I just bought a 2013 Viper. it is a much better car than the 2009 car that I did not like. At 650hp it is sure powerful although it will not give me full power yet. And yes I am still getting my new 2014 Vette in October. Lee
Saw one in the flesh for the first time a week ago.....th GTS version is really great looking. I would have considered it, until I read a bunch of bad or mediocre reviews.....sad Congrats, post us up a comparo the te ZR1
My only viper experience was in an 09 ACR. That thing was twitchy and nasty on the highway. I have always believed it was a combo of the tires and alignment that was set up for track duty. The engine pulled like a freight train but sounded awful. The car was beautiful but I always felt that it was actively trying to kill me. In the right hands it could produce amazing performance numbers but with my ham fisted approach it would have been easy to exceed my limits and ended up in a heap-o-trouble. Hopefully this new one has taken some Xanax and chilled our just a tiny bit. A little more feedback as the limits are approached would be great. Congrats Lee
I haven't read any negative reviews about the new Viper, in fact, the great majority praise its much improved interior and driver friendlier dynamics. The only thing remotely considered a negative was the magazine review claiming the ZR1 was faster around a racetrack(hotly disputed by the SRT team, BTW) Congrats Lee, lets see some pics. I miss my Viper GTS and love the new one(except for the silly LEDs).
After the 3rd or 4th mediocre or negative video review, it looked like even with improvements it was still behind what I could get in a similar price range, except in sheer HP. I mean look, should you even have to dispute a result against a 5 year old car? It should be blowing rings around the ZR1. Good looking evolutionary design though....much better than the C7, which is just a mish-mash of different styling cues. And I wouldn't even accept that rear end on a Camaro.
I love the new Viper; but it is very pricey. Once you get all the various options, you are talking $130K or more. Makes me love my 2001 GTS even more and I bet the Gen II cars (1996-2002) will actually start to appreciate now. Old vs. new: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thank you for all of the kind and supportive words. I had a 2009 Viper and hated the car. I found the car had high HP but no real power. The chasis never felt right it felt nervous. I dumped the car within 3 months. I washed my hands of the Viper or so I thought. I have my Ford GT at the dealer for some minor work. So I took a short drive down to the Dodge dealer just for a " look see" Never a good idea for me! I saw the Viper in the showroom. Of course I had to open my mouth how much I hated these cars. The salesman told me the design is totally different and Fiat had redesigned the chasis, I am thinking yeh right to myself. Well I drove it and loved it. They got rid of all the stuff I hated about the car and kept the good stuff plus added new things to like. it is the fancy Viper and has 640hp not what I mistyped earlier. The sound it stunning and the car handles like a modern sports car. I am impressed. The dealer was awesome also. The car computer will not allow me full power for 5000 miles So it may be a decade before I see it but I can say it has alot of power. it is a modern interpitation of a muscle car to the nines. it has power eveything plus the suspension can be set for street or race. Also the gauge cluster can be set sort of like my 458 ferrari The car still has hot side pipes but they are much cooler than my 2009 car and you do not feel any heat from the pipes while driving the car. That is a major improvement. The exhaust sound makes your heart palpitate with excitment when you hear it. The Meclaren is still the better car because it can be set from mild to wild while the Viper is always wild. I guess that is better. I need to think about that for awhile I bought another white car but they are going to put on a large blue strip in a few days or so. That should help it stand out better. I have always loved the exterior appearance of the car. The interior appears to have been updated as well. Radio seems to be first class so if you see a guy dancing and boggling to an old tune in a white viper scaring women and children that might be me Thanks again Lee
did they significantly alter pricing? I thought the GTS was supposed to be $100-110k, now on the SRT website the base price is $122k. anyway, I think the new car is gorgeous, especially with those Motegi-style wheels.
