I was thinking about purchasing a Viper again

[CarDude]

I was just scouring the web for a new Viper when I came across this article about the new Z06...

http://horsepowerkings.com/2015-c7-z06-will-start-at-78000-msrp/

It honestly makes it hard to justify the purchase of a new Viper (I've owned four)...

I'm not hatin here just presenting info. Even if the Chevy "Stealers" price gouge it's way less than a Viper. What's going on Dodge?

 

[Dom426h]

Cool. Get one and let us know how it works out for you.
Prob a pretty fun car. You should go all out though and spec the Auto trans... I hear that taking away driver input from a vehicle makes it even more fun to drive. With the next generation you wont even have to touch the steering wheel. (you think i'm kidding...)




FYI:

Chevy produced on average about 24,000 C6 corvettes per year totaling 215,125 for 05-13. This allows them to spend a relatively large amount on research & development as the expense it is spread over so many cars.

In comparison, Dodge has produced on average about 1,740 Vipers per year. Any equal amount of money that Dodge spends on R&D with the Viper program is spread out over FAR fewer cars thus increasing the cost.

Same goes for ANY low production vehicle.

Incase those numbers got lost in the words up there I'll type it again:
Vette= 24,000 units per year
Viper = 1,740 units per year


For dodge to sell a sports car in Mass quantities at a comparable cost to the corvette it would have to develop it for the Popular folks.
The Viper will never be a "Pop" sports car. We are Viper nation, we are not Pop, and Dodge makes the Viper for US.
Dodge would have to start at square one to create a competitor to compete with the Vette. Maybe call it the Copperhead or something...
But considering the Vette has been building their empire for 60 YEARS im not sure what it would take for Dodge to catch up to that.

 

[Stealth]

The preceding post appears to actually support the case for the Vette--more R&D at a lower price.

Both are great cars just with different approaches.

 

[Bobpantax]

First drive a Gen V. Then report back. You are comparing the Gen V to a 3500 plus pound car that is not nearly as good looking that does not even exist yet for sale to the public.

 

[CarDude]

I've not even seen a Gen V on the road. Saw it at VOI (2010) and one in a local dealer (last year). So its definitely got exclusivity covered...but $150K for the fully optioned...that's crazy high! And trust me, I've purchased and lost a lot of money on cars over the years.

 

[Bobpantax]

Why are you writing about a fully optioned car? That is irrelevant to the issue you raised. And no one, and I mean no one, is now paying 150 K for a Gen V Viper. There are incredible prices being offered on 2013s and very good prices on 2014s. Do some research first. You will be enlightened.

 

[Free2go]

Incase those numbers got lost in the words up there I'll type it again:
Vette= 24,000 units per year
Viper = 1,740 units per year

From what I remember way back in Economics, if there is less of something...it usually costs more.

 

[CarDude]

Why are you writing about a fully optioned car? That is irrelevant to the issue you raised. And no one, and I mean no one, is now paying 150 K for a Gen V Viper. There are incredible prices being offered on 2013s and very good prices on 2014s. Do some research first. You will be enlightened.

It is relevant. The article says a fully optioned Z06 will be $90K. A far cry from $151K.

 

[05Commemorative]

come on, you must know more than this info if you are considering. You can get a fully loaded GTS for near 100k now. Does your view change now?

It is relevant. The article says a fully optioned Z06 will be $90K. A far cry from $151K.

 

[CarDude]

From what I remember way back in Economics, if there is less of something...it usually costs more.

Your theory would be correct, but it is supply versus demand...and the demand for a $100K+ Viper is not there. Those whom were in the market were run off by the much higher price. I purchased the 08 right after it was released. Then I purchased an 08 ACR at a discount about 8 months later. Both below 100K, then the Gen 5 came out...and it saw a 30% increase in price. That is huge, especially given the state of the Obamanomy (er economy)!

 

[CarDude]

come on, you must know more than this info if you are considering. You can get a fully loaded GTS for near 100k now. Does your view change now?

It makes me hesitant, feeling that it will drop further!

 

[05Commemorative]

ok, I must be missing something. One post, you pause at the 151K figure stating how high it is and now you pause at the 100k figure. price is not the issue in the comparison (relatively speaking), so just decide which car you like better by seeing in person and driving.

It makes me hesitant, feeling that it will drop further!

 

[CarDude]

ok, I must be missing something. One post, you pause at the 151K figure stating how high it is and now you pause at the 100k figure. price is not the issue in the comparison (relatively speaking), so just decide which car you like better by seeing in person and driving.

I care about resale...call me crazy. Having seen the housing market adjust its value I really don't want to throw away more than I must on this depreciating asset. I should have purchased a Ford GT!

