Edmunds 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray vs. 2013 SRT Viper Track Test
08-29-2013, 06:13 PM
#201
The Viper's price is largely a function of its limited production and more labor-intensive production. Corvette guys may joke about Viper owners valuing exclusiveness, but that is part of the appeal of high-priced exotics. (The "Corvette wave" would likely lose its appeal if Vettes were as common as Camrys.) From the corporate standpoint, the Viper simply has fewer units by which they can amortize development costs. Something like <2k/yr, where we may see something like ~25k/yr for the Corvette. So to recoup those costs and make a profit, the Viper will naturally be more expensive. In its segment, the Viper is still very fast. Whether it works out in the long run, only time can tell. Hope it does. The ACR will have a huge task before it to take on the C7 Zwhatever.
08-29-2013, 06:15 PM
#202
Team Owner
Let's keep an opened mind about this review, Edmunds is but one rag, another magazine could totally trash the new 'vette (yes, parish the thought) so until such time that I drive mine, I will not take anyone's word for it, bad or good.
08-29-2013, 06:58 PM
#203
Have you been to a track dude? Corvette's are probably the most populous modern generation car you will see at any track. They are and still will be readily raced in SCCA and NASA as top performers. There is the NCM track events that's nothing but corvettes.
And GM is building a track for goodness sake.
You couldn't be more wrong.
And GM is building a track for goodness sake.
You couldn't be more wrong.
Last edited by C6Z06C6; 08-29-2013 at 07:18 PM.
08-29-2013, 07:00 PM
#204
08-29-2013, 07:04 PM
#205
08-29-2013, 07:13 PM
#206
Drifting
Same thing for ZR1s
Guys that have $100,000 for a car are really not going to buy either a Viper or any Corvette.
Just the way it is and neither car will ever, ever have the status of a R8, 458, and high end Porsche's.
The ZR1 was discounted big time and one dealer had one on the floor for months without any takers.
This was in Orange County, where people have lots of money are cars are status symbols.
The price point for a high end Vette is around $80,000.
Take the car that they tested here and put in a LS7 and C6Z06/Z07 package and it beats this Viper by 2 seconds a lap at Willow Springs or Laguna Seca.
it will also sound better that the standard C7.
Please GM, tell me that you are going to sell that car for $80,000 and I will buy it tomorrow.
I promise.
Last edited by Crossofiron; 08-29-2013 at 07:24 PM.
08-29-2013, 07:31 PM
#207
Race Director
S.As far as this test...the Vette did what it came to do. The Viper disappoints...again. It's really too bad as I was considering a change of pace.
GM really did do the homework.
08-29-2013, 07:57 PM
#208
08-29-2013, 08:01 PM
#209
I think that the price point is the issue for both the Viper and ZR 1.
Guys that have $100,000 for a car are really not going to buy either a Viper or any Corvette.
Just the way it is and neither car will ever, ever have the status of a R8, 458, and high end Porsche's.
The ZR1 was discounted big time and one dealer had one on the floor for months without any takers.
This was in Orange County, where people have lots of money are cars are status symbols.
The price point for a high end Vette is around $80,000.
Take the car that they tested here and put in a LS7 and C6Z06/Z07 package and it beats this Viper by 2 seconds a lap at Willow Springs or Laguna Seca.
it will also sound better that the standard C7.
Please GM, tell me that you are going to sell that car for $80,000 and I will buy it tomorrow.
I promise.
Guys that have $100,000 for a car are really not going to buy either a Viper or any Corvette.
Just the way it is and neither car will ever, ever have the status of a R8, 458, and high end Porsche's.
The ZR1 was discounted big time and one dealer had one on the floor for months without any takers.
This was in Orange County, where people have lots of money are cars are status symbols.
The price point for a high end Vette is around $80,000.
Take the car that they tested here and put in a LS7 and C6Z06/Z07 package and it beats this Viper by 2 seconds a lap at Willow Springs or Laguna Seca.
it will also sound better that the standard C7.
Please GM, tell me that you are going to sell that car for $80,000 and I will buy it tomorrow.
I promise.
08-29-2013, 11:57 PM
#210
Another video of the viper and Vette shootout....apparently they tested other cars too with video rolling out in the next few days. I'd like too see how well the C7 did against the other cars.
