Dodge Viper?

[Buckterrier]

[QUOTE=scottmandue;7869746]I saw a documentary on the Viper, they are supposedly hand built in a separate factory./QUOTE]

They are now, by SRT. I don't think back in the day they were, they were built by Dodge.

[Kirk911SC]

Check out this thread that I was involved with:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-930-turbo-super-charging-forum/784006-anyone-drive-gen-ii-viper.html

Here's what I originally posted:



Good thread. I sold my '87 930 of 6 years about 2 years ago to pick up a low mileage '00 Viper GTS.

I took a lot of heat from the Pelican and Rennlist guys, especially after owning 3 Porsches.

I just wanted a change and always liked the look of the Viper.

Everyone asks me how it compares to the 930! They are very different cars, but the Viper certainly has some good points.

The good:

- My GTS would crush my 930 (and it wasn't stock either) in every performance aspect except for the braking. All torque, all the time
- Tranny (Tremec T-56) much better than the 4-spd 930
- Seats are great
- Usable A/C
- Doesn't leak a drop of.....anything
- Most parts are easy to source.
- Easily upgradeable, and relatively cheap to do so.
- Turns head like no Porsche, except a CGT. This can be a bad point as well!
- Easy to maintain. Engine accessibility is good and well laid out.


The bad:

- You need to be respectful of the torque. No ABS, stability control, traction control, etc.
- Interior quality is sub-par. A lot of cheap plastic.
- Touchy, somewhat numb steering. Quick ratio, power-assist, and 275 rubber will do that.
- Stock exhaust sound is really disappointing.
- Stock brakes are not the best. Easy to lock up the fronts. There are kits to improve the brakes.
- Viper forums don't compare to the Porsche ones!

I think the Viper is very much like an old school Cobra. Big engine, no frills, hard core car.

People like to hate on it because it's a "domestic"....a lowly Dodge, but it really is a fun car to drive, and it's been absolutely reliable in the time that I've owned it.

[GO DAWG GO]

Thanks Kirk,

Your Viper is beautiful...I really like the way they look too! Thanks for the input

How is the steering?...Does it bump steer at all and does it feel tight and positive?

Steering was alittle mushy when I test drove the 95 I did mention it to the salesman and ask for it to be checked...

It seems to me the car should be flawless with only 30k on it!

[81Kremer930]

The older ones were hand built I believe, and this one being a 1995 model might fall into that catagory. I would think that owning an older, lower mileage example would be an advantage. I know the production numbers were super slim at first. These were good for 400hp up until the 96 GTS got a bump to 450. We owned an 04 RT/10 for a bit, and it was fast, a real head turner, but had no finesse. Just brute power, and a real ditch finder. If youre not getting rid of your Porsche, I would go for it, most definitely an exciting driver. Great color too!

[GO DAWG GO]

81 kremmer,

My 930 stays forever....like I said, I have a three car garage....One is a 930 stall another is a airplane and the third- Viper???




Thanks

[aschen]

I always liked the vipers, but I think at least a second gen would be a better drive. A 930 and a viper share alot of similarities really. They are both burly testosterone machines.

The pragmatist in me thinks a similarly priced Z06 is better than a viper in every objective way.

[GO DAWG GO]

i dont do newer vettes...just cant do it..nothing looks and breathes like a 930...just beautiful..i think vipers and cobras are close....they remind me of ww2 aircraft..awesome..the 930 p-51 viper p-47 on my cell now hard to type ....

[Rodsrsr]

Why does the top look so funny? kind if like its just sitting there and not really bolted to the car.

[Kirk911SC]

How is the steering?...Does it bump steer at all and does it feel tight and positive?

Steering is very sensitive....quick ratio (2.4 turns lock to lock). Took some getting used to. It does tend to tramline a bit.

Responsive but feels a bit numb compared to a 930, no doubt due to the large (275) tire width and the weight up front compared to a 911. Weight ratio is 49/51 (f/r).

No bump steer on my car. Is the one you drove lowered at all?

[mikesride]

A Dodge technician (but also a guy who seemed to be full of unbelievable stories) told me that the engine is basically scrap iron after 50,000 miles.....Any body know if there is any truth in that?

[HHI944]

I have no direct experience, but that sounds like absolute bs

[Kirk911SC]

No idea why he would say it's scrap aluminum after 50,000 miles!

[weseeeee]

I've got no experience with them but I've always liked their look. Go for it!

[911SauCy]

Dodge/Mopar/Chrysler...

Build quality of a Revell Skill Level 2 snap together...

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

Dodge/Mopar/Chrysler...

Build quality of a Revell Skill Level 2 snap together...

Easy now, I've built that kit. It's panel gaps are better than anything Mopar pushed out of the factory back then.

[911SauCy]

^^ funny you mention panel gaps... I was watching 2013 Top Gear season on NetFlix last night and the one episode there's an LFA, some wicked bad Blue Aston, and a Black SRT Viper.

Clarkson's FIRST observation about the Viper, "I could fit my pinky in these fender gaps."

[speeder]

I know that they can be very capable track cars if set-up right. I personally could never get past the crap build quality and just general cheapness of the thing, it's very kit car-ish to me.

But different strokes for different folks. That just doesn't matter to everyone, obviously, or they would never have sold any when new. I love Porsches in equal part for the driving experience and the way that they're bolted together. There is nothing in this world tougher than a Porsche.

It's sort of like a Swiss Army knife vs. a $2 knock-off, or a $10 Rolex that tells perfect time, I myself would not want it.

But they go like a MFer, no doubt about it.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by speeder

But they go like a MFer, no doubt about it.

THIS, sure is true. Especially the new one.