Why Not DD A Viper Year Round?

"Milky" (jordanmielke)
06/21/2016 at 16:35 • Filed to: viper, Dodge, SRT 10, SRT

Oh thats right, 400lbft of torque just off idle. Throw in some 345 section tires with snow and you’d probably have a disaster. Curse you dreams!

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Probably shouldn’t kill myself yet, but someday you’ll be mine.

DISCUSSION (56)

Future next gen S2000 owner > Milky
06/21/2016 at 16:41

Live where it doesn’t snow.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Milky
06/21/2016 at 16:41

BUY IT.

Then buy a cheap beater for the snow

Urambo Tauro > Milky
06/21/2016 at 16:44

Do they make Blizzaks in that size?

Milky > Urambo Tauro
06/21/2016 at 16:48

I REALLY doubt it. But if you can put Viper wheels on Dakota, maybe you can put Dakota wheels on a Viper?

Milky > Future next gen S2000 owner
06/21/2016 at 16:49

K. Just let me know where else I can draw cars and live as cheaply as Detroit.

Urambo Tauro > Milky
06/21/2016 at 16:52

Somebody out there knows. If I had to guess, I’d say that it probably wouldn’t work on account of brake clearance issues.

Milky > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/21/2016 at 16:52

This would already be over budget, might just have to be a badass.

Kinja'd!!!

Jonathan Harper > Milky
06/21/2016 at 17:00

Just needs snow tires.

Milky > Urambo Tauro
06/21/2016 at 17:01

You’re probably right. But it’d be satisfying to rock a viper on Dakota wheels in the winter and make truck jokes.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Milky
06/21/2016 at 17:09

Telecommute from Mississippi?

Milky > Jonathan Harper
06/21/2016 at 17:25

and a driver mod.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Future next gen S2000 owner
06/21/2016 at 17:31

Alabama actually has roads to enjoy the car on though, and is nearly as cheap. Plus, Barber Motorsports park.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Milky
06/21/2016 at 17:38

I mean. How bad could it really be?

-this space for rent- > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/21/2016 at 17:46

I used to have a pic of a salt encrusted viper gts in my college parking lot. He wasn’t afraid to drive it year round.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Milky
06/21/2016 at 17:51

I’d drive that in the winter with some good stud-less snow tires. Frankly ground clearance will be the biggest issue, more than 3" of snow and you will start getting high centered.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Milky
06/21/2016 at 19:11

Really don't think they are that hard to drive. I got to put about 100 miles on a 2005 SRT10. The clutch was relatively easy and with proper performance tires it handled nice all while putting that glorious V10 power down. Would love to have a go in a coupe.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Milky
06/22/2016 at 00:45

I drive an unloaded truck in 2wd thru Michigan winters. and it makes 500+ torque. COME AT ME BRO

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Milky
06/22/2016 at 08:16

Just add a wing for more downforce in the snow.

Kinja'd!!!

Milky > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
06/22/2016 at 09:40

Clearly the science checks out! Going to hit up the owner of this and see where they got this wing.

Kinja'd!!!

Milky > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/22/2016 at 09:44

But you have 4wd available for when it doesn’t work out.

That’s one thing I miss about being a stupid teen with Jeeps. Drift all day in 2wd, then when you eventually put it in a ditch use 4wd to get out! Well I still drift every time it snows, I just have to be more careful.

Milky > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
06/22/2016 at 09:48

Could be this bad:

Kinja'd!!!

Could also be this good.

Edit - KINJA’D

Milky > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/22/2016 at 09:56

Good point, but luckily(?) Detroit really doesn’t get that much snow. So I can entertain stupid ideas about getting not practical cars/

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > -this space for rent-
06/22/2016 at 10:05

fantastic

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Milky
06/22/2016 at 10:05

SEE, IT’S DOABLE

I wonder if they have snow tires in that giant rear tire size...

-this space for rent- > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/22/2016 at 10:09

He may or may not be the same guy that’s building a Gallardo rally car. Look up the brakimghini

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Milky
06/22/2016 at 10:17

Probably has decent trunk space.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Milky
06/22/2016 at 10:36

Kinja'd!!!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Milky
06/22/2016 at 10:36

My step dad had a Subaru SVX and it would high center in about 4" of snow. It’s pretty sad when your all-wheel drive wonder car can’t get through a small amount of snow.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > -this space for rent-
06/22/2016 at 10:38

Oh I’ve seen the gallardo rally car - that is 100% inside my interests. I love rally cars that shouldn’t be rally cars. (says the guy who rally crossed a Mercury Milan)

Milky > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/22/2016 at 11:05

On tire rack its just pilot super sports and 2 race tires. Is there not a market for 345 winter tires?!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Milky
06/22/2016 at 11:22

If my hubs work lol. they didnt for a while till i got stuck and replaced them

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Milky
06/22/2016 at 11:27

HAHAHAHA

well based off the front page, if you can get winter tires it should drive as good as anything in the snow.

