Doug DeMuro buys the Viper

[kevm14]

A Dodge Viper GTS was $66k in 1997.

A 1997 Corvette was $37,495.

In 2002, a Z06 was $50,430. A 2002 Viper GTS, same car as the 1997, was $72,225.

I think the prices then, and the prices now, are very relevant in setting my expectation for the car. I agree it was never intended to be a daily driver. I just think it is one of those cars that is fun in theory and not really all it's cracked up to be if you owned one. It would probably be one of those cars at the top of the "I'd drive someone else's the instant I got the chance" list, though. I just don't think the performance distinguishes for all it lacks. And I don't believe this generation chassis was considered easy to extract all of its potential from, either. You aren't going to hit a windy road at 9/10ths with it. You may as well own an all original 1969 Camaro and putter around town on Sundays and put it away. It's the same thing. I don't believe in that.

[bill25]

How is that different than a Lamborghini or Ferrari?

[kevm14]

I don't believe in those, either. Unless they are actually used. Just about any Ferrari is going to drive better than that Viper, though. Lamborghini would be appropriate to putter around and be seen in. Which is dumb (but a thing people do).

[Fast_Ed]

So the engine was based on some Chrysler v8. But recast in aluminium and with a couple extra cylinders.

I always thought it was one of their truck motors with different head design. For some reason, I liked it better when I thought that..

[Bob]

According to this guy, the V10 was developed by Lamborghini: http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5742796446.html

[Bob]

This was a good comparison and confirms my thoughts about the Viper's superior chassis. Granted, this is a newer Viper than the one Doug bought. http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... ison-tests

Interestingly, a 2006 Viper and a 2006 Z06 are not that far apart in the used market now.

[kevm14]

You aren't going to hit a windy road at 9/10ths with it. You may as well own an all original 1969 Camaro and putter around town on Sundays and put it away. It's the same thing. I don't believe in that.

So far he is making my case. Brakes aren't that great, either. We knew this from back in the day.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wgZzyJJHJ_Q

It is a fun car, of course, which I never denied. I just don't have any patience for a car that you can't safely extract most of its performance. Other people do. For me, what you have is a bad sounding V10 and some fun conversations at Cars and Coffee. I can do a lot better for the money.