2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 from North America - Comments

A few small leaks here and there, nothing serious.

Let me start off by saying, holy cow.

I had no idea that a car could have such massive power, and at such a low RPM. You don't even have to take it passed 3,000 RPM to rape 99% of every car on the road. Sport bike?? No problem! just drop a gear and floor the throttle and enjoy the sweet, sweet tone of the massive V10 engine as you sail passed the peeved off biker. Not only is this car oh so brutally fast that it can rip your head off with just a blip of the throttle, but it can also turn like a dream. 90 degree turns at 60+ mph are hardly a task for the Viper.

While you are having more fun than a 5 year old at the arcade, you are accomponied by an amazing cockpit. Not nearly as elaborate as the one in my M3, but it has everything you need. I just love the drivers seat; it is nowhere as cozy as one you might find in a BMW, but it is more supportive, which is essential since this car needs your full, undivided attention, and respect. The sound system is also a plus. Blair your favorite music as you are on your Sunday morning drive. The cabin, however, will get very hot if you drive for more than 30 minutes, as you will find yourself turning the AC dial counter clockwise, even in the peak of winter.

Costs, as you might expect, are brutal on just about anyones wallet (unless of corse, you are a multi-millionaire). Unless you truly are 100 percent positive you want this car, and can afford it, don't buy it. Between my car payment, insurance, and gas, it costs me over $2,500 a month.

I had the pleasure of driving one of these cars back when I worked at an awful Lincoln-Mercury dealership.

My manager had just taken the car out back to be sent off to another high end dealership in our dealer group. But before he could I took it out for a spin and lemme tell you, I put the car in third gear and the rear end started to turn sideways. The power in a Viper is really to be marveled at. Dodge really outdid themselves with that car. Granted it makes a whiny noise, almost rivaling that of a euro sports car, and doesn't really have the montrous roar and rumble like its American brotherhood. However, this car (if one can afford it) hauls ass and takes names. I think the Z06 vette maybe able to keep up with it. I know the Saleen 7 can with ease. But, the Viper is clearly viagra on wheels.

I am the guy who wrote this review.

It is indeed insanely easy to spin the tires with the viper which is why, it can be very difficult to drive. The 8.3 liter motor is very torquie and the viper has no traction control. In order to drive this car without killing yourself you have to have a lot of throttle control, and if you do feel the need to open her up, only do so in a straight line and make sure you have both hands on the wheel.

On a side note The Z06 is a little faster than the viper and the S7 would smoke a viper any day. That is until dodge releases their new 600 hp viper in mid 07 *drools.

The Viper is an outstanding bargain. A low production race car. Not just another Vette at the mall. You can bring the cabin temperature down... add smooth flow tubes, K & N filter and go with a full cat-back exhaust. My son removed his cats (legal in his state) There are endless upgrades depending on what you want to spend and push it up to well over 1000 hp. My son added a Roe Racing VEC2 eng. management system, 100 shot nitrous, Fidanza alum. flywheel and a M & W short throw shifter. He has upgraded the already great brakes. He has a 3 panel red top which matches the body. The handling and instant power is just incredible. It has also been a very reliable car. You really need to complete a high speed driving school to own this fine vehicle.

The Viper may be a lot of things, but it's certainly no bargain. $85K+ for basically a big engine pales in comparison to the refinement of a Porsche.

Viper is a great value and can be compared to high end exotics. It's a low production vehicle... with a race inspired frame. How many undistinquishable Porches are everywhere. Same as the Vette. That is mainly why I would not want one. For the same money you have 510 hp vs. 355 hp with Porche... The Viper engine 8.3 litre vs. a 3.8 Liter. I have driven Porches as well. Add another $50k and get back to me.

'For the same money you have 510 hp vs. 355 hp with Porche...'

Yes, but at least a Porsche will make it round the first corner it meets, without having to slam its breaks on! The Viper may have fantastic straight line speed, but in terms of handling & build quality, its found wanting.

6:07 its doubtful you have driven either based on your comments. The Porshe comparison is on a normally aspirated engine in this price level... with less power, braking. You have to spend over $100,000 for a turbo. The Porche does has cupholders while the Viper does not. I would much rather have a low production vehicle 1300-1400 a year instead of the hundreds on thousands of Porche out there. The Porche costs more to maintain. This year you cannot even buy a Viper... next year will be available again. I have driven nearly 50,000 miles in a Viper and drove a Porche modified 400 hp Turbo on a reg basis prior. The Porche was in the shop frequently... granted it was modified.

14:15 seems to think all cars weigh the same so the difference is only in their engines. Having allegedly driven Porsches, he should know that they are much lighter cars and therefore do not need tons of gas guzzling engines to drive them.

Want proof? Just look at the performance figures of the Lotus Elite/Exige. Faster than the Viper with better handling. Yet the engine is nearly 2/3 smaller than the Viper's.

This is the guy who wrote the review again...

Before I bought the Viper, I did, in fact test drive a Porsche 911 Carrera S. Now don't get me wrong, the Porsche was an amazing car, but it was similer to my M3 in that it doesn't have the guts in the low RPM range that I was looking for. The Viper on the other hand, you could be at only 1500 RPM in 3rd gear and you still get thrown in your seat when you give it gas. I am not in any way dissing the Porsche, as it was a very refined car with an amazing engine, but it is just not the same as the Viper.

"but in terms of handling & build quality, it's found wanting."

Now you're just using stereotypes, but the fact of the matter is that the Viper will outhandle just about any Porsche short of the Carrera GT (look for skidpad comparisons).

And as far as build quality goes, American cars have gotten way better than they used to be, but the Viper is another story entirely. It is basically completely hand built by the best that daimlerchrysler has to offer (not the union flunkies... not that all people in the union are flunkies, but I know of quite a few who are) and is thoroughly checked by another team for defects that are fixed before the car is sent to a dealership.

The simplicity and the driving experience is what it is all about. I have driven many refined cars, but they lack a true driving experience by isolating you too much from the road. What also amazes me is how nice a Viper can be on a extended long trips on the interstates. You can race and then drive them home. Driving conservative you can achieve high mpg not that that is an issue. Its also amazing you can get up to 60 mph in under 4 sec. and have still have 5 more gears left at other times. The handling is incredible and the stopping distance/brakes are better than any car I have ever driven. Being over 6 ft. requires being pretty limber with entry and even with the seat lowered another inch it's a bit tight on headroom with the top up. They are very reliable and able to be daily driven at times especially living in Fla. A number of Viper owners have more than one in the same household.

My son test drove a Lotus almost bought one nice car, but bought a Viper and then modified it. The NSX is also a great car to drive very civilized, but underpowered. I use to drive my bosses 930 Porche Turbo grey car... it was fast, but not a Viper. The boost kicked in above 30 mph and the g's kicked in. Light car... all you see is the top of the headlight rims as the landscape goes by. All these cars are fun... enjoy them. If you drive the Viper it is by far the most exciting of all I mentioned.

Question: what will the Viper soon have in common with the Dodge Dart, Monaco and Polara?

Answer: a model that Dodge doesn't make anymore : (

17:45 so if ever discontinued is that going to lessen the desirability... that reminds me of a former co-worker that bought an original 2 seat 427 Cobra. Had bought it upon return from Vietnam. That domestic has slightly appreciated a bit since wouldn't you agree? His only regret was he sold it on the upward spiral. My biggest regret is that I don't have it as well. I have done the same myself to a lesser degree as well with musclecars that have still appreciated many times and not under current production. Many with Vipers own more than 1 by the way in the same garage. Usually a coupe and a convertible in Fla.