Overview:
Ok, I want to know why they have to paint fast cars like this Dodge Viper, bright RED. It’s like bears to honey….Smokey Bears. Fast is an understatement and if you’re a muscle car enthusiast you can’t help but love the thrill this car delivers. I suspect brother John’s Daytona Ferrari jingles in my memory as I think of pressing the pedal to the metal. V-10 is plenty John. Sorry officer I just got this and promise never to do that again.
I drove prior year models of the Viper on the Willow Springs race track but on the street it is almost totally out of its element. Like a fish out of water. Not that it should be outlawed, after all this is a free country. And at only $70,000 it gives the poor a chance to keep up with the rich Jones’ who spend much more on their Ferrari’s, Aston Martin’s and Por-sha’s.
The car is so outrageous it attracts the attention of people from all ages and walks of life. People just can’t refrain from looking even if only obliquely glancing like they’re really not interested. And when you’re sauntering down the freeway at 60 (nearly at idle) and you need to pass – no problem. 450 horses launch you forward with neck breaking acceleration. If there is lots of open road ahead it is awesome to look in the rear view mirror and see big things quickly transform into tiny things. It reminds me of the pictures of the X-15 camera shots to the rear as it soared into the stratosphere. To give you a point of reference, it will take you from 0-60 mph in a scant 4.1 seconds with top speed of 185 mph. Quite frankly, I couldn’t find anywhere to prove that top speed statistic, not even on the track.
As to an every day driver, forget it. Even race drivers drive Honda’s and other sewing machine powered cars off the track. My partner Price Cobb putts around in a Nissan Altima when home in Colorado. He is so mild mannered off the track it’s like Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Cobb. Price has an Indy team this year, but last year he drove on the Viper team for Chrysler and was impressed with the car. I was impressed that he was impressed. But I couldn’t drive this car every day… my heart simply couldn’t take the excitement. As you get older you have to be careful with sex and fast cars, both of which can be hazardous to your health. There, another fear to grab on to in this “everything is bad for your health” world.
This exciting Chrysler sports car was the first in automotive history to go from auto show (Detroit 1989) as a concept car to dealer showrooms largely unchanged. It went into production in 1992. Perhaps they’ll continue to change it until it resembles a real street car. But then why would you want one?
The competition:
Acura NSX $84,000 – $88,000, Aston Martin DB7 $130,000 – $148,000, Chevrolet Corvette$37,995 – $44,425, Ferrari F355 $121,495 – $140,885, Lotus Esprit $82,625, Porsche 911 $65,030 – $74,460.
Good News: Fast, outlandish styling, hardtop and removable soft top, power roll up windows.
Bad News: Rough ride, limited use, real small trunk, difficult entry & exit.
Standard Equipment:
8.0 liter Aluminum V-10 450 horsepower engine with 490 ft lbs. of torque, 6-speed manual trans, 4-wheel independent suspension, power rack & pinion steering, power 4-wheel disc brakes, 5-spoke alum. wheels, removable hardtop, removable soft top, Alpine AM/FM with CD sound system, keyless entry system, dual air bags, air conditioning & power windows.
Gas Stats:
11 City and 21 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP is $70,000, including Gas-Guzzler Tax.
