Teach me about Vipers

[speeder]

They are very competitive track cars if set-up properly and driven well. They give the fastest 911s a good run. When Jack and Tyson won the OTC touring overall a few years ago, the toughest competition they had was from a couple of Vipers, IIRC.

That said, I'd rather walk than own one. There is a lot more to a car than lap times on a piece of paper. The overall ownership experience has to suck balls, and that's not even including being seen in it. YMMV.

[Flieger]

It is front engined. At least front-mid engined like a Corvette.

[tocobill]

I wouldn't call it a mid engine. Ive heard dodge call it called a mid front engine but that's def a stretch. May its just semantics ... .

BTW love the "its like he reached over and took the keys outta my ignition", LMAO.

[tocobill]

+2 on the ACR for the track. Thats bad ass car. I saw them clean up during the B-more GP last year in the American Lemas series races.

[Racerbvd]

Well, I have driven a few, a buddy bought one when they 1st came out, handed me the keys and sent me out the door, man, what a fun car... A few months later, I was back in town, he tossed me the keys again, but he had Hennessy work their magic and boy, was it every more fun and OMG Fast..

As to hard to drive, well, so is a early 911S, so are early 930s, the key is to respect & Learn to drive the car because it does take some time to get use too. That was my 1st experiences with Vipers, over the years I have had more and driven a few hard, never fails to bring a smile to my face, but then again, I like a car that makes you work, and doesn't do everything for you. The one bad thing about early Vibers (other than what has already been brought up) is how hot the side pipes would get, burning the plastic over them..

As to competitive track cars, guess you guys don't remember Viper Team ORECA, plus GM had to stuff a 427 in the Vette (when it only came in their Trucks, wasn't even an option for the Vettes) to keep up with the Vipers..

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by tocobill

+2 on the ACR for the track. Thats bad ass car. I saw them clean up during the B-more GP last year in the American Lemas series races.

There have not been any Vipers racing in ALMS for many years. ORECA as posted above was the last I can remember.

[tocobill]

Originally Posted by Flieger

There have not been any Vipers racing in ALMS for many years. ORECA as posted above was the last I can remember.

Correct ... I miss spoke. My bad. I just looked through my pics from the race. It was the Corvettes. I heard a rumor they might start running Vipers again this year or 2013 .. who knows.

[Cannonball996]

I had a 97 GTS, I tracked it twice and drove it from dallas to houston a couple times, the I got id of it. I actually did not mind it so bad on the long drives, I didnt think it was to bad on the track either (just a matter of knowing how to steer with your right foot). what I did not like about the car, it did not have the feel of a "drivers car" poor seating position, poor wheel position, poor pedal position, and hard to see out of. the gear box was to tall. parts were hard to find, and no one knew how to work on them, mine always had a hissing sound (vacuum leak) but could never figure it out.
its better then a vette (had 2 of those) but is that saying much?

[Kirk911SC]

Sold my 930 tonight....so the hunt is on for something new.

By no means am I set on a Viper.....I'm all over the map. Corvette does not appeal....far too common.

[slow&rusty]

Congrats on selling your 930, I saw it for sale in the classifieds.

I love the Viper..it is raw, it is brawny, it is eye catching, it is a true pure sports car...no electronic nannies like ESP blah blah...Chrysler made the world pay attention with this car...and a known fact that Mercedes was interested in the late '90s merger because of this car.

Get one...like you said Corvettes are too popular by comparison.
Yasin

[tocobill]

Could always buy a cobra ...

[Kirk911SC]

I love the Cobras, but they have to be one of the most impractical cars ever built!

Can you even get a roof for them?

[Flieger]

[Kirk911SC]

Not far off:

[tocobill]

Sure .. dont have one. Will get a Lemans top eventually.



Or you can go Daytona Coupe ....

[aigel]

I have never driven one. I do remember them at the track a few years back when I was doing DEs. They were the fastest cars on mixed marque events. Of course you don't know how much those guys spent before it went that well.

My main issue with it would be how huge the car is. I think a nice vette would be a better buy in the same "class".

G

[Rednine11]

A buddy of mine has one. I have driven it a few times. The thing is crazy fast but not very comfortable. It draws attention wherever you take it thats for sure. You see a Vette at every stop light. you dont see many Vipers.
He had head gasket problems with his. I hope this is not very common because they are a PITA to work on

[Kirk911SC]

What's difficult about working on them? Everything looks pretty exposed when the hood's open.

So...not DIY friendly?

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by Kirk911SC

2nd gen GTS is what I've been looking at.

There seem to be two camps - people that LOVE them, and people that DESPISE them. Not a lot of in-between. A lot of harsh rhetoric from people who have probably never even sat in one before.

Do they really handle that poorly?? Specs show 1.0 g skidpad

One of my best friends has a 2008 SRT-10 coupe. When the tires are cold, it's a real handful but once warmed up, it grips pretty darn well. You just need to keep the 600+ft.lbs of torque available in the back of your mind when you decide to floor the loud pedal anywhere... at any time. No tire can handle that sort of twist, regardless of how gummy it might be so just don't treat the throttle as an on-off switch. No electric nannies on board the Viper to save your butt.

The interior is fine in my opinion. No better or worse than my '75 911's is. It's got what you want to go fast and little else. If you really need leather-trimmed air vents in your sports car, stick to modern Porsches.

No reliability issues to report. Surprisingly good gas mileage if you're taking it easy... the car is just loafing off idle in 6th at highway speeds. The low-rpm drone is annoying though. The car does not have a very sweet exhaust note.

Styling-wise, it's a 10. Sexy and tough. Love it.

If the car pulls your heart-strings, buy it. These aren't logical purchases anyway.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by Cannonball996

... mine always had a hissing sound (vacuum leak) but could never figure it out....

An ever-present hissing sound - from a Viper? That's ironic!

angela