Vipers reliable? Fast? I don't agree with you.... I had over 20 sport cars in my life and the only car that I ever had to rebuild the engine was my 2006 Viper with only 7k mikes... Older vipers fast? The only good thing about older vipers is the looks... I had 2 vipers and they were horrible cars...

Unfortunately I love the way they look... They are extremely uncomfortable, 0 stability and the AC sucks...

Corvettes are 100 times better then Vipers...

I'm talking about the older models 2006 & 2008

 

Dude you make no sense, older Vipers slow? A Gen II will spank an 04' G on track, I used to race at Sebring and Road Atlanta and first couple year Gs would get beat period. So if an older Viper is slow, then a G is supppppper slow. Didn't stand a chance stock, let alone after a few bolt on's and Motons. Extremely uncomfortable? When friend took deliver of his 10' ACR we drove it from here in South FL to KY, that was a nicer comfortable ride then his 08' ZO6, let alone the seats in any Viper were far better then the lazy boy cushions with no support they stuck in the Z or in Vettes in general (buddy swapped in GT3 seats). People have even taken the ACR across country on trips no prob, A/C fine too, that was dead summer and we had no issues. I used to take my 01' out of state a bunch of times on trips, no probs with a/c, I had LT headers and custom exhaust with x-pipe under the rear valence so no heat issues there. Stock there's heat buildup but who leaves any car stock and what do you expect with an 8l engine choked by the cats that are right under the door sill, plus it sounds 20x better opened up vs stock, same with a G who wants to leave that quiet exhaust stock? No owner I know. That was before Motons as well, after that the car drove even smoother on trips and kicked more *** at the track then it already did. No stability? No it's called people who don't know how to drive or control a true race car for the street that has no nannies, or awd, or other things to save their but (disregarding the Gen V nannies which can thankfully be turned off). If the viper was so bad and not stable, then why does it pretty much hold the record or records at basically any track for production vehicles? Think about that, and see why what you wrote makes no sense again.

Ok so you had a motor rebuilt, as have Gallardo owners, and Porsche Turbo owners etc. Does that mean they suck, no, **** happens. We had an engine replaced in an 996 years ago, doesn't change my perspective, happens. But when it comes to tracking, you see plenty of Vipers with over 100k hard track use and still driven on the street, no issues, regular maintenance that's it. I put 65k miles on an 01' with countless times at Sebring and Road Atlanta and few other tracks, not one issue. Good luck finding any other car of this caliber and performance still driven on the street and hard track use with over 100k, there's even been only a handful of 996 turbo's posted on here over the years that still see track duty, thought fairly light track duty.

And there aren't 12k G, but over 14k built and that's only since 2004, the Viper's been here since 92' and I think the last tally was something like 25k built total with god knows how many actually totaled. I live in South FL and see Lambos daily, see some Vipers here and there, their still rare.

Sorry but your 06' would spank badly an 04' G, your talking about a car that traps around 123 avg vs 117-118 if lucky (G), and forget track use where the beatdown will be even worse. And somehow your 04' G can beat an 08', a car that traps 127-130 and can edge out an Gallardo LP560 and forget track again, yet your 04' G is faster? lol ... that means your 04' G can spank an LP560.... can you explain that please and realize why what your writing makes absolutely no sense lol?

I hope to get in another one, but waiting to see what they do as GTS is not worth it to me, and I think SRT f'd themselves offering two models with huge price differences. Gen V drives so nice, yet still that raw beast at the same time. I love the new C7Z as well, I just wished they stuck to a n/a block vs FI but I get why they had to go that route.

 

The Viper is the most uncomfortable sport car in the market period!

A- The AC is not strong at all...

B- The cabin gets really hot from the exhaust, even the new SRT have the same problem. You can "fix" this problem by changing the exhaust and cats.

C- The visibility is horrible...

I'm not talking about "my friends vipers" I'm talking about my vipers and my Gallardo.... I drove vipers for over 2 years... For how long did you drive "your friends vipers"?

When you drive a viper you need to grow some ***** to go top speed... With the Gallardo anyone can go over 180mph and it feels like doing 40mph in the Viper... The stability is horrible! But I'm not talking about the ACR...

Viper comfortable? I think you like that ACR so much that you didn't even think about how uncomfortable that car was... I love the ACR too but you can't compare a ACR with what I had.

