For those who missed the Motorweek review of the 2008 Viper . . .
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viper77
Viper Owner
AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Photog1
Enthusiast
Thanks for posting this, I never seemed to be able to catch it on the TV.
viper GTS-R
Enthusiast
True but unlike Motor Trend and Car and Driver at least Motorweek had the balls to admit it's hard to plant the rear correctly without spinning the tires where as the mags would just say it's horrible and get paid by GM to say the vette is the best thing ever built.
What's impressive in that video is how the car is just not moving. There was barely ANY roll as that thing went through the salom. There beating on those 08's like they've been on the track for years and they finally found the perfect setup.
"...the viper is still the baddest muscle car on the block..."
That about says it all right there.
--RS
Viperfreak2
Enthusiast
I am disappointed. I sold my 03 SRT-10 and was going to wait patiently in the wings and suprise my friends and family with an 08, but now I'm flippy the flip floppin like John Kerry.
I still have not seen any numbers that impress me.
Please help me by explaining the VAST difference (other than price between these two cars)
............08 Viper.......... Ferrari 599 (Road and track numbers)
0-60..........3.7................. 3.2
0-100........8.0................. 7.0
1/4 mile...11.9 @ 124......11.2 @ 129.3
curb weight 3450............ 3482
HP.............600................611
TORQUE.....545...............448
Should the two cars be neck and neck? Can cooler weather, an F1 style gearbox and traction control make that much difference?
I still have not seen any numbers that impress me.
Please help me by explaining the VAST difference (other than price between these two cars)
............08 Viper.......... Ferrari 599 (Road and track numbers)
0-60..........3.7................. 3.2
0-100........8.0................. 7.0
1/4 mile...11.9 @ 124......11.2 @ 129.3
curb weight 3450............ 3482
HP.............600................611
TORQUE.....545...............448
Should the two cars be neck and neck? Can cooler weather, an F1 style gearbox and traction control make that much difference?
dave6666
Enthusiast
Where was Danica? 
Nine Ball
Enthusiast
Do you purchase all of your cars based on magazine test results? If so, that is a shame. I write/shoot for Primedia, and can tell you first hand that biased writing does exist. The key thing is matching a writer/photog with a car they have passion for, which will provide a much nicer read. For example, I dislike econoboxes and imports, so I wouldn't take those stories.
I mean really, only a fraction of performance car buyers will even use a car to its max capabilities. Most people are concerned by bragging rights of "600 HP"...parked under the car cover with 10 miles on it. Most will never see a road course or drag strip.
I suggest you buy cars based on your passion for a car, not what you read in print.
Tony
Kenneth Krieger
Viper Owner
Just buy the Ferrari.....................it's only just a piece of change!!! Then you get hammered with the upkeep.......$10,000 to $15,000 for a tune-up? My God what are you thinking going by a rags test results.......when the car is available to drive go see for yourself!
wallbanger
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Motorweek tested the 599 the same month as the viper and had the 599 at 3.7 in the 0-60...They also complained of the ferrari's light touchy steering with poor feedback... they had way more fun driving the viper
SylvanSRT
Enthusiast
thx i have been looking for that!
Viperfreak2
Enthusiast
Do you purchase all of your cars based on magazine test results?
Of course not, I think my point was missed.
Two cars with nearly identical power and weight. I expected to see consistent published results (by now) of the 08 Viper running low 11's. I mean it's got better tires, better gearbox and rear end and more HP. It should be posting times near the 599 (AND R&T times are historically notoriously slow)
I was hoping the numerous improvements made a huge performance improvement (my reason for buying) instead it looks like the same 'few tenths' that the SRT-10 improved over the GTS. Why would I sell a Viper then buy a car that looks the same and only is a couple tenths quicker than an 03? I might as well wait for the next Gen...
Of course not, I think my point was missed.
Two cars with nearly identical power and weight. I expected to see consistent published results (by now) of the 08 Viper running low 11's. I mean it's got better tires, better gearbox and rear end and more HP. It should be posting times near the 599 (AND R&T times are historically notoriously slow)
I was hoping the numerous improvements made a huge performance improvement (my reason for buying) instead it looks like the same 'few tenths' that the SRT-10 improved over the GTS. Why would I sell a Viper then buy a car that looks the same and only is a couple tenths quicker than an 03? I might as well wait for the next Gen...
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2002_Viper_GTS_ACR
Enthusiast
F the fan boys FiperFreak2. You're entitled to your opinion. Its funny how people rush to talk about the price of the ferrari or you looking at mags for justification... when the real question is, why isnt the Viper able to do better numbers with its 600hp ?
Its a legitimate question, and I for one am with you.
