Road and Track's 10 Most Beautiful Cars....No Viper! Really?

[lochnessmonster]

Before I begin, I will preface my comments with the acknowledgement that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and is therefore a very subjective assessment.

I just received the September edition of Road and Track with its "10 Most Beautiful Car, Starring The New Ford GT". Yeah, ok, I get it. The new Ford GT (which isn't even on the road yet as far as I know, and isn't as good looking as the original or the 2005 version IMHO) is the new car our automotive journalists have latched onto, just like they latched onto the C7 Corvette.

Some of the cars in the top 10 I get. I don't think they are more beautiful than the Viper, but I can see how someone would find them beautiful. For example, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the BMW i8, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe, the Porsche 918 Spyder.

But here is my problem. They have listed the Cadilac CTS-V Wagon, the Range Rover Evoque, and the Audi TT as being in this category. Not to mention two race cars, the Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans Prototype and the Ferrari P4/5 Competizione.

How can R & T have passed over the Gen V Viper and yet included these cars in its list? Why does it appear as though automotive journalism has turned its back on the Viper so badly? I get the fact that the C7 didn't make the cut. The rear end of that car is hideous IMHO. But the Viper, now here is a car that I look at from every angle possible and just shake my head at how incredibly beautiful it is. For goodness sake, the Viper got beat by a freakin' wagon and an SUV!!!!

Can someone please explain to me what the heck is going on here???? It just seems so wrong to me that, despite the fact that R&T is an American publication, it chose one American car, the Ford GT, which isn't even on the road yet, and passed right over the Viper and other cars built in the good 'ol U.S. of A. which, come on, are better looking than a wagon and an SUV. I just think its getting a little ridiculous how blatant U.S. automotive journalism's dismissal of the Viper has become. :rolleyes:

[donk_316]

My wife drives an Evoque... There is no way in hell that thing looks better than the Viper. That's almost laughable!

[lochnessmonster]

I know right? Arrrrgggggggggggggggggggggggg..................... .................................

[RAY W]

How can R & T have passed over the Gen V Viper and yet included these cars in its list? Why does it appear as though automotive journalism has turned its back on the Viper so badly? I get the fact that the C7 didn't make the cut. The rear end of that car is hideous IMHO. But the Viper, now here is a car that I look at from every angle possible and just shake my head at how incredibly beautiful it is. For goodness sake, the Viper got beat by a freakin' wagon and an SUV!!!!

Welcome to the Viper Owner Experience. Here at M/T and R/T we have a long tradition for under rating and ignoring the Viper since 1992.

[lochnessmonster]

It's interesting, because on the one hand, I kinda like the "mystique" that the Viper has due to this oversight, and also viewing my car as "our little secret", but on the other hand, I want to roll up my magazine and hit the R & T editor over the head with it.

[Schen]

I have a question for you. Why are you reading Road & Track? :)

--RS

[Rapidrezults]

The problem for the Gen V is that it's essentially a throwback to the Gen II. The overall shape and look has been seen for decades now. While it is one of the most beautiful cars on the road, it won't get the recognition because in their minds it's just a modernized version of the same ol' Viper.

Next time you get frustrated about this stupid magazine article, think about the people that hang out of their windows to take a picture of the Viper going down the road.

[lochnessmonster]

The problem for the Gen V is that it's essentially a throwback to the Gen II. The overall shape and look has been seen for decades now. While it is one of the most beautiful cars on the road, it won't get the recognition because in their minds it's just a modernized version of the same ol' Viper.

Next time you get frustrated about this stupid magazine article, think about the people that hang out of their windows to take a picture of the Viper going down the road.

Good points for sure.

- - - Updated - - -


I have a question for you. Why are you reading Road & Track? :)

--RS

Good question. I'm starting to wonder the same thing...................

[slovenom]

The problem for the Gen V is that it's essentially a throwback to the Gen II. The overall shape and look has been seen for decades now. While it is one of the most beautiful cars on the road, it won't get the recognition because in their minds it's just a modernized version of the same ol' Viper.

Next time you get frustrated about this stupid magazine article, think about the people that hang out of their windows to take a picture of the Viper going down the road.
This!!!
I quit reading magazines 10 years ago...wake up

[Dman]

You can solve your frustration by not buying and hence supporting rags like R&T, they are a total joke, written for the uniformed, focused on ad dollars and just plain lame as hell. You need to dismiss all logic and car knowledge in order to read anything in that rag without getting frustrated, let alone anything in it about a viper or a mustang, or lack there of.

