Anyone think DC will discontine the Viper soon?

[FinalEd357]

I believe DC stock was down another 7% Friday... Does anyone think they would consider getting out of building the Viper consider the deals being offered to almost give them away? When we toured CAAP a few weeks back, they had a large # of new 05's stick in storage. I believe I heard $15k - $20k off sticker on new 2005s...? What are your thoughts???

 

[viper585]

Well...'08 is committed. The money has been spent...the cars will be built. Beyond that...there are plans for the next Gen car (4)...but that can change if market conditions or economics change dramatically.

 

[Bobpantax]

My thoughts are:

1. If someone likes a convertible they should buy one of the heavily discounted 2005 convertibles in storage - a bargain. Then if someone wants the extra power, etc, he or she should mod it to meet his or her personaal performance goals and taste.

2. Each time that there has been an HP race it has eventually petered out. We may be getting near the end of the cycle. There are only so many people with the desire and the money to buy these cars. Many have already done so. The younger set seems to like tricked out Asian brands. Time will tell if there is enough demand left in the market in future years for the muscle war to continue.

3. Those of us who have our Vipers already should enjoy them while we have the time and health to do so. Waiting is a risky game. No one promised any of us a tomorrow.

Have fun! Drive smart. Drive safely.

Bob

 

[DodgeViper01]

Very well said Bob.

 

[Newport Viper]

3. Those of us that have our Vipers already should enjoy them while we have the time and health to do so. Waiting is a risky game. No one promised any of us a tomorrow.

Well said Bob!

That is why I jumped on a very well priced 04 with 2600 miles on it.

 

[FinalEd357]

Those Gen IIIs are getting more tempting by the day... Just waiting now for possible unveiling in Vegas to see what happens... just a few weeks now...

 

[Casey]

If they do, I hope we get a heads up here so I can make sure I have my GTS before the prices go through the roof!

Speaking of Gen IIIs getting very tempting, I guess the temptation got me!

Can't wait until she gets here.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Hope they'll never be discontinued, but I'm very content with my SRT/10.

 

[Scott_in_FL]

As sad as it sounds, if DC quit making the Viper we would all be whistling Dixie. My garage door would be barred shut until Barrett-Jackson 2026.

 

[Casey]

As sad as it sounds, if DC quit making the Viper we would all be whistling Dixie. My garage door would be barred shut until Barrett-Jackson 2026.

Nah, if Viper production stops. It wouldn't matter if you had 50k on the clock, you'd still make a lot of money down the road!

 

[SRTRICKY]

after seeing prices lately i hope they do...my car only has about 3000 miles on it

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I hope not. I'm looking to upgrade in 2008 or 09.

 

[Scott_in_FL]

I do think you will be able to upgrade in '08, because those cars are going to be built (at least initially). Moreover, the same car is likely slated for '09 as well.

However, if the next build has a tough time selling, DC could pull the plug anytime during the '08-'09 build. In that case, you won't see Gen IV.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think we're beginning to see the end. The skipping of '07 is telling that DC is hedging their bets. That's because they're really not skipping '07, but merely delaying the build by a few months so that they can qualify the car as an '08 and then have nearly a two year period to sell the model. They'll do an intial build, feel for the market, and if sales aren't there, they have almost two full model years to clear out the product.

It is they type of move that a car company would make if they were worried about not being able to move the inventory. Forward date it as much as possible so that obsolecense is delayed as much as possible just in case you need to sit on it for awhile.

All the "special editions" to sell the current car are also signs that an end may be near.

Let's face it, DC probably loses money on the program and in this period of difficult times for auto manufacturers, why keep it? I think DC has already determined that the market has changed a bit and now demands a performance vehicle like the Firepower instead of the spartan Viper.

Hmmm.....

