2008 Dodge Viper: Attraction Refined

Check out our Used Dodge Viper Inventory!!!

Summary

It was a last-minute addition to plug a hole in Dodge's Detroit Auto Show display in 1989. Viper's role was simple, though vital: Attract folks into Dodge showrooms who hadn't been there in years -- if ever.  The 2008 model year will be Viper's 16th. Rumor was that when Chrysler pink slipped a few cars this month, Viper would be one of them to reduce production complexity and cost. But the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible, Pacifica and Crossfire were terminated -- for now.

Full Review 2008

So Viper remains the head-turning two-seater it has been since Day 1. Roll-down glass windows and air conditioning were eventually added, but Viper's formula then as now is sensational design and tremendous power, not amenities.

Having just test driven the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 and the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette coupe, Viper is showing its age slightly, though it does have a new larger hood with a more efficient scoop with functional louvers. More big change occur in the engine styling. One of these changes is that an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 replaces the 8.3-liter, 510-h.p. V-10. Viper boasts zero-to-60 m.p.h. time of less than 4 seconds, 'Vette just a hair more than 4 -- unless you are piloting the Z06 with a 7-liter, 505 HP V-8 rocket that matches Viper's time.

Viper doesn't come with traction or stability control like 'Vette, so the rear end at times has a mind of its own. 'Vette delivers pinpoint handling along with smooth ride. With Viper you fall in and are pried out. High Viper door sills make entry and exit more suited to the folks jumping the hurdles in the Olympics. Hidden under those sills are the formerly exposed exhaust pipes, which gives the sills a nice warm feeling. Viper gets the nod for the snake badging and the more descriptive name -- as well as louder exhaust rumble. Though we suspect the neighbors preferred the 'Vette on that count.

Cockpit Design

  The term cockpit applies as well to a Viper as any other car. Although the seats sport long cushions for thigh support and big bolsters to keep you contained, you wouldn't slide far without them given the wall-size center console and door adjacent. Seat controls are manual and limited to forward and backward; there's no lumbar or cushion height adjustment, but the tilt wheel and power adjustable pedals help everyone fit. Leather trims the steering wheel and shift knob, while seats have suede-like center sections with color options; the seat sides and interior are all black.

Sloping down to the right of the wheel are oil pressure (closest to line of sight, where it should be), oil temperature, water temperature, and voltage.

Air conditioning is standard and quickly cools the tiny volume of air space inside, and in warm weather the engine and pipes surrounding you can quickly turn the cockpit into a mild oven. Visibility is relatively good for a low-slung beast. There's no spare tire, instead there's a small air compressor and fix-kit; that makes sense because there'd be nowhere to put a massive, flat tire.

Pricing and Trims

 The 'Vette coupe starts at $45,170 and includes, AM/FM stereo with CD player, MP3 format, XM satellite radio, dual zone air conditioning, leather seats, anti-lock brakes, power driver's seat/locks/windows/mirrors, the latter also heated.

The Viper convertible with manual soft top starts at $83,145 and includes ABS, AM/FM stereo with CD player, air conditioning, power windows/locks/pedals/mirror and rear-window defroster. The mandatory add-on is the $1,700 guzzler tax.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is offered in two models, the convertible Roadster and GTS coupe. Viper comes standard with leather/suede sport seats, air conditioning, power adjustable pedals, tilt steering column, full instrumentation, CD player, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, console, composite bodywork, bi-Xenon headlamps, fog lamps, limited-slip differential, and emergency flat-tire repair kit.

Safety features include frontal airbags and antilock brakes.

Driving and Engine Styling

Rotate the key to ignition, depress the clutch, push the red Start button, and the Viper shatters Sunday morning silence with a cacophony of odd-firing sounds from its V10 engine and bellowing pipes. 

This is the only production 600-hp car sold in the United States that does not have all-wheel drive, electronic stability control, or both, and as such is not recommended for inflated egos or the inexperienced. The Viper is a brutally honest car and if you direct it to do something stupid, it will do something stupid.

If you took the average interstate on-ramp as fast as possible you'd hit the highway doing somewhere north of 120 mph. Find an open track long enough, and the Viper coupe is said to top 200 mph.

Brakes are immense and easy to modulate; a light touch of the pedal brings mild slowing, with retarding increasing directly with more pedal pressure.

Exterior

From any angle, a quick glance shows the Viper means business, with a body shaped as much for function as style. The Viper's sharp front edges and gaping maw are Braille for "get out of my way." Cooling air is funneled in through the trademark four-slot grille and exhausted through six extractor vents in the hood; when idling or moving very slowly the hot air wafting out those vents makes the forward view distorted much like the rear window glass. Xenon headlamps are standard, finally endowing the Viper with suitable vision for night drives; the snake's head center brake light continues.

Conclusions

The Dodge Viper ranks among the fiercest, most raw, visceral machines sold in showrooms anywhere. Cars.com says "Car buyers who can't get enough horsepower will want to thank Dodge for introducing a revised version of its Viper SRT10 sports car." "With a top speed of over 200 mph, the new Viper is one serpent to be reckoned with." adds Road and Track Only a few cars come as close as the Viper to a street-legal race car: Ferrari F430 Scuderia, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Porsche 911 GT3RS, Chevy Corvette ZO6, Honda S2000CR. For most automotive tasks the Viper is overkill, like using a six-pound sledgehammer to swat a fly. The Dodge Viper is the bad boy for under $100,000. If you're smart enough to show the respect it demands, it might be the race car you're looking for.