[Super Squirrel]

This is definitely not meant to upset anyone or offend anyone who works for DC, but how good is the quality of these vipers anyway? I followed a thread on VCA and some guy ranted and raved about how crappy "Dodge" really was and he is a viper owner! Question is...do they actually put more time into these "vipers." In all honesty, I would not buy a dodge unless it was a viper...I love my viper
and I have an import SUV and love it too, but since this is dodge's "premiere" vehicle, do they really spend extra time with details. OR is this just a damn racecar and those whining about squeeks, and such should realize that's what they bought, not a luxury sedan?

 

[GaryA]

I've been very happy with the quality of my car since the day I bought it. The production line at CAAP does not use much in the way of automation (I suppose mainly due to low production volumes) and each car is "hand-assembled".

It definitely takes more time to assemble these cars, but I don't really think it's because of the "extreme care" they put into building them. If you've ever been to CAAP, you'd have to agree that they're not trying to break any speed records building these things.

My only complaint is the latching mechanism for the hardtop (front and rear). In my opinion it wasn't very well thought out and tends to become loose and rattles.

 

[Toby]

My Viper is the only DC product I have ever owned...

I am very happy with the cars quality. (and I am a die hard Toyota man)

 

[AUSTIN]

I personally dont own a Viper as of yet but, I have sat in (a couple) and rode in one. Dont get me wrong, I actually love the interior of the Viper. Everything from, the small steering wheel, to the gauges across the dash and the huge middle "console". BUT, the interior is a little cheap. Yes, there are a few things that DC could have done differently but, all of those things are what contribute to what a Viper is. Its not a 200k dollar Ferrari or Lambo. Its an 80k dollar AMERICAN built sports car. Pure breed specifically FOR speed and power. Not to mention, the awesome lines of the car. Thats just my :twocents:.




Austin

 

[Super Squirrel]

If you think viper has cheap interior, ride in a vette any model. It's notorious for having crap interior..just read the reviews and they all state that that is a huge weak point of the car. The next major weak point is that it's not a viper. /images/graemlins/bootyshake.gif

 

[Toby]

I would agree that first gen Vipers could have had a bit more "quality" interior but my second gen GTS seems ok to me.

 

[McGuireV10]

Go read a Ferrari forum sometime. You'll be glad you bought a Viper. Considering what they can do, they're very well built in all the places that matter. Frankly I could care less about a comfy interior. I'd probably be happier if I could strip it bare without my wife completely freaking out.

 

[Super Squirrel]

I've had ZERO complaints. Small things, but it's certainly nothing to worry about. I have a toyota too and it has wonderful quality. There is no comparison with overal cockpit quietness, etc. but and this is a bit BUT the toyota doesn't require a flight suit like the viper does and that just makes things all right for some reason doesn't it? I haven't gone to the ferrari dealership

 

[MHQC]

I think I am a little different than those guys who review the cars. I always picture them dropping comments in their white pullover shirts, drinking some earl grey tea and buttering their english muffins. Shit, I can't believe some of the lame ass comments about the interior of the car they have made. I couldn't give 2 shits about the dash quality or anything remotely similar. I fell in love with this car in 1992, and regardless of what some Monday morning quarterback for some car mag says about the "interior trim", it still is the sexiest thing on 4 wheels.

People don't put things into perspective. I have a 1980 corvette, an 97 Acura CL, and a 2000 Toyota Tundra. Talk about differences...

The corevette is a actually better finished than the Viper for its time. Think of it, in 1980 to have power windows, tilt/telescopic steering wheel etc...was a big deal. Still looks good today.

As for the CL and Tundra, yes the build quality is much better. However they all serve disctinctive functions. I think it is cool to have a Viper with quirks, it makes it more interesting to work on. I think we would get tired of a Viper with Toyota reliability, but that's my opinion.

I will say that Toyota and Honda are decades ahead of Chevy and Dodge for customer service. Dodge fails miserably here in my experience. Bought oil for the Viper at a 5 star dealer and the parts moron asked me if the car was an automatic or manual issed: /images/graemlins/ar15firing.gif

 

[Super Squirrel]

ferarri dealership...what was I saying. I haven't gone to the ferrari forum to see what probs they've had.

 

[Toby]

Ferrari's are wonderful cars but are very expensive to repair and maintain.

 

[slaughterj]

People's experiences seem to vary. I've had ~$17k in warranty coverage on my car thus far, including everything from AC compressor, to hardtop latches, to both window mechanisms, to two transmissions, etc.

 

[Smokin]

I dont see anything WRONG with viper quality. Its a low production volume car. It IS what it IS. Dodge did not promise a luxury interior, but I wouldnt mind some more details. The thing is that its reasonably priced. At $80K we cant expect the items that we find in supercars costing twice as much....but I do think they could have offered a leather stitched dash, and some higher quality knobs, etc. Part of owning a world-class sports car is enjoying the spartan interior, but some carbon fiber and/or some additional splashes of leather would be nice...as long as the weight stayed low.

 

[Super Squirrel]

Smokinv10

good point.

 

[MoparMan]

I'm a life long Mopar owner - I've never owned a car other than a Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth (that includes various new cars as well as a '68 Charger and '69 Charger R/T SE). I have no complaints with the quality of my Viper (2000 GTS), but I also have not had many complaints about the quality of my other Chrysler built vehicles.

 

[Super Squirrel]

Try an import and believe me you'll see the difference. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who loves his dodge and his toyota and believe me there's a difference.

 

[Performin Norman]

I thought the quality of my 98 GTS was fair. In all honesty, I think the engineering wasn't as good as the quality. Let me say this, but wait for the last comment. I thought my car was brutally harsh, the environmental controls sucked, it rattled, the fit and finish were not so good, certain bolts would rust.... BUT I DIDN'T CARE! :rofl:

The intent of the car was to be a "Back to the basics" car and THAT it was. Do I think they could have done better? Yup! Did I care? Nope! Now, if it were my daily driver, I would have cared.

 

[Super Squirrel]

Performin Norman

I totally agree. All things considered, it's still a fine car. All the money went to the motor etc.

 

[2BADD 4U]

How good is the Quality of GM and Ford? The list can go on and on....The Viper has the Looks and TQ to make up for minor imperfections....

Dave

 

[CS]

Go read a Ferrari forum sometime. You'll be glad you bought a Viper. Considering what they can do, they're very well built in all the places that matter. Frankly I could care less about a comfy interior. I'd probably be happier if I could strip it bare without my wife completely freaking out.

Fuckin' A Jon.. I followed a post on Ferrarichat where a guy's 355 HVAC vents melted.. In a 135K car..