08-30-2013, 05:03 AM
#211
Le Mans Master
The Corvette is flat out a better car. Some folks here cling to the 0-60 at qt times. You have to remember, a good car has a near infinite categories to be judged on. There are Civics out there that can out accelerate the Viper.
The Corvette is not the dime a dozen car, the Viper is. Look at the reviews we have thus far, hood griles flying off, suspension settings out of wack, 30 degree differential between feet and face, pedals are misplaced. At what point will people realize these are engineering problems? The Corvette gets far more engineering hours, and it shows. It sells more because it's smarter, mechanically and economically. It's a better product. Not better in every way but certainly overall.
For 0-60s and quarter mile in a street car you pretty much need the 4wd+DCT. We are not in the 1960s where power is enough. If you bought the Viper for these two objectives you bought the wrong car.
The Corvette is not the dime a dozen car, the Viper is. Look at the reviews we have thus far, hood griles flying off, suspension settings out of wack, 30 degree differential between feet and face, pedals are misplaced. At what point will people realize these are engineering problems? The Corvette gets far more engineering hours, and it shows. It sells more because it's smarter, mechanically and economically. It's a better product. Not better in every way but certainly overall.
For 0-60s and quarter mile in a street car you pretty much need the 4wd+DCT. We are not in the 1960s where power is enough. If you bought the Viper for these two objectives you bought the wrong car.
You will see 100 corvettes to one viper on the street, viper a dime a dozen
, you are out of your mind
08-30-2013, 07:32 AM
#212
Safety Car
The TA was also on Pirelli Corsas, which anyone who has driven MPSC knows they are the best thing cooking short of DOT slicks. There is plenty of upside left in the Viper yet. The ACR will be a straight monster.
I have no dog in this fight though as I want them both to dominate everything else. Just keeping everything in perspective.
08-30-2013, 07:44 AM
#213
Safety Car
The TA was also on Pirelli Corsas, which anyone who has driven MPSC knows they are the best thing cooking short of DOT slicks. There is plenty of upside left in the Viper yet. The ACR will be a straight monster.
I have no dog in this fight though as I want them both to dominate everything else. Just keeping everything in perspective.
I have no dog in this fight though as I want them both to dominate everything else. Just keeping everything in perspective.
I drive a 427 now, first Chevy in years and I like it a lot. I do still hold the Viper close to my heart. What bugs me is the constant comments drawn from rag tests, for me drive a Viper and understand what it's all about, it is street drivable but it shines on the track. Driving my ACR was the most fun I've ever had on a track b/c the car always made you work and challenged your own skill level, when I had my GT3RS it was the most well balanced and precise car I have ever driven but it was so good it didn't ever concern you, too boring almost!
I always described them as a chisel and a scalpel, and you know which one was the chisel.I know this is a Corvette forum but guys should respect the Viper for its amazing abilities and as a competitor to the Corvette brand.
08-30-2013, 07:59 AM
#214
Le Mans Master
My friend at work just took delivery of a 2013 Viper GTS, Stryker Red Edition.
Very, very beautiful car. Just stunning from all angles, especially in that color, which changes hue based on the angle of the sun. Really highlights the curves well.
And as much as I love the exterior, I was equally impressed with the interior. I actually thought it was pretty easy to get in and out of. I just needed to change the method of entry and egress. Rather than putting one leg into the car, sitting, then putting the other leg in, I'd instead sit in the seat with both feet outside the car, then swing them in at the same time. Was actually pretty easy. I also thought the seats were just perfect. I'm about 5' 11" and 180 lbs, so not huge, but not as lean as I should be either. Found the seats to be very comfortable. Snug, but overly so. What I would like for a track day, but also comfortable for street driving as long as you don't try and move around much. Great lumbar support that helped distribute the weight. Huge amounts of leg room. With the seat tilted way back and the headrest just about touching the back wall, I couldn't reach the front of the footwell.
Also, the layout of the interior was great. Nicely symmetric in terms of vents and stereo, everything was logical. HVAC had great rotary *****. Materials were very nice. This was a two tone red/black (a bit like a C7 2LT red in terms of color location, but the Viper had more red on the doors). Nice aluminum accents. Much better steering wheel than the C7.
