2003 Dodge Viper Review
Fuel Economy
14 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Increased horsepower, improved handling and bigger brakes make for superior performance. And improved build quality doesn't hurt, either. But old-school Viper fans may be disappointed with the 2003 version's newfound manners.
Pros
Incredible performance, improved cockpit, limited production.
Cons
No traction control or side airbags, extremely limited production.
What's New for 2003
Dodge hatches a new snake with a real roadster body, scary output figures (how's 500 horsepower sound?) and improved build quality.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
World class exotic
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 2dr Roadster (8.3L 10cyl 6M)
Review
This car has no equal for its price and performance. I waited for 6 long years to buy a Viper and I was not disappointed. This car is a street legal race car but at the same time, it is no harder to drive than a Honda Civic or a Saturn. There is this thought out there that this car is hard to drive, it isn't - only drivers who don't understand or know how to drive a true sports car. The performance is unbelievable. I understand now why everyone who drives this car has such a big smile on their face. There are certain cars that invoke emotion by just looking at it & this car is one of them. If you are a car nut and you get the opportunity to own one, do it. You will not be disappointed.
Favorite Features
Lumpy idle. Power/Torque is available in any gear at any time. 1+ g rating is excellent - car handles very well in most conditions. Easy to use soft top. Casual conversations that come about when you pull into a gas station, bank, etc. Simple maintenance schedule compared to other exotics.
Suggested Improvements
Poor visibility (especially when looking rear left from the driver's side) & from the front fenders. Costly maintenance if you don't have an extended warranty. Excessive heat coming through the cabin. Even with those faults (and all cars have faults), I would not trade this vehicle for anything.
U.S. muscle with Italian DNA
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 2dr Roadster (8.3L 10cyl 6M)
Review
The SRT10 convertible is arguably the fastest production convertible known to mankind. I have owned previously a 1996 GTS coupe and it was fast with plenty of power. The '03 SRT10 is however even faster with more power and torque and incfredibly also much more driver friendly than its predecessor. It is a much more refined car than I would have thought. The top is a 15 second operation up or down and is simple to use. This engine easily overpowers the rear tires in first gear and during upshifts requiring throttle modulation to resist wheelspin. I have driven race cars, Ferraris, Lambos, and Vettes but none compare with the exhileration when stompiong the throttle of the Viper SRT10.
Favorite Features
Convertible top, huge torque, excellant stopping power, movie star attention. Wife says this car is gorgeous. Perfect paint with glass like finish and pefect margins everywhere.
Suggested Improvements
Make it lighter especially the wheels and tires and brake rotors.
2003 Viper!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 2dr Roadster (8.3L 10cyl 6M)
Review
The most fun driving i've have ever had!!!
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Vipers kick!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 2dr Roadster (8.3L 10cyl 6M)
Review
I love everything about Vipers. They're just awesome!
Favorite Features
Everything.
Suggested Improvements
None.
The New one is better than the old one
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 2dr Roadster (8.3L 10cyl 6M)
Review
Bought the car as the 5th Viper I've owned. Truly outstanding car - far, far better than anything else thus far. Performance, acceleration, handling, ride and braking are well beyond any of the old models.
Favorite Features
The added horsepower and torque are tops.
Suggested Improvements
Dealer's and their service uniformly suck - hasn't improved from day 1 of the 1st Viper. Computer driven window mechanism for cracking and rolling up the windows doesn't work correctly after 3 trips and six months. Run flat tires are not as good as old style.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Dodge Viper
- 2008 Dodge Viper
- 2006 Dodge Viper
- 2005 Dodge Viper
- 2004 Dodge Viper
- 2003 Dodge Viper
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