1992-2002 Dodge Viper: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Pros
- Acceleration
- Steering/handling
Cons
- Lack of airbag (early models)
- Noise
- Fuel economy
- Lack of antilock brakes
Vehicle Highlights
After appearing at auto shows as a concept vehicle, Dodge's rear-drive roadster hit dealer showrooms early in the summer of 1991. Only 200 cars were available in that short season, and some sold at far above the $50,000 sticker price. Choices were few in this high-performance rear-drive two-seat sports car, powered by an 8.0-liter V10 engine--America's biggest and most powerful production engine, delivering 400 horsepower. Only a 6-speed manual gearbox could be installed, and it incorporated a forced first-to-fourth gear shift when starting off at light throttle. Exposed exhaust pipes ran along the rocker panels, adding to the Viper's no-holds-barred appearance. Body panels were made of fiberglass-like composite materials, bonded and bolted to a tubular steel frame. Antilock braking and a driver-side airbag were unavailable. Red was the only available body color at first, and Vipers did not even have exterior door handles or roll-up windows. Standard equipment included an FM/AM stereo with cassette player and leather upholstery. Viper met the requirement for passive restraints with door-mounted seatbelts that could be left buckled. Nothing was really like a Viper, but rivals have included the Acura NSX, Chevrolet Corvette, Mitsubishi 3000 GT, and Porsche 911.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Dodge Viper RT/10 Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 10 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 2 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 8 | |
| Quietness | 1 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 0 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 1 | |
| Value within Class | 1 | |
| Total Score: | 32 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1992-2002 Dodge Viper includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1992-2002 Dodge Viper and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1992-2002 Dodge Viper is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Each year, Dodge has built just enough Vipers to keep demand ahead of supply, selling them with little discounting. Some of the early crudities were improved over the years, but Viper remains a back-to-basics, less-than-civilized machine. If you're a likely prospect for a secondhand model, you probably know it already. Better make sure that checkbook is full, though, as Vipers have held their value pretty well over the years.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Dodge Viper RT/10 Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 10 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 2 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 8 | |
| Quietness | 1 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 0 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 1 | |
| Value within Class | 1 | |
| Total Score: | 32 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $720 |
| Alternator | $485 |
| Brakes | $735 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $1,090 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $650 |
| Exhaust System | $1,350 |
| Radiator | $1,175 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $3,830 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $510 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 2002 | |||
| Viper GTS | $37,000-40,000 | $34,400-37,200 | $26,300-28,400 |
| Viper RT/10 | $34,500-37,000 | $32,100-34,400 | $24,500-26,300 |
| 2001 | |||
| Viper GTS | $33,200-35,500 | $30,900-33,000 | $23,600-25,200 |
| Viper RT/10 | $31,000-33,500 | $28,800-31,200 | $21,700-23,500 |
| 2000 | |||
| Viper GTS | $30,000-32,500 | $27,900-30,200 | $21,000-22,800 |
| Viper RT/10 | $28,000-30,500 | $26,000-28,400 | $19,000-20,700 |
| 1999 | |||
| Viper GTS | $27,500-30,000 | $25,600-27,900 | $18,400-20,100 |
| Viper RT/10 | $25,500-28,000 | $23,700-26,000 | $16,800-18,500 |
| 1998 | |||
| Viper GTS | $24,500-26,300 | $22,800-24,500 | $15,900-17,100 |
| Viper RT/10 | $22,500-24,500 | $20,700-22,500 | $14,600-15,900 |
| 1997 | |||
| Viper GTS | $21,700-23,500 | $20,000-21,600 | $14,100-15,300 |
| Viper RT/10 | $19,700-21,500 | $18,100-19,800 | $12,800-14,000 |
| 1996 | |||
| Viper GTS | $19,500-21,000 | $17,900-19,300 | $12,700-13,700 |
| Viper RT/10 | $17,500-19,200 | $16,100-17,700 | $11,200-12,300 |
| 1995 | |||
| Viper RT/10 | $15,500-17,000 | $14,100-15,500 | $9,900-10,900 |
| 1994 | |||
| Viper RT/10 | $14,200-15,700 | $12,900-14,300 | $8,700-9,600 |
| 1993 | |||
| Viper RT/10 | $13,000-14,200 | $11,800-12,900 | $7,500-8,200 |
| 1992 | |||
| Viper RT/10 | $12,000-13,000 | $10,800-11,700 | $6,700-7,300 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | 2-door coupe |
| Wheelbase, in. | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 175.1 | 176.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 75.7 | 75.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 44.0 | 47.0 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3319 | 3383 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 6.8 | 9.1 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.0 | 19.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 | 2 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 36.8 | 36.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.6 | 42.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | -- |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V10 | 8.0 / 488 | 400-450 | 462-500 | 6-speed manual: 12/21 | 6-speed manual: 14.1 |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.