Finally, the acceleration was just brutal. Literally had me LOL due to the sheer ridiculousness of it. Definitely need more of that type of craziness in today's world IMO. Loved the details in the IP, the little plastic/metal surrounds on the digital gauges. I actually thought the ride was quite good (suspension was set to softest of the two settings). Only complaint was the exhaust. Seemed a bit too loud for a cruise.
Still, I was just incredibly impressed with the car. But, I've been dreaming of a Viper since about 1996, so I was a already in love before riding in it.
It's a bit more car than I really want to own, so I'm looking forward to having a C7 Z51 with the Comp Seats when they become available. Still, on a scale of 1 to Bonkers, the Viper rates an 11 (not even sure what that means, only that the Viper was just amazing).
-T
Very, very beautiful car. Just stunning from all angles, especially in that color, which changes hue based on the angle of the sun. Really highlights the curves well.
And as much as I love the exterior, I was equally impressed with the interior. I actually thought it was pretty easy to get in and out of. I just needed to change the method of entry and egress. Rather than putting one leg into the car, sitting, then putting the other leg in, I'd instead sit in the seat with both feet outside the car, then swing them in at the same time. Was actually pretty easy. I also thought the seats were just perfect. I'm about 5' 11" and 180 lbs, so not huge, but not as lean as I should be either. Found the seats to be very comfortable. Snug, but overly so. What I would like for a track day, but also comfortable for street driving as long as you don't try and move around much. Great lumbar support that helped distribute the weight. Huge amounts of leg room. With the seat tilted way back and the headrest just about touching the back wall, I couldn't reach the front of the footwell.
Also, the layout of the interior was great. Nicely symmetric in terms of vents and stereo, everything was logical. HVAC had great rotary *****. Materials were very nice. This was a two tone red/black (a bit like a C7 2LT red in terms of color location, but the Viper had more red on the doors). Nice aluminum accents. Much better steering wheel than the C7.
Finally, the acceleration was just brutal. Literally had me LOL due to the sheer ridiculousness of it. Definitely need more of that type of craziness in today's world IMO. Loved the details in the IP, the little plastic/metal surrounds on the digital gauges. I actually thought the ride was quite good (suspension was set to softest of the two settings). Only complaint was the exhaust. Seemed a bit too loud for a cruise.
Still, I was just incredibly impressed with the car. But, I've been dreaming of a Viper since about 1996, so I was a already in love before riding in it.
It's a bit more car than I really want to own, so I'm looking forward to having a C7 Z51 with the Comp Seats when they become available. Still, on a scale of 1 to Bonkers, the Viper rates an 11 (not even sure what that means, only that the Viper was just amazing).
-T
I would like to have a GTS but they are much too expensive (for me) to justify the cost.
08-30-2013, 08:15 AM
#215
Safety Car
So clearly you have not been to a track..... Just like I thought.
90% of Corvette drivers aren't going to street race either, they buy the car to wax and polish and go to Cruise ins. For the percentage of people that do care about performance (and can drive a lick), most of them will be able to tell, and care that their car handles better and IS A BETTER CAR than the C7.
No matter how hard you try, you can't reduce the betterment of the C7 to 0-60 times. Because the C7 will be better at that too.
Last edited by heavychevy; 08-30-2013 at 08:25 AM.
08-30-2013, 08:43 AM
#216
Heres the deal:
The Viper is a fine car but it lost 3 of the 5 categories. Period. It LOST this comparo and it costs $30+k more than the C7. Period. Even guys on Viper Club of America said the hand-built Viper should have killed this cheap, mass produced Corvette. It didn't. Period.
This is the second recent major comparo that the new Viper (GTS) has LOST to a Corvette (C6 ZR1). Period.
This whole BS of a TA coming in later is a completely different car on a completely different day in a NON-comparo situation. Period. Ralph is a douche. Period.
All of the guys who said to just wait for the 'independent' tests are now getting them. At least recognize what a loss is when you suffer one.
The Viper is a fine car but it lost 3 of the 5 categories. Period. It LOST this comparo and it costs $30+k more than the C7. Period. Even guys on Viper Club of America said the hand-built Viper should have killed this cheap, mass produced Corvette. It didn't. Period.
This is the second recent major comparo that the new Viper (GTS) has LOST to a Corvette (C6 ZR1). Period.
