Ralph "The Viper is Selling Just Fine, Thanks"

[v10enomous]

http://jalopnik.com/ralph-giles-says...ium=socialflow

[Policy Limits]

Weird. It's one of the biggest bangs for the buck anywhere and probably the only hand built 6 speed manual hand built one with a V10 in its price range. Maybe people are still afraid of the car. Once you see it, experience the interior, drive it, own it and learn its personality you do fall in love with it. Pics on the web do it zero justice.

[Troublemaker]

Weird. It's one of the biggest bangs for the buck anywhere and probably the only hand built 6 speed manual hand built one with a V10 in its price range. Maybe people are still afraid of the car. Once you see it, experience the interior, drive it, own it and learn its personality you do fall in love with it. Pics on the web do it zero justice.

Lets face it, the Viper's reputation is a turn off for some. It's always been known as a drivers car and for good reason, it is a drivers car. The new buyers that were looking to lure over are used to cars with a lot more technology that make it much easier to drive. I love my Gen2, but you better make sure you don't do anything stupid, because it really does just wait for you to push it to far. The new car is a whole new breed of animal, but until they get their heads out of their a$$es and get people in the seats, the old stigma will still be there. Sorry, but I still don't see the new one selling as well as anyone would have hoped. Maybe they really didn't need to sell as many as we thought to be a viable business case.

[slitherv10]

Lets face it, the Viper's reputation is a turn off for some. It's always been known as a drivers car and for good reason, it is a drivers car. The new buyers that were looking to lure over are used to cars with a lot more technology that make it much easier to drive. I love my Gen2, but you better make sure you don't do anything stupid, because it really does just wait for you to push it to far. The new car is a whole new breed of animal, but until they get their heads out of their a$$es and get people in the seats, the old stigma will still be there. Sorry, but I still don't see the new one selling as well as anyone would have hoped. Maybe they really didn't need to sell as many as we thought to be a viable business case.

I agree with the above highlighted comment but, unfortunately its not just SRT causing the slow response from potential buyers, its also the media. When you have certain race car drivers, taking cars out to test them and they come back with comments like, this car is too hard to drive, too unforgiving for an everyday driver, and its not a car for everyone, it just leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. A certain article on youtube was comparing 12 best driver cars and guess what they picked last place? Yep...the Viper. With all the above reasons I just mentioned plus some.

It's unfortunate but that is the way this car has unfolded itself from its makers and supporters. Once again, none of the critics that had put the Viper down because of its lack of creature comforts in the past have even once brought up how this has been solved. They continue to compare Hp ad performance, leaving the creature comforts on the back burner. Something they always had said kept the Viper behind the Corvette. Now that we solved that problem, they go back to Hp wars between the two. You just can't please everyone all of the time, but you can some , some of the time. 495 total sales numbers through October is the 'some of the time". Once again it proves the point that most of us have made since we found out about the Hp numbers and were pounced on by most, that the Viper is all about Hp and performance and not creature comforts. Money should have been spent on Hp and performance and not creature comforts, 20 options and a racing division that I think could have waited till this coming year or the next. Millions of dollars spent there instead of using that money to solve the HP and performance issues most of us want or have wanted. Where are all those buyers that wanted the creature comforts? Where? I'll tell you where. They are the "some" that have purchased the 495 vipers since inception. Not the 1500 that they were shooting for. The other 1000 potential buyers were waiting for the numbers, not the 18 speaker system and laguna leather and the launch control.
Anyway, I hate to sit here and rant so Ill stop. I am just disappointed as this car obviously means a lot to me. Otherwise I would just sit back watch and listen. I am a true Viper enthusiast that cares about the reputation and future of this car and thus my thoughts and opinions. Because that is just what they are in the end. My thoughts and opinions Period.

[Space Truckin]

Weird. It's one of the biggest bangs for the buck anywhere and probably the only hand built 6 speed manual hand built one with a V10 in its price range. Maybe people are still afraid of the car. Once you see it, experience the interior, drive it, own it and learn its personality you do fall in love with it. Pics on the web do it zero justice.

Agree 100% It is a Viper and there is no mistake. When on the road people just Gawk and take pics whether rolling or getting fuel, it really is America's car.

[Policy Limits]

Glad to see the new positive vibe at least; I couldn't believe it but the most critical and negative folks about the car were viper people. The V isn't as scary as your II but it still instills fear into someone new to the brand for at least the 1st 500 miles. It's the back to the basics rawness with a touch of refinement that makes it a pleasant challenge though; if I want to play a video game I can buy an x box instead of a GT-R, etc

[ViperSmith]

Glad to see the new positive vibe at least; I couldn't believe it but the most critical and negative folks about the car were viper people. The V isn't as scary as your II but it still instills fear into someone new to the brand for at least the 1st 500 miles. It's the back to the basics rawness with a touch of refinement that makes it a pleasant challenge though; if I want to play a video game I can buy an x box instead of a GT-R, etc

The car scared the shit out of me when it first arrived to our driveway.

