Dodge Viper Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision


in Car Comparisons
Red Dodge Viper

Source: Flickr

The Dodge Viper is a sleek sports car designed by Dodge in 1992 and survived on the market until 2017. This vehicle is a popular sports selection, but it’s vital not to purchase something at face value. If you’re serious about investing in this vehicle, you might want to consider the Dodge Viper pros and cons.

Knowing the benefits and disadvantages of the car will make it easier to determine if it’s the best choice for your life. Although some may love the benefits of the Viper, others may not find them appealing enough to counteract the cons. Keep reading to learn more about the items we love in the Viper and things we don’t like as much.

Dodge Viper Pros: What We Love

First, let’s examine the best parts of the Dodge Viper pros and cons. Items like a manual transmission and safety features are a highlight for the Dodge Viper.

Manual Transmission

Not only does the Dodge Viper come with a manual transmission, but that’s the only transmission option available to those who invest in the vehicle. This choice is rare for a sports car and will allow drivers to appreciate having more control over the shifting speeds than in an automatic transmission selection.

The manual transmission is a result of an effort on the part of Dodge to defend the transitional styles of racing as many fast cars move to a double-clutch automatic system. This manual selection can go from 0-60 miles per hour in under four seconds - an astounding manual feat. 


BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL

CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 


Smooth Ride Experience

Drivers of the Dodge Viper should also experience a smooth ride in the cabin of the car. Some versions of the Viper are stiffer than others, but the newer iterations of the machine added performance suspension to negate any discomfort that appeared in previous versions of the sports vehicle.

The Dodge Viper also uses adjustable shocks, height-adjustable perks, and a coil-over suspension system in the 2016 and 2017 versions to absorb every blow on the road and keep everyone as comfortable as possible at high rates of speed on the pavement.

Multiple Trim Options

There isn’t just one trim selection available in the Dodge Viper - you gain access to five in the latest version of the Viper. These allow for ample customization options and the choice to select a version of the Dodge Viper that best fits your life, which will differ depending on the person.

Trims come in all shapes in the Dodge Viper. For example, you could go with the base Dodge Viper SRT and access items like 18-19-inch wheels and remote entry. Or you could pick the ACR Viper for a race-style trim with heavy traction summer tires and less soundproofing for the thrill of the road. The options are endless.

Detailed Safety Features

Finally, we love the choice of the Dodge Viper to include ample safety features. Even though the Viper is a racing car, that doesn’t mean it skips out on safety. You can feel fast and secure behind the wheel.

Common safety features here include airbags on the side doors, rearview cameras, a high-end braking system, and more. These are here to make the experience a safe one every single time.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE DODGE VIPER

Stylish, nimble, and comfortable, used Dodge Vipers are popular choices for middle-class drivers who want something high-end without breaking the bank. The most reliable Dodge Viper year is a particularly good choice.


Dodge Viper Cons: What We Hate

Unfortunately, there are some items like poor fuel economy that get in the way of a perfect car. Read on to learn about the worst of the Dodge Viper pros and cons.

Frustrating Driving Positioning

The driving position is one of the first problems we noticed with the Dodge Viper. The steering wheel of the car is in a location where it’s uncomfortable for the driver, which can alter the entire experience for those who prefer their steering wheel in a location comfortable for the rest of their body.

It’s not just the steering wheel. There is a switch that sits between the brake pedals and the throttle. This switch can be confusing for those who are getting behind the wheel of the Viper for the first time, and even dangerous in some cases.

Tricky Entry and Exit

Getting in and out of the Dodge Viper is easier said than done. The vehicle has a side-facing exhaust, which means there’s a chance of getting burned or breathing in fumes for those entering or exiting the vehicle after the Dodge Viper has taken part in a race. It’s something many will forget to watch for and then get hurt by.

The cabin is also tiny and far more cramped than many competitors, which means getting inside in the first place will be a precarious, tedious endeavor for the person driving the car. Some might enjoy this, and it will make them feel even more like a racecar driver. Others will find it pointless and frustrating. 


AI-ASSISTED CAR SHOPPING

Never miss out on the best car, never overpay, and never get taken advantage of. Download the CoPilot app to see the magic of AI-assisted car shopping.


Undesirable Fuel Economy

Unfortunately, the fuel economy of the Dodge Viper is an area where it struggles. You might expect to get decent fuel economy from such a good-looking and fun car - but the V10 engine is a massive racing option and eats fuel at an intense rate. You’ll have to fill up more often with expensive gas. 

That wouldn’t be an issue if this wasn’t a unique problem with the Viper - but the latest competitors have much better fuel efficiency than the Viper. If you want something with a great economy, look somewhere other than the Viper.

Is the Dodge Viper Worth It?

When looking at the Dodge Viper pros and cons, is it worth it to purchase the vehicle? If you’re a driver who cares about speed, manual transmission, safety features, and trims, the Dodge Viper will be worth it. If you’re looking for high fuel economy and an easy experience getting in and out of the vehicle, the Dodge Viper will be a nightmare.

We hope this information was helpful! It’s always a good idea to understand a vehicle before spending money on it. A pros and cons list is the most effective way to do just that.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

trade-in