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2004 Dodge Viper Full Review
Date Published: 9/12/08
Also in the 2004 Dodge Viper Review:
2004 Dodge Viper Review
America's most-powerful production car, Viper is a convertible with a manual folding top and heated glass rear window. The only engine is a 500-hp 8.3-liter V10. The sole transmission is a 6-speed manual. ABS is standard. Tires are run-flats on 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rears. Side airbags and antiskid or traction-control systems are unavailable. Standard features include leather-and-faux-suede seats, tilt steering column, power-adjustable pedals, and xenon high- and low-beam headlamps. New for 2004 are trunk carpeting and red-colored brake calipers.
News
This limited-edition bruiser should continue with mostly minor year-to-year changes until Chrysler decides to redo it again. The original Viper sired a GTS fastback coupe sold from 1996 through 2002, but sources say there won't be a new one, at least for the forseeable future.
2004 Dodge Viper Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Ride |
| Steering/handling | Fuel economy |
| Noise | |
| Cargo room | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Explosive, even at part-throttle, even from modest rpm. No opportunity yet to time, but Dodge targets under 4 sec 0-60 mph, over 190-mph top speed. Clutch, gearshift demand deliberate action, but are not taxing.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 10 | 7.7 |
Explosive, even at part-throttle, even from modest rpm. No opportunity yet to time, but Dodge targets under 4 sec 0-60 mph, over 190-mph top speed. Clutch, gearshift demand deliberate action, but are not taxing.
Fuel Economy
Test Viper averaged 10.6 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Premium fuel required.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 2 | 4.7 |
Test Viper averaged 10.6 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Premium fuel required.
Ride Quality
Never full-out brutal, but always firm and frequently choppy. Can jar if tar strips or pavement seams simultaneously hit both front tires or both rear tires. Impressive absence of structural flex.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 2 | 4 |
Never full-out brutal, but always firm and frequently choppy. Can jar if tar strips or pavement seams simultaneously hit both front tires or both rear tires. Impressive absence of structural flex.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Faithful, nicely weighted steering. Extraordinary width, low center of gravity, steamroller tires provide uncanny grip, race-car response in changes of direction. Suspension pliant enough to keep Viper on course through bumpy corners taken at reasonable speed. Resolute stopping power, fine brake modulation, little discernible nosedive.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 10 | 8.4 |
Faithful, nicely weighted steering. Extraordinary width, low center of gravity, steamroller tires provide uncanny grip, race-car response in changes of direction. Suspension pliant enough to keep Viper on course through bumpy corners taken at reasonable speed. Resolute stopping power, fine brake modulation, little discernible nosedive.
Quietness
Big V10 turns only 1400 rpm at 70 mph in 6th gear, so quiet at cruise, but even mild throttle triggers an intrusive roar from side exhaust outlets. Wind, road noise always present, but no more meddlesome than in other high-performance convertibles, top up or down.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 2 | 4 |
Big V10 turns only 1400 rpm at 70 mph in 6th gear, so quiet at cruise, but even mild throttle triggers an intrusive roar from side exhaust outlets. Wind, road noise always present, but no more meddlesome than in other high-performance convertibles, top up or down.
Controls
Self-evident controls. Generic Dodge audio and climate systems. Instruments have black markings, white faces. Tachometer identifies rev limit by change in hashmark color rather than a bold red line. Speedometer, fuel gauge suffer sunlight reflections. Rich upholstery, but cabin's only relief from common matte plastic and textured vinyl are some metal trim pieces.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.8 |
Self-evident controls. Generic Dodge audio and climate systems. Instruments have black markings, white faces. Tachometer identifies rev limit by change in hashmark color rather than a bold red line. Speedometer, fuel gauge suffer sunlight reflections. Rich upholstery, but cabin's only relief from common matte plastic and textured vinyl are some metal trim pieces.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Firm, form-hugging seats supportive in turns, but a chore to climb into, out of. Seats lack height adjustment, and close-set pedals are skewed far to left, but power pedals a plus. Engine heat turns footwells into ovens--and doorsills are hot to the touch from exhaust pipes within.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 2 | 5.4 |
Firm, form-hugging seats supportive in turns, but a chore to climb into, out of. Seats lack height adjustment, and close-set pedals are skewed far to left, but power pedals a plus. Engine heat turns footwells into ovens--and doorsills are hot to the touch from exhaust pipes within.
Room/Comfort (rear)
(No rear seating.)
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 0 | .6 |
(No rear seating.)
Cargo Room
A few soft bags fit in trunk. Trunklid very heavy, and must be opened for clearance to raise or lower convertible top. Cabin limited to small center console, dashboard glovebox.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 2 | 2.2 |
A few soft bags fit in trunk. Trunklid very heavy, and must be opened for clearance to raise or lower convertible top. Cabin limited to small center console, dashboard glovebox.
Value within Class
Viper is an emotional statement that makes little sense as daily transportation. A Chevrolet Corvette, base Porsche 911, even the Ford Mustang Cobra are cars that mimic its usable street performance at lower cost and with more refinement.
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 3 | 4.6 |
Viper is an emotional statement that makes little sense as daily transportation. A Chevrolet Corvette, base Porsche 911, even the Ford Mustang Cobra are cars that mimic its usable street performance at lower cost and with more refinement.
Total Score
| SRT-10 | Class Average |
| 38 | 47.4 |
Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 38 | |
| Average Score | 47 | |
| High Score | 57 |
2004 Dodge Viper Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/11/2004
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| SRT-10 2-door convertible | $81,090 | $73,875 | $800 |
Price note: Add $3000 Gas-Guzzler Tax.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
SRT-10
Powertrain
8.3-liter V10 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, leather/faux-suede upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, variable-intermittent wipers, power decklid release.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, high-intensity-discharge headlights, fog lights, manual-folding soft top, run-flat tires (275/35ZR18 front, 345/30ZR19 rear), alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
2004 Dodge Viper Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Dodge Viper 2-door convertible |
| Wheelbase, in. | 98.8 |
| Overall Length, in. | 175.6 |
| Overall Width, in. | 75.2 |
| Overall Height, in. | 47.6 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3410 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 8.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 36.5 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.4 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| ohv V10 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 8.3 /505 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 500 @ 5600 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 525 @ 4200 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 6-speed manual | 12/21 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Dodge Viper 2-door convertible |
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%. Side-impact
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%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 7/70,000 | $100 deductible per visit. |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/100,000 | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2004 Dodge Viper Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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