Where are we headed??

[viperdrummer]

As a former Vette owner, (2) I was always proud that Chevy-GM was able to stick with it through thick and thin (with some really bad Vettes during certain periods) Viper was always different. Low production, virtually hand made and many of the things that made it great, also made it very vulnerable in tough times.

I don't want to write this obituary too early but it is hard to imagine anyone, absent a very very deep pocket making a run of it for long trying to continue with the Viper. I can imagine the history of our car being "Dodge created an unprecidented muscle car for 17 years, and (insert name) tried to carry on the tradition but ultimately disappeared from the landscape."

I am hard pressed to name any specialty car companies that have made a go of it. And, when you take into consideration the world we live in--banks not leanding--a Dem led Congress demanding green cars etc it is simply hard to imagine anyone making a post Dodge Viper work.

I guess all of this is what led me to pick up an 09 and I have seen several dealers raise their 09 prices recently I guess speculating on CAAP not reopening.

Anyway, after 25 years years of owning sports cars (including all Gens of Vipers) and at least that long at representing companies (legal including the big 3) I am fairly convinced we are driving what is soon to be a wonderful memory and a huge part of automative forklore.

 

[Warfang]

As a former Vette owner, (2) I was always proud that Chevy-GM was able to stick with it through thick and thin (with some really bad Vettes during certain periods) Viper was always different. Low production, virtually hand made and many of the things that made it great, also made it very vulnerable in tough times.

I don't want to write this obituary too early but it is hard to imagine anyone, absent a very very deep pocket making a run of it for long trying to continue with the Viper. I can imagine the history of our car being "Dodge created an unprecidented muscle car for 17 years, and (insert name) tried to carry on the tradition but ultimately disappeared from the landscape."

I am hard pressed to name any specialty car companies that have made a go of it. And, when you take into consideration the world we live in--banks not leanding--a Dem led Congress demanding green cars etc it is simply hard to imagine anyone making a post Dodge Viper work.

I guess all of this is what led me to pick up an 09 and I have seen several dealers raise their 09 prices recently I guess speculating on CAAP not reopening.

Anyway, after 25 years years of owning sports cars (including all Gens of Vipers) and at least that long at representing companies (legal including the big 3) I am fairly convinced we are driving what is soon to be a wonderful memory and a huge part of automative forklore.

Better to die a legend than live in obscurity.

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

Well said on both counts

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

The fat Lady has not sung yet, she may be on her way to the opera, but she ain't in the building yet.
Semper Fi.

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

Maybe she's just finishing her dinner for a second time.

 

[viperdrummer]

Better to die a legend than live in obscurity.

Agree completely

 

[Martin]

At this point, anything's possible. The Fed money is what will ultimately drive what happens. If selling Viper is a necessary and decided component of Chrysler showing the Fed that they're viable, then it's going to happen one way or another. On the other hand, if the people in the Viper business unit come up with a business plan that shows the Viper is going to be a profitable unit, and thereby contribute to the viability of Chrysler, then Chrysler is going to keep it. I think there are a lot of ways the Viper business unit could be made more efficient - and savings could be found that would make the car profitable to Chrysler. Add to that the potential marketing value they COULD get from the car (like they did in the '90s with the Gen 1 and 2 cars), and Viper really should be looked at as a necessary asset - not an anchor. Just my opinion..

 

[JonB]

..............I don't want to write this obituary too early but it is hard to imagine anyone, absent a very very deep pocket making a run of it for long trying to continue with the Viper. I can imagine the history of our car being "Dodge created an unprecidented muscle car for 17 years, and (insert name) tried to carry on the tradition but ultimately disappeared from the landscape."

I am hard pressed to name any specialty car companies that have made a go of it. And, when you take into consideration the world we live in--banks not leanding--a Dem led Congress demanding green cars etc it is simply hard to imagine anyone making a post Dodge Viper work.

I guess all of this is what led me to pick up an 09 and I have seen several dealers raise their 09 prices recently I guess speculating on CAAP not reopening.

