1997 Dodge Viper Review
1997 Dodge Viper Review

Used Viper for sale
Appraise This CarDodge Viper model years
Dodge Viper types
- Convertible
- Coupe
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Speed, power, looks, handling. The GTS is the ultimate babe magnet.
Cons
- Poor city gas mileage, and, ummm...not very practical is it? The GTS is the ultimate cop magnet, too.
What’s new
One new color, flame red, with or without white stripes, is available for 1997. Silver, sparkle gold or yellow gold wheels come with red Vipers. The original blue with white stripes paint scheme is available as an option, as are last year's standard polished aluminum wheels. The RT/10 roadster is set to return later this year, with dual airbags, power windows and door locks, and the 450-horsepower V10 from the GTS. Also set to debut on the revamped drop top are the four-wheel independent suspension and adjustable pedals from the GTS.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Dodge Viper RT/10 2dr Convertible and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Not Available for Viper RT/10
Viper RT/10
vs
$182/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
The Viper has been the biggest automotive performance news since the original Mustang, and while its sales totals have been nowhere near those of the legendary ponycar, it has just as many devotees drooling over full-color pictures of its cartoonish structure like winos at a peepshow.
Designed to be the modern incarnation of the Cobra, Viper debuted at the 1989 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as a show car. Enough people wrote to Chrysler requesting street versions that plans for production of the rakish roadster were set into motion soon after. Viper was introduced for public sale in 1992, and became the darling of the automotive press, not to mention high-profile stars like Jay Leno and Kelsey Grammer, who managed to flip his over on a street in Agoura Hills, Calif., last year. It even got a TV show; a dismal one that lasted one season on major networks and survives in syndication.
A preview of things to come from Chrysler, the success of the Viper revitalized a company that many thought wouldn't last through the middle of this decade. Originally, the car was available only in red, but black, green and yellow were added as color choices. Last year, the RT/10 was painted one of three shades with colorful Hot Wheels graphics slapped on.
Dodge introduced the GTS coupe midway through 1996. The 8.0-liter V10 was substantially reworked, featuring a new block, new heads, shorter cooling jackets, and revised sump. These changes resulted in a 35 horsepower jump to 450. Overall, the revised motor is 85 pounds lighter than the one in the old RT/10. Inside the GTS, analog gauges and dual airbags greet serious drivers, who have the option of adjusting pedal height. Power windows and door locks are standard on the GTS.
For 1997, one new color (flame red with or without white stripes) is available on the GTS. Silver, sparkle gold, or yellow gold wheels come with red GTS Vipers. The original blue-with-white-stripes paint scheme is available as an option, as are last year's standard polished aluminum wheels. The RT/10 roadster is set to return later this year, with dual airbags, power windows and door locks, and the fresh 450-horsepower V10. Also set to debut on the revamped drop top are the four-wheel independent suspension and adjustable pedals from the GTS.
Truly, Chrysler Corporation has created an American icon that rivals Corvette's lock on the "America's Sports Car" title.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Dodge Viper.
5 star(82%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
11 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
Not for sale at ANY price...
Hammer, 06/16/2003
1997 Dodge Viper GTS 2dr Coupe
I have owned the car since new for 6
years now. Eevn now, after all that
time, the power and handling of this
car still amazes me. This car IS NOT
recommended for the faint of heart,
posers and Wusses - I recommend a
Ferrari for those people.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Vipers Rule
Kurt, 02/24/2007
1997 Dodge Viper GTS 2dr Coupe
This is my 2nd Viper. I purchased a 1994 RT/10 in '97 and enjoyed the car both on and off the track. Track experience was with the IL Region Viper Club of America. Which included drag racing, autocross and road racing events. My most recent Viper is the '97 Coupe. Much more refined, better handling, more power, and better aerodynamics. I have installed about $15k worth of aftermarket to … increase performance. This includes BIG brakes, alum. flywheel, short shifter, hi-ratio roller rockers, smooth tubes, headers/catback exhaust, 3:55 gear, rollbar and fire extinguisher. Car is still street legal, good manners, and all amenties such as air, pwr wndows, stereo, etc. Run 11's in qtr!
3.75 out of 5 stars
My Viper
jesus, 04/03/2003
1997 Dodge Viper GTS 2dr Coupe
great car , very fast picks up lots of
chicks
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great Super Car
Domenic, 05/27/2005
1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 2dr Convertible
Car could not be better just got my 96 Viper white w/ Blue stripes a month ago and already put over 3000 miles on it I drove it home from Missourri 900 miles w/ the top off it was great. I can not drive this car enough.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Dodge Viper, so we've included reviews for other years of the Viper since its last redesign.
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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