Gen 2 as the suspension and motor were improved.

Reliable - Yes, you'll wanna check all your suspension bushings if your looking @ Gen 2's since they are already about 10 years old. Only other thing sure to fail is the PS bracket/pulley.

Fun- Very!

Drivabilty - The Viper is a completly different animal then your GTR, if you try and drive it like you drive you drive your GTR you will crash very quickly. There's absolulty no nannies on these things which is completly opposite from the GTR.

maintenance parts/repair costs - clutch is cheap and the car is very easy to work on, it's a pushrod v8 with 2 extra cylinders. Other parts can be expensive depending on what it is and the availabilty of the part.

 

^ Thanks!

I'm cross shopping it with a C5/C6/C5Z/C6Z. I was leaning towards the C5 because of affordability (and I feel it has a better suspension than the new C6).

The last time I drove a Viper was 1996. I didn't have a good experience (I experienced a nanny-less car for the first time), but something about those cars keeps on drawing me back, and now that I can afford multiple cars, this may become a reality.

 

C6Z is by far the better car than a C5Z, but it does leave something to be desired stock for stock suspension wise. The rear shocks is the main culprit with the right tires and rear shocks the C6Z out handles the C5 Z. Would you be looking at a Gen II coupe?

 

I'm not really sure, I don't want a FAST one (relatively). I won't modify the engine at all.

 

If you don't want to modify the engine....C6 Z06...with it being capable of 10's bone stock its amazingly capable stock. I personally know of someone that is running a C6 Z06 ( very good driver) that is running Moton Club Sport Suspension and Hoosier R6's on stock wheels, on an otherwise stock car. You name it Viper, GTR, Lotus Exige or 911 TT once he gets behind them they eventually point him by. That car literally passes everything that isn't tied down on track days!

But as others have said these cars do require a lot more sensitivity to inputs and respect for them than the GTR does as far as driving at the limit.

 

I've had several quick/fast cars, from 450RWHP - 800RWHP, to this car that makes 720RWHP and almost 900RWTQ. Vipers are certainly a more 'raw' car than any other I've been in. Drive like you respect the torque and you'll be fine.

I will kill you. I think we go through cars at the same rate though, haha.

96-99 motors are good to 1000RWHP. Trans/diff too if you have a clutch that can hold it. 00-02 are good to about 600-650RWHP. 03+ the magic number is 700RWHP, make more than that and you're on borrowed time.

 

im car shopping right now. i jus test drove a mid 90's viper. brakes were HORRIBLE! never gettin a viper.

 

I thought the same thing when I bought my car. The brakes are 'decent' but they require some pressure on the pedal, and you have to get used to balancing that with them locking up if you're on them too hard. They certainly act different on daily driving.

 

yea that viper i drove was very raw. you got a gorgeous Viper BTW

 

For sure, and thanks! The n2o is off my car so when the turbos go on, it is definitely getting a big brake kit. The stockers are decent for stock power, but if you up the power, you have to do the rest!

 

There's a lot a good info already put on here. IMO, the car itself is very reliable (I'm talking about the GEN 3 Viper). As someone already stated, its basically a pushrod V8 with 2 extra cylinders. If you are looking at GEN 3 Vipers, I reccomend getting a '05 or '06 model as the engine was a bit altered to hold oil pressure better. Biggest maintence for the are tires and oil. 11 qts of engine oil and Michelin PS2's cost $1600 for all 4 corners. Honestly, you won't be dissapointed with the GEN 3 or 4 Viper! GEN 4's were further improved in comparison to the GEN 3. GEN 1 and GEN 2 Vipers I loved but the fact that they didn't have ABS turned me away from them. The GEN 3 Viper's brakes are amazing imo... A lot of my passenger complain that they can't breathe when I have the center pedal planted to the floor! Good luck!

 

01-02's Gen 2's have ABS. If your gonna track @ all I'd reccommend those year's. That's the one thing I wish my car had but I chose the better (forged) motor/color over the ABS. I put a 4 wheel stoptech setup on and called it a day, HUGE improvement.

 

Viper isnt really out the question for me. its really raw and i can keep it as a weekend track car. def need to upgrade the brakes tho.

 

you are so right about the oil costs. My first oil change I went back in the Viper tech's office like "are you sure this is JUST for the oil"!! lol

 

Haha yeah, I was suprised myself when I read the owner's manual. Then again, it IS 8.3 liters! lol