Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-59
To the person who Said the Viper isn't a real race car...
How much do you truely know about the awesome 8.0L V10 Mopar Engine? There is a VERSION of it used in the 3\4 ton-1Ton Dodge Rams, however, the Viper Version has been seriously reworked for less weight. The trucks Cast-Iron Block was replaced with a Aluminum one, the Fuel Injection system was tuned from Low End Stump pulling Torque only to provide plenty of power where ever in the powerband, among other changes.
As for the 2.0L Comment, I would like to see that.
There IS no replacement for Displacement.
A RACE car and street car are too COMPLETELY different beasties. And the V-10's are two COMPLETELY different engines that are similiar in design. This isn't a put down as ALL exotics require maintenance. I say this even though I absolutely LOATHE Chrysler!!! But I do have a soft spot for the Viper.
Den.
The viper is an exotic, so its going to be high maintenance. It is also an 8.0 liter V10, if that doesn't say gas guzzler nothing does. Viper do come with polished aluminum wheels. If you don't like the car get a different one. And NO stock 2.0 liter engine can compete with a Viper.
I'd love to see some 2.0L car out run a Viper. The only Viper a 2.0 could out run would be the guy who wrote the review, b/c he did not take care of his Viper. The Viper is by far, one of the coolest cars on earth, and is why I like Chrysler cars over any other American piece of crap. All you ford owners, remember what FORD stands for??? Found On Road Dead, OR Fixed Or Repaired Daily. I can't tell you hoe many Ford's I've seen dead on the road. And their dealerships blow on top of it all. I would love to see Ford top the viper. Ohh that's right, THEY CAN'T!!! If they did the car would blow up half way through a race! This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Dude, go drive a Viper for a while, then come back and say something about one.
Having never owned a Viper, I can't comment on the quality of service performed on them by a the dealer. It seriously sound like you should find a new dealer. I love the viper, its got to be the coolest car in production. Ever since the first one came out I have read and studied car mags, websites whatever I could about the viper. I have never heard of one having so many problems. Maybe your dealer messed up your engine at the same time he was ripping you off of your Aluminum rims, just so you'd keep coming back.
Buy a viper and complain about gas mileage!?!?!???
Buy a VETTE??!! You probably got the automatic tranny right!?
I think you or your dealer is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
For the one commenter: The Viper is pretty damn close to being a race car. Do the kind of work to the 8 liter monster in a Viper that your precious 2 liter has and you'd be using it for trans Atlantic flights. A Hennessey Venom with a twin turbo and only slight other mods does 0-60 in 2.3s. No nitrous.
Hot wheels rolling on floor laughing out loud
I appreciate all the opinions and points of view expressed above. Let me express my opinion now and I do not mean to offend anyone.
I believe the Viper is indeed a cool car. Dodge did an impressive job in packing so much power into so little weight and space (please do not tell me an S2000 is lighter, I know). I like the way the viper looks.
Here is the grab though, as with any exotic, there is a price to pay (in addition to the dollars). The stiff ride (natural in any car that pulls a whole G), the bad fuel economy (450 horses need a lot of hay), and certainly more maintenance than an average car (450 horses need many many cowboys to look after them).
Bottom line is, like the Corvette or the Mustang, the Viper is an American icon mobile. Each has it's own way of entertaining the person behind the wheel, but ultimately they all do it. Although I would personally not buy any of these cars (I need a 4x4 to suit my life style) I do respect them.
I do not believe in anything such a perfectly reliable car. I think cars (like people) are allowed to have their own faults and imperfections.
Let's make it this way. You can have a car that's 100% PERFECT and hate it and have a car that gives you nothing but trouble and love it. Bottom line: Follow your heart. The rest is just spare change.
I purchased an 2001 RT/10 new from a Dodge dealer here in Maryland. Although I think the car is one of the coolest looking cars made, it had a lot of shortcomings for a $75K car. Overheated in 90 degree weather... Dodge told me that was normal. Forget using the air condition, the big V-10 pumps so much heat into the cabin that the AC is useless. Also, be careful not to toast your legs on the door-sills as the exhaust pipes are plumbed through them.
Oh, then there is the ridiculously plastic interior. It's by far the cheapest plastic I've ever seen in a car. The lumbar support bladder in the seats is pumped using a hand pump... get that, a hand pump.
Squeaks and rattles galore. The interior of the trunk has no light, nor does it have a gas strut to hold it up... not even a simple bar to hold it up. Come on...$75,000 for this.
Granted, I had no mechanical problems during the 2500 miles I owned it, but for $75K, I expected more.
I traded it on a 2001 Corvette Z06. I don't care what you say, it's just as fast. I ran a 2001 Viper at Capitol Raceway in Maryland. I ran a 12.20, he a 12.35. I also got a couple on the street. The handling is pretty evenly matched, except the Viper has a lot more bump steer. The Corvette doesn't overheat, the A/C works beautifully, the interior is better (although not by much). Cheaper insurance, way better gas mileage, better reliability. The only thing you buy when you get a Viper is the "look at me in my pretty yellow Viper" quotient. It's for people with serious self esteem issues or if you just have ridiculous amounts of money to throw around.
I only make about $120K/year. So, this was a pretty big investment for me. Maybe for someone else who makes a lot more, it would be a no-brainer.
ONLY $120K a year? I'd kill to make $120K a year! By the way, Just about any high performance sports car will overheat in 90ยบ weather. They're not meant for driving in those kinds of conditions. Let me guess, you were probably sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic when it overheated right??? And, why would you need A/C in a sports car to begin with? Get going fast enough with the windows down and you'll be plenty cool.
I think people should wake up and realise its not all about massive engines and horsepower, a proper sportscar should have a good power to weight ratio, I'd rather have a Caterham Superlight any day, it'll match a Viper in a straight line and thrash it on the corners, and all from a 1.8L.
A viper is all about show. buy a real sportscar.
Now if you think that THE viper should be melted down... then you should think about doing your research before buying a car. the viper may not be the best handling car in the world, but it sure is the best looking (well I think it is). If you are going to spend that much money on a car then you should do some research on it and never go to the place where you got the car again because its probably made of old spare parts from old fords. some car dearlers strip the cars of its unique parts and put old parts in the car and still sell it for its stock parts so they can sell the unique parts for a dam fortune.
Guys quit making reviews based on video games you throwing people off let them go test drive it and fall in love or hate for ever... Xam.
A Caterham Superlight beat a Viper?!?! who do you think you are kidding? a 8.0 litre V10 is hardly breaking sweat pulling a car like the Viper, the Caterhams got a poxy little 4-pot 1.8 plucked right out of a family hatchback and like it or not over a quarter mile the Vipers muscle will prove just too much, sure a Caterham will outcorner a Viper, but so would a Ford Focus! it ain't big or clever to knock the Viper for the fact it doesn't handle.
To the person who originally wrote this review: what is the VIN of your Viper? It can easily be validated whether the review was legitimate or not.
Also, a Viper can corner near 1.00 lateral g's. Why the comments about the Viper not handling??
Exactly! A VIN # will tell all. We all know that there are Dodge haters and vice versa. The bottom line is that a Viper is a true unique machine!! A Corvette is for everyone who wants to be like everyone. If second place is where you like to be, so be it! A Viper is like a Harley. An American Bad Ass.