what do you think of Dodge VIPER?
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,101
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From: Dana Point, CA
a buddy of mine has a 1997 rt/10 roadster. i've ridden in it maybe a dozen times and driven it twice.
my impressions:
1) hellaciously fast. rediculous fast. almost too much power (if such a condition exists).
2) super, super firm ride. i think the shocks are made of concrete.
3) surprisingly un-inspiring exhaust note. his viper has the pipes out the back and not the side pipes so i don't know how much that affects sound quality but it doesn't sound as racy as a vette.
4) terrible ergonomics. i understand that later cars have adjustable pedals to help but as a short guy, i can't find a comfy and proper driving position in the car.
5) terrible stereo and hvac. enough said.
all in all, it's a hell of a toy. the top is a joke. as i understand it, you can't drive the thing in any kind of rain without risking a spin. it gets shitty gas mileage when driven. but damn... it's cool. it simply hauls ass.
my impressions:
1) hellaciously fast. rediculous fast. almost too much power (if such a condition exists).
2) super, super firm ride. i think the shocks are made of concrete.
3) surprisingly un-inspiring exhaust note. his viper has the pipes out the back and not the side pipes so i don't know how much that affects sound quality but it doesn't sound as racy as a vette.
4) terrible ergonomics. i understand that later cars have adjustable pedals to help but as a short guy, i can't find a comfy and proper driving position in the car.
5) terrible stereo and hvac. enough said.
all in all, it's a hell of a toy. the top is a joke. as i understand it, you can't drive the thing in any kind of rain without risking a spin. it gets shitty gas mileage when driven. but damn... it's cool. it simply hauls ass.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,504
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From: Boulder
If I didn't mind "american car" styling, fit & finish, I'd also go for the very reasonably priced '02 Z06 long before, say. a used viper.
The current generation Vipers have some cooling problems, both engine and brakes, when driven hard, and while where awesome performance when first introduced, I think the Vette has caught up with a better balanced package at a significantly lower price.
The styling of both, however, is a little over the top for me.
The current generation Vipers have some cooling problems, both engine and brakes, when driven hard, and while where awesome performance when first introduced, I think the Vette has caught up with a better balanced package at a significantly lower price.
The styling of both, however, is a little over the top for me.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,339
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From: bay area
viper rt are nice. lots of power. its really just an enjoyment car and not an everyday ride u want to have. a metallic grey one pop in front of my skoo today. i was right next to it.
of all the domestic cars, i think vipers vettes are the best of domestic.
but for da price, i'd go for a used ferrari instead
of all the domestic cars, i think vipers vettes are the best of domestic.
but for da price, i'd go for a used ferrari instead
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 607
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From: Defiance
I rented a '98 Viper GTs for a couple days last year for some fun on the moutain roads around lake Tahoe.
Like others have mentioned, the car is fast but it didn't feel "really fast" to me because the powerband is so wide and flat. Not very exciting. I like a shorter more steep power delivery. It does smoke the tires with ease at 2500rpms, and those are
some big tires.
You should drive the car for a few hours to see if you like the seating position and ergonomics. I hated the offcenter pedal position (what were they thinking), and slotmachine sized shifter.
To drive the car fast you must drive slow-meaning no fast shifting(can't really do it) no jumping on the gas (don't want to do it) and easy turning it into the corners until it's "settled" in to the bend(or front and rear swap positions).
On long corners, once it's settled down, the car is easier to control at the limit than our cars, no surprises. I had alot of fun drifting the thing with ease and alot of confidence on some pretty scary roads. Probably has alot to do with the size of the tires I think.
Another thing to consider. Any significant damage to the front of the car requires the replacement of that little clamshell hood...$11,000 beans
Insurance costs?!!
Imagine owning a $73,000 Neon-that's the kind of build quality you can expect.
Now forget all that stuff 'cause I think the Viper GTS is the coolest , meanest looking car in it's price range. Makes the Z06 look like just another 'Vette.
I would buy one if I could get it cheap.
Like others have mentioned, the car is fast but it didn't feel "really fast" to me because the powerband is so wide and flat. Not very exciting. I like a shorter more steep power delivery. It does smoke the tires with ease at 2500rpms, and those are
some big tires.
You should drive the car for a few hours to see if you like the seating position and ergonomics. I hated the offcenter pedal position (what were they thinking), and slotmachine sized shifter.
To drive the car fast you must drive slow-meaning no fast shifting(can't really do it) no jumping on the gas (don't want to do it) and easy turning it into the corners until it's "settled" in to the bend(or front and rear swap positions).
On long corners, once it's settled down, the car is easier to control at the limit than our cars, no surprises. I had alot of fun drifting the thing with ease and alot of confidence on some pretty scary roads. Probably has alot to do with the size of the tires I think.
Another thing to consider. Any significant damage to the front of the car requires the replacement of that little clamshell hood...$11,000 beans
Insurance costs?!!Imagine owning a $73,000 Neon-that's the kind of build quality you can expect.
Now forget all that stuff 'cause I think the Viper GTS is the coolest , meanest looking car in it's price range. Makes the Z06 look like just another 'Vette.
I would buy one if I could get it cheap.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 633
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From: Reading
I LOVE VIPERS! They are overpowered, underdeveloped, rattle boxes. I'm a big fan of the older ones 92-95 with the side pips, pop in plastic windows, more rattles, 9 MPG fuel economy and the harsh ride that pulls you all over the road. And that's why I love the Viper. You can't sit back and relax. You feel like you're driving a race car, and you are! Of course if and older RT/10 was my everyday driver, I'd probably loose my mind. But for a toy, WOW!
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,529
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From: Chicago
I think the viper is one of the best looking sport car out there. I think it's the total opposite of the NSX(lookwise). It's extremely agressive looking, race ready, it looklike it can jump and bite you. I'm scare of looking at those thing. And when you have those side pipes installed, it created a deep growling sounds that'll gives you goosbump from head to toes. I wish i can afford a gts, but one rt/10 coming up really soon.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 633
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From: Reading
