonathon Klein
11/05/2013 at 15:53

Kinja'd!!!

Mr. Clarkson approves.

Aaron James > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:54

I remember seeing the concept at a car show in the early 90's when I was in high school and fell in love with it instantly. The shape, the noise, it just screams fun to me. I've driven a 2nd generation Viper GTS and it was awesome. It wouldn't be a great daily driver as it's a bit too harsh for long trips.

JimSlade > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:55

I hope you achieve your auto dream...just don't join a Viper Club...as mentioned...they are all 'snakes'...

http://jalopnik.com/why-chrysler-i…

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Clutchman83
11/05/2013 at 15:55

Negative, Ghostrider.

Kinja'd!!!

willkinton247 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
11/05/2013 at 15:55

Still not there yet, but dagnabbit there is hope!

bradledy > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 15:57

Will- my comment isn't going to help. I'm 24 and fortunate that I grew up with a car-guy Dad. He always had cool cars like a bmw e28 525, e36 m3, 2002 subaru wrx wagon, but when he got a little older (about 12 years ago) got a 86 carrera that he modified heavily that we take autocrossing, then got a MINT superformance cobra replica. titanium with black stripes, 392 windsor engine, undercar exhaust. ufortunately my mom refused to spend much time in it since it fucked up her hair so he had to sell it and (not so unfortunately) replaced it with a 2008 SRT 10 Viper- crimson red with the white stripes. It's truly a modern shelby daytona coupe. I'm so in love with this car man! It's truly a racecar for the street and it's SO FUCKING exciting to drive. I do get to drive it sometimes (we went on a little road trip this past weekend) and it's honestly a total trip. The steering, brakes, throttle, gear shifter- everything is lightning-quick. Just going full throttle in any gear at any speed makes your teeth clench and hands sweaty. It's so fun and I can only imagine how it would be to drive the new SRT Viper. I hope you have the opportunity to drive one because it's everything you're hoping it would be. Seat of your pants craziness. I love it.

SuckitKinja > Hart88
11/05/2013 at 15:57

mmmm Even a 997.2 GT3 with a 6speed

CAcoalminer > Victorious Secret
11/05/2013 at 15:58

Why not get a Aston Martin V12 Vantage?

http://www.astonmartindallas.com/used/Aston+Mar…

mtdrift > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:00

$100k? 997 GT3 all the way.

Kinja'd!!!

foxbody > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:00

Amen. For some reason the Viper always just did it for me; it has that special kind of crazy that speaks to me. Maybe it's the ludicrous vents in the doors.

There are so many expensive sport/super/hyper cars out there that I'd just be embarrassed to be seen in. Just about any Audi or newer Porsche, any Ferrari built post-1990, most BMWs (exception to the E39 M5, and a lot of the older ones)...

But not so the Viper; it passes my 'Could I get out of it in front of people and not feel like a huge douche' test. I'd feel like a motherfucking badass driving a motherfucking Viper. If anybody didn't like it they could suck on my gargly truck-sounding exhaust.

I'd rock a black GTS, maybe with the grey stripes.

Kinja'd!!!

willkinton247 > bradledy
11/05/2013 at 16:02

Dude. Your first sentence basically described me, except you're a year older. But cool story man, thanks for sharing! If you're ever in the DC area and want to let me try...haha

CAcoalminer > Collin Maley
11/05/2013 at 16:02

Believe me, it's even better than you could ever imagine.

Kinja'd!!!

KEVPOW56 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:02

XKR-S

Clutchman83 > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager
11/05/2013 at 16:03

Those are okay but red with black stripes is yucky. The blue/white scheme is just so sweet though...

Wonk Unit > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:05

I agree, the last gen viper didn't look like a viper. THIS however does everything right. the rear 3/4 view, in that red. THAT is bedroom poster material.

MoparOrNoCar (Okay, maybe a Mazda?) > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:06

I'd have to take this...

Kinja'd!!!

Or, a DBS.

Kinja'd!!!

ThatbastardKurtis > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:08

I wept when I read this. It felt like you knew my pain, my sorrow. I need a moment, now...

*I must collect the sobbing mess that is my automotive ego off the floor.

willkinton247 > ThatbastardKurtis
11/05/2013 at 16:11

Thank you!

Schen > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:13

You and I should have a talk. There's alot to discuss Viper if you really want to get behind the wheel of one. :)

—RS

mierdv > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:15

None of that mopar stuff.

I'd take a C6 and mod it up to be the C6R GT3, a continuation of the line. It'd have all the comforts but have the essential bits of the GT2 (paddle shift racing transmission, rear view monitor rig with a multimedia system, and all the aero package with suspension mods). The pièce de résistance - a twin turbo charged LS3 putting down at least 700hp. I want a car I can drive on the road if I want and right up to the gates of the track and lay down a blistering lap.

