SRT Keeps Disappointing Me + A Rumor

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
12/22/2013 at 22:56 • Filed to: None

I love the Viper, skipped class in HS to watch the thing be unveiled in my school's computer lab. It's beautiful and I want one. But, why isn't it offered in the beautiful color it debuted in. You know, that handsome red/burgundy metallic?

Also, my other problem is the power. I have heard a rumor that the power was restricted. Since Fiat bought out Chrysler and Fiat also owns Ferrari, they wouldn't allow the SRT to be faster (lower power to weight) than a Ferrari. I forget where I heard this, but SRT could have upped the horsepower in the Viper to well over 700 with some fine tuning. Sad stuff. 640hp just isn't enough. What are your thoughts on what I said, or on the Viper in general?

DISCUSSION (19)

Brian Silvestro > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/22/2013 at 23:02

I think if they sold the Viper with 700+ horsepower it would start murdering people.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/22/2013 at 23:09

I dunno, seven plus years later, 300hp still feels fast to me, and it's my dd. 640? I mean, I'd take 700, but I doubt there's much of a difference below like 70mph.

but I totally agree with you about that color.

matt > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/22/2013 at 23:12

Now I haven't driven the Viper but more than 700 horsepower sounds like a lot for the chassis without some tuning to that as well.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/22/2013 at 23:17

Life's tough, huh? I mean, when your Viper only makes a measly 640 hp what are you supposed to do with that tiny amount of power? I mean, I guess it's enough for a peasant commuter car, but this is a Viper. I demand more power at once!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to be somewhere.

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > feather-throttle-not-hair
12/22/2013 at 23:18

I know what you mean. 300 HP is more than sufficient in any sports car that weighs 3500 lbs or less. You can have a lot of fun with 300 HP. And if you do get a car with 400 HP you REALLY feel that increase and the car really feels faster than it needs to be for public roads.

I'd imagine that once you get into the bonkers zone of over 500 HP the additional increments don't feel that noticeable. Cause it's all just insanity.

But I understand what the OP means because this is The Viper . It's the car that made people shit their pants when it came out in the early 90s. It's a car that's supposed to try to kill you. So maybe 700 or more HP would make sense in this world of power figures that are so high they don't make sense.

And agree that color rocks.

lonestranger > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/22/2013 at 23:20

The colour is called Stryker Red Tinted Pearl, and it is available. It's a limited-production colour, and it costs $14,600 .

And when I was in high school, the Viper made 400HP and we were amazed at that. Get off my lawn.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Manuél Ferrari
12/22/2013 at 23:21

Good point. The viper is a halo car after all.

Milky > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/22/2013 at 23:26

Doesn't matter, still sex.

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > feather-throttle-not-hair
12/22/2013 at 23:27

Your point is the important one though. Things have gotten a bit TOO crazy.

It makes you wonder where things can go from here. Innovation is a good thing. It's awesome that you can buy what was hyper car levels of performance a few decades ago for $75K today. But maybe it's too much of a good thing...

Our halo cars only need insane levels of power because there are cheaper cars that have a ton of power. If a 2014 Mustang GT had 250 HP then the Viper could have 450 HP and still be a halo car. Everything is relative...

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > lonestranger
12/22/2013 at 23:37

Thank you for clarifying. I will say that when the Viper had 400hp it was batshit fast for it's time. Now, sadly the Mustang (GT500) has more HP than it. I want to get the feeling that the engineers for this car are still doing coke, taking parts from trucks, and trying to kill their customers.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Manuél Ferrari
12/22/2013 at 23:43

It is exactly what I meant. Believe me, 640hp is still a ludicrous figure, especially when having 100hp in my 2002 still seems fast and fun. But, my point is that the Viper seemed to always be a frontrunner in pushing the horsepower envelope. Now, it's being beat (hp figure wise) by a Mustang. I just don't want the Viper to lose it's bite.

Satish Kondapavulur > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/22/2013 at 23:45

You know, having driven this generation of Viper (haven't driven prior generations unfortunately), I have to say it's a bit overrated. It's definitely fast, but the Viper is not as fun as I expected.

Manuél Ferrari > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/23/2013 at 00:22

I totally know what you mean. Everything has gotten so crazy, so the Viper is no longer nuts relative to the competition. Cars like the GT 500 may not handle as well but they have moar power.

Maybe when gas prices spike again HP numbers will go down and only speciality cars like the Viper will have insane amounts of power.

mr2gud2u > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/23/2013 at 09:24

As a relatively new member of the Mopar family, I was prepared to be slightly annoyed by your post. I'm glad I took the time to read it. It wouldn't surprise me if Fiat did limit the Viper's power. I drove an LT1 powered car for 9 years, and recently I started driving a moderately modded 6.1, and I was not prepared for the amount of power with the 6.1. That was a nice surprise. If it weren't for the traction control and for the meaty rubber on the 40/295s, I would have totaled this car a while ago. So IMHO 500 - 550hp is a nice sweet spot.

George McNally > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/23/2013 at 17:52

I wish my Saturn SL2 "only" had 640 horsepower.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > George McNally
12/24/2013 at 15:04

Turbo all the things!

mythrenegade > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
12/26/2013 at 14:30

I've driven a Viper, a 2005. That car felt like it wanted to kill me at all times, and was just waiting for me to get distracted long enough that it could accomplish the deed (which would take about 5ms or so). That car "only" had 500hp. No, I think 640hp is just fine.

VRYALT3R3D > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
01/01/2014 at 12:02

The Stryker Red pictured was offered for both the 2013MY and 2014MY...

bryanbeachboy1970 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
01/05/2014 at 20:02

I believe I read in an interview with Ralph Gilles that they prefer to leave the horsepower choice up to the owners and tuners. They just want to offer the best and "cheapest" car they can without clogging up their parts and training streams. And like others have said, you can break 200 and hit 60 in under four seconds; what else do you seriously want? Certain death?