That said, this Viper stuff seems to be for the Camaro and Mustang crowd after they’ve become the first person in their family to go to university. They have a bit more disposable income and want to spend nearly twice as much for something different, something special.
Actually, to buy new Viper in Canada is really expensive; like $100,000! But, StradaRhodeTechnologica has promised a cheaper version of Viper called GT, with the same potency as GTS, is on the way.
“MARK STEVENSON, YOU’RE UP!” called the lady holding a clipboard and wearing the pharmaceutical company’s jacket with their SRT logo embroidered on the chest. I walked over to the Viper table and was instructed to “jump in.” It must be some kind of Viper user lingo.
After strapping in for the ride, the chemist told me to take it slow in the beginning and ease into Viper. Once comfortable, he said I could take it as hard as I wanted, but try not to spin.
That’s another thing I heard about with old Viper – the spins – which can be potentially fatal and it’s what worries me the worst with you, Justin.
From what I gather, once you start to spin on Viper, there’s no coming back. You just pray that you land softly and conscious or you spin on forever until you meet… Him.
With new Viper, there is more warning before getting into the spins. SRT tells me there are some new safety technologies in new Viper that the government told them they had to implement. Some of the diehard old Viper users are pretty peeved about it, too.
One man in the line was even waxing poetic about a time when Viper usage was displayed on primetime television and spun in such a way that kids believed Viper could be used to fight crime! Unbelievable!
Thankfully, I was using Viper in a controlled environment. And, even though I had tried to follow the chemist’s instructions to the letter, my excitement got the best of me and I pushed it too far toward the end. Justin – I almost spun out! It could have been a disaster and the SRT fellow said if I was using Viper on a public street I would have most certainly been dead. He also said cops keep a close eye on Viper users, new and old alike.
   2015 Dodge Viper SRT, GTS engine bay, GTS gauges. Click image to enlarge |
Toward the end of my time with Viper, the cool down lane provided me a chance to bring my journey to a stop before clashing with others. I’m lucky I was able to experience such euphoria in a closed and safe area.
But, Justin, that near spin… it scared me immensely. Not so much for myself because I was using Viper responsibly.
Justin – I was scared for you.
Your Viper may not be as powerful as new Viper, but I’ve heard – and now experienced – its use can have some truly dire consequences. I care for you, brother. I really do.
So, please, Justin, for your friends, your family, and yourself, give up Viper. At least give up the old one.
And for heaven’s sake, don’t do that new thing they are pushing either. It’s called Hellcat and I hear they are aiming at families… with kids.
Those poor kids.
Sincerely,
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Manufacturer’s Website: Dodge Canada Photo Gallery: Crash Test Results: |
Mark
Pricing: 2015 Dodge Viper SRT GTS
Base Price: N/A
Price as tested: N/A
Competitors:
Audi R8
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Jaguar XK-R
Nissan GT-R
Porsche 911
2014 SRT Viper GTS
July 15, 2013
2014 Porsche 911 GT3
September 17, 2014
Like Jonathan wasn’t enough of a Porsche fanboy already, now they let him drive the GT3. We’ll never hear the end of this.