Bronx Resident Benjamin White > Milky
06/30/2016 at 07:18

It’s doable. Just leave it in third gear.

DrZ > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/30/2016 at 08:10

Wasn’t the SVX rear wheel drive?

53x11 > Milky
06/30/2016 at 08:37

Before I had more responsibilities the only thing that really concerned me was having a car I could DD to work. My commute was pretty long, 80-90 minutes from CT to NY year round, and I thought of what sort of car I’d want for such a commute. I was buying my first “expensive” car ($30-35k) and I narrowed down my choices to: a new 350Z, a used first gen Viper, a used Lotus Espirit, or a Dodge Ram duallie crew cab. I crossed the truck off the list as I could justify a truck later (“but honey we need something that can carry a blank”). 2 seater sports car, not so much. The Espirit lost because of the solid lifter cups (which I helped someone machine once and decided I wouldn’t want to do that regularly).

I was thinking a first gen Viper but the commute on a 15 or 20 deg F day might be tough. I looked up tonneau covers thinking that might make it possible. I’d wear a driving suit or some other full cover outfit, full face helmet, and have the heat cranked below the cover.

At some point I realized I was being stupid with the Viper idea. No roof (coupe at the time was still massively expensive for me), poor mileage, massive tires, wouldn’t fit in my garage so I’d have to store it outside (with no roof), used so no warranty, etc etc etc. I bought a new, under-warranty, gets about twice the gas mileage, 350Z, which I used to commute to that job for the next 4 years. I was fortunate not to have gotten ticketed and the car was super reliable. I also bought a 246k miles Civic VX from a friend for the winter. The 92 HP rated car (I’d be surprised if it had 70 HP by the time I bought it) was an absolute opposite from the Z and kept the drive interesting. The Civic was about “momentum driving”.

I still wonder what it would have been like to do a winter commute in an R/10 with massively wide studless snows, tonneau cover, helmet, torque.

6Stringtheory > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/30/2016 at 08:54

Pretty much my argument against all the “Good snow tires is as good as 4x4 of AWD” people who look to justify sticking with their 2wd coupes and sedans with the thinking it’s just as good with decent snow capable tires. Sure it is...and technically, you can take a Corvette off-road too if by “off-road” you mean a nicely cut lawn the same way snow covered roads means they been nicely plowed and not driving in 1'+ of drifting snow storm.

I know both sides of the story as I drove a RWD and FWD vehicles and sports cars in snow for most of my life before my first 4WD. I grew up in rural snow country and could get anywhere in bald tires and 2 feet of snow if I HAD to but I’ll never go back to that impractical thinking if I had availability of a decent AWD or better vehicle.

That said, I’d take this Viper and DD it year round with Blizzaks in the Winter if I had to but I’d have something else to drive for snow if I had any common sense, which I do.

6Stringtheory > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/30/2016 at 09:01

It’s why Subaru’s and CUV’s are for pretend and any idiot wanting to get “through” snow and not just over it get’s a real 4x4 with about 9" of clearance. There’s a plethora of SUV’s and trucks that can do the job just fine.

ResidentPony > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/30/2016 at 09:04

I drove a 300ZX TT that had been lowered, because apparently they’re too high when stock.

Didn’t have to worry about snow, because if there was more than three inches, the car become a frigging snow plow. It would shovel snow into the intake snorkels on each side like Charlie Sheen’s last hurrah.

Eight inches of snow and it would compact and climb the hood.

But ice and slick roads were awesome.

EDIT: Forgot to mention what would happen to the engine tray. It would fill with snow, too.

Milky > 53x11
06/30/2016 at 09:32

I’m kind of in the same boat right now. No real responsibilities, decent job and a 45 minute commute. The Viper is the dream but it’d be real hard to make it your only car. Same goes for an Elise, but I’d bet it would be slightly better in the snow (I’m in Michigan).

But I’ll probably be smart and get something like a S2000 or new Miata .... and then wonder what it would have been like to do a winter commute in an Elise.