Since then, it has caught me a few times (Thank you traction control), but overall I don't find it the scary beast all described. I think the ESC and Traction Control are a massive help. SRT needs to sort of figure out how to spin "The car can still kill you, if it wanted to, but it doesn't anymore"

[KRATEDISEASE]

The car scared the shit out of me when it first arrived to our driveway.

Since then, it has caught me a few times (Thank you traction control), but overall I don't find it the scary beast all described. I think the ESC and Traction Control are a massive help. SRT needs to sort of figure out how to spin "The car can still kill you, if it wanted to, but it doesn't anymore"

Fuel for a lawsuit after the first fatality from someone who forgot to turn back on the ESC after shutting it off.

Not a smart idea at all.

[Troublemaker]

I think what really gets me about the new car is the computer system that held the Gen4 back is still there. The interior to me wasn't a game changer, it is what it is. The fact the factory has limited what you can do to a few bolt ons is still what's going to hold it back from the tinkerers. I still have hope for the car, but there will never be one in my garage as long as the current tuning issue is there. Ralph is a needle in a hay stack as far as Head Honchos go and I'm glad the car still exists, but unless they change quite a few things I don't see the Gen5 being a long run, I really don't.

[viperdan]

The only thing they did wrong with this car IMO is over price it! For the twenty or so years it has been on the market it has been exactly what it was meant to be and has accomplished many levels of success. It's a limited production american built supercar and if it offens anyone that it can be a handful well that's too bad. Who would want a porn star to be a lady in bed?? LMAO...

[Bitten]

The only thing they did wrong with this car IMO is over price it! For the twenty or so years it has been on the market it has been exactly what it was meant to be and has accomplished many levels of success. It's a limited production american built supercar and if it offens anyone that it can be a handful well that's too bad. Who would want a porn star to be a lady in bed?? LMAO...

Amen! The car doesn't have anything in it that warrants a 30 - 40k price increase.

[ViperSmith]

Amen! The car doesn't have anything in it that warrants a 30 - 40k price increase.

You can get into a Gen V for $102,000 - inflation adjusted the viper has always been in the $90k range. The outgoing gen IV was in the 96k range, so it is $6k more to get Into the car.

Why does everyone quote the price of a car with every option checked?

Why is there a misconception you have to shell out $140,000 to buy a Viper?

[Steve M]

You can get into a Gen V for $102,000 - inflation adjusted the viper has always been in the $90k range. The outgoing gen IV was in the 96k range, so it is $6k more to get Into the car.

Why does everyone quote the price of a car with every option checked?

Why is there a misconception you have to shell out $140,000 to buy a Viper?

This right here, although it seems like there were a few dealers out there that checked as many boxes as they could on the options list, only to figure out that adding $30k-$40k in options (essentially the price of buying an average new car) might severely limit their market.

[6th-Element]

You can get into a Gen V for $102,000 - inflation adjusted the viper has always been in the $90k range. The outgoing gen IV was in the 96k range, so it is $6k more to get Into the car.

Why does everyone quote the price of a car with every option checked?

Why is there a misconception you have to shell out $140,000 to buy a Viper?

Keep in mind that the Viper hasn't sold well since the pricing went up to either level, 95K, 110K, 102K, 140K. Why did they think that all of a sudden people would shell out even more when the trend has been a downward one in sales numbers since 2006?

[Shooter]

You can get into a Gen V for $102,000 - inflation adjusted the viper has always been in the $90k range. The outgoing gen IV was in the 96k range, so it is $6k more to get Into the car.

Why does everyone quote the price of a car with every option checked?

Why is there a misconception you have to shell out $140,000 to buy a Viper?

PRICE INFORMATION
MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE OF THIS MODEL INCLUDING DEALER PREPARATION


Base Price: $ 122,385

DODGE VIPER SRT GTS COUPE
Exterior Color:Viper White Clear Coat Exterior Paint
Interior Color:Black Interior Color Interior:Sabelt Premium Leather Seats Engine:8.4-Liter V10 SFI
Engine Transmission:6-Speed Manual Transmission
STANDARD EQUIPMENT (UNLESS REPLACED BY



Because most of them are over $120K

Or you can get one that has absolutely nothing extra. No nice wheels or anything.

MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE OF
THIS MODEL INCLUDING DEALER PREPARATION
Base Price: $ 99,885 + Destination charge $1,995 + Gas Guzzler Tax $2,600

$104480 + taxDODGE VIPER SRT COUPE
Exterior Color:Venom Black Clear Coat Exterior Paint
Interior Color:Black Interior Color Interior:Sabelt Leather Bucket Seats Engine:8.4-Liter V10 SFI
Engine Transmission:6-Speed Manual Transmission
STANDARD EQUIPMENT (UNLESS REPLACED BY
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT)


Tell me again how thats an upgrade over my Gen IV ACR?

[ViperSmith]

This right here, although it seems like there were a few dealers out there that checked as many boxes as they could on the options list, only to figure out that adding $30k-$40k in options (essentially the price of buying an average new car) might severely limit their market.

If the Viper faithful think the car costs $140,000 it probably means others do as well.

Perhaps this perception of cost problem is something SRT needs to work on as well.

Agree on dealer options - many saw it a get rich quick scheme. Just cause you can swing $105k doesn't mean you can swing $140!

