SRT-10 or 360....

I mainly lurk on here, but I thought id post this up. Im 23, entrepreneur. Currently in the market for another toy, roughly in the 60k range would be the most Im willing to spend.

Im basically deciding between a 360, or an SRT-10. Now, the viper has been my favorite car since I can remember. However, a Ferrari is a Ferrari. The sound, look, feel, etc etc, along with the fact it is a symbol of what you have accomplished in life. While that last aspect may not be important to some, it is somewhat to me based on some of the **** ive taken.

Anyway, while a viper has those qualities to an extent, it is more of a raw, brutal car, that would spank a 360 pretty handily being one of its main appeals to me. It also looks awesome in its own right, imo. However it doesnt garner the "oh damn, look, a ferrari!" reaction from people.

That being said, Im really not buying either car to race so I dont really care which is faster, as they are both quick in their own right. I have a "fast" car already, so this will be reserved for cruising, taking to the gym a few nights a week, driving when Im bored on weekends. No trips to the drag strip for whatever I go with.

A decent 360 is going to cost at least 60k more than likely. Nice SRT-10's can be had for half that in this economy.

I guess my main question would be for the guys who have had both. Going from a torque machine viper that looks and sounds pretty good, to a beautiful work of art that sounds amazing, but sacrifices speed in the 360. Anyone with this experience on here? I guess I just dont want to be disappointed. That being said, I also havent driven a 360 yet. So I suppose driving one could alter my perception quite a bit.

Another issue I have is with the rapidly dropping prices in this economy, I thought about also waiting a couple years with a viper, and picking up a 430 then. Of course by then, my economic situation could be drastically different (for better or worse).

While obviously it is ultimately up to me, I figured id post up and get a few experienced guys opinions. I found the "Gallardo vs 360" compare thread really informative from guys who have had both, so I figured Id try this.

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

Vipers are a dime a dozen.
If you dont get the Ferrari you will wish you would have......trust me on that one.

 

You are inviting a lot of opinion here when this is a personal choice.

There are simply too many objective comparisons you can make that are no different than between a 360 and a Nissan GTR. These are apples to oranges cars. Gallardo vs. 360 or 430 ok. 360 vs. 430 ok. Viper vs. Vette ok, but not Viper vs 360. This is the classic straightline American muscle vs. Italian finesse and handling debate all over again, not to mention reliablity comparisons. Different tools for different purposes. Many people may buy both because they are so different.

One is not better than the other as it depends on better at what. Buy the car you feel best about, that you enjoy driving the most and forget what other people tell you. You will always find folks who would never buy a Vette over a VW let alone a Ferrari (I am one of them), but so what. They are not buying the car you are.

BTW, I have also asked for folks to compare their 360/430, to an R8 for example, to help me make a buying decision. But not because I am thinking of getting that instead of a 360, but in addition to it and it. Having both a 360 and SRT-10 in your garage can't be a bad thing it seems if you like both cars. If you can only get one, I would listen to those folks who give comparisons you indicate may have both as people who have one of them (like me) may respond "why is he even considering a Viper vs. a Ferrari?" Of course, if a perosn only has one, they can give you valuable feedback on that ownership, but a comparison will always be biased and only partially informed.

 

Ive had both.

I was very disappointed in the lack of torque in my F355. Yes the 360 has a little more grunt but not that much.

Its all about what you enjoy. If you prefer a raw torque-y muscle car feel then get the Viper. If you prefer a more refined car designed for carving up twisties get the 360.

DO NOT buy a Ferrari just because its a Ferrari. That is a recipe for disappointment.

For me the torque of the Viper was more fun than the F355.

Also, Vipers are pretty much maintenance free....for $60k you arent going to get a perfect 360. its probably going to need some $work$ above and beyond the $major$.

 

At the track the Viper overheats. IMVHO the Viper is all show and no go.

Sure it is fast but isn't really engineered for serious driving.

And the Viper seems have more of a blue collar ownership base whereas Fcar owners tend to be professionals.

The drop top Vipers are nororious for leaks. Do you like front engine cars? Perhaps it is right for you and your budget.

Can't say as I've ever seen one in Aspen. Lots of Fcars and Porsches up the ying yang. No Vipers. Sorry.

 

Currently have both and enjoy both. Love my 360 F1, but will never, never sell my blue,white Viper GTS Comments about Viper being dime a dozen are unfounded, esp latter series 2 cars. I have collected cars all my life and done well. In time Series 2 Vipers will worth quite a bit. There are many and I mean many in my circle that say "Oh nice Ferrari", but would give their eye teeth for the Blue white! My opinion and I do not think its Bias. Go to Barretts and see what's bringing the dollars even in this economy. It's called Mopar muscle. In the 70's was smart enough to ignore the doom and gloom of first gas crunch and bought one of my many first loves an orginal, but used 427 AC Cobra for 3,500 and I won't tell you what it sold for many yrs. later. Currently could not get it out of my mind so have 4000CSX. It's actually twice the car as the orginal!.
I will say the Viper is crude, the Ferrari is a class act. This is my fifth Ferrari and if I live long enough not my last. Love cars and love the association of people that love them and are passioate about them!
Docf

 

Mopar muscle has taken the biggest hit in the recent auction circuits.

This is not a choice anyone can help you with because the two cars are so diametrically opposite in every sense of the word. If you are asking this question, you have no clue what you want. Sophisticated Italian supercar with high maintenance costs and high rewards or crude American supercar with a souped up truck engine and low maintenance costs and high rewards? Drag race winner or windy road winner, regardless of who gets there first?

Your choice. You know who you are. We do not. If you have the cash, have both. If not, time for soul-searching.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

I drove a new Viper earlier this year to see if I wanted to trade my 355 in for it.