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Scott,

Not sure about your analogy for the 07, as that has been planned for a long, long time, and frankly has nothing to do with hedging of anything. The plant was shut down for various reasons of retooling and there are build changes for 2007 that have to be met ( the single reason we will see no more Ford GTs or Porsche Carrera GTs ). Obviously cars can be discontinued anytime, but this reasoning has no basis in fact and can be damaging to us all by starting rumors that are basis on pure conjecture in my humble opinion.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think we're beginning to see the end.

That may have been evident with ABS, the cup holder and runflats. As everyone knows the Viper was originally an image car, but if Dodge continues down the nanny/comfort path the "image" will be no different than any other high priced, high performance sports car.

 

[SylvanSRT]

personally i dont see the bad in runflats, it does/did elimanate the the jack and spare tire. the performance of the car is still stellar pulling 1g on street tires and record setting braking distances and damn good acceleration. there are always compromises. Chuck i can see the limitations of runflats in a competition/track situation but with street tires thats always the case. i think the amount of competitive products on the market has also made it tougher to sell the viper, it was the king of the hill in affordable sports cars. now its just the fastest convertable you can buy for the money.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

personally i dont see the bad in runflats, it does/did elimanate the the jack and spare tire. the performance of the car is still stellar pulling 1g on street tires and record setting breaking distances and damn good acceleration. there are always compromises. Chuck i can see the limitations of runflats in a competition/track situation but with street tires thats always the case. i think the amount of competitive products on the market has also made it tougher to sell the viper, it was the king of the hill in affordable sports cars. now its just the fastest convertable you can buy for the money.

Singularly, not a deal breaker. But as more and more of the new (really not-so-new) techo/comfort stuff is added the Viper loses it's original concept.

 

[Nader]

I will take some additional gadgets like a better stereo and even a power seat so long as weight doesnt increase - so long as we see more horspower - 600 or so works for me.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

As sad as it sounds, if DC quit making the Viper we would all be whistling Dixie. My garage door would be barred shut until Barrett-Jackson 2026.

If they do quit producing the Viper, I'd buy the rarest/low mileage Viper I could afford, make it a garage queen/retirement fund and still drive the heck out of my 96' RT/10

 

[MoparMan]

Chuck - Sadly, I think this trend is going to continue, particularly when we get to gen 4 in another couple of years. My guess is that more of the "nanny" type stuff that does not belong on a Viper will beging to appear on it. Don't be surprised if some sort of traction control is added and even an automated clutch.

 

[k4site]

I just purchased one of those 05 in the mid 60's. The only complaint is the cabin heat, I do not why DC included a heater. I think this is my first and last viper.

 

[Nader]

Change the exhaust and you will be fine. As for the "Automated clutch" comment I am willing to bet my retirement fund against that one.

 

[MoparMan]

Nader - let's hope so, but supposedly the gen 4 might be sharing components and a platform with other DCX cars that have such features.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

personally i dont see the bad in runflats, it does/did elimanate the the jack and spare tire. the performance of the car is still stellar pulling 1g on street tires and record setting breaking distances and damn good acceleration. there are always compromises. Chuck i can see the limitations of runflats in a competition/track situation but with street tires thats always the case. i think the amount of competitive products on the market has also made it tougher to sell the viper, it was the king of the hill in affordable sports cars. now its just the fastest convertable you can buy for the money.

Singularly, not a deal breaker. But as more and more of the new (really not-so-new) techo/comfort stuff is added the Viper loses it's original concept.

Chuck I hate to disagree with you, but I think you are a rarity in viper ownerships. Your a person that take the car to the track and pushes it to the limit. The average Joe/poser, just wants a badass sports car that stand out in the crowd. The techno comfort stuff added to the Vipers are what will sell more to the masses.IMO As far as the original concept, I think it started out as just that. A concept, and Dodge has improved on it every year. Techno / comfort means different things to different people. Some could say build the 1992 RT/10 again, and everything added after that was unnecessary.

