VRYALT3R3D

Both the ZR1 and Viper is sold out from an OEM's perspective. The only issue is for the dealers who have them on floorplan. I think many dealers have them on the lot loaded to maximize profits. Since it is on floorplan and the banks own them, they have no incentive to sell them...yet.

michaelinmech

^ Frankly, they have a HUGE incentive to sell them - it's called making Monthly Floor Plan Payments.

VRYALT3R3D

The sales went down because the demand went down. Anyone who really wanted one bought it already in 2009/2010. The price was another factor that sales went down. The Corvette isn't immune.

Big Dan 427

It doesn't take an economist to figure out the reason the Viper isn't selling is the price point. How many people can afford a million dollar house and how many can afford a 600k house? The simple fact is the more capable buyers will buy from Europe, they have the money and they want the status. How many times in our lives have we heard the phrase "a Corvette is a poor mans Ferrari?"

If SRT was in a position to build 5000 units and sell them at lets say 85-100k the Vette would be in huge trouble. for those who haven't seen a new Viper in person I will tell you it has Euro written all over it, the interior is spectacular with materials form Italy, the paint is twice as good as it is on a Vette and the power plant is one of a kind.

The fact that so many people speak negatively of the Viper yet most have never even driven one is kind of funny. Then again the car isn't for everyone.

michaelinmech

^ I don't disagree at all. I would only add, the Viper still remains a beast. It's not really a 'creature comfort' car for casual use, and it is really on the edge when squeezing performance out of it. Both of these observations are in comparison to other high end performance cars.

VRYALT3R3D

Why? Did you sit in one? What is it missing?

Kevin_NYC

Vipers will be worth more than Vettes.

Case closed.

michaelinmech

^
I have & it's not missing anything. The seats are spectacular - the interior materials are first class.

The ride quality and on edge feel are what I was identifying. And that identification is based up articles and reviews I have read - I have no drive time in the 2013. My drive time is in the two previous models I owned.

Did you happen to watch the Top Gear USA segment when they took the 2013 Viper, Lamborghini and McLaren cross country?

Big Dan 427

I too haven't driven a new '13 but having owned 7 of them to me the only gen's that were truly raw was 1 and 2. The car became much more sedate in 2003 as for the ride and the heat, the rawness was still there but that was because of the huge torque and no nannies.

I've said on this forum before, I never once spun a Viper unintentionally, now that can be perceived as me not pushing it beyond my own limits or knowing the car well enough as to show it respect. Either way to me it is like riding a sport bike, you know your boundaries or you die! The Viper is no different, all the wrecks you here of are rarely had by experienced drivers of the snake, it's the show offs and envelope pushers that end up in the trees.

As for the quality of the new SRT, I'd put it up against a high end P-car any day of the week and I personally feel the P cars have the best fit and finish on the market.

As for Moe, Larry and Curly going cross country, to me just three guys opinions with different driving skills and talent. I did enjoy the tunnel run though, must be hard to keep your foot in it!

michaelinmech

LOL ^ We could have a whole new Thread on which of the 3 is Moe, then Larry and Curly

travisnd

I borrowed a buddy's '96 GTS with aero at VIR last year. Didn't fit in it very well and was able to run 2:09s in traffic. I felt the car drove a lot like my C5 race car. Very neutral with easy to control throttle over-steer. It didn't magically do circles and the torque made me giggle. I agree that most who wreck a Viper would wreck any powerful rwd car.

He's got two of them... silver one is full-out race car. Black one is street legal. I drove the black one.

VRYALT3R3D

I don't find it that bad. I drove a 2010 ACR and that was really stiff. The Gen V was still stiff but nowhere on the level of the ACR. I drove my Viper in bumper-bumper traffic on some pretty rough roads and I didn't find it be jarring. I liked the fact that the clutch was so light. It made driving in traffic very manageable.

I don't like to base my impressions of a car on some review. I like to sit in the car and drive it to evaluate if it fits my needs. And wow -- the Gen V delivered. Same with the C7. I like it. I would want one, but it boils down to a test drive and actually seeing it in person. I wasn't too wild about the 2010+ Mustang's tailights until I saw it in person. It looked very striking.

I did see the TG USA epp and the tunnel blast was awesome.

michaelinmech

^
I'd love to get some drive time in 2013 Viper. But where I live you don't even get to go behind the velvet ropes to see it most of the time. To get some time sitting in one and really checking it out, I had to go to the dealer when the store wasn't open.

PS: How Top Gear USA got permission from the State Transportation Dept for that incredible tunnel blast, is beyond me . .

NocarbutaVetteforme

Why don't you stick to something you know something about and leave the talking about cars and performance to those that actually track their cars. All you are ever going to do is put some wax on it and then talk about performance numbers. Pretty much everyone knew that the car that Motor Trend tested was the same car. It was a preproduction model hence the tires and panel gaps. I don't expect you to understand that since all you can do is try and berate Ralph. Too funny, Ralph puts more miles on tracks than you have put on a Corvette. And we all know that you are just a nutswinger on the C7's *********. And as for the interior of the Viper, you may want to check and see who copied who. The C7 copied pretty much everything about the Viper's interior.

