***********

 

you would have to tell us what you would use the car for...for daily activities--the Z06 for sure--strictly track and wkend cruises--the viper--or for both--get the Z06

 

Good points...

I assume most people use their Z06's and Vipers on the street the vast majority of the time. I'd personally use a Viper only as a 2nd car, where a Z06 might serve as a daily driver.

 

Are you sure about buying a 2008 Viper at MSRP? I highly doubt that. Low production numbers, new HP top dog, many improvements over 2006, etc.

Also a fair price compare would be with equal/similar options. Comparing a loaded Z with a bare Viper is not fair.

 

Viper options are limited to hood stripes, two tone interiors, and wheel designs. There aren't really any bare Vipers.

As far as price, my local dealer is already talking discount. He's been really "up front" on prior purchases, but nothing to say he won't turn into a greedy so & so when the car hits the lot, like my local Chevy dealer did when my Z06 arrived.

As far as Mercedes dumping Chrysler, I don't think things are as bleak as when Lee Iacocca took the helm in the '80's. GM has some great new product on the horizon, but nothing says they are out of the woods yet, either.

 

What is the future for Dodge? Mercedes dumped them as they weren't making enough money.

 

I heard Mercedes lost 36 Billion just to get rid of Chrysler. Some speculation that they might not survive. That Viper might be worth a ton if they don't make it. For a driver, the Z for sure. For a part time rarely driven, the Viper is really cool. Can't lose on either one! Wish I could afford both:thumbsup:

 

you have to testdrive both and after that, let your feelings decide...

 

Sounds like a good idea. Just don't think many dealers are letting Z's and Vipers out for test rides.

 

what is the base price for the 08 viper? i would rather have a Z06 because its more comfortable/daily driver. And if you want, you can spend about 6K and get a nice head/cam package....IMO

 

'08 Viper GTS will list for $83,895, plus $2100 gas guzzler tax and $850 destination, per the dealer.

 

A loaded Z06 with the left over $5K spend on mods will probably as fast as, if not faster than, the '08 Viper and you'll have a more civilized ride. That said, a Viper is more exclusive; I've seen 2 Vipers while in the USA and about 20 C6 Z06's (but about 10 of those were on dealer lots). I'd pick the Z06 however. Now that I've seen a few in real life, I think it's one of the meanest looking cars out there:devil:

 

Yep!!!!



:agree: The 08 Viper has been tested by Motor Trend month's ago. Only a few tenth's quicker than the Z06 in the quarter, and unless they made drastic changes to ride quality, handeling and comfort SCREW THE VIPER:surprised :WTF :laughing:

 

If you decide on the Viper I definitely wouldn't pay MSRP for one. I would be very surprised if they aren't heavily discounted by Christmas. Plus, that ~$86K price places you very close to that Vette SS price. Talk about exclusivity.

 

I suspect the Z06 will out perform the Viper. If 505HP isn't enough, you could use the extra 10Gs difference in price to supercharge it.

 

Let's see

Small, Light, Quick, Good Looking
vs.
Big, Heavy, Exclusive, Good Looking

That's a tough one but I think think the Z06 still has an edge with .

My Guess is the V10 is on it's last legs and the next Gen Viper will be out sooner than people think. I think the 100hp bump is a stop gap until Chrysler can design a new car around one of the new motors.

:cheers:

 

Vipers are ok but it's pretty tight inside if you're a little bigger, i'm 6'3" and don't fit real well.

 

I would test drive both cars. As it stands I would probably go for the Viper I just like the looks better.

 

I don't really think a Viper would put you in a different class than the Z06. IMO the Z06 is more exclusive and a more desireable car than the viper. If the Z06 doesn't catch enough attention for you just throw a cam in it and a set of headers and then it'll turn heads. In the long run you'll appreciate and respect the Z06 a lot more for what it can do compared to the Viper.

 

well my first reaction is dodge no way in hell, but keping a open mind like you asked then here is my response

Z06 (for)

1. FAST FAST FAST
2. comfortable
3. great ride wont knock your new dental work loose
4. ac will grow icicles on your nuts
5. sound system is nice and you can hear it
6. handling is so far superior than almost anything made
7. a normal person can work on them
8. nice shifting comfortable placement of shifter and ctr console
9. car carry 2 sets of golf clubs brief case and a cooler
10. its just that bad ass

Z06 (against)
1. top does not come off
2. theres alot of them out there
3. uummmm thats it

Summary: the Z06 is Americas flagship sports car. Its a civilized demon and it can take you calmly to the golf course or grocery store or it can chew up foreign wanna be sports cars and spit them out like a old piece of gum. Bang for Buck in the super car world it cant be beat.

Viper (for)
1. Brutal power
2. top comes off
3. dont see many of them
4. they are cool as helll to see going down the road
5. the rumbling and vibration could save you minutes in warming up your wife or girlfriend before you decide to get it on.
6. massive tires allow for some great conrnering

Viper (against)
1. beat the hell out of while driving
2. hot as hell inside the cabin
3. no storage you can carry your cell phone, a ink pen, and a damp cloth to wipe your foward becasue you are sweating your balls off.
4. your wife and girlfriend will be too hot so she wont let you touch her
5. pure cost of upkeep will kill you
6. the exhaust is so loud you cant hearyourself think

Summary: the viper is brutal in your face im gonna kick your teeth in monster and it should be treated as such. it is not civilized at all and daily driving could cause your dentist to buy another house in hawaiian islands.

WINNER AND STILL CHAMP--------- CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06







5.

 

well my first reaction is dodge no way in hell

Interesting -- A few years back, I would have thought the same thing. But, after buying/owning a Dodge HD pickup, I must say the Dodge sales and service experiences have been outstanding. Not to mention the fact that my truck now has 40+K miles and no mechanical problems to date. Not even a rattle.