This whole BS of a TA coming in later is a completely different car on a completely different day in a NON-comparo situation. Period. Ralph is a douche. Period.
All of the guys who said to just wait for the 'independent' tests are now getting them. At least recognize what a loss is when you suffer one.
08-30-2013, 09:18 AM
#217
Safety Car
The Viper WON 3 of 5, 1/4 mile/0-60 and road course, it lost slalom by 4/100ths and braking where the Vette excelled with the Z51 set up.
The Viper vs. ZR1 was a joke, I don't even know why SRT would run a mule (yes a non production car) against a five year old proven car that had CCB's and sport cups. And if you don't think that matters on a course like LS you are just living in denial.
And why Ralph always comes into the topic is beyond my ability to comprehend, we are talking about cars here not people.
What do the guys say on the other forums when ranking a car vs. its cost? The 400k LFA and Aventador should kill anything in their paths then right?
We get it, you hate the Viper and wish Ralph would wreck in one! I can only think you lost some sort of head to head that has caused so much animosity, was it a drag race or some other form of spanking? lol
The Viper vs. ZR1 was a joke, I don't even know why SRT would run a mule (yes a non production car) against a five year old proven car that had CCB's and sport cups. And if you don't think that matters on a course like LS you are just living in denial.
And why Ralph always comes into the topic is beyond my ability to comprehend, we are talking about cars here not people.
What do the guys say on the other forums when ranking a car vs. its cost? The 400k LFA and Aventador should kill anything in their paths then right?
We get it, you hate the Viper and wish Ralph would wreck in one! I can only think you lost some sort of head to head that has caused so much animosity, was it a drag race or some other form of spanking? lol
Last edited by Big Dan 427; 08-30-2013 at 09:21 AM.
08-30-2013, 10:27 AM
#218
Guess we don't hang out with the same crowd lol...not into the knuckle-dragging 1/4 mile scene myself, nor are my friends, so your scenario would never come up, we'd much rather have a fully rounded sportscar that corners and brakes exceptionally well. A Vette is not your best bet for getting the fastest 1/4 times for the lowest price, it's a sports car.
It a well rounded sports car - not a dragster!
08-30-2013, 11:17 AM
#219
Drifting
Heres the deal:
The Viper is a fine car but it lost 3 of the 5 categories. Period. It LOST this comparo and it costs $30+k more than the C7. Period. Even guys on Viper Club of America said the hand-built Viper should have killed this cheap, mass produced Corvette. It didn't. Period.
This is the second recent major comparo that the new Viper (GTS) has LOST to a Corvette (C6 ZR1). Period.
This whole BS of a TA coming in later is a completely different car on a completely different day in a NON-comparo situation. Period. Ralph is a douche. Period.
All of the guys who said to just wait for the 'independent' tests are now getting them. At least recognize what a loss is when you suffer one.
The Viper is a fine car but it lost 3 of the 5 categories. Period. It LOST this comparo and it costs $30+k more than the C7. Period. Even guys on Viper Club of America said the hand-built Viper should have killed this cheap, mass produced Corvette. It didn't. Period.
This is the second recent major comparo that the new Viper (GTS) has LOST to a Corvette (C6 ZR1). Period.
This whole BS of a TA coming in later is a completely different car on a completely different day in a NON-comparo situation. Period. Ralph is a douche. Period.
All of the guys who said to just wait for the 'independent' tests are now getting them. At least recognize what a loss is when you suffer one.
Unlike you, Ralph actually drives and races his cars. Can you say the same? We all know the answer to that. You are not even the typical waxer and polisher. At least the typical waxer and polisher owns the car they talk about. You talk crap without experience. I would venture to bet that over 50% of members track their Viper. It is a way larger percentage than that in our Viper Club. But in the Corvette CLubs I am members of, it may be 10% that track their cars.
08-30-2013, 11:24 AM
#220
Drifting
Did the C7 do an outstanding job? Absolutely! It rocked big time. Did the Viper under deliver in this test? You bet. Big time. And I am not making excuses for the Viper by any means. The base Viper (SRT) should have beaten the Corvette and by not doing so, it brings out some serious questions. I don't believe in excuses. Either you perform or you don't. And in this case, the SRT Viper didn't perform. There better be some answers or sales will surely reflect as I am sure they have already cost some sales for the Viper. Corvette 1 Viper 0.