See, what you need to consider is that the magazines are for the masses by the masses. Do you honestly expect Ted Tester to jump out of the Kia Spectra and then subjectively compare the Z06 with the Viper based on what they were designed to do? Of course not! Ted is going to compare it to the hundreds of other cars he tests (and that millions buy) and the Viper is going to lose:
No optional power seats
No optional cruise control
No optional traction control
No automated climate control
No heads up display options
No plush seats
No digital read outs
No stability control
No soft ride
No cupholders (dang it Chuck, it's an ashtray!)
Why as far as Ted is concerned, it's practically a stripped down Yugo with a big ol' V10. What Ted (and the masses) want is a nice, safe, quiet, comfortable ride. Even if it is slower around the track, on a straightaway, or 0-60. Close to the Viper in performance but with all those creature comforts the masses enjoy? Obviously a clear winner - for the masses. Read the Edmunds article and notice it states that "almost 25,000 Vipers have rolled off the production line since 1992". Well kids, they build that many Corvettes
in less than nine months!
So, do you badmouth a mass-market car that sells some 20X as many units each year - not to mention what is probably your largest advertiser - to heap praise on a niche vehicle that is bred for the track? Of course not: You take the high road and keep the masses happy and your advertisers smug.
The bottom line is that the Z06 is the better car for the masses. Hop from the Camry and feel more comfortable and safe in the Corvette. Even the Z06 owners admit to it on this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1794413
Some quotes directly from those same Corvette owners:
"Z06 looks better IMHO. Viper is too brutish"
"I don't want the extra attention a Viper gets everywhere"
"Please tell me the new ones (Viper) come with traction control"
But a few automotive writers "get it", like this guy who I will quote again:
"
The 2008 Dodge Viper makes you fear for your life every second. It's terrific."
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=122304/pageId=129185
So don't be dismayed if/when those magazines give the edge to a car with 95 less horsepower, worse braking, and less road-holding ability. These writers write for the masses and represent them accordingly: Would a Camry driver, driving both cars, be able to go faster 0-60 and in the 1/4 mile with traction control and 95 less horsepower? Considering the skill necessary to launch a Viper well - you betcha. Then throw in "daily driver" chores such as getting groceries and the Viper is going to lose. From
Car & Driver's 12/05 test of the C6 Z06 vs. 2006 SRT10 Coupe (where the higher the number is the better):
Trunk space: Vette 5 (out of 10), Viper 1
Amenities: Vette 10 (out of 10), Viper 3
Price: Vette 20 (out of 20), Viper 15
Engine Flexibility(?!): Vette 5 (out of 5), Viper 4
Fuel Economy: Vette 5 (out of 5), Viper 4
Ride: Vette 9 (out of 10), Viper 7
Not exactly the criteria many of us used when shopping for a modern muscle car. But when shopping for a Camry...
Thank you, Chris for eloquently expressing what the Viper actually IS. ~juli