The struggle is always too real.

PragmaticPanda > 53x11
06/30/2016 at 10:02

“Dodge Ram duallie crew cab. I crossed the truck off the list as I could justify a truck later (“but honey we need something that can carry a blank”)“

The amalgamation that brought you to this inspires me to say, “You sir are a stereotype.”

PragmaticPanda > Milky
06/30/2016 at 10:03

You could always move closer to your job...

Milky > PragmaticPanda
06/30/2016 at 10:16

The suburbs suck.

Fitting user name though!

Thor's Hammered > Milky
06/30/2016 at 10:31

Same boat here as well. 35 min commute and just on the other side of the pond in Milwaukee. I’ve always wanted a Viper, but it would be very hard (near impossible) to drive through the winter. You would want to go down to probably a 285 section rear tire if you get any snow and I am not sure a rim to fit that size tire would fit on them. Pirelli does makes a 305 though.

Also, snow tires are ridiculously expensive. A set for my XF Super is over $1600.

The Elise is going to be far too light for any snow, but an Evora could be do-able. (I’m seriously considering one.)

SPACEMONKEY 0___0 > Milky
06/30/2016 at 10:39

In 2007 I had no kid and a good job so I bought a 2004 Ram SRT-10 with 25K miles on it. I was also able to dupe the local Chrysler dealership in giving me an extended warranty on the beast. It was my DD and it was amazing. I live in Texas and some of the new toll roads around Dallas are super smooth and I hit 145 mph a few times easy. It averaged around 9-10 mpg, 11 if I would baby it all week. Then I had my daughter and I still didn’t get rid of it. I had to get rid of it when gas prices were over $4 a gallon. Last time I filled that effer up was $125. That’s when I had to choose my family over my favorite 3 ton brick with giant motor. Looking back I wish I would have kept my little ford ranger that I sold for $1200 a year before I got this truck. Then I would have had a cheaper DD and the truck would still be mine.

My 2 Cents > PragmaticPanda
06/30/2016 at 11:16

...well now you’re talking CRAZY!...

(WHO in their right mind thinks 3 hours a day in traffic is sane? I grew up in LA and i know traffic, but 3 hours a day? 15 hours a week in traffic? 800 hours a year sitting in that? Thats a month of your year, just staring at other peoples tailpipes. Jesus fucking christ. A month of your life, every fucking year...Insanity)

Aronjlove > Milky
06/30/2016 at 11:28

I loved the TV show Viper with it’s morphing Viper Defender and trunk-stashed drone. That show was so freaking cool and you gave me a nice dose of nostalgia. Thanks!

AgentRockstar > 53x11
06/30/2016 at 11:29

Every day, you would have kissed the ground when you got home, but every morning, you would have jumped out of bed, eager for more.

RabidWombat88 > 53x11
06/30/2016 at 11:45

As someone whos repeated driven a dually Ram with a big trailer over the GW: Its like fitting a 5' tall 400 lb person through a subway turnstile, you’ll fit but it’ll be uncomfortable and stressful.

RabidWombat88 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/30/2016 at 11:54

And that was how my Miata died (until it was fixed of course). Too low dicking around in the snow and the front grill got packed with snow, combined with a garbage temp gauge resulting in insta warped head.
Worth it:

Kinja'd!!!

WRXALLDAY > Milky
06/30/2016 at 13:42

Theres a military guy where I live that DD’s a Viper, like 08+ body style. snowstorms, tsunamis, whatever it might be its parked in the same spot everyday and loves it.

TommyGunns00 > Thor's Hammered
06/30/2016 at 16:19

You need to grow a pair. I commuted from Chicago to Lake Geneva at least twice a week, year round, in a CTS-V Coupe with Michelin Pilot Sport AS/3's.

zacula > Milky
06/30/2016 at 16:22

Are you saying a V10 engine idles at ~1900RPM?

Milky > zacula
06/30/2016 at 16:34

Obviously. Because I didn’t include the words “just off”.

porschephile463 > Milky
06/30/2016 at 23:44

I live in Florida. so yes theoretically I could daily a viper all year.

Koopa Troopa > 53x11
07/01/2016 at 09:00

The Z was a perfect choice. Great blend of practicality and fun. You’d feel guilty putting all those miles on a Viper.

How small was your garage, though? The Viper wasn’t actually that big. It always looked much smaller in person that in pictures.

NJAnon > Milky
07/03/2016 at 17:24

You answered your own question Milky.