Had a run-in with one of those new Dodges...
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 42,315
Likes: 45
From: Central Massachusetts
Alex,
Sorry for the smiley war hijack, but it was fun.
Beaner is packin' some smiley heat! 
Didn't know the Viper was such a beast to drive. In any case, I'm sure if there'd been some turns in you're little tete-a-tete with the Viper, you'd've beat him.
Sorry for the smiley war hijack, but it was fun.
Beaner is packin' some smiley heat! Didn't know the Viper was such a beast to drive. In any case, I'm sure if there'd been some turns in you're little tete-a-tete with the Viper, you'd've beat him.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Come see me after class.
Actually, Charlie, I love the smilies! I'm saving them and their URLs right now! 
As for the Viper, I've yet to drive the new SRT-10, but the last ACR and GTS coupe that I drove had to be manhandled, even while cruising at a sedate 70mph on the freeway. You use your whole body to put the clutch in, and you really get a workout stirring the shift lever. I actually found it easier to keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear the whole day!
On the track, though, they were silky smooth, kind of like the NSX. They were designed for track work, and as such, operate the best in those conditions.
The 2nd-gen Vipers were hard to commute in, but take it to the track and they absolutely fly. Slowing them back down was a problem, though, without ABS.
Moreover, through the twisties, I seriously doubt I could've kept up with the Viper. I'm not that familiar with the handling of the Ferrari (the speeds are so high that the limit is hard to reach; it scares me sometimes), and provided the Viper had a decent driver, he would've definitely showed me some taillights. I think it's safe to say that the max potential of the Viper is quite higher than that of the Ferrari.
On one hand, you have hardcore sports car (Viper), and on the other a gran tourer with massive power as a mere bonus (575M). That's not to say the 575M can't handle, because it can, it's just not as fine-tuned or aggressive as the Mopar.
As for the Viper, I've yet to drive the new SRT-10, but the last ACR and GTS coupe that I drove had to be manhandled, even while cruising at a sedate 70mph on the freeway. You use your whole body to put the clutch in, and you really get a workout stirring the shift lever. I actually found it easier to keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear the whole day!
On the track, though, they were silky smooth, kind of like the NSX. They were designed for track work, and as such, operate the best in those conditions.
The 2nd-gen Vipers were hard to commute in, but take it to the track and they absolutely fly. Slowing them back down was a problem, though, without ABS.
Moreover, through the twisties, I seriously doubt I could've kept up with the Viper. I'm not that familiar with the handling of the Ferrari (the speeds are so high that the limit is hard to reach; it scares me sometimes), and provided the Viper had a decent driver, he would've definitely showed me some taillights. I think it's safe to say that the max potential of the Viper is quite higher than that of the Ferrari.
On one hand, you have hardcore sports car (Viper), and on the other a gran tourer with massive power as a mere bonus (575M). That's not to say the 575M can't handle, because it can, it's just not as fine-tuned or aggressive as the Mopar.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 42,315
Likes: 45
From: Central Massachusetts
Nice precis, Alex. Well said.
Originally posted by alexf20c
Actually, Charlie, I love the smilies! I'm saving them and their URLs right now!
As for the Viper, I've yet to drive the new SRT-10, but the last ACR and GTS coupe that I drove had to be manhandled, even while cruising at a sedate 70mph on the freeway. You use your whole body to put the clutch in, and you really get a workout stirring the shift lever. I actually found it easier to keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear the whole day!
On the track, though, they were silky smooth, kind of like the NSX. They were designed for track work, and as such, operate the best in those conditions.
The 2nd-gen Vipers were hard to commute in, but take it to the track and they absolutely fly. Slowing them back down was a problem, though, without ABS.
Moreover, through the twisties, I seriously doubt I could've kept up with the Viper. I'm not that familiar with the handling of the Ferrari (the speeds are so high that the limit is hard to reach; it scares me sometimes), and provided the Viper had a decent driver, he would've definitely showed me some taillights. I think it's safe to say that the max potential of the Viper is quite higher than that of the Ferrari.
On one hand, you have hardcore sports car (Viper), and on the other a gran tourer with massive power as a mere bonus (575M). That's not to say the 575M can't handle, because it can, it's just not as fine-tuned or aggressive as the Mopar.
Actually, Charlie, I love the smilies! I'm saving them and their URLs right now!
As for the Viper, I've yet to drive the new SRT-10, but the last ACR and GTS coupe that I drove had to be manhandled, even while cruising at a sedate 70mph on the freeway. You use your whole body to put the clutch in, and you really get a workout stirring the shift lever. I actually found it easier to keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear the whole day!
On the track, though, they were silky smooth, kind of like the NSX. They were designed for track work, and as such, operate the best in those conditions.
The 2nd-gen Vipers were hard to commute in, but take it to the track and they absolutely fly. Slowing them back down was a problem, though, without ABS.
Moreover, through the twisties, I seriously doubt I could've kept up with the Viper. I'm not that familiar with the handling of the Ferrari (the speeds are so high that the limit is hard to reach; it scares me sometimes), and provided the Viper had a decent driver, he would've definitely showed me some taillights. I think it's safe to say that the max potential of the Viper is quite higher than that of the Ferrari.
On one hand, you have hardcore sports car (Viper), and on the other a gran tourer with massive power as a mere bonus (575M). That's not to say the 575M can't handle, because it can, it's just not as fine-tuned or aggressive as the Mopar.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,828
Likes: 74
From: stuffed in a box
Originally posted by alexf20c
btw, the new srt-10, or even the outgoing GTS and RT/10 (not to mention the ACR!), are anything but daily drivers. the ride is harsh, the sounds are deafening, and the power is over-the-top. but if you have the balls to do it, more power to ya!
btw, the new srt-10, or even the outgoing GTS and RT/10 (not to mention the ACR!), are anything but daily drivers. the ride is harsh, the sounds are deafening, and the power is over-the-top. but if you have the balls to do it, more power to ya!
like I said:
my hero!!!!!