[ViperSmith]

Keep in mind that the Viper hasn't sold well since the pricing went up to either level, 95K, 110K, 102K, 140K. Why did they think that all of a sudden people would shell out even more when the trend has been a downward one in sales numbers since 2006?

Touché! Can't argue much with that

[BlknBlu]

The fact is that the Viper has always been an expensive car to own. It is NOT a Corvette. the latter GEN IV's and the current GEN V now have more options to push the cost of the car to a higher cost. Like others have said, a base model can be had for around $105,000.

Bruce

[KRATEDISEASE]

The fact is that the Viper has always been an expensive car to own. It is NOT a Corvette. the latter GEN IV's and the current GEN V now have more options to push the cost of the car to a higher cost. Like others have said, a base model can be had for around $105,000.

Bruce

The gen5 is actually a bargain when you consider that for its price point NO other car gets as many thumbs up , stares or attention. That alone puts it in a rare celebrity category.

Put a 10 year old next to a Aston Martin, a high end Mercedes , and a Viper and see what car he /she will be drawn to. Only the Viper wins that contest.

Its only competition in the gawk factor might be an Lambo Aventatdor, at four times the price.

[Viper Girl]

I think Gilles got it right that most of the Dealers don't know their customer... Truly I believe Viper is turning the corner on the bad media, and dealers marking up the cars insanely high.

I saw the Carbon Edition at the LA Auto show last weekend with SoCal Viper Club... What a stunning car, it showed the body lines like you wouldn't believe.
Some went in to the show thinking "hasn't that matte finish run its course???" Then saw the CE, the answer was a resounding NO!

That is one hella hot car... Hard to stop looking at it...

[viperdan]

Let's face it, SRT had three years to get the car and the marketing right not to mention where to price it. The release was lousy, the rags buried it and the marketing and pricing were off. We all as Viper owners past or present know what the car is all about, they needed to reach a new audience and did not do so. Even building niche cars is not smart like the Carbon Edition, focus on the mainstream product that buyers really want like a vert or an ACR. JMO...Happy Thanksgiving to all.

[Chorps]

Let's face it, SRT had three years to get the car and the marketing right not to mention where to price it. The release was lousy, the rags buried it and the marketing and pricing were off. We all as Viper owners past or present know what the car is all about, they needed to reach a new audience and did not do so. Even building niche cars is not smart like the Carbon Edition, focus on the mainstream product that buyers really want like a vert or an ACR. JMO...Happy Thanksgiving to all.

I'm pretty sure it was more like 18 months/ 1 year to get things going on the Gen V. Just because the Viper wasn't made for 2011 and 2012 didn't mean they were planning on a new Viper in 2010. The Viper program was dead and the factory was shuttered and the suppliers were told to wind it all down.

When you consider where the Gen V came from along with the manufacturing, what they did was quite impressive. Too bad that gets lost in the bugs that plagued the launch. Hopefully the TA and Carbons sell out and indicate to management that the Viper program has life, just not where they thought the GTS and SRT were positioned, and with some tuning sales will pick up.

[viperdude118]

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!

[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?

[SmoknTires]

I think the release was actually very good and initial marketing materials were amazing. They spared no expense and went top notch. The reveal of the race program was a shock to everyone.

I think the issues happened shortly after. Build issues, some bad reviews, and dealer issues. And in my opinion, the initial thing that help up new sales at its release was a lack of a huge hp bump. Lots of people were hoping they'd see a 700hp car (but there are reasons for that).

However if you guys recall, Vipers never got a fair shake in the mags. It was rare you'd see a good article. The Gen5 started with great articles and now it's nice to see phase 2 of SRT's plan working. And relative to that ridiculous top 12 article that the viper took 12th on... When you flip the page and all the lap times were listed for that track for all the cars they drove, I find it interesting the viper had the top spot along with several more in the top 10. Vipers were the fastest cars by far, in every flavor, I recall the top 10 had 3-4 vipers in it... that's why we buy those cars.

The SRT model in this car is indeed a deal for $102. You do have to touch, sit, and drive it to see. There are extremely few people who bought the car who aren't RAVING about it. The time I spent behind the wheel of the new car sold me. There are big differences you don't see. SRT knows this, they also know as more of these cars get in people's hands, the closer others will get to it and will make the same decision. The differences aren't small. Both the performance, quality, design, and interior are head over heels better than even the gen4, the price only went up a fee thousand.

I'll tell you something about the viper program that should make you proud as it's really a grass roots underdog. You can count on your 2 hands all the people who are ultimately responsible for 90% of the car and it's marketing. It's actually humbling. These guys have worked night and day to get this thing done. Would you rather it go away? Not me! Without a viper, there's not much filling that over the top nitch for me. The viper is not trying to be a vette or a ferrari... but it sits firmly in the middle and beats the pants off of most cars it's put up against... including those 2-3 times the cost. I think I'd feel worse if I spent $250k just to get spanked by a viper, those are the folks who should be complaining, they're wondering how 10 guys built a sports car that DOMINATES most categories including price and performance - the two most important categories when buying a sports car.

Keep it all in perspective.