Does the VIPER really exist?

[JimK]

I swear, unless you're personally aware of what an incredible "exotic" car the Viper is, you'd think it didn't exist based on mainstream media, documentaries etc.

Time after time, I've seen shows, read articles in some magazines and other publications when "exotic" or "supercars" are brought up or top 10'd etc and the Viper is rarely mentioned!

Why is this? What is the basis of this bizarre (dishonest) phenomena? Is it abject jealously, that Dodge was able to produce such an incredible machine for such great value? Or is it blind arrogance, in that its not worth mentioning unless it cost more than $100K to some guys? (although, I have seen shows/articles where the Corvette gets mentioned and the Viper doesnt!)

I've seen it many times but this weekend it happened twice and my fiance even got angry - she asked me why they "never mention or profile the Viper"? Below are those 2 examples...the first one was a show on Discovery called "Extreme Machines - million dollar motors" (just a title, cuz the Ford GT is profiled at $150K).

Heres the preview....

Extreme Machines preview

The other was this review of the Ford GT (below) - the guy basically says at one point (not quoting him exactly), until the Ford GT, the Americans never made anything that could handle, just go fast in a straight line. Like we're a bunch of simple dolts! He even goes as far as saying that he "checked it out with all the experts and we've never made a car that could handle a corner until now"!!!! What are the Ford GT's numbers on the skidpad?!!

****** Ford GT reviewer

I don't get it - the Viper should be the first profiled in such shows in my opinion. Not just because it compares (or outright exceeds) most of the other cars in every catagory of performance and looks, but is the most accessible financially!

Whats the deal?
Jim

 

[HI-NOS-Viper]

They are in denial.

 

[JimK]

They are in denial.

Why though?

You'd think they'd be slobbering over the Viper based solely on looks and performance alone - and the fact that its so affordable (by comparison) would be a huge point of pride...or point of being included period! Instead, most of the time they outright act like it doesnt exist.

Jim

 

[GTSRboy2000]

They had some publication recently where they ran threw the top 100 most famous cars, Viper wasnt mentioned once. Like you, i quesiton whether this is an accident or stupidity...Reguardless of what the vette ******* media is talking about, i think the Viper has very strong ties with society so im not too upset. Just look at the crounds they attract, thats all the evidence i need

 

[OzeViper]

in 16 months of driving as a trucker, I've seen one gen3 rolling down the road and I've seen one gen2 on a trailer. yall need to get out more! lol

 

[Venomiss]

Just checked and it's sitting in our garage. It's alive!

 

[viperman303]

Money. The root of it all. Pay us well and we print. No money, no mention of ur product. Very simple, very very true!

 

[Warfang]

You have to also consider that since 2001, Chrysler hasn't been racing the Viper anywhere, except maybe in the drifting world. Back in the late 90's early 2000's, the Viper won everything and was mentioned everywhere. Mags reported an increase in sales every time a Viper was on the cover. The Ford GT is a relatively new car. Even now, there's a LOT less hype about it than 3 years ago.

But I agree... money IS the root of it all. Sponsorship and ad dollars go a loooong way.

 

[vipeuup]

GM is scared of the Viper. Especially the ACR. After it got its a$$ beat at the Ring. So GM pays big money to these magazines not to do a head to head test.

 

[Brian GTS]

Money. The root of it all. Pay us well and we print. No money, no mention of ur product. Very simple, very very true!

You got it!

 

[vipzilla]

money. The Root Of It All. Pay Us Well And We Print. No Money, No Mention Of Ur Product. Very Simple, Very Very True!

I Was About To Give My Reason But You Beet Me Too It This Is Your Anser

 

[FastZilla]

Beautiful 10 page full color adds (sorry, reviews) in C&D, MT, R&T, etc. are expensive. However there is also the extra side of "bias" available for a phenomenal, sorry, nominal fee. I believe the authors of the reviews start with the brochure from the manufacturer, copy it, then add some personality. I've never picked up any literature from the dealer that said this car is a POS...

Money. The root of it all. Pay us well and we print. No money, no mention of ur product. Very simple, very very true!

 

[Martin]

The biggest reason you don't hear about it is that there was a dramatic cultural change at Chrysler when Daimler took it over, and then the precipitous drop in business interest in Viper when Daimler bailed out and sold to Cerberus. That all caused the silence around Viper. Before that, during the '92 through '99 years, every magazine you'd read was drooling all over the car. Viper was killing everything else on the race track, Chrysler was actively investing in hyping its own image via the Viper (notice how lots of Chrysler vehicles started getting Viper styling cues?), and writers were taking notice. It was like a fever that everyone caught the first time they saw the car.

It will happen again. When the news hits about the new buyer, there will be BIG media attention, and a very loud launch of the first "XXXXXX Viper". Ironically, the car won't be much different than today's, but the mags will treat it like it is a brand-new all-new release. I'm excited to see it happen!!

 

[JimK]

Money. The root of it all. Pay us well and we print. No money, no mention of ur product. Very simple, very very true!

Thats definately the case with the magazines and my second example (the reviewer of the Ford GT, he just bold-faced lied to promote the GT).

But the show that was produced for Discovery HD, I don't see what would be in it for Mclaren (the car profiled is long out of production and always spoke for itself to a very wealthy niche enthusiast) or Ford for that matter since the GT was also out of production by that point (although dealers were/are still sitting on them) and the Ferrari Enzo was sold-out by "invitation" before they even made them.

I don't know - would've been nice to have seen a segment in there on the Viper. It certainly deserves to be on so many levels!

Jim

 

[2001-V10 Power Nut]

Most of you nailed it, its all about the money, and GM shells out big bucks to promote they're cars. There was a nice little article in the March 09 Rd&Tr.

As most of you have experienced, our Vipers get drooled all over anytime they're out!! No amount a magazine space gets the same reaction for a Corvette or Mercedes!!!

I think that speaks volumns for our cars