Viper or Z06: Help me decide
- Thread starter jimchris
- Start date
I do get it I just need to make my mind up, I want the looks and raw power of the Viper and the amenities of the Vette. I think my post should have asked what are the pros and cons of both. When I ask the same question on the vette site they were helpful in pointing out the differances on this site some posters like you and chuck have really not been so helpful. Most Viper owners I've had contact with have been very good about pointing out the differances, thanks for your help.
Kenneth Krieger
Viper Owner
Been a Vette owner, and have had a Gen1 and now a Gen 3 (S/C'd, etc.) and they are two different cars. The Viper hands down is the car for the raw side, and the Vette is the car for the "soft" side of your car experiences. Reliability is another issue. My vette was awful, and needed consistent mechanical help, both my 94 and my 05 Viper no issues what-so-ever! My former asso. had a 2004 ZO6, and it was at the dealership 17 times in 9 months with electronic problems, oil leak, leaky windows, blown rear end, etc. I had him talked into a Viper, and he went ahead and bought an 08 (not a ZO6), and I was taken back when I saw how bad the paint was. Orange peal, and uneven, and the car cost him (loaded) $59K! The interior already has a rattle (600 miles), and the fit and finish is not great at all. That being said, my Viper's paint is excellent, and the car is tight as a drum! Would I own another Vette? Probably a mid 60's for the nostalgia, but NEVER a newer car. I would be extremely disappointed compared to a Viper.
PhoenixGTS
Enthusiast
Raise an additional $20k and get a Porsche 996TT with the X50 option. Best value in performance cars (out of warranty) out there right now and gets you everything you want plus all-wheel-drive. Dime a dozen her in North Scottsdale, but might attract some attention if you live in less of a car town.
1Need4Speed
Enthusiast
I wouldn't get to discouraged with the information your getting from both sides. But if you notice the posts of the individuals such as myself that own both (or have) then you can see the maintenance issues are much less on the Viper than the Vette. (Excluding the high horsepower monsters out there, just mainly stock).
Both are great cars but from my standpoint the only things lacking between the two is the cruise control which you really don't need but is available to purchase for the Viper. The ABS is available 2001 and up. You need a cup holder? MGW sells the console lid door with one.
I think the Viper has a better fit and finish than the Vette unless of course it has been wrecked but like any car purchase you need to check that out. My Viper has less rattles than the Vette aside from the lumpy cam feel the car has which is awesome!
Other than that I couldn't think of the differance other than the thrill of the road cruise between the both are not even close... The Viper is a thrill seeker and just great to pull out and drive on a nice day. Feels like a Harley but with a ton more power.
Enjoy the hunt!
Andrew/USPWR
Enthusiast
Another interesting thing you'll love about a Viper is, when you go to a fine resturant they'll park you Viper you spent $45-$55k on up front.
and park the guys $140k MB in the lot.
V
venms96
Guest
You better stash that "cash" somewhere in your vehicle, once at Springfield - you might need it ! Then, you'll know........what everyone is talking about here.
And, Hey - we all have different personalities on here, some people joke around - when they really mean well. And sometimes, they don't mean well, you figure it out-who brings what to the table. It's also very easy to misinterpret words - when someone is being sarcastic or joking, it's easy to read it as a shot, when it isn't.
This is more than just a Hobby for some. The Viper is a WILD Car, and that brings in a Wild bunch. It's a mean sob-of-a-car, and unless you develop racing skills with it, it will always be too much for the average driver, like me. But I don't care, I'm constantly challenged behind the wheel, there are thresholds that I just can't cross yet, and that makes it fun. I don't know if you'd see those thresholds with the Z06. That should be a big decision maker right there.
I don't look at all the options you might be thinking about, as a decision maker at all. And that silly heads-up-display, jeeeesh, get that distraction outta my face ! I look at the Viper, I look at the Vette - I know the performance differences, not so many Vipers around, and boom - done deal.
But look at the Gen II body compared to a '03 Z06, and the set up of a Viper, the frame, the simplicity and strength of it all, as some said, there really is no comparing when you get down to it, and if you have to ask, then you already answered your question. It's not that "they" aren't helpful - they are telling you, there shouldn't even be a question. And what people are saying about "fit and finish", another Truth.
I think most of us on here saw a Viper one day, whenever that was - and said, damn - I'm gonna buy that car someday, no questions asked, dreamed a few years, and pulled the trigger when we could. There was never a question of - do I want a Viper or some other Car, never. The Vette is usually the stepping stone to the Viper, it's just the way it is. And there are Cars that make the Viper a stepping stone, but not many.
