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The Viper is a case study in what an awesome car should be. It's powerful, raw, and it requires a lot of driving skill to go fast. And since most auto journalists can't drive worth a crap, they universally panned it. Too bad for them!
I for one love that they didn't change their formula. V10 up front, RWD out back, 6 speed stick. Would an automatic/DSG have helped sales? Probably. What would have really helped is it not being $100k+, it just was too expensive for the economy and not brand snobby enough for the people with the money for it.
It's a sad day, over-regulation from our government have killed the most American of all the cars.
Someday, some of you will finally understand that the Viper was never intended to be a mass-produced car. Some of you like to think the Corvette and Viper are equal comparisons, but haven't visited both assembly plants (I have, a few times). I've also toured Ferrari and Lamborghini plants in Italy. The Viper is built more along the lines of the Aventador. Everything is hand stitched, painted, assembled. No robots used. The Gallardo/Huracan are nearly all robotic, and assembly line built like the Corvette. Corvette plant itself is an amazing place, where efficiency and processes are optimized to increase production. That is why they have lower prices. If GM were to hand-build the Corvettes, you could count on them all being well over $100K also. But, some of you seem to not want to accept that there is no "right" way to build a car. Manufacturers get to choose however they wish. They don't all have the same goals in mind, for each model. It is okay to offer mass-produced sports cars, and niche hand-assembled bespoke sports cars. I'm glad we have those choices.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by Tennis & Golf Nut
Interviewing Dealers now.
I don't know if they are Negotiating prices or not.
All the ACRs on Ebay are asking full MSRP.
The 2 dealers I spoke with want $10,000 down, non-refundable and 5-6 month wait to get the ACR with extreme package.
My buddy got his ACR through a Dodge dealership in Acton Mass. He got a very good deal. Much better than all of the other dealers he spoke with. They are not a Viper dealer, just a Dodge dealership, but could not have treated him better. I will get the info if you want it.
Two biggest issues with the Viper were:
1) V10 truck engine
2) Big and heavy
It could not have survived any longer. Dodge needed to develop a completely new, smaller, more efficient engine and the chassis had to go on a diet. They just did not have the funds to properly develop the Viper to get it to today's standards. Just comparing it to a new Corvette is embarrassing.
So yeah, it's cancellation was to be expected. But, I do believe that whoever has a Viper now should hold on to it. It's future collectability has now been cast in stone.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by Cybermind
Two biggest issues with the Viper were:
1) V10 truck engine
2) Big and heavy
It could not have survived any longer. Dodge needed to develop a completely new, smaller, more efficient engine and the chassis had to go on a diet. They just did not have the funds to properly develop the Viper to get it to today's standards. Just comparing it to a new Corvette is embarrassing.
So yeah, it's cancellation was to be expected. But, I do believe that whoever has a Viper now should hold on to it. It's future collectability has now been cast in stone.
The Viper weight is almost identical to my new Z06. The Viper 10 cylinder is a great motor that works very well in the Viper. It makes loads of low end torque and makes the car alot of fun to drive. I don't think weight or the motor had anything to do with the end of the Viper. A perceived lack of comfort, price and poor marketing hurt it over the years.
Two biggest issues with the Viper were:
1) V10 truck engine
2) Big and heavy
It could not have survived any longer. Dodge needed to develop a completely new, smaller, more efficient engine and the chassis had to go on a diet. They just did not have the funds to properly develop the Viper to get it to today's standards. Just comparing it to a new Corvette is embarrassing.
.
Pure ignorance. Is your frame of reference Motor Trend 1992? Are you that totally clueless? Have you ever even seen a new Gen V Viper or are you looking at Gen 2's from 1998? It has a better interior, far better paint job and weighs in at less than a C7 Z06. What part of "todays standards" doesn't it meet up with? The fact that the ACR can run rings around any Vette ever made and all the hyper cars to boot? The fact that it's N/A motor can run all day at the track, not get wheezy after a single lap in warm air? No, embarrassing is a "track ready" car that overheats in a lap or two. But that apparently is "todays" Vette standard. Try to stay slightly more in touch, this is 2016.
Ok, my mistake with the weight. But you don't have to be arrogant. This is a discussion. However, I stand by the outdated engine comment. I love the fact that it's a NA V10 but in today's standards, a smaller FI V8 would've probably given it a better chance at survival.
Two biggest issues with the Viper were:
1) V10 truck engine
2) Big and heavy
It could not have survived any longer. Dodge needed to develop a completely new, smaller, more efficient engine and the chassis had to go on a diet. They just did not have the funds to properly develop the Viper to get it to today's standards. Just comparing it to a new Corvette is embarrassing.
So yeah, it's cancellation was to be expected. But, I do believe that whoever has a Viper now should hold on to it. It's future collectability has now been cast in stone.
Originally Posted by Cybermind
Ok, my mistake with the weight. But you don't have to be arrogant. This is a discussion. However, I stand by the outdated engine comment. I love the fact that it's a NA V10 but in today's standards, a smaller FI V8 would've probably given it a better chance at survival.
you seriously have no clue what you're talking about....seriously (maybe with the exception of the collectability part)...and at the bold...
Two biggest issues with the Viper were:
1) V10 truck engine
2) Big and heavy
It could not have survived any longer. Dodge needed to develop a completely new, smaller, more efficient engine and the chassis had to go on a diet. They just did not have the funds to properly develop the Viper to get it to today's standards. Just comparing it to a new Corvette is embarrassing.
So yeah, it's cancellation was to be expected. But, I do believe that whoever has a Viper now should hold on to it. It's future collectability has now been cast in stone.
Hello! 1994 was 25 years ago, lol.
I beleive it was the 1st year only that Dodge used the so-called "truck engine".
The engine today is designed soley for the Viper.
Chasis on a Diet, please. Best track car in it's class, period.
In regards to the weight, the Viper weighs 3,374 to 3,415 lbs depending upon the model.
The ZO6 weighs 3,524 to 3,582 lbs so it's even heavier.
The VIPER ACR holds 13 record lap times.
On the Track the Viper smokes the ZO6, not even a contest.
The few cars that can beat it on the track cost well over $1 Million dollars.That's one of the reasons I'm buying it.
A freind of mine who flips cars and makes over a Million per year doing so, said buy a Viper today, drive it, and in 10 years you'll get More than you paid for it.
06-26-2016, 10:58 PM