I also believe as Bill touched on, we should be careful about spreading rumors about the demise of the Viper. We should all be talking these things up and encouraging people to own one.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

personally i dont see the bad in runflats, it does/did elimanate the the jack and spare tire. the performance of the car is still stellar pulling 1g on street tires and record setting breaking distances and damn good acceleration. there are always compromises. Chuck i can see the limitations of runflats in a competition/track situation but with street tires thats always the case. i think the amount of competitive products on the market has also made it tougher to sell the viper, it was the king of the hill in affordable sports cars. now its just the fastest convertable you can buy for the money.

Singularly, not a deal breaker. But as more and more of the new (really not-so-new) techo/comfort stuff is added the Viper loses it's original concept.

The techno comfort stuff added to the Vipers are what will sell more to the masses.IMO

What sold it before ABS? Before the cupholder? Before the runflats and pressure sensors? What people wanted and respected in a car in 1992 really hasn't changed much since. Except for more power of course.

Speaking strickly for myself obviously, if the Viper ends up being just like every other nanny-aid car I might as well look at a Porsche 996-7. Lots of competition between those guys and lots and lots and lots of support - both private and manufacture. It's tough not to respect and admire a company so devoted to racing like Porsche is.

But for now, the Viper is for me...until...

 

[V10 ICBM]

Chuck - you are on the money!
I got a 996GT3 last year (only abs) and has 16litre oil and true dry sump - it is adentical to the cup car except for variable valve lift.
I also have my 2000GTS with 4-wheel stop techs.
If you are considering a porsche note that the 997GT3 will have TC, may also get adj shocks as standard and might also get a sunrrof std!!!!
So my advice would be go for a cherry 996GT3 - they are very fast and faster than my Viper - after about 150km the Porsche pulls an acr to 230-240km - and weigh 3000lbs.
Still love the viper, but not enough to buy a new one.

All new cars will have TC, Stab, and next will be 7 speed sequential Dual clutches - they will be faster unfortunately.

My choice would be a Viper, 540 cube with 6 speed manual and 7 speed Dual clutch (my choice)- all other options could be availble but you spec it your self, including colour. Porsche offers your colour that you choose - for about $5000, so I am sure manny here would like Viper to do same and frankly, its a profit cow for DC if they did it.

Feel free to contact me if you are thinking of going this way...also, plenty of track dates and lots on knowledge.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

All new cars will have TC, Stab,

Lets hope not. So many folks think it's gonna save their butts and their gonna be in for a rude awakening.

 

[Bonkers]

The techno comfort stuff added to the Vipers are what will sell more to
the masses. We should all be talking these things up and encouraging people to
own one.

That sounds like GM's battlecry. "Sell the ultra-limited, special edition vette
to everyone!" DC will add the TC and Stab. They will cushion the looks again.
They will add more cupholders. Maybe even a backseat. The Germans might know
how to engineer it and build it, but they don't have clue one on how to sell
it.

TVC's right, DC needs to develop the balls to put an unrefined car onto the
market at a reasonable price and let the owner build it to their spec. I'd
rather pay to convert a CC than buy an SRTC, and I'm not the only one.

 

[FinalEd357]

I hope they continue building it also. Looking forward to something hopefully unveiled in Vegas

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

Unlike Chuck, I am a poser but still a purist. I do not race on the track (yet). What appeals to me about the Viper is that the racing versions have to be given the biggest restrictor plates to make them equal to the other cars and they still win often. Not only the engine is a winner but so is the whole car. The lack of tech nannies and creature comforts makes it lighter and also more reliable and is a competitive advantage on the track and on the street. It may be raw but it's all business take no prisoners image was what attracted buyers to pay probably record dealer markups for the 1992 Vipers.

The reason the Viper has seen demand lower is because DC radically changed the styling and took Vipers out of factory backed racing venues like LeMans. The Competition Coupe is awesome and a version of it really should have been the Gen III. DC missed a huge opportuniy.