What's so bad about early Vipers?

kanaric wrote:

calteg wrote:

Andy Neuman wrote: Overall I like the fact that I've owned one and thought it was awesome in its own regard but I'm much happier driving a new mustang everyday.

Lookup the performance specs on a 1st gen Viper vs a 2011+ Mustang GT. They're nearly identical.

sure, but are the interior specs the same? I think that's what he's referring to and most comments seem to be about. The Mustang GT is a very comfortable car, especially as a DD. This thread gives me the impression that the viper would be an opposite experience.

That is what the comment was about. i didn't have an issue once I was inside the viper but getting out over the giant side sills was my issue when it came to short trips.

I also seem to remember that the gen I and II Vipers didn't handle all that well compared to other pricey sports cars, according to the magazines. The III was better like someone here reported, but still a little lacking in the handling dept. I think they partially blamed the heavy V10, but I want to say that the total weight were always close to the Corvettes, so the engine wouldn't be the major culprit.

YOLO right?

http://www.copart.com/us/Lot/16755256?searchId=1237226999

this one only has front end damage. or maybe front end damage plus other things. not sure how copart labels damage.

http://www.copart.com/us/Lot/34592835?searchId=1237226999

As far as I can tell, there are no "interesting" roads in south Florida. It's pretty much all straight, flat, and heavily trafficked. I was considering the Viper as a big GT rather than a genuine sports car. Sounds like it might not be so good at that either!

this thread makes me think that its probably time that someone make a viper-cet

Researching it on one of the Viper forums, it seems that the following alignment specs really help:

1/16 toe in on all four corners -.75 camber on the front, -.50 on the rear 6.5 caster

"The Viper does not like to corner without a little bit of throttle added. Throttle tip-in and tip-out can unsettle the car unless it's done gingerly. Lowering the rear will make it a little less sensitive. The inboard toe link mounts are well known for flexure, which adds to the instability."

So it sounds like there's a few things that can be done to help, but the ergonomics are another matter and require more work to resolve.

calteg wrote:

Andy Neuman wrote: Overall I like the fact that I've owned one and thought it was awesome in its own regard but I'm much happier driving a new mustang everyday.

Lookup the performance specs on a 1st gen Viper vs a 2011+ Mustang GT. They're nearly identical.

Let's reframe the question: Is the OP single? A Viper may be a more affective tool in South Beach for attracting... Things.

^^^ Lol

The OP is happily married. My wife hates every car I've ever owned, except for the current DD: E90 335xi sedan. I wouldn't expect her to set foot in whatever I eventually buy.

Besides that, I don't think I'd be much interested in whatever the Viper may attract.

One major advantage of living in Florida is that a car with a cracked clamshell hood may not be totalled. It is fiberglass, and therefore a good boat shop can repair it. Find the right hull repairman and it won't be twenty grand.

I want to replace the vette with a Gen 2 GTS.

So my answer is nothing, nothing is wrong with them.

I think the first Vipers are one of the best looking cars ever made. That big curving scoop on the side is one the best best styling features on any car ever.

In reply to BlueInGreen44:

Oh YES ! Those curves.....

At the 1989 Detroit Auto Show:

At the time of development, this car went Stunning quick from concept to production vehicle; about 2 years !