RodRAEG > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:15

For $100k-$150k?

This

Kinja'd!!!

willkinton247 > Schen
11/05/2013 at 16:16

By all means! My email address is willkinton247@gmail if you are serious... I'd love to talk more Viper.

guitarguru23 > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
11/05/2013 at 16:20

People don't pay money for just performance. There's also an element of exclusivity. There are going to be a TON of C7's out there. And just like the last gen everyone will look right by it. You come cruising down the road in a Viper.....everyone looks.....everyone. That's what makes people pay more for a Ferrari, Maserati, Lambo, etc.

GreenN_Gold > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager
11/05/2013 at 16:22

I very much like this black with ghost stripes.

JR1 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:25

I would have to agree with you for 100-150 nothing out there is quite as special as the Vioper, some could argue the Zr1 is better and they may be right, however at the end of the day would you rather say you owned a Viper or a bunch of letters and numbers rolled together. I'll take the V10 it's just special

JR1 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:26

WolfmanJimCBW > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:30

I'm so torn between the Viper and the R35. It isn't even fair.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > guitarguru23
11/05/2013 at 16:30

If you come cruising top down in a Nissan Murano Crosscabio, you will be getting looks too. Not everyone is an attention whore. Some people just like cars, be it for the performance or just for the curve of a hood.

RazorGP > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:31

Kinja'd!!!

Hay they fixed the panel gap!

GreenN_Gold > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:34

You can pay less, I've seen a few decent examples in the $30k's. Here is a 2002 ACR for $25.5k, but it's been modded and the owner put stupid custom stripes on it.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

A 1996 for $25,888

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Jared Morrison > RodRAEG
11/05/2013 at 16:38

They are going up in price.... $150k is closer to the original MSRP, and not accurately representing the market on the Ford GT now.

RodRAEG > Jared Morrison
11/05/2013 at 16:40

Yeah but this is a Superformance GT40 MkII, not a Ford Gt. They're still in this range.

CRod > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:40

I was in Hawaii last March with my 18 year old son and rented a 2008 SRT-10 as his birthday gift (he is used to drive high performance cars on/off the track). The car is for sure the closest thing ever to raw performance. There was no electronics aid of any sort as far as I remember and power was indeed brute.

The thing is for 100-150k you can buy a LOT of car used (yes I am aware you mentioned new but...). Why take all the depreciation for a new car when you can have the exact same car, a year or two older, used, for a fraction of the cost? And in that price range you have everything from Ford GTs, Ferrari 430s, Lamborghini Gallardos, Astons, etc. The list goes on. Not saying they are better cars just showing the choices in that price range.

Comparing it to my Gallardo I can definitely say the materials (fit/finish) is better on the Lamborghini, no doubt about it. Reliability I have no clue as I never owned a Viper and have no clue about maintenance costs either but the Lambo so far has been rock solid at 31,000 miles.

Thing is you can definitely get an used, in excellent condition, Viper for under $75,000. If Viper is your thing, go for it! If you want a ride on a Lambo and you are in Ottawa just shout. LOL.

xc90v8/I4 :( > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:41

Thats a question I ask myself almost every single day. Probably not in this exact price-range but certainly quite similar.

I guess if it was money I've earned myself (if I'm ever able to spend this kind of money on a car which I really really hope) I'd spent it on a Range Rover E63 or an M5. The Range Rover is a car I've always wanted. It's just very impressive here in Switzerland. The BMW is the best car I've ever driven and ever since i thought it would be a great car to drive on a day to day basis. Same for the merc.

If somebody gave me the money and said I could only use to get myself a new car. I'd probably go for something less reasonably such as a AM v8 vantage. That thing ist gorgeous and the sound is awesome.

EDogg > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:42

Spot on write up! I fell in love with the Viper around the same time (4th or 5th grade I think). I still have the same scale model I got back then. To me it represents raw power that is absent from the supercars of today. I mean come on, 8.4l V10? Manual transmission? These are beautiful things. I love a high revving 5 liter V10 or V12, but 8.4L V10! Amazing! The curved side scoop is absolutely where it's at. I was watching one of the new Top Gear US with my wife where the were driving supercars across the US, and Adam picked the Viper. I told my wife that's what I would have picked and she thought I was crazy. "The smart man picks the mclaren, but I'm the asshole that picks the Viper!" was my response.

Full-Ahead > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:42

Man, aside from seeing the man in the Viper, this is my story to a T. I share the -exact- same sentiment as you. It's the reason I got into cars. I drive a 5.0l S197 Mustang now but I WILL HAVE MY VIPER.

900turbo > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:42

Kinja'd!!!

