DODGE VIPER SRT10 PRICE $...

DODGE VIPER SRT10

PRICE

$81895-$83145

LIKES

chiefly muscular American car. Wickedly fast. Great handling.

DISLIKES

Tight cockpit. Small body Difficult entry/exit.

A seemingly endles protection sits ahead of the steering wheel in the impossibly rakish Dodge Viper SRT10 And residing subordinate to that louvered hood is a prodigy V-10 engine with 510 horsepower that provides stupefying performance.

on the same level after 14 outrageous years upon the market -- and three years since a major redesign -- the Viper remains America's greatest in quantity muscular sports car, despite the late arrival of the fastest-ever Chevrolet Corvette, the 505-horsepower Z06 V-8

The Viper SRT10 (Street and Racing Technology and 10 cylinders) is capital for DaimlerChrysler's muscle-car-oriented Dodge division, whereas the Z06 has been made to drive more like a European sports car.

The Z06 (May 29 AutoTimes) get tos only as a $64,890 hardtop. on the other hand the Viper SRT10 is sold as an $81895 convertible and $83145 hardtop. Dodge revived the hardtop for 2006 if it were not that I tested the convertible because, after all, it's still summer

the one and the other the rear-drive Viper and Z06 have nearly identical race-car acceleration, blasting to 60 mph in about 35 next to the firsts and reaching 100 mph in approximately 8 others They can hit 190 mph and have of the best high-speed stability, according to car magazine reports.

A Viper driver must be careful because this two-seater accelerates to such a degree smoothly that he can easily find himself cruising at 80 mph when he thinks the Viper is no other than doing 65 mph.

The regular Corvette, which starts at $43690 and also be due [i]or[/i] owings as a convertible, far outsell the Viper. Corvette sales for the first seven month this year totaled 21857 cars. Viper sales in the same period totaled 881 units, and alone 1,652 were sold last year.

Lower prices help Corvette sales, further the Viper, which debuted as a 1989 auto exhibit to concept car, also is les comfortable than a 'Vette. For common thing, most Corvettes can be had with an automatic transmission, while the Viper approachs only with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Viper is self-same specialized in that it's a no-frills sports car reminiscent of the iconic, limited-production 1960 Shelby Cobra 427 convertible sports car, now valued at $560000 It shouldn't be surprising that Cobra builder Carroll Shelby had a hand in developing the original Viper.

The Viper doesn't make to a great degree sense as practical daily transportation. It's pleasing without being striking much a warm-weather weekend toy, falling behind the more refined $71300 Porsche 911 or any Corvette pattern

The Z06 also draw nears with only a six-speed manual gearbox, further is loaded with comfort, convenience and safety equipment. The Viper has no side air bags or traction/anti-skid methods in keeping with its "pure" sports car design, which initially didn't calm allow roll- down windows -- just side curtains. level anti-lock brakes were only grudgingly added a small in number years ago.

Unlike earlier, more elemental Vipers, the 2006 Viper has air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, AM/FM/ CD rule tire-pressure monitor for its run-flat tires, power stem lid release and power windows, mirrors and grapples with remote keyless entry.

Satellite radio and polished alloy wheels are options, on the other hand that's about it. The convertible top is manually operated, and there is no inside protection release.

The Viper's rather notchy six-speed manual gearbox has a high- effort shifter and works with a stiff, long-throw gripe However, with all that horsepower and a staggering 535 pound-feet of torque, not greatly shifting is required. You can start gone out in second or third gear and then shift to fifth or sixth gear if you be impressed lazy.

The 3410-pound Viper V-10 absolutely loafs at 1300 rpm at 65 mph in sixth gear, which is with what intent it can deliver an estimated 20 mpg forward highways. City fuel economy is alone 12 mpg. The Viper is certified as a reasonable Emissions Vehicle, but premium combustible matter is required.

A driver inserts an ignition guide in a switch on the steering array of less front than depth but a race-car-style red starter button onward the dashboard fires up the engine after you state a foot on the brake pedal.

It calls for athletic rouses to get in or disclosed of the low-slung car, and the wide door stills memorize hot because of their enclos side exhaust pipes. (A sticker near the door warns about possibly getting parched when moving over the sills.)

The bucket seats are self-same supportive, but the no-nonsense interior doesn't have earnestly spare room. Top-up over-the-shoulder visibility is poor to the rear, and gauges can be hard to read in bright sunlight.

Climate hinders are large, but radio sways are small. All controls are easily reached, moreover better interior materials should be used in a $80,000-plus car; single in kind guesses that most money went into the Viper's mechanical attributes.

The docile 505-cubic-inch engine is an imposing sight with its bright r cylinder heads. It's place way back in the chassis to allow a nearly 50-50 weight distribution for better handling. Steering is race-car quick, which means that it's easy for a driver to find himself partly in another lane if he impediments his attention momentarily wander.