But the Viper is a RAW Car JimChris, it's not a comfort machine, and yea, it gets a little hot in there-but the AC does work. There ain't no time to mess around with a cup holder/drink inside the Viper, just too much to pay attention to around you. And the Viper might even be "too much" for you, and you have to be honest about that. There isn't much to "play" with inside, hence, there isn't a lot to break either, and that's how we like it. The toys inside the Viper are the gas pedal, brake pedal, and the gear shift - and that's the simplicity - and we get it ! I also get the cushy feature of putting in a kick *** Black Label Society CD and crank it up thru the great sounding stereo system too. That's the only amenity I need.
BigCarrot
Enthusiast
I beat the living hell out of all three Vipers that I owned, and never had any problems that I didn't create. I blew the motor in one, but it was because I leaned it out while spraying it. I blew the clutch up in one, but it was because I was trying to get the stocker to hold 850hp. The '99 ACR that I kept for almost two years had a 300 shot of juice, got driven very hard, and never had a single problem! They are very solid cars!
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Honestly I was trying to be helpful. The Viper doesn't have amenities. Period. If you want amenities then don't buy a Viper unless you want to add aftermarket amenities.
Simply put...
If you like raw - buy a Viper.
If you like amenities - buy a Vett.
It sounds to me like you want a "Vipett." So either buy a Viper and clutter it up with aftermarket cruise, TC, a cupholder, heated seats and all that other stuff.
Or buy a Z06 and strip it.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
And as for reliability, I've put 110,000 miles on my 98 RT/10 and 35,000 track miles on my 97 GTS. Both still have the original clutch and neither has ever had the heads off.
Dads Toy
Enthusiast
Wow, I am new to this board and am looking to learn all I can about the Viper. I will be 50 this summer and WILL buy a VIPER in about 23 months. Thats just how my finances are and my time line. I am hoping to learn about the different generations and all the pros and cons of each. Currently I have a 2001 and 2004 Dodge Ram (both 4x4's) and a 1998 Trans Am that I am building as a track only toy to replace the 2001 Trans Am I blew up at the track. I am very happy to see all of the positive reply's in this thread. I will be around trying to learn as much as possible over the next 23 months. Viper has been my dream car since it came out. Had kids and houses to take care of first and soon it will be time for me to reward myself. thanks for letting me ramble
John
John
DodgeViper01
Enthusiast
You beat me to it. Now back to the topic. A 2003 Z06 or RT/10/GTS? There is no competition. The Viper wins hands down. Now if you were talking about a new Z06, then I would say it is a hard decision but the 2003 Z06 is just plain slow and does not have any appeal to it what so ever.
DodgeViper01
Enthusiast
Watch out for Chuck, he is a rare bread! His parts always tend to last a lot longer than everyone elses for some reason but you will still get a great life out of your cars parts. I got 50K on my clutch and just got it replaced. Brakes are every 25K or so.
You sound like me a couple years ago, now its time to put up. I'm going to Chicago tomorrow to look at 3 GTS's and next week I will stop at a dealer in Springfield Mo. on my way to Arkansas.
V
Venomiss
Guest
Careful John, that's how one of our members here started...
He owned an SRT Truck met the club and bought a 95 Viper. He then sold it and now owns a 2005. Come check out some Vipers at a meeting when the weather gets better.
You are invited.
V
venms96
Guest
Damn.......can't even get a (quote) reply...........like I said, tough bunch.....old and new.
whew.......
.......no more from this end of town.......
I'll see you Central PA. boyz when the roads are clear.
SDMF
whew.......
.......no more from this end of town.......
I'll see you Central PA. boyz when the roads are clear.
SDMF
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Well...I did lose 5th gear on the backstretch at Sebring a couple years ago.
And there was that time I hit the tire wall in turn 13 and lost a mirror and side sill.
And the time I went into the gravel every which way at 100+mph at Homestead and had to climb out through the window.
And the time I melted my brake pads to the pistons at Moroso after just passing the pit entrance and had to nurse it all the way around the track.
#34 just doesn't wanna die.
Dads Toy
Enthusiast
thanks for the invite. I will do that. I guess this will be a test. I am tempted to trade in or sell my 04 truck and get a viper now but I need my 04 ram to tow my TA to and from the track. I do drive it daily to work. I would not want to drive a viper daily, too many bad drivers in rush hour traffic and I don't want to go to jail if one of those folks hit me in a Viper.