I cant wait to see what real owners do with them, but I most certainly am not going to presume they rock the world just becuase they have 600hp. Lets see it beat OTHER 600hp cars, so that I can be impresses with what the Viper is meant to MEAN.. a no frills, no holds bared monster that dominates the competition REGARDLESS of price.
Dodge seems to have forgottne that these last few years, from 1992-2002.. there were no equals stock for stock. Can't we have that title back?
Jon
Its a legitimate question, and I for one am with you.
I cant wait to see what real owners do with them, but I most certainly am not going to presume they rock the world just becuase they have 600hp. Lets see it beat OTHER 600hp cars, so that I can be impresses with what the Viper is meant to MEAN.. a no frills, no holds bared monster that dominates the competition REGARDLESS of price.
Dodge seems to have forgottne that these last few years, from 1992-2002.. there were no equals stock for stock. Can't we have that title back?
Jon
Viperfreak2
Enthusiast
Exactly.
For anyone that says the 95 degree temp blah blah blah
For a good run in a Viper, launch traction is critical and you have a lot more traction when the air temp is 95 and the track temp is 125, than on a cool day.
The car should run .2 sec faster in the 1/4 for each improvement:
Non run-crap tires .2
Differential hooks up better .2
+90 hp .2
better gearing .2
Sounds like an 11.2 @ 129 would be EASILY do-able. Hell I've run 11.7 in my bone stock 03 on RUN FLATS! Having owned only three Vipers, I guess my opinion is in between the noob and the six Viper owners!
For anyone that says the 95 degree temp blah blah blah
For a good run in a Viper, launch traction is critical and you have a lot more traction when the air temp is 95 and the track temp is 125, than on a cool day.
The car should run .2 sec faster in the 1/4 for each improvement:
Non run-crap tires .2
Differential hooks up better .2
+90 hp .2
better gearing .2
Sounds like an 11.2 @ 129 would be EASILY do-able. Hell I've run 11.7 in my bone stock 03 on RUN FLATS! Having owned only three Vipers, I guess my opinion is in between the noob and the six Viper owners!
I'll say the rpm advantage , probably 8000 rpm for the ferrari, and 6200 for the viper. Higher rpms allows the ferrari to take advantage of lower gearing in the rear end, and improve acceleration.
If the Big V-10 could rev to 7000, it would be a different animal.
Smog Dog
Enthusiast
I guess I'm one of the fan boys----mine is on order. If you don't like the Viper, buy something else and quit wishing and whining. Goodbye. Great work SRT!
2002_Viper_GTS_ACR
Enthusiast
Smog..
I got here before you, and probably will still be here long after you leave.
How about avoiding the straw man fallacy, as that false logic wont hold with educated people. I never said I don’t like the Viper, I am a critic of them, but also a champion and an owner. 3 time buyer, all new right from Dodge. So until you see me say I don’t like Vipers (contrary apparently to my spending habits), don’t put words in my mouth.
and your trite "goodbye" means **** to me. I'll not take your lead or anyone else’s lead to my departure of either my presence on this site or my freely given opinion, until I see fit to do so.
Enjoy your 08.. I won't be buying one based on what I have seen thus far.
Jon
I got here before you, and probably will still be here long after you leave.
How about avoiding the straw man fallacy, as that false logic wont hold with educated people. I never said I don’t like the Viper, I am a critic of them, but also a champion and an owner. 3 time buyer, all new right from Dodge. So until you see me say I don’t like Vipers (contrary apparently to my spending habits), don’t put words in my mouth.
and your trite "goodbye" means **** to me. I'll not take your lead or anyone else’s lead to my departure of either my presence on this site or my freely given opinion, until I see fit to do so.
Enjoy your 08.. I won't be buying one based on what I have seen thus far.
Jon
Andrew/USPWR
Enthusiast
You get what you pay for. And I wouldn't pay another $200k for a few 10ths.
SRT Rocks. My wife is already hinting we should put some money down on an 08. Gotta love that girl.
wallbanger
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GTS Dean
Enthusiast
I didn't read the article, does the F-car have traction control? With less torque on tap, the Ferrari is somewhat less likely to melt the tires on launch. Controlling wheelspin is pretty much Job #1 with a Viper. Always has been, probably always will be.
Viperfreak2
Enthusiast
The F-car has traction control. With switches to change the settings.
I should have never compared the F 599 to the Viper, I was only trying to find a similar HP/weight comparison and it was the closest to the 08 Viper. I only want to see results that reflect the real world. I am not interested in the Ferrarispecifically, never was.
In the real world the V car should EQUAL the F car.
I should have never compared the F 599 to the Viper, I was only trying to find a similar HP/weight comparison and it was the closest to the 08 Viper. I only want to see results that reflect the real world. I am not interested in the Ferrarispecifically, never was.
