Ralph "The Viper is Selling Just Fine, Thanks"

[Viktimize]

What actually comes standard on the GTS that is over and above the SRT? Even the SRT gets all the benefits of the redesigned interior I thought? Considering a ZR1 is 120k, I think the Viper is a VERY good deal in either form compared that way, especially considering the ZR1 still looks like a base Cobalt interior wise.

[viperdan]

My favorite line in this whole entire thread "The car can still kill you, if it wanted to, but it doesn't anymore" This is why we drive vipers, at least most of us want a car that not everyone and their mom can just jump into and drive!

Great quote! I also read a quote I believe on this sight that went sort of like this, "if it doesn't scare you it's not a real car" or something like that. Does anyone know the exact quote and where it came from?

[Joel]

Doesn't seem to me that "this car can kill you" is going to be a great selling slogan. I think SRT is wrong and that dealers do know the car. The dealers balked at paying $25K to be able to sell a car that was late in arriving and poorly marketed by Chrysler. Most dealer employees don't know what SRT is. It is probably going to be a great car but the introduction of the new Viper reminds me of the Health care rollout. Poorly planned, oversold, but could be worth the wait if you'll just give us some time to get it all worked out.

[VENOM V]

It is probably going to be a great car but the introduction of the new Viper reminds me of the Health care rollout. Poorly planned, oversold, but could be worth the wait if you'll just give us some time to get it all worked out.

Except that there's a huge difference. With Obamacare, we have no idea what we are getting and whether a giant government bureaucracy can run it efficiently.

With the Viper, the introduction was clearly flubbed pretty badly, but any enthusiast that really wants to learn about the product knows exactly what he's getting. And anyone who's a member of this board can ask questions of Gen V owners like me, I have logged 4,500 miles and driven on three tracks so I know how exceptional this sports car is. No question that the vast majority of Gen V owners are very happy with their decision and will share their likes and dislikes.

And SRT is finally fixing some of the flaws in the original role out. You can now test drive it, custom orders are now given priority over unsold orders, and SRT sends production cars that are well sorted to the mag rags instead of beat up pre-production test mules. The TA media launch is a do-over opportunity for SRT, so far the media has unanimously praised it. Let's hope this positive momentum continues.

There should be no question what the car is at this point, to the informed enthusiast.

[J TNT]

Lots of demand for the T/A especially here in Ontario ! Hopefully they will have availability and help out sales .

[Joel]

There are a hell of a lot of uniformed enthusiasts then and flubbed badly is an understatement of vast proportions. But in both cases, I'd say the jury is still out. This time next year we'll get a better picture of where the new car is.

Except that there's a huge difference. With Obamacare, we have no idea what we are getting and whether a giant government bureaucracy can run it efficiently.

With the Viper, the introduction was clearly flubbed pretty badly, but any enthusiast that really wants to learn about the product knows exactly what he's getting. And anyone who's a member of this board can ask questions of Gen V owners like me, I have logged 4,500 miles and driven on three tracks so I know how exceptional this sports car is. No question that the vast majority of Gen V owners are very happy with their decision and will share their likes and dislikes.

And SRT is finally fixing some of the flaws in the original role out. You can now test drive it, custom orders are now given priority over unsold orders, and SRT sends production cars that are well sorted to the mag rags instead of beat up pre-production test mules. The TA media launch is a do-over opportunity for SRT, so far the media has unanimously praised it. Let's hope this positive momentum continues.

There should be no question what the car is at this point, to the informed enthusiast.

[Russ Oasis]

Here's my take. 1) As far as the magazines go, they really get me hot under the collar. Publications that are supposed to be concerned with how well this genre of car (performance race cars) performs on the TRACK, are suddenly disturbed that "the footwell is warm" or "the car gets its massive torque and HP numbers from raw displacement." Yeah...SO WHAT? Isn't the point "which is the fastest car around the track?" When I read that many testers for the magazines think that the car is hard to control, I don't understand. I have raced Comp Coupes, Corvettes and Porsches (the latter two in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona). There is nothing difficult about the handling of the Viper. As with ANY race car, you have to pay attention because IT'S A RACE CAR AND NOT DESIGNED FOR CELL PHONE CONVERSATIONS WHILE DRIVING. The magazines should should put Kuno Witmer or another SRT factory driver in the car for their tests and they'd have a more objective look at the performance comparisons using lap times as the ONLY reference. Isn't that why one purchases a Viper or a Porshe GT-3.....for its track prowess?
2) The reason that the car is so much more expensive than others like the Corvette is that Mr. Marchionne demanded that the Viper be subjected to all the same tests and conditions that a car such as the Chrysler 300 is. That means that the Viper needs to be tested in -30 degree cold and 125 degree heat. This type of testing and resultant changes make a run of 1000-2000 cars, VERY expensive. SRT needs to let the Viper off the hook with regard to passing those standards. If it means that they end up eating a car or a warranty from a car in Alaska or Death Valley, so be it. It would be much less expensive in the long run. Finally, 3) I note that everyone wants to reprogram the ECU. SRT doesn't want that as it would create issues which they may not want to fix under warranty. Here's the solution: If an owner is willing to forgo his warranty, SRT should unlock the box for him. That means that once it's unlocked, that car can never come in under warranty. I think the trade-off is fair and understandable from both sides.
All of this being said, the fact that not many cars have been sold so far makes me want one all the more. I LOVE that the car is seen less than a Ferrari. Just my .02.