Batboy
Enthusiast
Jim,
Don't get to strung out on some of the posts. The Viper has a lot of power and even more torque. A Gen 2 has more torque than a C6 Z06. As such many people come on our forums, chat with us, buy a Viper and then wreck it or worse gets killed. Some of the reason why we are harsh is to protect those who just don't understand the responsibility owning a Viper really is. Imagine having a daughter like Paris Hilton and trying to teach her the responsibilities of infidelity. It aint easy. That in no way implies YOU can't handle it. It's just our way of warning you.
Having said that I too checked out Ebay to get an idea of where the market was. My next step though was to contact my regional VCA president. This was the best move I could have done. He found a better car at a very reasonable price and it was a member car so the history was known.
As for a comparison with the Z06 I would say this:
Performance - Viper
Utility - Vette
Bang for Buck - Vette
Potential for upgrade - Even
Attention factor - Viper
Hope that helps.
Matt
Don't get to strung out on some of the posts. The Viper has a lot of power and even more torque. A Gen 2 has more torque than a C6 Z06. As such many people come on our forums, chat with us, buy a Viper and then wreck it or worse gets killed. Some of the reason why we are harsh is to protect those who just don't understand the responsibility owning a Viper really is. Imagine having a daughter like Paris Hilton and trying to teach her the responsibilities of infidelity. It aint easy. That in no way implies YOU can't handle it. It's just our way of warning you.
Having said that I too checked out Ebay to get an idea of where the market was. My next step though was to contact my regional VCA president. This was the best move I could have done. He found a better car at a very reasonable price and it was a member car so the history was known.
As for a comparison with the Z06 I would say this:
Performance - Viper
Utility - Vette
Bang for Buck - Vette
Potential for upgrade - Even
Attention factor - Viper
Hope that helps.
Matt
Obsidian
Enthusiast
I strongly recommend the Vette.... NOT!
-FROG-
Enthusiast
Regularly, Vette owners come on these boards all the time wanting to upgrade to a Viper. However, I have never heard of any Viper owner downgrading to a Vette.
TT ACR
Viper Owner
Too bad the yellow GTS was only in 01&02 because those are priced in the mid to low 50's.some I have seen in the high 40's with higher miles. But then you never can tell.Good luck and come back here and show us what you ended up with.
GreyKnight
Viper Owner
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2007
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I'll throw in my 2 cents. If you have to ask, get a vette.
shmoos
Enthusiast
I cant believe that this post has lasted so long. Just my 2 cents.
lol
lol
fqberful
Enthusiast
Like 90% of every other Viper owner, I had Vettes. The operative here is HAD.
Vettes were a maintenance headache.
As for the daily driver opinion, I'd use my Viper for a driver way before my Vettes, it's way, way more reliable, and seriously more fun. I can take the ash tray out of my GenIII and have a cup holder for my coke-a-cola. The A/C is fine .. and Chuck you know that in FL we need A/C cause we all can't go as fast as you, tried I4 lately ?
Take a drivers course though if you're not used to cars with huge torque, without nanny-tech a Viper can easily get away from an unskilled driver. If you have a clue, you will enjoy it! Picture it like an old MOPAR muscle car that can actually go around corners, and BTW, it goes around corners better than any Vette I've ever owned or driven. Even on the run-craps
I would never go back, and yes, I would use a Viper for a driver. My current driver is an SRT10 truck 2dr 6spd.. Need the trunk space. What can I say <grin>.
Just my humble 0.02
Vettes were a maintenance headache.
As for the daily driver opinion, I'd use my Viper for a driver way before my Vettes, it's way, way more reliable, and seriously more fun. I can take the ash tray out of my GenIII and have a cup holder for my coke-a-cola. The A/C is fine .. and Chuck you know that in FL we need A/C cause we all can't go as fast as you, tried I4 lately ?
Take a drivers course though if you're not used to cars with huge torque, without nanny-tech a Viper can easily get away from an unskilled driver. If you have a clue, you will enjoy it! Picture it like an old MOPAR muscle car that can actually go around corners, and BTW, it goes around corners better than any Vette I've ever owned or driven. Even on the run-craps
I would never go back, and yes, I would use a Viper for a driver. My current driver is an SRT10 truck 2dr 6spd.. Need the trunk space. What can I say <grin>.
Just my humble 0.02
gen2lover
Enthusiast
update on what you are going to buy?
HHI VIPER
Viper Owner
If it matters, I have had several "EYE CANDY" sports cars and "NONE" of them brought the attention that my 2001 Viper RT/10 does! I am new to the car so as far as any mechanical issues, folks on the board will have more experience than I. My situation was much like yours, Viper, another Vette or another Porsche. I read alot and got opinions from numerous sports car enthusiasts and friends but the concensous was "VIPER"! Exotic versus ordinary! IMO 
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