Vipers are no DD cars...

Vipers more comfortable than the Vette Z06? Come on bro... You got to be kidding me... The AC of the corvette is cool ice! The cabin doesn't get hot! The seats are more comfortable! The cabin is 2 times bigger! And the Z06 is just way faster...

By the way the a Cabin in the Gallardos are small too...

I appreciate your opinion and I'm sorry we don't agree but that's the cool thing about cars no? ;-)

 

Must of missed where I said I used to own an 01' and put 65k miles on it, including hard track use at Sebring and Road Atlanta, not one issue. 10' ACR was a friends, not mine. I live in South FL and never had an issue with a/c, pry b/c I installed lt headers and custom exhaust and x-pipe under rear valance so never had the heat issue of stock which everyone knows get's heat buildup... I mean your talking an 8L engine with cats and pipes running through door sills or crossed like the Gen III. I never had a problem with stability, that comes down to people who don't know how to drive the car or push it (more like learn their limits), if the Viper was so bad then explain how even non-ACR version pretty much still kick the **** out of anything else on the track save for some ubber exotics?

I will grant you though the Gen II was a beast and raw, I had no prob driving it everywhere but I know a lot of others wouldn't and it really wansn't daily drivable for a lot (motons made it incredible riding though). Gen III is softer, and the Gen IV suspension changes made it downright comfy while still firm and raw, drove way better stock then the previous cars. Plenty drive these cars daily though, hell where I had my old office there was an older guy driving his 10' everyday. Guy was 68 and a car nut.

You never answered what I was saying. Somehow your 04' is faster than an 06' and 08', 06' will easily beat it no questions asked, that's not even opinion, straight line or track no chance. 08-10 is another league and will make an 04' G look like it's running in reverse straight line or track. There must of seriously been something wrong with both of your Vipers to lead you to that conclusion. If your 04' G is faster than an 08-10, that means somehow your 04' G can take on an beat an LP 560... and we all know that's not happening lol. 90yr old granny can hop into a GTR and haul *** as well, whats the fun in that? Where is the C6Z waaaay faster as you said? It'll beat Gen III, but not a Gen IV or V (except the V is slower after shifting into 4th b/c of the changed gear ratios focused for track duty). Surprisngly though yes the Gen IV ACR drives smoother than the reg Gen IV, whereas the Gen II ACR drove tons firmer then the reg version, especially later ones as they put ridiculous 1100lb springs in the rear which was overkill even for track use.

ZO6 is barely bigger inside but still roomier just by not a whole lot (still tight just like G or any other small coupe), maybe the Viper didn't fit you right as you yourself even said your like 290lbs. Mother bf at the time had a C6Z when I had the 01' and tracked with me as well. Interior was barely roomier, just look at the dimensions. Pry didn't fit you well b/c of your size and the ZO6 seats are more like lazy boy cushions vs the track ready buckets of the Viper that actually have support. Not saying that to be offense in any means but it just sounds like your build didn't fit the Viper. As there are plenty of large guys I know well over 6ft 4 and stocky that fit no prob in the Viper with the seat lowering kit. I'm not that size so no issue there lol.

Guess we'll agree to disagree lol, but you'll even see owners of both on LP back me up. Some of what you wrote just doesn't make sense, an 04' G will get beat by an stock Gen II, III will be more of a beatdown, and an IV will annihilate it like it's in reverse straight line or track, case closed. I don't know what was wrong with your two Vipers. Viper obviously wasn't the car for you, and that's fine.

Either way, I agree great time for cars, and the new Z has my eye and that's not something I could say before. Hope to get in another Viper, but really can't go wrong with any car choice today, their all good. Really I want an LP 560 and send to UGR, but that's out of my budget right now LOL. A used Gallardo is a great deal though imo especially after 06' changes, for someone wanting that italian feel and heritage etc, take over an F-car any day.

 

I would consider the SRT GTS an American exotic. I never thought the Gallardo as a track car. I'm actually surprised someone is cross-shopping them.

 

I don't know how much faster can be a LP Gallardo than my car... I have a full exhaust Larini with 100cel cats, tune, air filters, RWD convention (200 pounds lighter and faster) the LP is faster than my car but no by a lot... 2006 viper was just horrible... 2008-2010 was better, 100hp more but still...

