2005 Dodge Viper Preview

Getting Bit by Dodge's Viper

Approaching its 12th year, the Dodge Viper is still the meanest, baddest American muscle car on the market.

Should You Buy This Car?

Do you need to haul anything of any kind? Then, no. Do you and your passenger like to be comfortable? Then, no.

We think that anybody considering a Viper should cross-shop the Corvette, which has two fewer cylinders, 150 less horsepower, 30,000 fewer dollars on the asking price and infinitely more comfort. You should probably also check out the Porsche 911 Turbo, which isn't particularly comfortable either, but adds a certain amount of European chassis refinement that your spine and backside will thank you for.

One thing we can say for certain is that the Viper is a much better car than the similarly raw Ford SVT Mustang Cobra. This is not a particularly fair comparison, since the Cobra is about $40,000 less. Still, it has only 110 horses less than the Viper, but driving it truly hurts. The Viper has an enormous stick shift, but it at least makes for quick, tight gear changes. You will wrestle with the Cobra's Cobra-shaped shifter, and loathe its long throws. For whatever reason, something about the Viper forgives its difficulties, while the Cobra seems unacceptably clunky and crude.

If you have $80,000 to burn, and you love America and preferably own stock in an oil company, few cars will pad your ego like the Viper. Yes, you can buy a Mercedes for that price, but that's more about spoiling and comforting yourself. The Viper is about driving, and if you haven't driven it, you haven't seen the top-shelf of American performance.