Viper Srt-10

Hi all, this is my first post! I've been peeking-in on this board for quite some time now and have been very impressed with the knowledge of most of its subscribers. I've been a life long Porsche fan and I finally took possession of my dream about 4 months ago, but then I saw the new VIPER!! I was wondering if anyone has test driven this new beast. I stopped by my local dealership the day last and was totally overwhelmed by the Viper's profile and overall sense of aggression. This is one serious looking machine. And with 505 horses it must go like "a bat out of hell!!" The dealer said he would take the price down to $72,900.00!!! Hmmm, my 2002 Carrera or a 2003/4 Viper. What are your opinions?

I've never been a really big fan of the Viper. It looks like it's trying to hard. Is it fast, I'm sure... but there are many cars faster than a 911 Coupe. I hope to always be able to afford a Porsche, and if so, will always have one in my garage. I believe it's a perfect blend of engineering, art and tradition - you just can't say that about all cars. JMTC.

well just like the old vipers, it's not an everyday driver, it still rides and rattles like a bucket full of rocks, fast in a straight line yes it is, but on a track, i can see why i have seen so many of them crashed out, it has too much power and tork for even an advanced driver. but thats just my opinion after the drive, i then went to my local porsche dealer and bought my 2nd 996 CAB.

Sexy car, but essentially worthless for anything other than a joyride. I mean, where would you put your golf clubs?

It is a beast, no doubt about it. After the Porsche, I may get one. I stress AFTER the Porsche, and while I still have the Porsche. If it's one OR the other, it's the Porsche. Porsche can be civilized, or just as beastly.

I recently drove one for 1500 miles and have to say it is quite a handful, you better be on your game because this car could bite you in the *** really fast. Due to the fact of 13 inch wide tires and over 500 lb-ft of torque its is more of a point and squirt type car. I was in fourth gear at 110 mph and when i floored it the back end stepped out big time, that being said it is one of the fastest cars in the world with lots of eyeball. Just not a daily driver, due to excessive cowl shake and not much room for storage, although a set of golf clubs will fit, but nothing else. If you can afford two cars and want the Viper srt-10 for a toy, it gets a lot more looks than any Porsche(except a C-GT) and is a serious performance bargain. And that V-10 is highly addictive, no need to downshift, just matt it and you are gone!

I have driven the SRT and owned a GTS for 2 years. I think they are great cars if you are prepaired to deal with their shortcomings. They do not approach a Porsche in build quality or ergonomics, if that is important to you, don't get one. I got rid of my 993 C2s for a 99 Viper GTS and thought I made a huge mistake; at first. The car (including the new one) is hot, lots of plastic, and you kind of sit at an angle. All the negatives you read in the mags are accurate, however, when you put your foot down, who cares They are beasts and a ton of fun to drive. I drove mine on the street and on track and loved it. The other downside not mentioned in the mags, is the Dealer network. A dealer wrecked mine (and several others in Atlanta) and finding a good tech is very hard. You are dealing with people who work on Neons and don't really understand the expectations of someone spending $75K on a car. If they build a new GTS, I'll buy one. If you like Porsches, I'd look at a low mileage Turbo, they tell me my 2K mile 01 is worth 80K. I'd get one of those; it's a better all around car imo... The Viper is a better weekend toy imo... Roy Roy

I traded a 95 C4 for a 2002 GTS ACR. Fastest car I've ever driven. Fit and finish was very good. Dealership was good. Once I got used to it though, the fun wasn't there. That feeling of "quality and heritage" wasn't there. It was depreciating monthly sitting in my garage. I traded it three months ago for a 2003 C4S and couldn't be happier. I would rent a Viper for a weekend if I had the itch. A couple of hundred dollars and it's out of your system. When you compare the Porsche club folks to the Viper club bunch, you'll run screaming back to Porsche. They're all good people, it's just that Porsche people understand cars and racing as well as being able to carry on a conversation about something other than their car. The Porsche is fine red wine, the Viper is pretty much red neck.

Maybe OT, but i ran with a viper yesterday from a red light start.. Well, needless to say that the Viper 'consumed' me though my launch at 1st gear was faster.. But then again, it's not a Porsche! Waz

viper is a great car on and off the track. but it's not refined liked a 996. i don't mind adding a viper to the collection, but will never replace a porsche with a viper, that's just me though.

John, How are you enjoying my GT3 ? Roy ps. Isn't that the car from Blue Grass...

roy, i pm'd you. yes it's your spec from blue grass. 4,000 miles on it now and i am having a blast. once i get warmed up in my spec miata early in 2004, i will get the gt3 on the track a bit ;o)