 

The new Gen 5 Viper is a different car compared too your Gen 3. I just traded in a 2003 Gen 3 for a 2014 T/A. The T/A is a awesome car, the paint job is second to none. I could daily drive this car for sure. They did a great job on the interior. I would hate to worry about a Lambo clutch all the time any way, what 7000-10,000 miles on a clutch and $7000 for it. The Vipers are pretty tough cars.

 

That's a beautiful car! Congratulations!

By the way the problem with the Lambo clutch is not a problem anymore... You just have to get a new OEM clutch

 

Surfer, the particular Dodge vehicle's my dad has owned are 4 different minivans. All had serious issues whether mechanical or transmission problems. My brother use to have a Dodge stratus always in the shop and a terrible paint that looked like sand paper after awhile. Before that he had a Dodge Daytona again it too was also in the shop. After that he switched over to owning a Chevy HHR and a Ford Mustang both cars have been awesome to own. He has no desires to ever owning a Dodge again. This is the reason that I have never owned a Dodge vehicle. I stick with Chevy for my daily driver. My first one was a Chevy Beretta which was pretty reliable. After that I replaced it with a Chevy HHR an awesome car to have with a lot of style. They've been very reliable and well built. Also of course has style.

 

I'm more of a Porsche type of person for a fun fast car. However the Lamborghini is pretty sweet.

 

Leo. Ill add my 2 cents in here. Ive had 3 Vipers. A 98 GTS. 05 viper convertible. And just bought a 2010 ACR. I have loved them but ill agree they have their quirks. The 98 had horrible a/c when it was hot outside. As far as comfort i loved it but you had to get in first which was a bit of a challenge. Once you figured it out then no problem. I had the 98 for 4 summers. Only had 1 failure which was a blown ujoint. $310.00 for parts and labour. Pretty cheap maintenance for high performance car. My 05 i had for 2 summers. Not 1 problem. My 98 had 68000 miles on it when i sold it. The 05 had 17000 miles. Both cars were stock other than exhaust mods. Both of them beat up on their fair share of Gallardos. Sorry but the only way an 04 to 08 G is beating a Gen 2 or Gen 3 Viper is if you pull 2 plug wires off of the Viper. The 09 and up Gallardos are quite a bit faster and i have not raced one but they do feel very fast from seat of the pants feel. I have a lot of friends with Gallardos and i LOVE them. I want one and almost bought one until i found my acr. I will have one some day soon but i know their limits and beating up on Vipers aint happening. Its too bad you had a bad engine in yours. Thats a very rare failure. I will tell you this. The attention that the G gets is absolutely insane. My buddy gave me his Gallardo for 4 days last summer. I had small kids race across my lawn and swarm outside my garage just too get close to it. People would almost cause accidents trying to get close to you on the road. My Vipers simply do not attract anywhere near this attention. My running joke is. How do you make a Viper invisible? Park it beside a Lambo... Lol.

 

By your measurements then a Ford GT should be compared to a Mustang. Youre comparing a mini van to a Viper???? Really? I see some goofy posts on here but this one is very funny. You realize the Viper is hand built? Youre comparing the cheapest of the mass produced Dodges to a hand built car that has incredible paint from the factory. If you ever get the chance to get up close to a Viper or go for a drive in one do it. You wont be comparing them to mini vans anymore. By your comparisons then we should compare the Gallardo to a Lamborghini tractor. Lol

 

Excellent write up

I love Vipers I just think the 04-06 vipers were horrible! I have the problem with the engine and I also had a problem with the engine fan... That was another $4000 :-(

The Viper ACR Voodo edition is the best looking viper ever! Don't be selfish! Post some pics!

 

I find Gaillardos very reliable (after you upgrade the clutch) I have my 2004 for 7 months, drove it 7k miles and 0 problems! But they are expensive to maintain... I spend 3000 in service when I bought it..

 

Ouch. You had some problems with yours. Thats too bad. How did you know i bought the VooDoo? Lol. You must be on one of the Viper forums as well. Haha. Here is a pic. I pick it up next Thursday. I cant wait. Ya my buddies have all had great luck with their Gallardos. No major issues at all. Other than my one bud who has a twin turbo G. Now that thing is crazy expensive to keep running. Ouch. Lol