[lochnessmonster]

You can solve your frustration by not buying and hence supporting rags like R&T, they are a total joke, written for the uniformed, focused on ad dollars and just plain lame as hell. You need to dismiss all logic and car knowledge in order to read anything in that rag without getting frustrated, let alone anything in it about a viper or a mustang, or lack there of.

To be clear, I'm not looking to "solve my frustration", nor do I need to "wake up". In fact,to make myself perfectly clear, because obviously I wasn't, the point of my thread was to get people's thoughts on why the Viper seems to get passed over in the automotive media. Why is this? Or why an American publication isn't supporting American made products? I think Rapidresultz is the only one thus far to actually answer my question.

[Blue T/A 2.0]

I don't put a lot of emphasis on most mags because I don't see a lot of credibility in their articles. I read them mainly for entertainment and looking at pics.

[ViperPete]

They are the ghey.

[Dman]

To be clear, I'm not looking to "solve my frustration", nor do I need to "wake up". In fact,to make myself perfectly clear, because obviously I wasn't, the point of my thread was to get people's thoughts on why the Viper seems to get passed over in the automotive media. Why is this? Or why an American publication isn't supporting American made products? I think Rapidresultz is the only one thus far to actually answer my question.

Sorry, I guess my answer was a little buried, and not sure how it offended, but sorry if you somehow took it the wrong way.

They pander to ad money. And they're lame asses that really know little about cars. They're wrong 80% of the time on future reporting etc. they're simply printing junk. So, I suppose if SRT gave them a ton of money they'd have the viper on the list. Additionally, they've always, as in forever, have gone out of their way to dis the viper and mustang. A simple guess on those two would be GM dollars and writers' predispositions. The answer IMO is that there is no real answer, just the above reasons.

[LmeaViper]

Total BullShit.

Odd they never added the Juke, Soul and PT Cruiser to their list.

[lochnessmonster]

Sorry, I guess my answer was a little buried, and not sure how it offended, but sorry if you somehow took it the wrong way.

They pander to ad money. And they're lame asses that really know little about cars. They're wrong 80% of the time on future reporting etc. they're simply printing junk. So, I suppose if SRT gave them a ton of money they'd have the viper on the list. Additionally, they've always, as in forever, have gone out of their way to dis the viper and mustang. A simple guess on those two would be GM dollars and writers' predispositions. The answer IMO is that there is no real answer, just the above reasons.

Thanx for this^^^^^ Now it is starting to make more sense to me. I guess I made the misguided assumption that there is at least some independence in these magazines, but I think you're right
It must be a matter of cash flow, and the magazine, rather than providing a fair unbiased report about cars, is simply one big advertisement: in essence a rouse. It's a good explanation because for the life of me I haven't been able to figure out why this car is so undervalued, particularly after owning one for a few months.

[lochnessmonster]

Total BullShit.

Odd they never added the Juke, Soul and PT Cruiser to their list.

Hahaha.... You're right. That juke is one fine lookin automobile. I took one look at that Cadillac Wagon and just shook my head in disbelief.

[Zybane]

Road and Track? Audi TT? lol yawn.

[lochnessmonster]

This^^^^^^ I do have to say though, the piece on the Shelby Coupe is excellent and very extensive but it doesn't make up for the rest.

[TitanSnake]

I don't put a lot of emphasis on most mags because I don't see a lot of credibility in their articles. I read them mainly for entertainment and looking at pics.

Agreed. Think of it like a playboy when you were a teen, you only look at these mags for pics and info on upcoming cars. I don't read the articles.

[TIME]

lochnessmonster - Totally agree with how you see the V compare to other cars. The the gen V design was a big part of my decision for getting a Viper. Plus the fact that it is almost the last real car on the market. It is AWSOME!

[mikesax]

It's "ALL ABOUT THE MONEY"!!! The cars in the article reach the "target market" for the magazine! It's a combination of ad dollars-mentioning certain cars to people who have $$-not "wasting" precious space on a vehicle-the Viper-whose audience is EXTREMELY SMALL-and positioning this magazines issue with future issues!! Patriotism-unbiased reporting: bah humbug!! As ALWAYS-the real title of the article should be---"10 Most Beautiful Cars-that we think will get you to buy not only those vehicles, but will sell more magazines and allow us to generate more ad dollars because our mention of them in this article can be used to our advantage to fuel our financial existence because we need as much money as we can get our hands on because the internet has chopped away at our customer base and why mention a car whose got no real potential to sell more magazines or generate any substantial revenue-regardless of how AMAZING it looks and performs"!!!