I thought the car was pretty impressive. The steering feel is very good. The seats are nicely fiting and the driving position is great. The new engine has crazy torque and it will turn over a few revs also. The shifter was fairly smooth. I thought the car was insanely fast and very, very stable at insanely fast speeds.

Here is what I did not like:
Stock, it sounds godawful. I honestly couldn't believe that the designer of the muffler system was allowed to live. For a car with its performance, it should sound the part.

It is sooo fast and stable that I found it to be unexciting. There was no sensation of speed, only a realization that I was in license-losing territory. Fast? Yes. Exciting? Not so much.

But...
The sound can be modified. I have heard a Viper with Henessey treatment and it sounded fantastic. In fact, you would want to do something to keep all that heat out of the cabin.

It is hard to argue with the speed thing. If you want it for a track tool, it is going to be hard to beat. In the hands of a skilled driver, it is a formidable weapon that few can withstand. But that just isn't what I was looking for.

It is a damn fine car though, and a total steal now. As usual, you need to drive one for yourself to see.

 

Holy Crap !

Someone didnt have to resort to high school insults to give their opinion.

Thank you for being classy

 

I appreciate the input.

I did say that the car will not be raced (other than an occasional stoplight bump).

So I really could care less if either overheats at a track. I do see the point on the 360 maintenance costs. Might not be something Id be too thrilled about after a few thousand miles.

The gentleman who have and had both, thanks for the input, thats what I was looking for.

 

+ 2

for those of you who think a fair comparison is Viper vs Vette, WRONG. It should be more like Viper vs Murcielago . True Lambo has off the charts styling but when it comes to performance that's where they comparison. Ferrari 360/430 doesn't come close .

if you want performance then its Viper

style 360

daily driver possibility 360

 

I own both and they are totally different!

I can’t even compare them because for me they come with different excitements packages.

The viper is way aggressive and brutal you can’t out power a Viper take this ego away if you going to buy it, because the viper will bite you back hard.

the car character is for real. And that’s why I love it.

I love the 360 too it’s a peace of mind, pretty, easy to drive, high revving engine and exhaust sound, with an F1 trans, not as fast as my Scud but its the first F1 car for me.

I disagree with few here! if maintained probably the viper is one of the most reliable cars out there street or track no overheating unless we talking about early Gen2 water pump issue ! And distinguishing cars owners as classes is the most ignorant thing a wise man can do !!!

I only won’t recommend buying a 2003-2006 Gen 3 viper! go for the 2008-2009 600HP Vipers the improvement is awesome and its way faster !

and if you go 360 try to make sure the cam belt is done and have a good look inside the car touch all plastic/rubber parts like ashtray and AC vents..etc !

mine got nasty sticky so im not sure if its a production problem or just my car.

Good Luck. Mbn

 

Well, my advise is to go with the Viper.
Just keep in mind the Ferrari will be a much more costly to maintain.
All 3 of my Vipers have been troublefree.

Go with a new Viper and ENJOY!!!!!!


Thanks,
UZY

 

Anybody know how many last generation Vipers were/are being made? Are they even still producing them? I cannot imagine there are all that many. If they quit making them, it could become a bit of a collector. There is no comparison in the number of Corvettes to Vipers produced.

 

if you are looking to spend 60k.. get the viper.. at 60k you are getting the bottom of the barrel 360 where as 60k will get you a pristine viper

 

5 years ago, I had a Mitsubishi Evolution. Now I have a 360. I like the 360 much better. I think the srt-10 is somewhat similar to an Evo.

The handling is better with the 360. Acceleration is similar. Maintenance is for sure higher with the 360. Styling cannot even be compared.

I probably will take my 360 to the track just for kicks a few times. I doubt I will ever become a serious track person, I just don't have the time. Who knows, maybe I will get hooked.

$60k for a 360 will probably get you a high mileage car with some maintenance issues. For any of these performance cars, I would budget 10% of your budget for maintenance the first year and only 90% for the actual car. As the age and/or mileage goes up, that may need to shift to 15/85. The 360 is pretty reliable, but a 4k or 5k repair bill is not uncommon if something important breaks.

For me, the 360 is a work of art. It has a personality that the Evo never had. I have never been in a Viper, but the Ferrari works for me.

 

+1

I like the Gen 2 GTS myself. Tracked at LRP, what a beast. No overheating. Dodge parts.

 

i have had 5 vipers all gen versions the 08 is far by the best viper,you cant compare 360 to the viper, the viper can be compared to the zr1,i would go with the 360 but maintaing the 360 comapred to the viper is a total diffrent ball game.if you do get the viper be careful ,one thing its known for you will get bit or bitten be safe.im getting a 360 soon and notanother viper

 

Comparing a Viper to a Evo ? Mmmkay

 

This was my first thought, funny no one else picked that up. He said $60k max and that won't get a decent 360 experience. The maintenance costs can be very high if things go wrong and 60k doesn't get a clean car so 360 isn't really an option at his price point.

 

He is probably reading some of the ridiculous threads where people are claiming you can get 360's all day long for 55k now.. which is clearly fiction..

Again I would say 75k could get you an "ok" 360, a nice one is still 90k+

 

I was comparing an evo to an srt-10.

Not to a viper.

Really, all 3 classes (evo/srt10, 360, viper) all very different classes of cars in many ways. Before buying a Ferrari, try hanging out with the local Ferrari club. It is good to hear their stories and drive/ride in some different cars.

 

the srt-10 is a viper

 

sorry, I got confused with the srt-4. Makes sense, 4 cylinders vs 10 on the srt-10. I went to public school. Can't help it.

Interestingly, there is an SRT-10 pickup truck as well.

 

At how many miles did this occur? (Not an attempt to derail as I feel it at the very least tangentially will contribute to the OP's question)

cheers