Early Viper: modern classic?

I've had a bit of a bug for a little more torque and HP than my 1st Gen RX-7 can provide. As I have been running down the list of vehicular options, one consideration was an early Viper, circa 1993-97. I always loved that original styling with those huge fender vents and its raw appeal.

However, I rally don't see these about much at all.... not on the road, and nobody really talks about them online either. What gives? Are they problematic? An object of scorn? A pile of junk? Any thoughts are welcome. ...

Yes! Especially the first roll up window cars (95-96?) that were pretty well debugged.

As Andy said, the early cars had side curtains, which is kinda interesting, but in real life a pain in the butt. I like the first of the GTS coupes. I still find them incredibly striking. The interiors are crude, the cabins tend to get hot, but with 10cyl and ridiculous power who really cares.

I think they are an easy choice as a modern classic. From what I understand they are fairly reliable too!

I'm not big on Mopar, but having driven a Viper around Phoenix International Raceway.....I gotta go with a yes...and a big silly grin...

The Viper was conceived as a modern take on the classic American muscle car. While there are some who insist that the iconic AC Cobra was a source of inspiration, the final version of the Viper was far too large and heavy to seriously claim any direct lineage with the compact and lightweight vehicle. Most saw claims to kinship with the Cobra as a marketing exercise, although Carroll Shelby was involved in the initial design of the Viper. The Viper was initially conceived in late 1987 at Chrysler's Advanced Design Studios. The following February, Chrysler president Bob Lutz suggested to Tom Gale at Chrysler Design that the company should consider producing a modern Cobra, and a clay model was presented to Lutz a few months later. The car appeared as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in 1989, and public reaction was so enthusiastic, that chief engineer Roy Sjeoberg was directed to develop it as a production car. Sjoberg selected 85 engineers to be "Team Viper", with development beginning in March 1989. The team asked then-Chrysler subsidiary Lamborghini to cast some prototype aluminum blocks based on their V10 truck engine for sports car use in May. The production body was completed in the fall, with a chassis prototype running in December. Though a V8 was first used in the test mule, the V10 which the production car was meant to use was ready in February 1990. Official approval from Chrysler chairman, Lee Iacocca, came in May 1990. One year later, Carroll Shelby piloted a preproduction car as the Indianapolis 500 pace car. In November 1991, the car was released to reviewers with first shipments beginning in January 1992. _________________________________________ [canoe removed]

Sadly the Viper is very likely one of the last cars we will see like it.

The coupe is a stunning looking car. I like both though.

The first time I drove a Viper, I thought that the tach was broken. Even though the car was terribly fast, the needle only slowly swung across the tach's face. The speed of the car (very fast) just didn't jibe with the speed of the tach (kinda slow).

Short answer: Wow, what a deceptively fast car. It's also a better autocrosser than you'd think.

I love the coupe too.

White with blue stripes. But a yellow open top would do me just fine.