In the real world the V car should EQUAL the F car.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
That's what I was gonna point out. Sports cars have a "feel" to them that isn't measured with stats.
Wanna feel like you're on the edge in every turn? Drive a Viper.
Wanna feel like you're driving the ultimate tech? Drive a Ferrari.
Wanna feel like you're driving a really fast Impala? Drive a Vette.
It's all a matter of what you like.
viper77
Viper Owner
Let's put it another way. Would you want to go to a party with a bunch of Viper gear heads or a bunch of Ferrari owners?
Viper owners know how to party, at least here in Michigan!
Viper owners know how to party, at least here in Michigan!
texas_venom
Enthusiast
I just wouldnt beleive the numbers you read in the mags. They vary so greatly from mag to mag that it shows you that there is either bias in the writing, more money paid by other auto makers for face time, or just a poor driver behind the wheel of the Viper during the test. I was seeing the exact same numbers put up for the 03 and 04s back in the day. If you put a driver behind the wheel that cant drive the car you will see numbers like the ones you have posted... or possibly even worse.
I have to agree with Texas Venom. Different mags, different OPINIONS and different numbers. Different drivers - different stats. My Kawasaki ZX11 supposedly went 10.2@132mph. When I bought one and took it to the track, it went 11.1@133mph. First run was a 1/4 mi. burnout (through 3rd) and my second run was a 1/4 wheelie. So much for magazines. I beat nearly all the slicked drag bikes at Mission Raceway that day though.
If you're after 600hp and like YOUR Viper, instal a Roe sc and you'll have your 600hp. Our older Vipers may not have all the fancy dodads, but who needs them? If I bought an 08, it would be to supercharge it so that it could beat my 720rwhp 2001. Never go less. Mine has also got all the aftermarket goodies that kick 08 Viper ass.
Mostly, although I do like the 08 coupe's looks, they don't look as good as the Gen 2's. Unfortunately, the 3rd Gen may be more aerodynamic, but they look similar to vettes from a distance.
Ted
If you're after 600hp and like YOUR Viper, instal a Roe sc and you'll have your 600hp. Our older Vipers may not have all the fancy dodads, but who needs them? If I bought an 08, it would be to supercharge it so that it could beat my 720rwhp 2001. Never go less. Mine has also got all the aftermarket goodies that kick 08 Viper ass.
Mostly, although I do like the 08 coupe's looks, they don't look as good as the Gen 2's. Unfortunately, the 3rd Gen may be more aerodynamic, but they look similar to vettes from a distance.
Ted
Paul Hawker
Enthusiast
ViperFreak2
Yours is actually a pretty good question.
Why would 2 cars with similar stats turn in different results.
Probably comparing two different measuring sticks.
The Motor World test of the Ferrari showed it only .2 sec. faster than the viper.
This could be the result of its lower rear gear/higher rev limit, combined with some of the worlds best traction control, backed up by the paddle shifters.
Frustrating to compare two different results from two different testing facilities, on two different days. .2 second is well within an expected range, considering the Ferrarri has 11 additional horsepower.
Do not know if the Ferrarri has launch control or not.
Yours is actually a pretty good question.
Why would 2 cars with similar stats turn in different results.
Probably comparing two different measuring sticks.
The Motor World test of the Ferrari showed it only .2 sec. faster than the viper.
This could be the result of its lower rear gear/higher rev limit, combined with some of the worlds best traction control, backed up by the paddle shifters.
Frustrating to compare two different results from two different testing facilities, on two different days. .2 second is well within an expected range, considering the Ferrarri has 11 additional horsepower.
Do not know if the Ferrarri has launch control or not.
The answer may be very easy. Get the fuel economy numbers into the comparison. Dodge put 3.07 rear gears on the Viper to boost the EPA numbers. The '08 Viper has much improved mpg. I'll bet they're considerably better than the numbers for the Ferrari (I saw Lambo EPA numbers that were about 10 mpg). If the Dodge gave up some mpg on that V-10, and put in a 3.33 or 3.55 gear, I'll bet the Viper would have been in the 11.3-11.5 second 1/4 mile range.
Exactly. There have been enough tests on the new Viper to show it's not a world ****** (aka Z06 ******) by enough of a margin to be cheering too much about. A tenth here or there is a medicore improvement at best.
The early Viper was not any better from '92-'2002. That's just pure bs. The market was different -- nobody else was building super high HP cars then. For example, the BMW M3 was a HUGE story in 2001 because it had 333 HP!!! The standard Corvette only put out 350HP in 2004.
Now everybody is in the game. Speed costs money, and we're at 600HP now (with improved fuel economy in a world of $3.00+ per gallon for premium gas). Let's get real folks. The '08 Viper IS a 'world ******' for $90K.
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