[lochnessmonster]

It's "ALL ABOUT THE MONEY"!!! The cars in the article reach the "target market" for the magazine! It's a combination of ad dollars-mentioning certain cars to people who have $$-not "wasting" precious space on a vehicle-the Viper-whose audience is EXTREMELY SMALL-and positioning this magazines issue with future issues!! Patriotism-unbiased reporting: bah humbug!! As ALWAYS-the real title of the article should be---"10 Most Beautiful Cars-that we think will get you to buy not only those vehicles, but will sell more magazines and allow us to generate more ad dollars because our mention of them in this article can be used to our advantage to fuel our financial existence because we need as much money as we can get our hands on because the internet has chopped away at our customer base and why mention a car whose got no real potential to sell more magazines or generate any substantial revenue-regardless of how AMAZING it looks and performs"!!!

That was awesome ^^^^^^ Nice job Mike. I'm starting to get the picture. :)

[Rapidrezults]

It's "ALL ABOUT THE MONEY"!!! The cars in the article reach the "target market" for the magazine! It's a combination of ad dollars-mentioning certain cars to people who have $$-not "wasting" precious space on a vehicle-the Viper-whose audience is EXTREMELY SMALL-and positioning this magazines issue with future issues!! Patriotism-unbiased reporting: bah humbug!! As ALWAYS-the real title of the article should be---"10 Most Beautiful Cars-that we think will get you to buy not only those vehicles, but will sell more magazines and allow us to generate more ad dollars because our mention of them in this article can be used to our advantage to fuel our financial existence because we need as much money as we can get our hands on because the internet has chopped away at our customer base and why mention a car whose got no real potential to sell more magazines or generate any substantial revenue-regardless of how AMAZING it looks and performs"!!!

Spot on!

[lochnessmonster]

I missed these on pages 6-7 and 10-11. Man, I guess we can't buy a break.
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[640bhpV10]

In fairness to R&T, it was an invited article by Jeff Zwart. So it's HIS favorite 10 designs of the 21st century, not R&T's.

Few things are more subjective than design, hard to argue with other's preferences. Personally, I think the GenV Viper is the best looking car that you can currently buy - which is part of the reason that I bought one. But I can hardly criticize someone for wanting something different.

That said, recognize what other cars were also not on the list:

1. Everything from Ferrari
2. Everything from Lamborghini
3. Everything from Aston Martin - those poor Vanquish owners, looks is all they have! Otherwise they own an automatic C6 corvette coupe with a nicer interior and a bit more pedigree.
4. Everything from McLaren - not as surprising...
5. Corvette C7 - some people think it's really good looking - I usually recommend a screening for Glaucoma after a statement like that.
6. Mercedes SLS or AMG GT S - they're impressive in person - in relative terms.
7. Everything from Nissan...uh..forget I said that...

In short, I think this issue is playing out on a lot of Owner forums, most of us really like they way our cars look...even if you bought a Ferrari FF.

Also, the same issue has an excellent article on the Daytona Coupe - the Viper coupe's spiritual predecessor (in many ways the basis for the Gen 2 GTS).

Ever since the Viper premiered, it's personality and design has been a bit extreme for some - it's not a "consensus" type car. Which is fine, because it's PERFECT for me...and thats all I really care about.

-Nick

[lochnessmonster]

Well said. I agree. I think it's one of the most beautiful cars on the planet at any cost.

Edit - I'm beginning to think the designers at Nissan get a big fat bonus the uglier they make the car.

[640bhpV10]

I'm beginning to think the designers at Nissan get a big fat bonus the uglier they make the car.

I absolutely agree.

-Nick

[darbgnik]

Edit - I'm beginning to think the designers at Nissan get a big fat bonus the uglier they make the car.

Not as much as Toyota designers, lol. I truly believe that the fact that the first generation IS was good looking was an 11th hour mistake, but they didn't have any budget left to ugly it up!

[ddominator1]

Audi tt???? Evoque???? Ford gt??? Burn that road and track. Prob worst publication ever :(