I owned a 2009 Zr1 and they are very fast car 638hp. The Viper is 640hp. I cannot get full power yet. I really do not know but I would be surprise if the Viper even when full power is available would beat a ZR1. I could be wrong we will see. The hp is gotten mostly by the huge V10 motor and goops of torque. Although the car is much smoother than my 2009 it is no 458 Ferrari concerning refinement. I think that is part of its charm. Car is very comfortable, automatic everything and a great radio, The heating and AC seem to work perfectly. For a take no prisoners supercar it is very refined eithout losing any of its masculine demeanor. A poster mentioned the bad wright ups about the Viper. I can understand that, it may even be fair. Most new sport cars are refined even elegant and I like that. The Viper is a brawler type of sport car. You just feel the emense power at your foot and hear it also. It is a different niche and I like it. In my opinion it is one of the best looking car designs right up there with the XKE Jag The Meclaren 12c is still my favorite, 458, Audi R8, V10 then the Viper wait I minute where do I swueze in the Ford GT, Mosler, Shelby Mustang 665 hp. hell I love them all and each is different with its own merits. Forget my listing it is what you enjoy Lee Pricing is local so it is better to talk to your local dealer. I would give you the wrong direction.
Keith you have a beautiful car, great picture. Those cars may go up. I think they will. The Vipers you talk about have a ruthlessness about them that is enticing and makes your cells beckon for adventure. Thank you for posting Lee
I now have some time and experience with the new Viper. I got the one with leather everything. I understand the base model is faster because it is lighter. I personally like the hood better on the less expensive model I did not buy. I bought what they had. This Viper continues to grow on me. I liked it when I bought it now I love it. As expected it has not given me any problems. I used the term "refined" when I posted on this car previously. It would be better said refined compared to the previous Viper models. But that is done with all models as they age. Just think of the vettes and how they have progressed. I did have the blue stripe put on it and I am happy with the look. The dealership did a great job. Their contractor who did the work was bryan. A great job! I could not be more pleased. My freind nativeTroy stopped by to look at the car. I think he liked it also. I am glad I bought the car it is uniquely American. No one else would make such an outragous car. On the web I read they will only make 3000 of these new Vipers. I think that shows the limited number of people who would want one. There are so many other cars that are better in so many ways. There are none in my view that provide the masculine raw excitment of the Viper. As some may know I bought a 2013 427 Vette and I love the car and it is exciting. The vette ia ideal To go to the movies or ride around with your freinds. It is even a better car, but it is not a Viper. The Viper says when it pulls up " I am the tougest guy in this bar who wants to try me. This of course is not me I am the oldest guy at the bar, but the Vipers sound, look and vibration just say that. This is okay if there is not a ZR1 at the bar, because the Viper would be toast. If a Z06 Vette was the car that challenged the Viper It would depend on drivers skill so I would still lose. I would however look better in the police photos standing next to the Viper. Best Lee
Your car looks great,Lee. I really like the white with blue stripe. And the being similar to the gen II GTS is a plus. Sounds good, no experience with the ride yet. It does look like an improvement over the last version, and I'm glad they kept some of the bite in it. Being fast and feeling fast don't always go together. I think they did a good job.
Awesome - good luck with it! So you bought the Viper and the 'Vette - anything else that was new (I think the McLaren)?? I'm totally jealous!
Ha! No need for lunch. But I'll have to take you up on the ride. Maybe after C&C the viper will need a little exercise.
Lee, I'm glad you like your viper. White with blue is a great combo. Can I suggest you start a "Lee's garage" or "What I'm driving today" thread so we can see these great cars. I notice there is still no Lambo in the sable, any new developments concerning the Aventador?
You said it perfectly. That is how I felt about my 2009 Viper. I hated that car! This new design is like a different car. I just love. Find one and be prepared to be impressed. Lee
I own those cars and the Mclaren. I also own an Audi R8 V10, '13 Shelby at 565hp, Lexus for my wife. 2013 427 Vette and a 2014 Vette on order. I have 14 cars or so in total. It gives me something to do I had 16 cars for awhile. I scaled back to help my storage area. It was getting hard to get cars in and out. Best Lee
