My co-worker took me for a spin in his 2003 Viper this afternoon, and all I can say is "wow" - gets a lot of looks from the sidelines, accellerates like crazy, brakes on a time, I had my mouth open the whole trip.

Then we get out a ways and he says "wanna drive". Is that a question??!!

He mentions to be careful of WOT shifts between 1-2 and 2-3 (who, me?), and man what a ride! This Viper tracks well side-to-side, very instant on with the throttle, side pipes sound nice. We came up on an off-ramp, I am running it at 70 MPH or so, it is handling like a dream, and as I come around the corner two cars are dead stopped in the lanes talking. I hear his yell as I get on the binders, we stop with 10 feet to spare - what a rush, (after I cleaned up the seat :)

So what is my verdict? I loved driving the car, it was very tight in the cabin, foot well room was non existent (I can't put my left foot on the floor to the left of the clutch without turning my foot sideways). Interior fit, finish and material was very good. It was easy to drive fast and gets a lot of attention. If I was going to drive 100 miles or less per week I would like the Viper better. For $40K more than my Z06 is it a better value? - no, but it is a great car, period.

Peace.

Les


[Modified by ZO6Les, 3:27 PM 5/8/2003]


[Modified by ZO6Les, 5:14 PM 5/12/2003]


[Modified by ZO6Les, 5:17 PM 5/12/2003]

 

Nice Les!

I find the footroom a bit tight in my Z06 as well. I don't really like the "dead pedal" to the left of the clutch because it keeps my knee bent too much (I am pretty tall). I cannot fit my foot in between the clutch & the dead pedal and my left knee & leg have to stay bent and they get cramped after a while.

 

What can I say. if I have the $80K to spare I'd get a viper.

 

Les, I have not driven one but my Viper tech brought one to Road Atlanta one day and gave me a ride. I agree with your assessment, although I think you gave yours a harder workout. I am not thrilled with its looks, nor do I like the fact that it is a convertible. Also, I am not impressed with the idle sound -- I think it is quieter than my 2002, although it sounds fine once you get on it.
But I think it is a significantly better car than the pervious Vipers. If Dodge comes out with a coupe (which they probably will in a few years), I will have to consider that. Of course, in the meantime, if Chevrolet puts out a 500hp Corvette, I will be looking at that too!

 

ZO6Les, Do you still have your firebird? I saw It up at Lamar's a couple of months back, they told me you owned It. What kind of power did It make?

 

Les -

next time ,

run by my house and pick me up :D

Kevin

 

Thanks for the report. Congrats on being able to drive the new Viper. I have not had a chance (nor do I have any friends with enough $$) to drive one of the '03s.

Did you notice if it still had the heat problem from the exhaust??

 

Sounds like a really fun day. Good friend too!
My question on the vipers is: What are the maint costs?
I know the gen 2's were fairly spending in the maint, so I'd imagine the gen 3's are up there too.
I just want the most fun I can have with a 5 year warrenty!
:cheers:

 

Lucky dog! I would love to take one for a spin, I would have to get used to it having a lot less power than my Z06 :D but it still would be a lot of fun. :thumbs: :cheers:

 

Hi Z06Les -

Thanks for the virtual test-drive!

The Viper was the only other car I seriously considered.

best regards -

mqqn

 

It's pretty easy to have a 500hp corvette now and 500 at the flywheel would not be that hard or expensive for you to do with your z.

 

:iagree:

Lots of 405hp Z's are dynoing 419-420 at the fly wheel.... Stock! You could defnitely get another 25-40 ponies just by doing bolt ons AND let's not forget the power to weight ratio..the 03 Z comes in just under the 1999 viper ( 7.55 to 7.69 )

a little technical food for thought :)

 

Glen454: Yes, that is my T/A at Lamar's, it goes to the body shop today to make room for the slicks. The engine dyno'd at 1200HP 1100TQ, Once we get it dialed in I expect 800 or so torque to the rear wheels, assuming I get a clutch that will hold :)


TexasRed: After the infamous egg and bacon cooking incident (Motor Trend I recall) on the sill that covers the sidepipes Dodge put in heat shields. After an hour of spirited driving I could put my hand on the sill, very warm, not hot. However there is a lot of cabin head from the pipes, and the owner of this car plans to install some new 3M stuff around the pipes that will all but eliminate the heat problems.

I am 6'3 225 (lost 15 - love that Adkin's) and have to say this car's cockpit is flat out too small for me, the Z is hugely more comfortable. Style is down to the individual, I like the look, I sure like the torque, but I still like my Z (overall) better.

Peace,

Les


[Modified by ZO6Les, 3:34 PM 5/9/2003]

 

Thanks for the report. I would love to drive a viper, can't have too much fun with 500 hp. My friend and I want to rent one for a day and take turn between my 02 z06 and viper.

don

P.s. I like the z06 dead pedal

 

Even though the Z06s are slightly underrated, so are the SRT-10 Vipers with most dynoing with around 530HP/590TQ at the flywheel, bone stock. :eek:
And you will be able to add a $7200 blower for 700HP/720TQ (flywheel) soon.

I'm glad you had a fun test drive. I haven't driven a SRT-10 Viper yet, but I like the idea of a full convertible Viper. Certainly the Z06 is still a better value, and easy to mod. And the C6s are going to raise the bar again soon. :cheers:

 

Are people actually pulling the motors and running them on an engine dyno or are you just guess-timating the flywheel power from a chassis dyno run?

 

It's an estimate. He made his post in flywheel HP, and I put my reply in the same terms for comparison.

Yes, RWHP/RWTQ are more accurate measurements, but with all of the manufacturers listing flywheel HP, it's valuable to see comparable numbers from time to time.

 

I love the new Viper.....who knows what next year will bring. :blueangel:

 

My BONE stock 99 put down 436rwhp/490rwtq. It's rated at 460/500 at the crank. If you do the math, considering 15% drivetrain loss, I'm actually doing about 515/575 at the flywheel. Yes, Vipers are under rated too. All cars are different. If an engine happens to go together perfectly in specs, it will be stronger. My 99 GTS is the first car of any kind that I've had that was abnormally high. Finally, my time came! :thumbs:

 

wow that was fun to read, almost felt like I was there!

I rode in one and have to admit I liked all the looks-not sure they were worth the extra $ for all the heat in the cockpit.

For ME I would miss the corvette community and support :thumbs:


[Modified by levettegrl, 8:38 PM 5/9/2003]