And if 100K is such a bargain then what's with the huge dealer inventory!

 

[Free2go]

I got a neighbor who's a Vette guy. Pretty damn loyal one too. He thinks my Viper is going to kill me. He's not thinking of buying a Viper at all....he wants to upgrade.

 

[Bobpantax]

The 90K does not include gas guzzler tax. Also, the fully optioned Vette does not have as nice an interior as the base SRT model.

You also might want too look at the number of sales of coupes from each manufacturer per month in the 100K price range. Viper sales may not be great but there are quite a few others not doing well.

You need to do your homework. The former ZR1s did not sell well after 2010. You could get the last year run cars at steep discounts. The new Z is just a dressed up and higher powered Vette. I think it will have the same marketing problem. It is insufficiently distinguished from its slower older brother.

ZR1 build data:

2011 - 644 built
2012 - 404 built
2013 - 482 built

It is relevant. The article says a fully optioned Z06 will be $90K. A far cry from $151K.

 

[pathoguy]

It honestly makes it hard to justify the purchase of a new Viper

It's hard to justify spending that kind of money anyway, on any strict 2 seater, with such limited utility. To me it is not about which car makes more sense, because logic is rarely present with such a purchase. It's pure emotion for me. I don't feel it with the C7Z and drowning in it with viper. It's likely your pleasure centers will kick in and knowing or not, will write the check for you. Go with your heart, not your brain with this one.....

 

[kratedisease]

Forget the Corvette !! The Vette is a great car but just get used to mediocrity when no one notices it.

If you are on the run from the law, have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, then get the vette since you will never be noticed or found.

The Viper is a low production hand built specialty car.

It's like comparing a Jaguar ( corvette ) to an Aston Martin (Viper )

Additionally do not bother showing up to a cars and coffee or a exotic car show with your vette, you will not be allowed to enter .....unlike the Viper where they part the velvet rope to let it in.

 

[sunsalem]

Both are great cars just with different approaches.

Good point.
My first love is the Viper and I have never owned a Vette.
However, this Z06 does get my attention....

You are comparing the Gen V to a 3500 plus pound car that is not nearly as good looking that does not even exist yet for sale to the public.

Absolutely agree the Viper is better "looking."
IMO, it is by far the most beautiful American car on the market.
IMO (again), it compares well with the ultra-exotics as well.
OTOH, the C7 is the most beautiful Vette ever.....so there's that too.

I've not even seen a Gen V on the road.

LOL, neither have I.
I live in the Cascade Mtns. in Oregon and even a new Vette is a rare sight!

 

[sunsalem]

That is huge, especially given the state of the Obamanomy (er economy)!

Having seen the housing market adjust its value I really don't want to throw away more than I must on this depreciating asset.

As someone who will probably lose 300k plus when selling one of my houses this fall, I hear ya.
However.....I'm sorry, but Obama had nothing to do with the tank in housing and its subsequent affect on the economy.

It's hard to justify spending that kind of money anyway, on any strict 2 seater, with such limited utility. To me it is not about which car makes more sense, because logic is rarely present with such a purchase. It's pure emotion for me. I don't feel it with the C7Z and drowning in it with viper. It's likely your pleasure centers will kick in and knowing or not, will write the check for you. Go with your heart, not your brain with this one.....

Wisdom if I ever heard it....

It will be interesting to see Randy Pobst's numbers from Laguna Seca in the new Z06, as well as straight-line times.
After looking at the specs of the car, I won't be surprised if those numbers will be eye-popping.

 

[Bruce H.]

You need to figure out what "you" want because you seem to be all over the map and headed deep into purchase paralysis. I'm guessing you don't want a loaded Viper at all and fretting over prices that don't apply to your needs. Since cost/value/resale/Vette pricing is very important you might also consider a lightly used Viper at about half the price you quoted.

Either way go look, feel, touch and drive any Gen V. Then try a C7. Worlds different in many ways. And if the Vette appeals to you then you'll have months and months to complete your research as you wait to do the same in the Z06.

Good luck.

 

[jjrho]

my 3cents…
i'm a new viper owner…gen5… had it for a few weeks…. it is the most engaging and enjoyable car i've ever driven… as posted on another thread, i've owned or driven most sports cars out there and i admit, avoided viper cause it was 'just an american muscle car…'… well, all i can say is, it is just about as exhilarating as riding by liter crotch rocket (bmw s1000rr)… i love this car…

btw, the car is to be enjoyed…. don't worry about resale value,blah blah…. Y.O.L.O…. and as to corvettes… great cars no doubt…. but rarely anyone comes over and wants to talk to you about your 'vette either….

jim R
'14 TA #66