Are Vipers too radical for most people??

[Ianfl]

I have been reading about Vipers in the car press since 93 and noticed that in the last few years that they dont seem to be that popular in the comparo tests.
Are they just too radical for the average Joe?
I have continually bypassed them in consideration of other cars based on the lack of enthusiasm in the auto press.
I was fortunate to finally have a test in one last week, and was shocked at how much i enjoyed the car.
The car was a total wild, in your face, blast and in a short 30 minute test drive had people hanging out their cars waving, giving thumbs up, horns honking, and smiles all around.
The car got more attention in 30 min than my z06 has in 8k miles!
I have tested 360 Modenas, 911 TT's and NEVER had this type of reaction!
Nor have i ever experienced such a thrill ride.
So why is this car not revered more in the auto press?
I look forward to finding the right one and making it a car i can modify for 20 years then pass on to my kids.
What a GREAT car!

[Viperfreak2]

Vipers are not safe and comfortable everyday cars, so the rags blast them for being 'too hot' and 'too quirky'. They drive Camryclones and minivans all day and expect every car to be practical. What you described above is EXACTLY what we drive Vipers for. That short burst of adrenaline we get from the experience of raw power and razor edged handling! The excitement the car generates is incredible. Yet, the magazines seem to tone down what they say because it's not for everyone. They even throw in a Mosler MT900 (NON STREET LEGAL) to try and steal the spotlight from our baby! We don't want 'refined' and 'safe'.....we want V I P E R

[SylvanSRT]

They are plenty safe ask Kelsey Gramar! As for everday use that would depend on your job and location in the country (weather), agreed it is not as cushy as a vette, but this car is loads more fun and powerful. Nothing matches the feeling of being pushed into your seat like viper unless you spend a lot more money, even then the differences are only marginal. The new SRT has moved the Viper into the world class sports car catagory, especially when you look at the bang for the buck factor. I love my SRT over 6,000 miles since January of this year.

[Viperzilla]

When I first drove my girlfriend's dad's GTS for the first time last year, I couldn't believe how bad the mags bashed the Viper. I don't look at the magazines as reliable sources anymore. Not to say I don't buy them, I love the articles. But how bad they said the Viper was is only like 25% of what is really is, and my figure is probably exagerrated to the high end. You do have to watch for the power and how the tires follow ruts. I nearly smashed the front end when going 15 MPH coming to a stop light. I've driven that same lane hundreds of times in two other cars without any problems, but the tires followed like crazy in the Viper. Also beware of the stupid fly-bys where they come real close to your Viper.

[cratica]

You have to remember that mag editors are used to driving cars for the masses. (vans, wagons, econoboxes). It probably scares the pants off em when they just look at one.
They (GTS/RT's) can be intimidating just to look at! That's also why they don't get the best times in them either at the track. They really don't know much about high performance cars because, well, there just aren't very many at the level of the viper. It's not a car for the masses, mags don't get "kickbacks" for giving them good scores, etc...

It really is a racecar on the street and your everyday Joe doesn't know how to appreciate that.

Unfortunately, the SRT is heading towards a car for the everyday Joe, especially in looks. Oh well, makes me that much more thankful for the Viper RT's, GTS's.

How do you think they would rate a Formula 1 car? "This car is terrible, it has no cup holders and it only gets 3 MPG, I give it a 1 out of 10" - ed.

[Snakester]

I also agree with most auto-writer's point of reference being ordinary consumer cars. And the problem is that they always improperly compare the Viper to the Corvette, as opposed to comparing it to cars like the Lamborghini Murcielago and Porsche GT2.

They will usually fall over themselves to praise an exotic car like the Murcielago for it's great performance, looks, handling and braking. And yet when the SRT-10 Viper performs similarly they comment on cabin heat, low gas mileage, and how the Corvette offers nearly the same performance for $30K less.

Yet it's interesting that when they review the Ferrari 360, the magazines never mention that the Corvette Z06 offers the same performance for $120,000 less!

The bottom line is that most auto journalists simply do NOT understand what the Viper is all about. Because it's an American car that costs less than $100K, the concept of the Viper being an exotic car, or a street legal racecar is totally lost on them.

-Dean.

