Dodge Viper RT/10: PH Carpool
A long-held love for Vipers and a trip to Miami ended up in a dream realised
Car: 2002 Dodge Viper RT/10
Owned since: April 2011
Previously owned: Supercharged Z3 M coupe, supercharged Mustang GT, supercharged M3, couple of normal M3s, Mercedes SL500, Golf MkII GTI, E30 325, E36 325, Toyota Hilux
Loud and proud, the only way a Viper can be
"My older brother gave me a copy of DuPont Registry magazine in 1996 and when I saw the Viper it was instant love. It was also my favourite car in the first Need for Speed game. The years passed and in 2011 I was heading to Miami for holiday when a friend asked me to source him a LHD 997 Turbo while I was there. A week prior to the trip I came across the Viper while looking for a 911 on eBay - it was advertised by a reputable Dodge dealer in Savannah and it came with warranty (useless in the UK but still giving me a piece of mind that it was a clean car). The Carfax report came clean with the highest possible score and in less than 24 hours I have arranged the payment and the shipping. I already had three cars at the time and it didn't make any sense but it was one of these adrenaline fuelled spontaneous purchases that you do once in a lifetime."
What I wish I'd known:
"I went for one of the last produced second-gen Vipers and being 2002 it doesn't have forged internals. I wish I have bought an earlier car as the stock bottom end holds easily 800 whp once twin-turbo or a supercharger is introduced. Also the shipping took ages and at some point nobody knew where the car actually was - should have done my homework on the shipping agent a bit better."
Gold cross-spokes have morphed into...
"The instant torque - it's just immense and endless. The exhaust sound is also brutal - running Belanger headers, race cats and tiny Borla mufflers gives a very distinctive and raspy V10 sound and all the popping and banging while downshifting or getting off the loud pedal are complimentary. The cruiser ability - 70mph is only 1,400rpm in sixth gear and with the aftermarket cruise control and the top on it makes a quite ok car for long drives. The fact that it feels like a giant go kart having no electronic assistance (apart from ABS) and that people totally underestimate it on trackdays thinking that being American it cannot go around corners. With 305 tyres in the front and 335 in the back it surely does."
Things I hate:
"The folding soft top - feels like I am camping and I have to put up or down a tent every time - practice makes perfect but it's still annoying. The lack of dead pedal - there are a few mods which gain you decent leg room but still not ideal. The turning radius - it's ridiculous and makes a three-point turn easily into a five-point one."
...mean looking black items for added grr
"Apart from the fuel consumption (8mpg in London and 25mpg on the highway) it has been pretty reasonable. Insurance is low, parts are a bit more expensive than other American cars but still much cheaper than the likes of 911s, Astons not to mention anything Italian."
Where I've been:
"I have taken it on couple of long trips - Barcelona, Biarritz and San Sebastian, South of France and some Bedford trackdays. It's a great roadster once the sun is out."
What next?
"A full engine build is not my thing at the moment so will have to stick to the N-A route. I have already sourced a set of ported heads with oversized valves and with a very lumpy cam it shall be good for 700hp. But first I intend to enjoy the summer and a nice road trip to some mountain passes in the Alps."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
great to hear the real experiences of one on roads that aren't just the American straight lines
... great colour choice as well ... although I am not a fan of the black wheels (horses for courses that though) 
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