Turbo63 said:
I was wondering for those that have tried other Vipers how you believe the driving and handling is between the SRT 10 and other, perhaps earlier model Vipers. ...... Have any of you experienced accidents or other issues early on while attempting to master the Snake? Appreciate your insight.
Well, since none of these other weenies actually
owned an SRT at any point, I suppose somebody should actually answer your questions. /images/graemlins/wink
I am on my second SRT-10 and previously owned a GTS (for 26,000 miles). The SRT-10 is indeed easier to drive than the previous Vipers, in that it is not quite as loose. However, compared to a Vette or pretty much anything else on the road it is a SERIOUS handful. Still has those wide-ass tires, stiff suspension, and ungodly amounts of torque that very few can master. Like every generation of Viper, many fail to survive the first 30 days of ownership. No traction control or other driving aids, a quick stab of the go pedal on even a sweeping turn and you can be spinning faster than the bottle at a Roman Polanki slumber party. Cold roads and cold pavement? Forget trying to race even a Yugo - you will spin all day long.
Although you DIDN'T ask (but everybody weighed in anyway), the GTS is indeed a better looking Viper in many people's eye, including mine. However if you are going from a Vette to a Viper and are worried about the handling, the SRT-10 is more manageable than the previous Vipers. Oh yeah, and Carrot is correct in that Dodge is building a lot more Vipers than usual (dumb) and thus the resale on them is not good. If you are set on red, I would suggest you look at a pre-owned SRT with low miles. There are quite a few of them available and you will save some serious coin. Woodhouse Dodge is my personal fave (Bill Pemberton - 800-889-1893). Good luck in your quest!