What's your opinion of Dodge Vipers?

Kmagnuss · May 7

I've always been torn between thinking they are cool or douchey. Seems like a lot of car for the money.

Pros:
-V10
-pretty reliable
-good performance with a good driver (not me)
-seem to have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve

Cons:
-obviously compensating
-Dodge interior
-they like to find ditches and trees around curves with less-skilled drivers (me)

TiScape · May 7

4 minutes ago, Kmagnuss said:

I've always been torn between thinking they are cool or douchey. Seems like a lot of car for the money.

Pros:
-V10
-pretty reliable
-good performance with a good driver (not me)
-seem to have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve

Cons:
-obviously compensating
-Dodge interior
-they like to find ditches and trees around curves with less-skilled drivers (me)

Gotta disagree w/the bolded above. It’s such a cliche to say this. But truly believe one can appreciate, enjoy and own a high performance ride and not be compensating for anything 🤷🏼‍♂️

As far as my opinion on Vipers. I appreciate them for what they are. To me an homage to the good ol’ muscle cars of the late 60s and 70. I like and appreciate the visceral experience it provides. That said, it wouldn’t be my first choice.

PedronNiall · May 8

The OGs still have some of the worst skid pad cornering & braking results ever. Wouldn't drive one, wouldn't own one, wouldn't ride in one.

Don't see any issue on that end with the newer ones that were redesigned to not get you dead. Way too much on tap power to take any unnecessary risks with.

Still, for that kind of money I'd rather get a new Vette. American muscle with supercar handing & performance, modern interior, likely a warranty, easier to mod, and even less likely to get you dead. I'd rather be able to rip around corners and in a straight line than only the latter.

TiScape · May 9

On 5/8/2024 at 10:02 AM, PedronNiall said:

The OGs still have some of the worst skid pad cornering & braking results ever. Wouldn't drive one, wouldn't own one, wouldn't ride in one.

Don't see any issue on that end with the newer ones that were redesigned to not get you dead. Way too much on tap power to take any unnecessary risks with.

Still, for that kind of money I'd rather get a new Vette. American muscle with supercar handing & performance, modern interior, likely a warranty, easier to mod, and even less likely to get you dead. I'd rather be able to rip around corners and in a straight line than only the latter.

Kinda a funny story. My dad had a buddy that was very well off because his brothers started a business that became really successful and he was along for the ride. This guy was a complete blowhard. Loved telling everyone how rich he was and how much he spent on “this and that”. So back when Vipers were hard to get and going for over sticker he got one. Literally bragged about how much over sticker he paid. (To your point) He was taking one of their friends on a lil test drive and was showing off, driving crazy and sure enough lost control and slammed it into the guard rail! Didn’t get anyone dead, but he was plenty embarrassed! 😂

Edited May 9 by TiScape

ohioglfr · May 9

I've neither owned one or knew anyone with one. I thought Dodge might go long term with it and I liked the idea of a Corvette competitor. Shame the car was not further refined. Here's a take from a mechanic:

Edited May 9 by ohioglfr

TiScape · May 9

11 minutes ago, ohioglfr said:

I've neither owned one or knew anyone with one. I thought Dodge might go long term with it and I liked the idea of a Corvette competitor. Shame the car was not further refined. Here's a take from a mechanic:

I got out of the video at around the 1:45 mark of the insurance commercial. Did he ever actually talk about the Viper?!

🤣

jholz · May 9

Perhaps the dumbest car ever built? Yay Mopar...

TiScape · May 9

5 hours ago, jholz said:

Perhaps the dumbest car ever built? Yay Mopar...

Hasn’t been a Mopar I’d own since 1970. But that’s just my opinion of course 😇

aenemated · May 10

I remember seeing a Viper and being all "Sweet, we must be near a gas station!"

TiScape · May 10

40 minutes ago, aenemated said:

I remember seeing a Viper and being all "Sweet, we must be near a gas station!"

😆 Oh man, that’s what I use to say when I saw a…

I just Googled and the H2 average MPG is 11 vs. 14 for the Viper 😜

Edited May 10 by TiScape

mshills · Tuesday at 01:56 PM

On 5/7/2024 at 2:06 PM, Kmagnuss said:

I've always been torn between thinking they are cool or douchey. Seems like a lot of car for the money.

Pros:
-V10
-pretty reliable
-good performance with a good driver (not me)
-seem to have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve

Cons:
-obviously compensating
-Dodge interior
-they like to find ditches and trees around curves with less-skilled drivers (me)

Ok, maybe compensating for not having a car that’s fun as a daily driver, I’ll give you that, but I don’t accept any of the other stereotypes. These cars are fun as hell and not very expensive so if you want one, go for it. Corvettes are awesome too but the two are as different as golf and frisbee.

I have not owned one, have a good friend who is on I think his third, so relaying what I’ve learned from him. As you already know, limited driver aids, the early ones have no ABS. The monster rear rubber and the surprise VERY STRONG engine braking can get an inexperienced driver in a lot of trouble in an instant if trying to drive beyond the driver’s ability. Not many real issues with the cars, they are pretty simple unlike a Corvette. As you know in this category, you buy the prior owner as much as the car.

Purchase price is low and so is labor to work on one. Anyone can work on it. Parts costs are fairly high just because of low volume. I would own one as a second or third car in a second but my body will not accept getting in and out of one any more. Too bad.