By: Bill Zervakos
The result of my very unofficial survey of the 2006 Viper SRT10 convertible is in and the responses were pretty much split right down the middle. You have the group of what could be called dinosaurs that I fall into, who lust after the bold, brassy, bitchin beast the Viper is. Then there’s the Euro-Car pampered group, that just can’t deal with anything that doesn’t cater to every whim a driver could have, and the brash, unsophisticated monster is simply too bestial for their sensibilities.
Okay, obviously I’m taking literary license for effect but really, that scenario isn’t too terribly far from the truth. The Viper is one unsophisticated beast that will absolutely get away from you in a heartbeat if you don’t watch what you’re doing. There is no way to really understand what this animal is capable of unless you’ve had a lot more experience on the race track then I’ve had. The good news is that one doesn’t have to try and get every ounce of performance out of this car to truly enjoy driving it.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 is a race-inspired, All-American sports car characterized by outrageous styling that delivers breathtaking performance. Using a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with four-wheel independent suspension, the Viper SRT10 is all about hedonistic enjoyment. But when it comes to the kind of performance the Viper provides, one can’t avoid mentioning the Z06 Corvette. Both the Viper and Z06 have virtually identical blistering acceleration. They rocket to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds and reach 100 mph in approximately 8 seconds. They can hit 190 mph and have excellent high-speed stability.
I relished the week in the Viper much more than I thought I would because truth be known; while I’ve never questioned the performance element, I didn’t care for the styling all that much. But over the last couple of years the original design has been refined, hmm, maybe refined and Viper in the same sentence is a bit incongruous, so I’ll just say the styling has been softened a bit.
Question is, who wouldn’t love having a humongous 8.3 liter V10 engine pumping out a ground pounding 510 horsepower, and a very brutish 535 pound-feet of pin you to the back of your seat, metal moving torque, under your right foot? You hear the engine rumbling menacingly in your ear through the side mounted exhaust below the driver’s door at idle, and when you work the throttle, it flat out bellows. For pure unadulterated driving exhilaration, it’s really hard to beat this car.
Without a doubt the Viper is a throwback to the heyday of raw power, and its audacious performance immediately transported me to a trip down memory lane to a wonderfully nostalgic time, as soon as I lit it off for the first time. The elation one feels behind the wheel of this car is hard to explain. The powerful V10 shudders and shakes at idle, like the beast it is, letting you know in no uncertain terms that it’s ready to leap ahead in an instant; a fact borne out by 0-60 times in less than 4 seconds. Truly this is one quick serpent. With performance like that, even the mammoth 345/30/19 rear tires can’t hold traction if you decide to stomp the gas pedal, so full attention is required if you decide to get, shall we say playful, or you will find yourself traveling in a different direction then intended.
Unfortunately there is no way to legally experience what this car can deliver, but there is no mistaking that when it comes to raw power, very few vehicles can live up to the Viper SRT10. A side note that’s very important when talking about performance; while the Viper is a truly powerful vehicle, test numbers show braking from 60 miles an hour in less than 100 feet, pretty remarkable stopping power.
While the interior is certainly spartan, it is functional, and once you’ve maneuvered over the door sill and side mounted exhaust and dropped your derriere into the cockpit, you immediately know that this is not a vehicle for the faint of heart. No creature comforts here. Don’t look for plush power seats, fancy stereos, side curtain airbags, or electronic driving aids other than ABS, because you’re not going to find them in this car. A fact that lesser people than Viper owners have a hard time getting their mind around when spending upwards of $90,000 for a vehicle. You do get power adjustable pedals though, and that’s virtually a necessity in this car. Don’t plan on making long trips that require carrying a lot of luggage because even though some press photos show a set of golf clubs in the trunk, there really isn’t much storage space at all. To me it really isn’t a problem because this car is pretty much a toy, and a trip of any length would be unlikely.
The clutch is heavy and the six-speed shifter is not exactly crisp but there is so much torque that unless you just love running through the gears, starting in 2nd or 3rd gear and dropping into 5th is easily done. Amazingly in 6th gear at 75 miles an hour the Viper’s big powerful engine loafs at around 1300 rpm, which really helps on the mpg average, like Viper owners are really worried about mpg but hey, every little bit helps right? Another reminder that this car is a throwback is the heat factor in the cockpit. The huge engine and side mounted exhaust envelop the cabin in heat so summer driving requires the AC being directed towards your feet to keep your lower digits from toasting as you cruise down the road.
Despite its brutish power the Viper accelerates so smoothly that you’ll be cruising well beyond the speed limit before you know it if you’re not careful. The ride in the Viper constantly reminds you that this is no luxo-sports car because it is pretty choppy. On one hand it’s kind of cool but it certainly can wear on you after a while. Ergo it’s not the daily driver the Corvette can be, but then again, in my humble opinion the only similarity between these two fabulous machines is performance. There is nearly a $20,000 spread between the Z06 and the SRT10, and a big advantage for the Viper, is the availability of a convertible.
The comfort factor and lower prices are major reasons the Corvette, which starts under $44,000 and also comes as a convertible, far outsells the Viper. However when you factor in being able to buy the regular Vette with 400 horsepower for over $30,000 less than the Viper, you can see why Viper owners belong to a pretty heady and exclusive club.
One thing you want to keep in mind, you can’t be shy and drive this machine. It turns heads everywhere you go and there is no end to the questions one is asked about the car. It is awe-inspiring to some, and completely over the top to others, and believe me when I say; I did hear the skepticism now from people who simply don’t get why anyone would want to put up with the lack of creature comforts and electronic bells and whistles when spending that kind of money. To those I simply say, if I have to try and explain it to you, you’ll never get it so I don’t even try. I freely admit that I brazenly enjoyed my week in the Viper and while as I said earlier, it’s far from a daily driver, it is pure weekend unadulterated fun for those that can afford it. Alas I’m not among that group.
The Viper SRT10 comes from the Street and Racing Technology division of DC's Chrysler unit; the 10 part of the designation of course, stands for 10 cylinders. Dodge only sells 1500 to 1600 Vipers a year. So if you’ve been thinking about something unique to play with, the Viper SRT10 will get you into a highly desirable and exclusive club where Viper owners certainly hope that The Dodge Viper SRT10 will become the next great collector car.
Specifications:
Engine:
8.3 liter V10 510hp @ 5600
535 lb-ft torque @ 4200
Curb Weight: 3410
Price:
Base: $81,895
Price: as tested, $88,460
EPA: Est. 12/20
Base Warranty: 36 months 36,000 miles