[ViperSmith]

Russ, great points.

[randd]

Ralph "The Viper is Selling Just Fine, Thanks"

What does that even mean? What is his definition of fine? Who is Ralph? I am example of a viper owner (on my second one and considering another) who does not care about how fast a car goes around a racetrack or down the 1/4. I do not care what the press says and do not read the articles. I buy a car based upon what I like to sit in and drive (99% the speed limit). I was thinking of a Gen IV but wonder whether the outward similarities with my Gen III coupe will be enough of a new driving experience. So I am starting to look at Gen 5 base. Used 2013s are surfacing in the high 80s.
Once you start pricing sports cars in the high 80s to 150 range, other cars like Porsche come into range. There are lots of folk out there, like me, that are not brand or model loyal. It may be that the SRT viper has entered unfamiliar and very competitive territory at its new pricing.

[Russ Oasis]

Randd,
You may not be the typical Viper buyer. Most of us DO care how quickly a car goes around the track or down the 1/4 mile. If comfort and amenities are important to you in the "price territory" the Viper may not be the car you want. There are SO many nice cars that are easy to drive, kind of fast, and have great interiors (like the Nissan, Porsche or Corvette). On the other hand, if you want the one car that out-performs them all, you drive the Viper. The Viper is not a status car, it's a race car.

[KRATEDISEASE]

If it means that they end up eating a car or a warranty from a car in Alaska or Death Valley, so be it. It would be much less expensive in the long run. .

is this quote for real ? like there would never be a government mandated recall, or a class action lawsuit on a faulty product ?? HELLO !!

[99RT10]

What does that even mean? What is his definition of fine? Who is Ralph? I am example of a viper owner (on my second one and considering another) who does not care about how fast a car goes around a racetrack or down the 1/4. I do not care what the press says and do not read the articles. I buy a car based upon what I like to sit in and drive (99% the speed limit). I was thinking of a Gen IV but wonder whether the outward similarities with my Gen III coupe will be enough of a new driving experience. So I am starting to look at Gen 5 base. Used 2013s are surfacing in the high 80s.
Once you start pricing sports cars in the high 80s to 150 range, other cars like Porsche come into range. There are lots of folk out there, like me, that are not brand or model loyal. It may be that the SRT viper has entered unfamiliar and very competitive territory at its new pricing.

What kind of dumbass makes comments like this? Chris, is this you............................................... ...........

[Chorps]

Here's my take. 1) As far as the magazines go, they really get me hot under the collar. Publications that are supposed to be concerned with how well this genre of car (performance race cars) performs on the TRACK, are suddenly disturbed that "the footwell is warm" or "the car gets its massive torque and HP numbers from raw displacement." Yeah...SO WHAT? Isn't the point "which is the fastest car around the track?" When I read that many testers for the magazines think that the car is hard to control, I don't understand. I have raced Comp Coupes, Corvettes and Porsches (the latter two in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona). There is nothing difficult about the handling of the Viper. As with ANY race car, you have to pay attention because IT'S A RACE CAR AND NOT DESIGNED FOR CELL PHONE CONVERSATIONS WHILE DRIVING. The magazines should should put Kuno Witmer or another SRT factory driver in the car for their tests and they'd have a more objective look at the performance comparisons using lap times as the ONLY reference. Isn't that why one purchases a Viper or a Porshe GT-3.....for its track prowess?
2) The reason that the car is so much more expensive than others like the Corvette is that Mr. Marchionne demanded that the Viper be subjected to all the same tests and conditions that a car such as the Chrysler 300 is. That means that the Viper needs to be tested in -30 degree cold and 125 degree heat. This type of testing and resultant changes make a run of 1000-2000 cars, VERY expensive. SRT needs to let the Viper off the hook with regard to passing those standards. If it means that they end up eating a car or a warranty from a car in Alaska or Death Valley, so be it. It would be much less expensive in the long run. Finally, 3) I note that everyone wants to reprogram the ECU. SRT doesn't want that as it would create issues which they may not want to fix under warranty. Here's the solution: If an owner is willing to forgo his warranty, SRT should unlock the box for him. That means that once it's unlocked, that car can never come in under warranty. I think the trade-off is fair and understandable from both sides.
All of this being said, the fact that not many cars have been sold so far makes me want one all the more. I LOVE that the car is seen less than a Ferrari. Just my .02.

The Gen III and Gen IV were subject to the same corporate standards for cold weather starting and drivability. It's a pain but the Viper passed them before so the Gen V should go through it as well. I'm pretty sure the Corvette doesn't get special dispensation for durability and harsh weather testing from GM either?

That warranty was one thing that was brought up to me when debating the unlock with a SRT Engineer. I told him the same thing. Unlock the PCM would void the engine warranty, nothing wrong with that. He didn't have a response to that.

The magazines are all about selling magazines. They really don't care about telling the truth or whether one car is really better than another. If it bleeds it leads, and the Viper sure has had a lot of bloody encounters lately.

Journalists can't drive well either. Cars that burst the bubble of the writer's secret dream of becoming the reincarnation of Gilles Villeneuve don't get any love. The Viper is one of those cars. Only the truly talented/trained/gifted will make the Viper dominate. Everyone else will be far behind. Sometimes the truth hurts, and writers will respond like any other lover spurned.