VIPER OWNERS FIRST IN LINE FOR "03
If you already own a Viper, you'll be pleased to know you're first in line
to buy one of the 2003 models being readied by Dodge. Next fall, when the
Viper SRT-10 goes on sale, current owners will be able to purchase a new
model through a couple of outlets: by confirming an advance order with
Dodge Viper Headquarters from now until January 10. Owners must have
purchased their Viper before Nov. 15, 2001, and must still own the car.
Reservations are being accepted at http://www.viperclub.org and
http://www.2003vgx.com , as well as at the Viper Headquarters hotline,
877-468-6864 (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. ET).
2001 Dodge Viper RT/10 by Paul A. Eisenstein (7/30/2001)
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=3953
2003 Viper: Detroit Auto Show, Day Two by TCC Team (1/14/2001)
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=3158

That's a cool idea. But if GM did that, guys like me would never get to drive one of the new Vettes until they'd been out for a while

This 2003 viper will be amazing...

ZO6's better watch out..could be close on the basis of reliability..speed...practicality..beauty..handling..braking..

Not price but that new ride is nice in person..

They need competition mode active handling with that car though..

They should really put that in...JMO..

In my opinion the Corvette already has Viper beat by a mile! Performance wise the Corvette is, and has been nipping on their heels for a while. But the Corvette is tens of thousands of dollars cheaper. Just the fact that we're even TALKING about beating a car that's almost twice as much speaking volumes in it's self.
Personally, unless money were no object to me (as is the case for some of you), I would definately get a Z06 instead of a Viper. The ONLY way the Viper has the Corvette completely beat is the fact that you'd get many more looks driving a Viper. To some drivers the attention is very important, but of course not to all.
Just my 2 cents

Sean, Torch Red 99, A4 3.15, HUD, AH/TC

[ 12-11-2001: Message edited by: SeansVette ]

I like GTS ACR and don't care for the new one. Next year I should get one just to hang in Bear mnt with JBS

I would get a Vette over a Viper as well. I am still not sure of the quality put into Dodge cars. I know someone who has a '99 Viper and has had several problems. He is very upset and I see why. A $80,000+ car should not be in the shop for two month just to figure out what was wrong with his car. They eventually had to replace the motor. I think it really sucks and he will never get another Dodge again. He traded in the Viper for a '02 Z06. He just got it about a month ago and he is loving every minute of it.

thanks for the laughs..

Guys..I really just posted this so you could see what Dodge is doing..

Is the viper a great car..yes without a doubt..I feel world class..whether its this past version or the new one..

Is the zo6 world class..absolutely..I love it..

So's the C5..

I just thought the process of purchasing was bizarre ...Ferrari does it..and now DC..


What would I rather have personally..The corvette..but as Adam spoke..having both is pretty cool too..

Was going to order the new 2003, until I saw what it actually looked like.

Dodge has done what I never thought would be possible. They have destroyed a classic road car. The lines, height and overall shape of the new 2003, have been so distorted that you can barely see the car's heritage.

I was upset when I saw the direction that Dodge took on the 03' design.

Fortunately, I stumbled upon the GTR for 2003.

With its Viper slaying performance off the line and on the course, its history of winning road course races, its first entry into the 2002 LeMans 24hrs, its price range not being to far from the Viper's, the fact that it is a true race car built for the street, and the fact that it was designed to mate with a GM LS1 427 big boy with a Porsche G50/50 6 Speed Manual transmission, I'm sure that my pain caused by Dodge will subside in no time flat. Like 3.3 seconds flat!

Sorry guys but if I had the money...I'd be in line to order a 2003 Viper. I think it's BAD!!!

I was there for the intro and was dissapointed in the way it looks. That said I would love to have a Viper with all that power. I'm sure the new one will handle and stop better too.

I don't want people looking at me so the Vette is cool because I like looking at it!

Ahh I think it look like a S2000 on steroids.
:p

I totally agree! I don't understand why Dodge designed the new look the way they did. I've heard from nobody who likes it. You would think a company that spends millions upon millions on R&D would take the time to ask a few people, "what do you think of this look?"

Opinions are like @ssholes..we've all got them..(and I'm just joking around but thats what makes the world go round)

I like the new viper in person...hate it in the photos..

I think the car has awesome presence..although with a car like that..I'd want a coupe..otherwise you cant' race it on the track..I personally liked the coupe version they displayed a year earlier to be honest..I don't know exactly why they are not doing the coupe version of this convertible..Maybe the second year running..

The biggest factor for me..is that

I would'nt buy a car with this much hp (or the vette for that matter) without competition mode capability..

I 've driven with it on..and I've driven with it off..Sad to but honest when I say..

I'm faster on the street and the track with it on..(its a great tool to learn the outer limits of the vehicle) and quite frankly..I need it..LOL

I like the Corvette better anyway..its a looker as well..beautiful shape even after 5 years running!

Fido..your right..to look and enjoy the cars beauty yourself is what its all about..

[ 12-12-2001: Message edited by: JBsC5 ]

I agree with you JB. I would never drive a car with that much power with out competition mode. I like to drive fast, but I need something to save my ass if I push it a little to hard.

"Ahh I think it look like a S2000 on steroids."

Exactly. With a little SLK “butt” mixed in for bad measure. I LOVE the Viper. I just hate what Dodge has done to her with this rendition. She used to be very distinctive and bold with a tremendous amount of Viper presence. There used to be no mistaking a Viper. She used to have no body part resembling anything else in production. Not any more she doesn't.

I'm shedding tears – maybe the 2005 will bring back the glory of the Snake.

As far as the variant versions of traction control are concerned relative to my go – no go – decision to buy, I would never make a “not buy” decision just because a car has more power than I have driving skill.

What I would do (if I really wanted the car) is drive it well within my limits and exercise my skill-set until I could comfortably push the car further. Since I'm the Driver In Command of the car, it does not control me – I therefore must control it.

If I wanted to learn how to really handle the car at the limit, I would take it to the track and let a certified professional teach me where the limits are, so I know NOT to push past them at any time. I would continually work on developing those skills much the same I would anything else I really cared about, until I was confident in my ability not to drive like a bat, in my ability to not exceed the limits of the car.

Lastly, aggressive variants on traction control can lead to bad habits at the limits. Bad habits at the limits are “usually” not a result of a knowledge gap between problem and solution. Rather, bad habits are the things that put one in a position to be too close to the limit in the firs place. In other words, learning how to “balance the weight” of the car prior to entering a short-radius turn would be one good example. Impossible to know what the car should feel like without much practice.

I'm not a professional driver (although I would love to be one some day), but I'm learning from one and these are the ideas of someone who possess high-performance, high-horsepower skill that I can only dream about right now. But, I'm gaining on him.