If you want a car that is unique and has more torque than just about anything on the road, this car is a blast. I’ve owned my viper for years, and every time I get in and drive it, it feels like a special occasion. I’ve not felt this way about any other sports car I’ve owned over the years. Sometimes it gets more attention than I’d like though- it draws a crowd everywhere I go. Maintenance will be more than a Camry, but not as much as European exotics. Pick the right mechanic though because so few were made, most dodge dealers are not all that familiar. From a performance perspective, you will not find a better buy out there for a lightly used, well maintained Viper.
I have owned four corvettes, two 911s a 930 Porsche a Ferrari and the viper is my favorite, it doesn't ride like a Porsche but it handles better in the corners and just has the raw hp. Its watched where ever you go, hard to ride under the radar. The car is easy to work on compared to a Ferrari or Porsche and it is so much less to maintain when it comes to service and parts. It's a truly drivable car.
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.
Best 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.
Worst Features
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.
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.
Best 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.
Worst Features
Make it lighter especially the wheels and tires and brake rotors.