Now the folks at SRT did make mistakes and that is sending a pre-production model in the first place. They knew it was going to be tested. They also should have sent a car with matching tires, had QA?QC go over the car from head to toe. As for the car, it is a totally different car than the previous Generations and is truly a daily driver for those who want a nice daily driver. What really ticked off alot of the Viper faithful is the way ordering was handled.

Big Dan 427

Very well said!

Cheech Wizard

Yep, you're a Viper guy, for sure.

VRYALT3R3D

BlueOx

Whaaaaaaaaa.......

VRYALT3R3D

Source Feb 8 2013: Ralph Gilles, Chrysler’s chief of design and SRT: Motoramic Q&A

Production Numbers
1992 - 0285
1993 - 1043
1994 - 3083
1995 - 1577
1996 - 1887 (1166 GTS + 721 RT/10)
1997 - 1788 (1671 GTS + 117 RT/10)
1998 - 1216 (837 GTS + 379 RT/10)
1999 - 1463 (914 GTS/ACR + 549 RT/10)
2000 - 1789 (949 GTS/ACR + 840 RT/10)
2001 - 1751 (877 GTS/ACR + 874 RT/10)
2002 - 1463 (918 GTS/ACR + 545 RT/10)
2003 - 1875
2004 - 2433
2005 - 2009 (2003 convertible + 6 development coupes not for sale)
2006 - 1869 (752 convertible + 1117 coupes)
2008 - 1579 (712 convertible + 688 coupes + 179 ACR)
2009 - 0659 (167 convertible + 241 coupes + 251 ACR)
2010 - 0509 (134 convertible + 118 coupe + 187 ACR coupe + 20 ACR convertible + 50 ACR-X race cars)
2013 - 0809 (170 SRT + 639 GTS)

So in its 21 year history (18 model year) the Viper has built 2,000+ per year in 1994, 2004 & 2005. Building less than 2,000 is nothing new for the Viper. It was never stated SRT projects to sell 2,000 this year year. It was stated very early on they have the capability of building 2,000 a year.

Base Price Over The Years
1992 RT/10 $50,000
1993 RT/10 $50,000
1994 RT/10 $54,500
1995 RT/10 $56,000
1996 RT/10 $58,500 GTS $66,000
1997 RT/10 $66,000 GTS $66,000
1998 RT/10 $64,000 GTS $66,500
1999 RT/10 $65,725 GTS $68,225
2000 RT/10 $67,225 GTS $69,725
2001 RT/10 $69,225 GTS $72,225
2002 RT/10 $71,725 GTS $72,225
2003 SRT-10 $79,995
2004 SRT-10 $80,995
2005 SRT-10 $81,895
2006 SRT-10 $81,895 coupe $83,135
2008 SRT-10 $84,460 coupe $89,340 ACR $98,345 ($12,050 option)
2009 SRT-10 $88,590 coupe $89,340 ACR $102,890 ($13,550 option)
2010 SRT-10 $90,245 coupe $91,005 ACR $105,550 ($14,550 option)
2013 SRT coupe $97,395 GTS $120,395

None of these prices include, gas guzzler tax, destination, luxury tax (92-2002 my) Air conditioning wasn't even avail in 1992 or 93 and was a $1,200 option in 1994.
Note Gas Guzzler Tax started at $2,600 in 1992, increased to $3,000 in 1997 dropped to $1,700 in 2008 and increased again to $2,600 in 2013.
While Destination started at $700 in 1992, slowly increased to $930 in 2010 and more than doubled to $1,995 in 2013.
Maybe more info than you may care to read or have, but I believe it's relevant, especially when people are saying the Viper is overpriced. The base price of the Viper has doubled since 1992 in 20 years. It has seen very little improvement in that time, such as airbags.. abs.. traction control, cruise control, power locks, air conditioning, real side windows, A ROOF! You know, minimal things. Kind of like the carbon fiber hood, roof and hatch etc. Forget the engine and drive train improvements. I can't wait to start reading great reviews about the 2014 and 2015 Viper! :drive:

To the people saying the Viper needs to be priced at $80,000, you need a reality check. The car has not had that price in 10 years. Factor in everyone's favorite word, inflation... well.. I believe the BASE price is in line for what you get. I also believe the the loaded GTS prices are on the high side. That with the fact that dealers ordered a bunch of these thinking they were going to make all kinds of money plus the stupid market adjustments is a real kick in the shorts. To those dealers thinking the Viper is worth $170,000 you also need a reality check..

Daekwan06

$170,000 for a Viper.

Im surprised you can still read the sticker price, with how thick the coat of dust must be that car.