From what I've heard, if you "put the power down in a turn" with a Viper, your gonna swap ends. The amount of torque produced by that engine is rediculous. You really cant compare a S2000 to a Viper. The S is about finesse and precision. The Viper is brute force (typical American car). Its apples and oranges.

 

Having had both at the same time I'd say stick with the S - that's what I did.

The Viper is big and numb feeling when compared to the S.

It does stick to the road much better than I expected. You can put the power down in a corner much better than I expected to, but it feels truck like when compared to the S.

Power curve is very truck like as well. Even with 500+ hp it didn't give me as much grin factor as hitting VTEC.

If you are talking a straight line car get the Viper, but if you are talking curvey driving keep the S.

OH, expect to pay MUCH more for parts and power isn't cheap on a Viper. You'll be able to buy and boost another S for the price of upping the power a little bit on the Viper.

 

Im looking at first and second gens. On ebay and Craigslist they go from 20000 to 35000. So it is possible to get one with decent mileage and no abuse. I think it's harder for me to try to let go of the S because it has stopped being made. Not everyone can say, "Hey, I own a car that is no longer made, and it looks and performs very well." But seriously, does anyone know how well the car handles on the twisties?

 

If you have the money, go for the Viper. A relative of mine owns a 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR. It's his second Viper SRT-10. I drove it once, but not quick enough to make judgements on its driveability.
Personally, I think just supercharging the S to a good 350+ whp is good enough. You're not going to be using 500-600+ whp on the street anyway (unless, of course, you're a dumbass), so why spend all that money on boost? Just settle for a good 400 whp, and you'll enjoy the car much more.
In short, it's your choice. If I had the money for a Viper, I'd buy one. If not, I'd boost the S.

 

Ok. Man. It just sucks that to boost this thing properly, I have to play the saving game. LOL. I know that a boosted S would do much better out of the turns because it's lighter. I will admit, I have taken the 09 Corvette on a test drive, and it wasnt as fun taking turns, actually kinda scary. So out of the corners it feels like a truck. How about the gearbox? The S gear box is insanely good compared to the 350Z, 370Z and other roadsters.

 

I have thought about getting a PFAB stage 2 kit for 3700, but I would still need to send the engine to Benson for it to handle the 400 whp and not explode. LOL. I would settle for 400-500whp, and I know I would NEVER use it to it's full potential, especially since currently I don't track the car, dont street race. Driving twisties on the mountain here in San Diego, you can only SAFELY put down a certain amount, that's why I ask about the the throttle response out of corners, and if it has a tendency to fishtail because of the the High TQ generated down low, because I feel that the S doesnt do this at all.

 

newer vipers are still in the price range of a new GTR...just buy a GTR.

 

muahahhahah, yea right

Viper over an all too common Z06 anyday

If you are going to use it as a weekend toy, I would def just boost the S. I daily my car and it makes 550+ and 400+ ft lbs of torque

You CAN NOT go WOT in or out of a turn, but thats with any car, once the turbo spools the power comes on violently............ I will say, besides the "exoticesque" looks you may get in the viper, I LOVE to take the S out, it;s so much fun, its like you strap the car on, wheras the Viper is pretty large car and it just fealt too big for me

I still want a Viper ACR though, it's just awesome

Also on a very serious note, the price of tires on the Viper is stomach wrenching, I am not kidding either, they are very expensive and you could expect to go through them easily (set of 4 is $1,700.00)

 

S2k to a viper is a big jump. I would go up in power gradually by about 100-150hp increments. I think the next car I would look into would be in the ballpark of a E92 M3 or a grandsport Vette. Something of around 400hp. Give it a few years and move to a 500-600hp car like the viper.

Kinda like boost...Start off around 300-400whp then move up gradually by 50-100hp at a time.

The ACR viper is badass...And so sexy. I'm a softy for track inspired and ready cars...

 

I agree with the fact that it is a rather LARGE Roadster, and Z06 are VERY common. A ZR1 isnt and it handles quite well as shown on top gear UK. My friend owed a viper ant traded it for a GTR, but he said tires were expensive for the Viper because of it's massive size. I asked him the difference and he loved the Viper but would choose the GTR because of AWD and MPG. He told me at idle you can see the gas gauge click VERY slowly, but you can see it. LOL. I asked you guys cause our S is a true roadster and a GTR is not. So your opinion and experience matters more.