Just joined and was hopeful that I might get some advice from viper owners.
I currently have a '04 M3 convertible and was thinking of getting a viper or a vette.
Here is a list of my requirements and constraints:
Travel ~ 100 miles (160 km) a week to and from work.
Happy with the M3 but want more speed and acceleration.
Where I'm at (Toronto area) the don't allow verts on the track.
Gas consumption is of no concern.
Have to modify my car (it's a never evding bug).
As I am one of the more helpful members on this site, and the reality is many people here are just plain mean spirited, I am going to give you a piece of advice. I recommend you heed it.
Visit the Viper Club Of America website (click here) and ask this very same question. People will line up to field every single mundane query that could have very easily been answered if you had just taken the time to read a little more and post a little less.
The Viper would fit your needs. You already talk about modding. Anything I ever buy gets modded. Vettes are also a dime a dozen. The exclusivity of the Viper and yet how simple it is to repair is another major plus.
Once you go to the darkside you will realize you should have come over sooner.
A Viper DEFINITELY fits the bill for you. Now it is only a matter of what you are looking for out of it to find out what year car suits you best. You said you want a coupe, so that puts you in a GTS. Do you want a car with ABS? Do you plan on heavily modding the car or just a few bolt ons?
If getting a Vette crossed your mind when comparing it or deciding whether a vette or viper....get a vette. To me a Viper is in a different class so by you comparing the two tell me you are probably the type that like heated seats....so get the vette. I know the Vette does not have that option but you will probably like it better.
Alot of us viper owners own both. They both have their own pluses and minuses. You should start by driving them both. I am turning my vette into a track only car, and keeping my viper for more of a daily driver.
I just couldn't see putting a roll cage in such a pretty car, would look like crap with the top down.
It gets sooooooo fucking tiring reading all the crap you guys come up with about Corvettes. I own both, and both are great cars. Actually my '95 RT/10 isn't half the car my Z06 is, but I guess since the Viper is 12 years old, that's ok.
My advice to you sir, is to rent a Viper for an afternoon. It may cost you $400, but it'll be well worth the money. Just test driving one won't help. You have to spend some time in the car. They aren't nearly as comfortable as a Vette. Not even close. The ONLY thing they do better is turn heads. That's it. Don't be fooled by all the "cool guy" attitudes on this forum. They don't need this in a car and they don't need that. Truth is, if the Viper came with all the electronic doodads and creature comforts that a Vette does originally, they'd all love it. Just a bunch of posing motherfuckers on this site. Half these douchebags don't even have 5000 miles on their cars, yet they're experts. Give me a fucking break.
I remember when I had my yellow '04 Z06 at the track, which at the time was showroom stock, there was some Viper dickwad there with an '03 SRT'10. I overheard him bragging about his "solid" 11 second car to everyone (I guess because Motor Trend ran an 11.77 in one?). Turns out this moron couldn't run any better than low 13's the entire time he ran. Which is hilarious because I was able to get my dog-of-a95 RT/10 to run low 13's just like this goofball in a 500 horse SRT-10. Anyway, my third run ever in my stock C5 Z06 was a 12.2 at 118 which after reading several posts, is exactly what 98% of the guys here run with their SRT-10's.
My point is that you'll hear that Vipers are quicker. Most people here are under the misconception that they are. But when a guy like me, who drags maybe 5 times per year, weighs 275lbs can get in a stock C5Z06 to run times equal to, or better than most Viper drivers run...to those people I say fuck off and meet me at the track. But as we all know, that'll never happen. As I said, most of these pansies don't know a staging lane from Lois Lane.
My point is that you'll hear that Vipers are quicker. Most people here are under the misconception that they are. But when a guy like me, who drags maybe 5 times per year, weighs 275lbs can get in a stock C5Z06 to run times equal to, or better than most Viper drivers run...to those people I say fuck off and meet me at the track. But as we all know, that'll never happen. As I said, most of these pansies don't know a staging lane from Lois Lane.
As V10Asscrack so eloquently stated, Corvettes are much faster for the inexperienced driver. If you have some skill or the desire to learn, then the Viper is much more rewarding. I think there are a few things the Viper does better too, maybe torque?? This is what lets the Viper kick the Vett's ass from a roll. Takes some of the skill out of the game. These are the same arguments that bike guys have all the time. My 600 blah blah blah out handles your Busa and with lots of mods and a pro rider out runs your stock times.
I love the Vette, but it is a different class of car. Think Z car vs Cobra.
I have a N/A 750hp vette being built. I am sparing no expense on the car, so I guarantee on the track its going to kill my 750hp supercharged viper.
The reason I bought a viper is its the only car, with that kind of power thats a convertible. The picture phones taking pictures of your car as you drive by is a good perk too
But when a guy like me, who drags maybe 5 times per year, weighs 275lbs can get in a stock C5Z06 to run times equal to, or better than most Viper drivers run...to those people I say fuck off and meet me at the track.
Dude, at 275 lbs you drag EVERY day. Forget the track, go hit the gym.
Get a Viper! I'm few weeks away from getting mine (it's sailing somewhere on the Atlantic). I've always dreamt of owning one and it took awhile to find the right car. (1996 GTS, 5k miles 100% stock). I flew to Texas to see the car and test it out before we shook hands with the previous owner. A friend of mine picked me up from the airport in his 522RWHP C6, nicely lowered, big wheels, shiny black. Beautiful car, but once we arrived to the sellers house I couldn't have cared less about the vette and neither could my friend.
And as we took the car down for a throughout test drive, my friend was following us in his C6 the whole time and once we got back to the sellers house my friend just said that everybody was staring the Viper as we cruised around ( I was too concerntrated on driving in, that I wasn't paying any attention to the people around us ) and no body shared a glimpse at his Vette .
I didn't buy the car for the attention it gets (I have 4 Corvettes, and here where I live, they get enough attention already), but to me it was the pure muscle, the looks, V10, 6-speed and the acceleration that made me close the deal. I will get another Viper I'm sure!
Vette's are quite common in the States, that's for sure, so I guess that too makes the Viper bit more special.
This is what lets the Viper kick the Vett's ass from a roll. Takes some of the skill out of the game. These are the same arguments that bike guys have all the time. My 600 blah blah blah out handles your Busa and with lots of mods and a pro rider out runs your stock times.
) and no body shared a glimpse at his Vette 
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