2005 Dodge Viper Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

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/traction-control systems are unavailable. Standard features include leather-and-faux-suede seats, tilt steering column, power-adjustable pedals, and xenon headlights. In its only change for 2005, Viper gets two new colors: yellow and Copperhead Orange.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Offering more power and style than typical Sporty/Performance vehicles, Premium Sporty/Performance Cars usually cost much more and have more comfort and convenience equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and 4-seat coupes rule the roost in this class.

Our Best Buy is the Chevrolet Corvette. Our Recommended picks include the BMW Z4, Chrysler Crossfire, and Mercedes-Benz CLK.

News

It seems there will be a new Viper coupe after all. Dodge recently showed a "concept" at the Viper Club of America's annual confab, where the scuttlebutt has a production version out for 2007. Assuming the concept is an accurate preview--and why wouldn't it be?--the fixed-roof snake will have mostly unique body panels, but the same general look, interior, chassis and powertrain as the SRT-10 roadster. That aside, no big changes are expected for Viper until Chrysler Group redesigns it again, which we don't see before 2010.

2005 Dodge Viper Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Ride

Steering/handling	Fuel economy

	Noise

	Cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

SRT-10	Class Average
10	8.1

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

SRT-10	Class Average
2	4.4

Test Viper averaged 10.6 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Premium-grade fuel required.

Ride Quality

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

SRT-10	Class Average
10	8.6

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

SRT-10	Class Average
2	3.9

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

SRT-10	Class Average
5	6.2

Self-evident controls. Generic Dodge audio and climate systems. Instruments have black markings, white faces. 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)

SRT-10	Class Average
2	5.6

Firm, form-hugging seats supportive in turns, but climbing into or out of is a chore. 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)

SRT-10	Class Average
0	.4

(No rear seating.)

Cargo Room

SRT-10	Class Average
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

SRT-10	Class Average
3	4.6

Viper is an emotional statement that makes little sense as daily transportation. A Chevrolet Corvette or base Porsche 911 mimic its usable street performance at lower cost and with more refinement.

Total Score

SRT-10	Class Average
38	47.8

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		47
High Score		59

2005 Dodge Viper Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/03/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

SRT-10 2-door convertible	$81,895	$74,592	$850

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, tire-pressure monitor.

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.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, xenon headlights, fog lights, manual folding soft top, run-flat tires (275/35ZR18 front, 345/30ZR19 rear), alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Copperhead Edition Group
SRT-10	$2,995	$2,636
Leather seats, polished alloy wheels. Deletes faux-suede seat trim.

2005 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	12/20

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

< 2005 Dodge Viper Photos

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Dodge Viper Specs & Safety

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