If you are looking for power, the first generation vipers are tough to beat. They came with a forged bottom end.

 

VIPER !!! 98 bule GTS with white stripes... This is a mean *** car and can be picked up fopr $38-44k

 

i don't think they made a 2005 z06, unless they just made a few.

 

its that kind of attitude that probably got you the kids in the first place.

 

Get the Viper, your garage will look like this. Its fast, handles, and is very reliable. Also, easy to work on if you do have any problems. Mine stock ran 12.0 at almost 121 mph. It is amazing on the road course as well, beautiful balance and nice power. I will admit it is underbraked. But just look at the curves on it, I don't think you could just stand and stare at a Corvette, but I've had my GTS for a few years and I'll still just stand there and look at it.

 

I personally believe you will have the MOST fun with the viper. Personally, I would never track a car that costs over 15g's.......go out and buy a 1st gen miata or rx-7, they both can be made into capable track cars, and the best thing is if you trash em...so what? If you trash the viper/corvette/elise, you may have problems getting your insurance to cover the damages. The shock value is def. with the viper hands down. And there is nothing like that viper engine...............it would be the ultimate weekend/summer car. The vette is too common placed, and the elise just looks wierd.

I am a firm believer that EVERYONE should own a viper at least once in thier lifetime. I am with malibujack, go for a first gen viper.......do a search on the typical problems....supposedly the hoods on the 1st gen. vipers are expensive to replace (5K) and eventually many have to be replaced (not too sure about this but thats what I remember reading), also, the cockpit tends to get hellishly hot from heat coming from the enginebay. I would personally get a red viper

Good luck, and let us know what you decided to do,
Bobby

 

pedalpusher, do you have issues with wheelhop in you viper? I drove a 2000 GTS and it hooked up well (or should I say liquified the rear tires well). But, I drove an 03 RT-10 and the thing hopped like you would not believe. I liked every aspect of the 03 better than the 00... except for the wheelhop.

BTY... I test drove a C6 as well and the car does not even compare to the viper. Even with the 400HP/LBFT 6.0l motor, it does not have the stones the viper (00 or 03) has. It is not even a comparison. Unless the upcoming Z06 (scheduled to be unveiled in Detroit this month) is utterly amazing, I'll be picking up a used Viper.

 

I bought a GTS new in 99 and a Z06 in 01. I put over twice the miles on the Corvette because it is more comfortable, rides better, get's better gas mileage, and gets one tenth the attention of the Viper. The newer Z06s are a bit faster then mine and I think they are great sports cars, but if I could own only one of them, I'd be keeping the Viper. I just like the looks and the engine too much too sell it

FWIW, my wife and I got an 05 Evo two weeks ago - very cool car.



Jim

 

There is no 05 Z06....the c6 Z06 is still a year + out but will be awesome. F##k the Elise. As for the viper GTS, i have an 02 its the last of the greatest, the 3rd gens suck. But what someone mentioned earlier about how great the viper is on the road course is B.S. its a sled out of the box. IT has amazing power, the torque is great but suspension and brakes (stock) suck. But as for styling, looks, and raw power, the viper is the way to go. The 2nd gen 96-02 will be the most sought after in time. and FYI the bottom ends were forged up to 99. Post 99 brought about the "cream puff" cast piston motors.

 

If you are on a grippy surface and just barely spin the tires, you will get axle hop. If you get more aggressive with the rpm, you get a nice smooth spin. This seems to be fairly common for independent rear cars. I know Mustangs, 3rd gen Rx7s, Miatas, even my Evo will get axle hop. Just the nature of it.

As for handling, if you know what your doing in it the handling is hard to touch. Also depends on the track. On VIR Full course, my stock Viper is around 8 seconds a lap faster than a stock Evo. Motor Trend had a shootout back in '97, the GTS was the fastest car on their road course, beating the 993TT, F355, C5, NSX, Supra, etc. The beauty of it was that the track only took around 40 seconds to get around, meaning that the power did not play into it very much, it was the handling. Also in that test, the Viper pulled 1.01g, and did over 73mph through their slalom, a test that favors narrow cars. The Viper can definately handle.