Much of my positive feeling about Dodge has to do with my local dealer. My local Chevy dealers left a very bad taste in my mouth after trying to buy a Z. One even promised to get me a car at MSRP (imagine that), only to renig after the car arrived.

Otherwise, I'd be a Z owner & the Viper wouldn't even be on my radar screen.

 

you sure have the facts man !:rolling:

 

Buy the viper...

Both great machines but the new 600hp viper gets the nod.

Worth the extra 5 grand out of pocket unless you need active handling as an everyday driver. ie rain etc...

Have fun..

What color?

 

Wow! You're one of the 1st people to mention the lack of active handling on the Viper. It is something that causes me more than a little concern, as my experience with 600HP vehicles weighing less than 3500lbs is "zero".

I'll definitely have to take it easy until I really learn the beast. If it were a 600HP car with automatic transmission, I'd probably not buy it without active handling. The massive oversteer caused by unexpected downshifts while accelerating out of turns can be disastrous on the street.

As to your question on color - black on black, with a custom stripe package that is top secret.

 

I have test driven 3 vipers (find one used at a dealership they will let you drive it if your serious) to give you my straight opinion i bought the Z06 but heres my thoughts on the viper............

1. low end torque was not there (my biggest dissapointment!) but maybe another 100 hp will help

2. im 6ft tall and even with the top down i felt like the car was caving in on me

3. it was loud which i like, but the sound was not what i was looking for (i realize that is just preference so moving on)

4. The cd player was identical to my moms 1996 dodge minivan

5. driver position, especially the shifter, was awful

6. getting in and out of the thing is something you have to experience for yourself there is about 8 inches between the dash and the seat where youre body is supposed to go

7. my personal favorite was trying to leap over the bonfires which they call side exhaust....DONT HIT YOUR LEG OR YOU WILL GET BURNED

8. FINALLY!! what i liked.... it is one beautiful car too look at!!!!

recap....pretty car BUT: not near the performance of the Z06, harsh ride, cramped ride, just buy the Z

 

Surprised to hear about the lack of low-end torque!

I'm 6' 3". I "test sat" an '06 GTS on the dealers lot. It was tight, but not as bad as I expected. More cozy than cramped. The bigger issue was visibility through the low, narrow windshield and wide B-pillars. It's something that would take some getting used to, but not a "deal breaker".

As far as exhaust, there is a video circulating around the net in which you can clearly hear the '08 Viper sound. I agree that earlier Vipers sounded flatulent, but the new set-up actually sounds pretty good. But, probably not as good as the 427 Vette.

You make good points for the Z. In the end, the Z is probably not as "exotic" as the Viper, but likely a better balanced package for frequent or daily use.

Actually, if having something "exotic" is not a big part of the intrigue in your sports car purchase, I'd argue that a base '08 Vette is probably the way to go. The performance is awfully close to the Z for a lot less $$.

 

Tomcat, you shouldn't have that hard of a time driving a Z. I've had ours out for drives with guests and that usually sells the car if there is any doubt.:thumbsup:

 

I shopped 06 Viper before I bought my Z06. Granted the new one will have more HP, however, it's basically the same car. I found the Viper less balanced, somewhat confined interior, hot, rough riding and not nearly as comfortable. Also, the Z06 is more balanced. Most of these are subjective experiences however and what one guy finds objectionable another may find appealing.

You should try to find a dealer who will let you test drive the cars. I don't think that, for me, the extra HP and other minor changes would have changed my mind in favor of the Viper but if I was shopping now, I would drive one to be sure.

 

I think the question was "which one would you buy and why". I'd by the vette just because I mod the hell out of it and make everyone with a viper terrified to line up. No matter what there horsepower. Vipers have had more horsepower since they came out and it hasn't helped. It needs every bit of that extra 100hp to compete.

 

I looked at older model Vipers when I bought my Vette. The Vette is just so much better at being an everyday car. It rides better you can get a great stereo and navigation. For me though I like to drive agressively and would not buy a car without some kind of stability control especially how much it rains where I live.

 

If you don't have an allegiance to either camp (like I do to Corvettes) you should probably go with the Viper due to its exclusivity and extra 95 hp. But the Z06 is truly a better all around car and may even still beat the new 600hp snake on the track. Don't forget the Z06 is lighter and now has improved steering, shifting, rear shock rates, leather wrap interior, and more sound/heat insulation than the original 2006's. If you can, wait a year and look at the Blue Devil before you make your decision. But the best advice has already been given: drive both, buy what you love, and enjoy! :thumbsup:

 

The Viper is sorta SEXY!!!

 

Based on an anticipated $4K discount on a loaded Z06 and the quoted "out the door" price on the '08 Viper, the Viper costs just $5K more than the Z.

I'm heavily researching a new Z06 right now....I'm seeing $4-6K off sticker, with a "loaded" (2LZ, Nav, Chrome Wheels, On-Star) at $78k sticker, let's say a selling price of $73k (This is for an '07 model, but not much changed between '07 & '08 on the Z)

That means at $5k more, you're getting the Viper for $78k for a car that (if I read the post correctly) stickers at $87K after the dest & gas guzzler tax?

 

Actually, my dealer said $80K, but nothing in writing until I decide to order it and put my deposit down. To be fair, not sure if he was including the gas guzzler tax in that quote, or if that would be extra $$.

 

If it were my money, I'd get the vette. I'm bias because I grew up wanting a vette not a Viper. Vipers are cool, but they don't stir my soul the way a vette does. With that said hands down my dream is the Z06 Black on Black. Your cash not mine, wish I had your problem!