When I was 8 years old I went with my dad to pick up his new Nabisco company car, a 1970 Plymouth Fury III.

We walk in the showroom and I heard myself say, Daddy, what is that?"

We are looking at not one but TWO Plymouth SuperBirds, one with the wing, one without.

What my 8 yr old self doesn't realize is the dealerships received one if they were lucky.

Bosak Chrysler/Plymouth in Gary, IN had two white ones, both with pointed noses, one inexplicably without a wing, side by side on the showroom floor.

While Dad signed paperwork for the Fury I went to the winged one, touched it, sat in. Then I got out and just stared at the Roadrunner on the wing with the helmet under his wing (cue Xzibit "Yo dawg jokes here) and decided this was the coolest thing I had ever seen.

I also wondered who in the hell had $8000 to buy a car like this in Gary. Turns out my friend's family ran a sucessful automotive shop and his older brother bought it. Every year he painted it a different factory color.

I have been a car fanatic ever since. My dad was always a Chrysler man and there have been a dozen Chrysler products in our driveways, most recently the 2004 Pacifica I'm working on for my daughter's graduation in a few months. She btw did the same "Daddy, what is that?" a few years ago as a 1965 VW bus passed us so I can rest easy with the knowledge that the future of Jalopnik is safe

willkinton247 > CRod
11/05/2013 at 16:44

I will be sure to keep that in mind if I am ever in Ottawa! If you ever want a ride in a Jetta and you're in DC, let me know!

As for used cars, I am totally for them. Really the only upside to buying a new one would be the warranty, and the fact that you're helping some people have jobs, which is nice I guess.

willkinton247 > EDogg
11/05/2013 at 16:47

Thank you very much! I feel the same way

willkinton247 > 900turbo
11/05/2013 at 16:48

Thanks for sharing that story. It is really great!

willkinton247 > Full-Ahead
11/05/2013 at 16:49

Thank you! I'm glad I'm not alone on this.

willkinton247 > mtdrift
11/05/2013 at 16:50

That is what my dad would choose. haha

Qeldroma > Jonathon Klein
11/05/2013 at 16:50

Yes please.

Collin Maley > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:53

The game also exposed me to the Viper, and I still hold it as the #2 car I could ever want. I remember how horrible it was at cornering in the game, but it was the perfect 1/4 mile car.

CRod > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:54

HA I have a Jetta too. Great car for the money. Well no matter what these cars will sell. So just let someone else pay the new price than buy off them down the road for way less. That is how I did with all my cars!

mtdrift > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:54

Your dad sounds like a pretty cool cat.

TheSRTgreg - Needs a mode to drift > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 16:54

Well, for 100-150k I I would buy a Viper... Because for less than half that I DID buy a Viper. I'm not much older than you judging by the comments - and I'm not a business owner either haha. Ownership is in reach if you really, really want it.

I haven't driven many makes, but there is nothing like the rush of my 2006 coupe. Which IS a Viper no matter what you guys say about the classic gen II looks versus the SRT-10 looks. I prefer it obviously.

Yeah, it's a lot of my money tied into one thing and I'm tempted to liquidate it for other things, but then I remember that I have hundreds of Viper models at home and this is my DREAM car.

So glad that others appreciate it for what it is still, and don't knock it for what it isn't, which seems to be the thing to do these days. The viper has always been unapologetic. Unapologetically imperfect, unapologetically fast in a brutal way. Still is!

willkinton247 > CRod
11/05/2013 at 16:56

My family goes the same way. I'll be sure to make that my plan of attack.

willkinton247 > TheSRTgreg - Needs a mode to drift
11/05/2013 at 16:57

Thanks for the hope! I will strive. haha

ThePenguin > RazorGP
11/05/2013 at 17:04

Ooohhhhhh Top Gear....

Matt Brown > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 17:08

Dude, save up and buy a used one. I got mine for the price of a new Accord. It's not a great car by any metric, but it is an insane car. It's basically like driving a cartoon. A cartoon on PCP.

Kinja'd!!!

NoSubs > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 17:09

For what it's worth, Motor Trend very much disagrees. They ranked the Viper 12th out of 12 in the 2013 Best Driver's Car competition. Quality issues were the main reason (brake pedal broke, driver's seat wasn't secured, hood vent flew off, cabin rattled, infotainment system froze, paint was getting burned by the exhaust). Unsettling driving dynamics and communication with the driver were another main reason, and no surprise that those are main criteria in the Best Driver's Car analysis. Don't shoot the messenger on that one.

I have been eyeing a Carrera for as long as I can remember. A Carrera 4 (darn snow in Canada) would be perfect- sporty, livable year-round, reliable for its class.