[SnakeBitten]

In the late 96-00 the mags[C&D, MT] got it right...In there highspeed shootouts the Viper was winning 7 out of 10 tests outright...It was killing everything they threw at it. Especially on the roadcourse and acceleration..Ferrari, porsche, vette didnt matter it won..Apparently they forgot how to drive a Viper or that it even exists..Whats funny to me is how they dont mind the 200+k MT900's crude, loud behavior..Matter of fact it part of the cars charm...But that same behavior is a gross oversight in the 70k GTS When you are at the top for too long, hate is inevitable...

[YouWish]

Too radical??? Maybe...Too wicked??? Yes!!! Too expensive for most people??? Yes!!! Too awesome??? Yes!!! Get the point? Yes,Yes,Yes.

[FranciscoR.]

You don't have to own a Viper ( like me ) to understand and appreciate this vehicle. It is with lots of faults. It is not a awesome daily driver. It is horrible on gas economy. And you can fit only two people. That put aside, and considering I am not some 30 year old woman with kids, I don't give a damn. They are beautiful, fast, powerful, and truly awesome cars. Anyone who says otherwise should get back into their Camry's, get 25 mpg, and kiss my A$$...

[Russ Oasis]

Allow me to throw my .02 in. I have a little different view of why the magazines write the things they do. People who work for magazines see themselves as JOURNALISTS, especially biased rags like "Road and Track." They are "Automotive Journalists," You know, the educated ones among us. Their tastes are a cut above the common man, "Six Pack Joe," who drives a Ford or Dodge. For years, the "Automotive Journalists" have been touting the sophistication of fine European automobiles, the Ferrari, the Lambo, MB, BMW...etc. Sure, they'd tip their hat to Corvette. It's a reasonable attempt by an American manufacturer to build something that is both inexpensive and performance oriented. Now, along comes DODGE (of all companies) building a vehicle that makes their opinions BS. All of their long held beliefs go OUT THE WINDOW. What self respecting elitist would prefer a Dodge over a Ferrari? But hold it, the Dodge is kicking the Ferrari's ASP...what do we do? Well, let's shade the story in the mag by highlighting things that European afficianados have always complained about in American cars. So now the articles are published and they say "It's too crude, it's fit and finish isn't that good, gee...it's hot, blah, blah, blah." They intentionally downplay the fact that people buy supercars for performance and the Viper outperforms the European supercars in practically every category. 1) Handling 2) Acceleration 3) Braking. And don't even mention cost. How can a $80,000 car be better than a $160,000 Ferrari? The "Automotive Journalists" then try to place the Viper in the $40,000 category by comparing it to the Corvette. The bottom line is that any car made by Dodge will never have enough snob appeal to satisfy the elitists at MOST of the car magazines. "Road and Track" is the worst, followed by "Car and Driver".
Now that I've finished, I have a big decision to make, do I feel like Grey Poupon or Guldens on my sandwich?

[Hans Christian]

Russ,

Couldn't agree more with you!!!

[Mach500]

Russ,

I also agree with you 100%. Who gives a rat's a$$ about what the magazines say, anyhow? I certainly don't. I bought a Viper over a Porsche or a Ferrari because I love the way a Viper looks and performs, especially mine. Even if those European cars were priced the same or below a viper, I would still buy a viper over those others.

[FranciscoR.]

Mach, what is it? Cheapest Ferrari running roughly $120,000 to start off at? Saw the new line at the Detroit Auto show. My lord are they beautiful but insanely expensive. The Enzo now goes for roughly $1,500,000 or so. For that money, I would save some more and get a 2003 Bugatti 16/4 Veyron. Check out the link. It has to be one of the most (top 4) most beautiful, awesomely designed cars ever.

Link to best pic of car.

http://www.fast-autos.net/bugatti/031648.html

Link to several pics of car.

http://www.fast-autos.net/bugatti/03bugatti164.html

[Hans Christian]

Francisco,

I agree with you - that Bugatti, is just out of this world - WOW. If money wasn't an object it would be shopping time.

[SylvanSRT]

even still the Bug is going to be a fairly heavy car compared to the F1, my feelings are its more of a continent crosser than a track car. then again if you have the money to buy one of these cars you probably have the money to buy BOTH of these cars. i would love the chance to drive either one of these wonderful automobliles, or even a ride in one for that matter!