Anyway, after 25 years years of owning sports cars (including all Gens of Vipers) and at least that long at representing companies (legal including the big 3) I am fairly convinced we are driving what is soon to be a wonderful memory and a huge part of automative forklore.

EMPHASIS ADDED.....

Drummer, this is exactly why I have been slowly beating the buy-now, order-now drummer that you heard ringing in your ears last week! Its a GREAT value to anyone who can buy one now....and that darned Supply-Demand thingee always kicks in when there are'nt any more left.

I, however, am 97.63% certain that CAAP will resume building DODGE Viper Sold Orders before they build any {insert name} Vipers.

 

[albinonile]

well said war fang-----its like the viper is on life support and forgot to sign the dnr order. LET GO--within a few years I bet there will be a small company building a viper like the superformance cars. The viper will never ever die. It is an icon and icons dont die. The car will always be legendary.

 

[viperdrummer]

EMPHASIS ADDED.....

Drummer, this is exactly why I have been slowly beating the buy-now, order-now drummer that you heard ringing in your ears last week! Its a GREAT value to anyone who can buy one now....and that darned Supply-Demand thingee always kicks in when there are'nt any more left.

I, however, am 97.63% certain that CAAP will resume building DODGE Viper Sold Orders before they build any {insert name} Vipers.

I remain disappointed they turned down your offer to buy the company. It made perfect sense. You have the parts already, the name recognition, etc and who would not buy a " Brobst Viper"?? The name just rolls off your tongue. The Brobst Coupe, the Brobst ACR etc etc

 

[Hisserman]

According to the article in Auto Week yesterday, Chrysler has told the goverment that they are going to "monetize" Viper. It seems to be down to the long rumored three bidders:

"The Dodge Viper’s signature characteristic--speed--does not appear to be a hallmark of its potential sale.

Chrysler said Tuesday that it has received three proposals for the Viper business unit, which includes the car, workers and a factory in Detroit. But a sale does not appear likely before the company sends in its viability plans to the government by March 31, vice chairman Jim Press said.

Chrysler

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also has to submit an immediate restructuring plan by Feb. 17.
Press said the company is “doing due-diligence” as it weighs offers for the V10-powered halo car. It previously told the government that it would “monetize” the Viper operation as part of its plans moving forward.

Press has said that Chrysler’s investment dollars are better spent on more core products, and that retaining a stake in the business is not a condition of the sale.

Chrysler sold 127 Vipers in January, up 74 percent from a year ago, it said Tuesday. Last year, the automaker sold 1,172 of the cars."

 

[Warfang]

The fat Lady has not sung yet, she may be on her way to the opera, but she ain't in the building yet.
Semper Fi.

Since you know her location... take one for the team and show her a good time... that should distract her for a bit. Wear a lifting belt.

 

[FastZilla]

Semper Fi.

Semper Fi Lee from a 6423.

 

[RTTTTed]

So Chrysler said that if no one buys viper they'll still be building Vipers to 2011 or 12? And yet guys still say the Viper is done???

Too much talking and not enough reading?

Ted

 

[Martin]

So Chrysler said that if no one buys viper they'll still be building Vipers to 2011 or 12? And yet guys still say the Viper is done???

Too much talking and not enough reading?

Ted

Not to stir the ***, but the other thing I find interesting is that everyone seems to be assuming that "monetizing" the Viper business group and brand means selling it. In my little world, when we decide to monetize an underutilized product, we analyze current operations, find ways to make delivery/development more efficient, analyze the sales process, go on a marketing blitz, and put incentives in place for increased sales. Let's not totally write off that possibility - in everything I've read, nowhere does it say that a sale of the Viper brand is an absolute must for Chrysler going forward - it's just one option that might be advantageous if the right buyer is there. It might also be advantageous to keep the business unit if certain conditions develop.

 

[fastmd]

So Chrysler said that if no one buys viper they'll still be building Vipers to 2011 or 12? And yet guys still say the Viper is done???

Too much talking and not enough reading?

Ted

CAAP to remain closed, stated today on CNBC.

 

[OzeViper]

blows my mind the Viper once inspired a tv show and now here in 2009 it's the fastest prodution car and you don't even see it in commercials