Viper Design Flaw Investigation Concludes

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation on the 2003-2008 Dodge Viper after as many as eight accidents all showed post-crash damage to the rear suspension knuckles. Eight months and 9,670 Vipers later, they determined that the knuckles were damaged as a result of the accidents and were not  a cause. The true cause of the accidents was deemed to be human error. See the story here at Car Buzz.

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1994 Viper with 504 Miles on eBay

Are you a huge fan of the first generation Viper RT/10 but you’ve been kicking yourself for not buying one when available between 1992 and 1995? Well today’s your lucky day! Behold a 1994 Viper with only 504 miles. There’s no story as to how the car survived almost 20 years without being driven but it was probably purchased new by a speculator. If so, that plan may not have worked out as it’s listed for $37,500. A new Viper RT/10 in 1994 was priced at $56,600. So, do you drive and enjoy it or, at this point, put it on a mantel? See the article at CarScoops and the original eBay listing. More pics after the jump!

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Ezra Dyer Attempts to Tame the Viper

Automobile magazine contributing writer Ezra Dyer test drove a 2013 Viper. He seems to get that the Viper and Corvette do not run in similar circles. I love his quote, “The difference between the Corvette and the Viper is that the ’Vette wants to be a new Ferrari, while the Viper wants to be a 1965 Shelby Cobra. Either that, or a big rock on a catapult. It hasn’t decided.” Read the entire article at The New York Times.

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Viper Gets Last Place in Motor Trend’s Best Driver’s Car Test

So I guess Motor Trend doesn’t like the Viper. Maybe they were mad that SRT gave them a beat press car with some hard miles and worn out tires. But the only car in their test that actually beat the Viper around Laguna Seca was the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, a car that costs more than twice as much. Hmmm. So which one is the best driver’s car? Oh, a Porsche that was three seconds slower. Video after the jump.

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Edmunds Tries to Pick Fight With Ralph Gilles on Twitter

Edmunds, a site best known for minivan comparisons and new car shopping tools for non-enthusiasts, is trying to pick a fight with Ralph Gilles in Twitter. The Edmunds people have scheduled a comparison test with the new C7 Corvette and claim that Ralph is “scared” to send the new Viper. Ralph claims all the Vipers are booked right now, owing to “Pebble beach, ALMS, Dream Cruise, peak time.. many shows, simply that time of year..” Scott Oldham counters that Ralph is “full of sh##.” Ralph Gilles replies “we are out of cars and clearly told you one is coming next month. Why are you being an A##” and “I am dissapionted with your aggression…” You can read the full exchange on Twitter.

Does Edmunds think this kind of thing helps their credibility or will increase their readership? Ultimately, I agree with Ralph that, while it will be interesting, “I don’t understand how an ultra low volume 180hp more powerful exotic needs to be compared?” At the end of the day Mopar people buy Vipers and Chevy people buy Corvettes. And arguments on Twitter are lame.

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