America's Sports Car of the Year, 2014 - 2015 Dodge Viper GT Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

America's Sports Car of the Year, 2014 - 2015 Dodge Viper GT Long-Term Road Test

There's no denying the 2015 Dodge Viper is a hell of a sports car. But I can get a Corvette Z06 with more power and better livability for thousands less.

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mercedesfan

I am almost assuredly in the minority here, but I actually don't like the Z06 because of its nod to everyday comfort. This is much the same reason I don't like the 911 Turbo. Both are confused about what they really want to be. These specially tuned high-performance sports cars should be dripping with racecar personality in a no-compromises way. A 911 GT3 or Dodge Viper are far more appealing to me because they know exactly what they are and make no excuses. At this price point the owner certainly has a more appropriate daily driver anyway.

I should note that to me this only holds true for the high-performance versions of these cars. A standard C7 or 911 are wonderful for their ability to combine sports car performance with GT comfort. Those are billed as everyday sports cars, though. A tuned version of those cars shouldn't be trying to emulate the same formula. I'm old school, though.

sonny28

mercedesfan said:

I am almost assuredly in the minority here, but I actually don't like the Z06 because of its nod to everyday comfort. This is much the same reason I don't like the 911 Turbo. Both are confused about what they really want to be. These specially tuned high-performance sports cars should be dripping with racecar personality in a no-compromises way. A 911 GT3 or Dodge Viper are far more appealing to me because they know exactly what they are and make no excuses. At this price point the owner certainly has a more appropriate daily driver anyway.

I should note that to me this only holds true for the high-performance versions of these cars. A standard C7 or 911 are wonderful for their ability to combine sports car performance with GT comfort. Those are billed as everyday sports cars, though. A tuned version of those cars shouldn't be trying to emulate the same formula. I'm old school, though.

I happen to agree. With this type of higher-performance niche, I'm not looking for much compromise or daily creature comforts. I want an experience each time I get in and drive, and I want to feel more at the edge. And if one could afford such a vehicle, I'm certain that a more normal and comfortable daily driver could be attainable to compliment for those everyday drives.

Although the Viper is very attractive and hardcore, I would certainly give the Z06 a serious look because of its positive history and how well it has proven itself.