I look at it this way.

Anyone can buy a Mustang and make it look like a Shelby.

Anyone can buy a Vette and make it look like a Z06.

Anyone can buy a Viper and well......it's a Viper.

 

The production number in the first post seemed high for the Viper.
The thing with the Z06 is that there are also a huge amount of regular
C6 vettes that many people can't distinguish from a Z06. Vettes are
great cars just not as exclusive as a Viper.

 

A Z06 is similar to a Corvette, the way a Lightning is similar to an F-150 regular cab.

The Viper numbers came from the International Viper registry.

http://ivr.viperclub.org/build.php

The Z06 numbers came from the Corvette Action Center:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/


Do I see more Corvettes than Vipers? YES for sure!

 

Under the hood, that's true- a little (105 HP difference)

But, from where the average Joe sits, if you slap a z06 badge on a regular C6, even with 400 HP they'd be fooled, even if they ride in it. Most won't even notice the wheel difference. Just like if you pull a z06 badge off a z06, only us enthusiasts could pick the z06 from the crowd of C6's.

That's why many say they are similiar.

I'd be happy with a C6. 400 HP will smoke 99% of the cars on the road. Even the fast ones.

 

Wheel difference, insulation/sound deadening difference, tranny difference, etc. etc. But you are correct.

Most people can't tell the difference between a 6,000 dollar Trek and a 200 dollar Wally world special, that still doesn't make them the same or even in the same ballpark for comparison sake.
If we talk about production numbers of a Viper, compare it to it's under powered but superior craftsmanship competition, the Z06. Not the C5 or C6.

****standing back and waiting for the "superior" to sink in.*****

 

If you wanna buy a viper to look cool, thats fine. just make sure there isnt a Zo6 around. Because getting your *** handed to you doesnt look very good.

 

90,000 for a Viper, compared to 65,000 for a Z06. You get your *** handed to you several times. At the purchase, at the pump, at the track, and at the repair shop. Heck, with the money you save you can buy your wife a nice 25,000 beater car and at least get some....... aw heck that's another subject.

 

Just out of curiousity, would anyone know the price difference between a Z06 and a C6?

 

around 30 thousand...

i know the list for the zo6 isnt that much more.. but go try to buy one for that

 

30 grand difference between a C6 and Z06?

 

Well, like I mentioned, the 2008 Viper is faster than the 2008 z06, so- drivers being equal, the Viper driver is in no danger of getting his or her **** handed to them by a stock z06. In the 2007 model year, yes- the z06 is faster.

The numbers I posted was for a tuner (Ligenfelter) and FAR more expensive version of the Vette. When the z07 comes out (if it comes out) the Viper will be out gunned again since they estimate it will have at least 650 HP.
--------------------------------------------

The Viper is still rare, and that is what makes it more exclusive than the z06. If I drive my parking lot right now, there are at least four base C6's in the parking lot, at least two z06's, Two Porsche 911 turbo's, and (drum roll)...

No Vipers.

The current body style Viper came out in 2003, so it's older than the C6, and still powered by a mildly massaged 8.0L V10, that's been powering Vipers for the last 13 years- and Dodge trucks even longer. Still, look how long it took Chevy to truly challenge the Viper- even back when the big snake only had 450 HP. This is back when Vipers were $60,000 and 330 HP Vettes were $33,000.

Today, we have pickup trucks today with nearly that much HP (GMC Denali 6.0L = 400 HP), and 4-door sedans (AMG S63 = 627 HP) so the performance bar is raised.

There is always a way to go faster- and, speed costs money. We're not talking about cars people "save up" to get. People that can afford a z06, can probably afford a Viper too- so, it's not about the money- I think it's about bang for the buck for some, for others- they want to blend in, rather than stand out.

Let’s not forget, that baddest snakes out there will eat a z06 and z07 as a breakfast appetizer- then go looking for Ferraris and Lambo's. I'm talking about the 800 HP, 0-60 in 2.9 second (on street slicks) twin turbo Hennessey Vipers.

There's always someone who is faster. Take any of the cars we've been discussing to the track, and they're likely to get smoked by some old dude, sitting across from you- grinning- sitting in his sputtering and rumbling 1970 Chevy Nova.

 

The road test I saw showed the new Viper faster on the track, in the quarter, and in the mile. The Vette is great, I'll probably buy one, but I'd rather have the Viper. One big reason for owning a car like that is you want it to stand out and the Viper stands out a lot more than a Vette.

 

About $25k difference in base MSRP.

 

I feel like I must confess. I'm being a bit dishonest in my regard for the Z06. I currently own one. I have lusted after a performance sports car since I parted with my long time squeeze, an Austin Healey 3000. Lucky for me I have friends that have more money than sense, and I've had an opportunity to "borrow" a Vette for over a week, and had a few extended drives in a Viper. The Viper was a 2002 model, it had no traction control, active handling, HUD, etc. It was a bear to control in cool or wet weather. It was noisy, the clutch was heavy, and not a very comfortable driving car. It demanded attention ALL the time. I was going to use it as a DD so it had to be comfortable as well as nibble. The Z06, while a bit more spartan than the C5 or C6, was still more of what I needed in a vehicle. I wanted a nice cross between luxury and a track car feel as I drove. I have owned Chrysler products in the past and have not been happy with their reliability or service. This also played a part in my decision to buy a Z06 rather than a Viper.

So, I'm a bit prejudice in my leanings toward a Z06.

 

There are new 2008 Z06s, for buy it now prices, well under MSRP on Ebay.

I think the days of the gouging are over until the new super vette comes.