Okay, I voted for the Viper but have to tell you that I had the slightest bit of hesitation. I know, I know - just what in the hell was I thinking? Well, if you remember what finally convinced me to make the switch from the GTS to my 2003 SRT-10, it was after getting some actual seat time in the SRT at VOI 7 in Nashville. I was never that crazy about the looks, as it just didn't have the impact that I thought I had with the GTS. Great looking car (and still is), but not the direction I would have taken with the exterior design. Once I got behind the wheel and experienced the incredible handling and braking, I was sold - not to mention the fit and finish. Despite my love of the GTS bodystyle (over the SRT Coupe as well), I would never go back - at least if I could only own one Viper.
Enter the new Z06. Do I think the over-bored 350 is likely to have problems? With those ultra-thin cylinder walls - you betcha. Do I think it will beat the SRT-10 in it's current form? Yes. In every single category. Even braking. Take the recent testing in Toad & Crack magazine for the "Best All Around Sports Car". With incredible bias towards the Chevy, the C6 (not even the Z06) took 1st place - vs a distant 6th for the Viper. Some numbers:
.......................................... C6 ................. SRT-10
60-0 Braking ..................... 110 ft ................... 112 ft
100 - 0 Braking ................. 194 ft ................... 197 ft
0-60 Acceleration ............. 4.5 sec .................. 4.0 sec
1/4 mile .......................... 12.8 sec ................ 12.1 sec
Buttonwillow lap time ......... 66.32 ................... 66.60
Curb weight ..................... 3290 lbs .................3420 lbs
And remember, this is a for stock vs. stock with the same driver. And the Vette is 100 less horsepower and 125 less torque. Make up the horsepower difference, bump up the torque, beef up the brakes, and drop the weight for the Z06 and I won't be the first to say that you will have a handful. The Z06 will have a better HP to weight ratio than the SRT-10. It even weighs less than a Ferrari Enzo.
Still doubt it? Don't forget that I recently got to "play" with a new Carrera S - which makes an anemic 355 HP and 295 ft lbs of torque. The SRT makes almost DOUBLE the torque (504 at the rear tires). Yet the Porsche proved to be a handful for the SRT, and after reading the Toad & Crack testing, I can see why:
.................................. Porsche Carrera S .......... SRT-10
60-0 Braking ..................... 108 ft ................... 112 ft
100 - 0 Braking ................. 184 ft ................... 197 ft
0-60 Acceleration ............. 3.9 sec .................. 4.0 sec
1/4 mile .......................... 12.3 sec ................ 12.1 sec
Buttonwillow lap time ......... 66.71 ................... 66.60
Curb weight ..................... 3300 lbs .................3420 lbs
Now let me retract one thing on the Z06 regarding winning in all categories: The two areas where it will not beat the SRT (convertible or coupe) is in looks or exclusivity. So then the question becomes whether you want to spend an extra $20K for that exclusivity and marginally better looks (they look so similar it is almost a draw). As grandma cleans your clock with her traction control while you sit there and spin your tires in your oh-so-exclusive Dodge.
Now before you start working to revoke my VCA membership or, God forbid, make me bunk with Craig in the clubhouse, realize that I am one of the most fierce believers in all things Viper. I am the LAST guy to dare spend an extra nickle on anything unless I believed in it 110%. Likewise the absurd amount of time I devote to the Viper Club - I wouldn't bother if I thought the Vette was in my immediate future. My point is simply this and echoes Jim exactly: Brand loyalty can only get you so far. There is no clear-cut winner in the new SRT vs. Z06 war and that is unlikely to change when the car is actually on the streets. Dodge MUST create a reason to spend that extra $20,000 besides exclusivity. The very harsh reality is that if the SRT continues "as is", then that exclusivity will be even greater: Everybody will be buying the Z06 instead.
And that, my good friends, is why the vote count sits as it does. Whew!