If I kept a winter car, then I used to have my eye on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, but the Toronto Star posted a horror story about quality issues with a DBS. I would have to research carefully if those extend to the Vantage.

In either case I'd be getting a true manual transmission.

bottsdotts > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 17:10

I've said it before . . . The Viper is a rockstar. It just is. You pull into a parking lot, sit at a red light, anything, all eyes are on you! You pull in with a Corvette and you might get a look, but with the Viper, you definitely get looks and stares.

willkinton247 > Matt Brown
11/05/2013 at 17:10

oh and you got the GTS too. Good for you. haha

willkinton247 > NoSubs
11/05/2013 at 17:12

Haha, yep. That Chrysler build quality there. But something is just special about it.

As for Aston Martin quality, it is a british car, so, it's kind of to be expected?

Zoom > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 17:14

Working for a Dodge dealer for many years, I drove many Gen I and Gen II Vipers. That car stopped traffic. Literally. You had to drive it defensively in stop and go traffic so people wouldn't run into you. Everything else domestic was pedestrian at the time. I will own one someday, probably not a new one.

Whaddya think. Less than 50k for a low mileage Gen II dry block, then a couple turbos. Then a good life insurance policy.

Kinja'd!!!

Tom Hegedosh > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 17:16

The Viper has been my dream car in my teens to early twenties. I eventually made a rash decision to buy a 1999 Gts on Ebay for $30k. Black with silver stripes.

Walking up to the car for the first time in my life, knowing that I hold the keys to my dream car, was such a surreal experience. The drive back from Missoury to Philly in the winter, in light snow, was very very scary.

Eventually I did a lot of modifications to the shifter to make it more accurate, the seats to sit lower, and even a bigger Wilwood rear brake caliper with adjustable brake bias. I did that because non-ABS brakes would destroy the tires in any kind of semi-hard stop, which happens when you're going full throttle on the street. The A/C was too weak. I'd still miss shifts when doing it too fast, which isn't fun going from top of 3rd, into 2nd.

If I had a good second car, I would have kept the Viper. My beater was a 1999 Infiniti G20 6 speed with no AC either. Ultimately, 6 months later I gave up on my dream and switched to a Z4 M roadster, and bumped it to Viper power levels.

willkinton247 > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos
11/05/2013 at 17:17

If you came cruising top down in a Murano Crosscabrio, you will get people averting their eyes. haha

Zoom > CRod
11/05/2013 at 17:20

Hehehe. The first scheduled maintenance (other than alignment adjustment and fluid changes) is at 100k for spark plugs. There is nothing else. No timing chains/belts/jack shit. The pushrod 10 is rock solid, Chrysler electronics are pretty durable, the tremec is proven, and getrag makes a bulletproof rearend.

Try that with any other car with similiar performance. They simply don't exist.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Clutchman83
11/05/2013 at 17:22

I get you. I think the Viper looks good in most color combos, I just like the cartoony red.

406z > SloW8
11/05/2013 at 17:31

I've gotten to drive the GTR, a friend from college has one. It's way nicer than we tend to give it credit for, I even think it's pretty good looking. But, the Viper has side pipes...that's right side pipes. Any car with side pipes and a huge engine automatically disqualifies itself from having the solidity of German Engineering or the Precision of Japanese design. The Vipers the car no one talks about regarding the specs on paper, because we all know it's the car that couldn't give two shits for anything that comes from trees or physics. It's as brutal on the environment as fracking, as unsafe as a pack of smokes and a double cheeseburger, and approaches all problems with a "Shock and Awe" mindset. I think there isn't anything as American as the Viper. It's the worst of everything ride, quality, and driving dynamics, but that makes it look like the guy with tattoos, a big V-twin, and a winning record in bar fights. In a world of practical accountants, we know we need that guy. For that the Viper is Awesome...did I mention side pipes?

Collin Maley > CAcoalminer
11/05/2013 at 17:31

Are you meaning to say that you own one? If you do, I plead that you show it to the world and drive it everywhere you go xD I had a chance to get up close to one a few months back when doing valet for a party, last silver one ever made. What a car. The engine is bulletproof, thing will never die. It's one of the only supercars I know of that is unbelievably reliable.

Northwoods-Porschephile > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 17:32

991 GT3, 991 C4S, or Ford GT. A Viper?!? Not even in my top 20.

MowtownMuscle1996 > willkinton247
11/05/2013 at 17:32

I can relate to this. When I was about 10 years old, I asked my parents what a muscle car was. They have a few names of some and headed to the computer and started looking them up. Then I typed the words dodge viper and hit the enter key. At that very moment, when the pictures appeared on the screen, that was the very moment I fell in love with cars. Till this day the viper is the car I love the most, even more than the car I actually own.