It seems to me that the Viper's door releases could have been thought out better. They're located on the upper part of the doors, which is fine for opening. But because there's no handle, there's no ideal place to close the door without touching the car's paint. Making the problem worse is that the Viper's doors require a significant shove to get them to fully close. A video follows after the jump to show you what I mean.
After a few days with the car, I found pushing against the window was the best way to avoid touching the paint. This might seem like a nitpick, and it would be if this was a regular, $25,000 car. But if I owned a Viper and liked keeping it looking immaculate, I'd definitely be annoyed. I remember the first-generation Viper had little button releases on the door frame. Those weren't ideal either, but I'd chose that design over the current one.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
the_big_al says:
04:43 PM, 09/23/10
Ya - I can see your point. A regular handle like they have on "standard" autos would just look goofy. And I can see not wanting to touch the paint with a greasy hand. (not like your hands are greasy, but they do contain oils that would be inevitably transfered to the paint... ). I'm sure after owning a Viper though, you'd figure out how to make shutting the door a painless process.
questionlp says:
05:01 PM, 09/23/10
A workaround might be to use some clear protection wrap (like the clear bra or other ones to prevent rock chips) around the "handle" area. That way, you can use that spot to shut the door without touching the paint.
Sucks that one would have to do that, but that's form over function for y'all.
felonious says:
05:07 PM, 09/23/10
Driving gloves. :)
hybris says:
05:17 PM, 09/23/10
Why can't you just push on the door?
The paint job is (I hope not) not that fragile.
subaru123 says:
05:22 PM, 09/23/10
A smudge on the window from a fingerprint would bother me even more.
joliveira says:
06:41 PM, 09/23/10
Massive panel gap on that door...
joliveira says:
06:45 PM, 09/23/10
Better to have fingerprints on the paint that a ugly door handle.... i like it that way..
pezzy669 says:
08:05 PM, 09/23/10
So now instead of having fingerprints on the paint job you are now throwing the window out of adjustment (assuming the Viper has frameless windows). This was the first no no I learned with my Neon with frameless windows.
fastboss says:
11:34 PM, 09/23/10
I would take Brent's complaint more srrly if there was a actual problem with the door, but after watching the video a couple of times my thoughts is that he needs to eat his Wheaties more often.
fushigi says:
04:45 AM, 09/24/10
Since the handle is part of a cavity in the door, I'm left wondering if there are drainage channels in case rain or just water from a car wash gets in there.
And while I doubt many Vipers see winter driving duty, I'd also wonder about the wisdom of this design if the car was left out in snow conditions. Unlike door handles mounted on the side of a door, this handle, being on the top, would be subject to snow packing in or other debris buildup (like sand/dust in a desert run).
Despite what greedisgreat says, things like door handles matter. 600HP and fast acceleration times are fine and all, but they're worthless if you can't live with the rest of the car.
acbayard says:
06:41 AM, 09/24/10
@fushigi: Yea, there are drainage channels. Actually all modern car doors are basically designed so that water, which will invariably get by the window seals, will drain near the bottom of the door. The interior and electrical equipment is protected by a flimsy piece of plastic that's glued with a silicon compound to the interior side of the metal door frame.
hank39 says:
06:56 AM, 09/24/10
I had a similar problem with my '02 WRX. I didn't want to touch the paint on the door or the flimsy frameless windows to close the door, so I used my index finger on the black molding between the window and the door. Granted, the WRX's door is probably a good bit lighter than the Viper's long coupe door, but you could try it I suppose. I basically aligned my finger horizontally with the rubber molding and flung it closed. If you do wind up doing this, make sure you wipe the molding down every so often so your finger oils don't degrade the rubber :)
mrryte says:
07:09 AM, 09/24/10
quote from greedisgreat:
"You want to talk about lame door handles? I give you the GTR"
Funny thing; that's the same design for the Aston Martin lineup.
old_volvo says:
01:24 PM, 09/24/10
SO I posted a comment this morning, but the internet ate it.
Proper steps for closing Viper door:
1. stand next to door, facing forward, hip right at end of door.
2. Turn 90 degrees towards car, you should not be standing perpendicular to car
3. Place hands placed firmly behind head.
4. Make sure everyone is looking at you (they will be, you just arrived in a viper)
5. Pelvic thrust.
Bonus points for wearing a microfiber cod piece to further polish the door as you close it.
church123 says:
04:00 PM, 09/24/10
Thanks for the thread cleanup.