Yesterday, after talking about how our long-term 2009 Dodge Viper SRT-10 is "an Event" to drive, there were a few requests to compare its "Eventness" with a Ford GT.
It's a good question, as both vehicles slot into that narrow field of U.S. exotics produced on a limited basis (relatively speaking in the Viper's case), and both models are now officially out of production.
They're also both "stripey!"
So if you're looking to support the home team while enjoying the most "Event-worthy" ownership experience, which one wins? The result may suprise you...
Let's analyze the major elements that make up an exotic car driving experience and see how they match up:
Head Turning/Crowd Gathering: I've had both of these cars parked in my driveway while cleaning them or working on them, and they both cause passersby to stop, stare and often pose questions. The attention the Ford GT draws has almost become passe, so maybe that's why the Viper's draw has a bigger impact on me. And maybe it's the screaming orange color, but the Dodge easily pulls in the locals as effectively as the Ford. I'd almost call this a draw, but I think I have to give it to the Viper (at least in this color). Winner: Viper
Driver Engagement: I've often said the Ford GT is a Mustang with poor visibility. That's not to suggest the Ford GT is simply a glorified pony car but merely to make the point that it's extremely easy to drive. Basically, if you can handle the demands of driving a Ford Mustang with a manual transmission you can handle the demands of driivng a Ford GT. The Dodge Viper is an entirely different animal. It is not a Dodge Challenger with poor visibility. It's a cantankerous, loud, fussy attention hog. When you drive it, you're engaged -- whether you want to be or not. And if you relish the engagement it's pretty rewarding. The GT's easy-going nature gives the Ford an advantage in terms of being a true gran turismo car (fitting given its name). In terms of driver engagement? Winner: Viper
Performance: There are always two elements to vehicle performance. There's the statistical, numbers-game element that is easy to record on a spreadsheet. And there's the more fuzzy aspect relating to everything from steering feel to backside feedback to throttle response and clutch take-up. You can't easily put numbers on those, but if you're a true enthusiast they matter as much (or more) than the numbers-game.
On the numbers side, the two cars are pretty close. The Long-Term Ford GT pulled zero-to-60 in 3.7 seconds and the 1/4-mile in 11.8 seconds at 124.4 mph in stock form (it shaved 2/10ths off those numbers with the slight mods we later did, but that doesn't count because we're putting it up against a stock Viper). When we track tested our long-term Dodge it pulled zero-to-60 in 3.4 seconds and the 1/4-mile in 11.6 seconds at 125.7 mph. Like most sub-4-second cars the conditions and driver skill make a world of difference when you're talking tenths of seconds, but suffice to say both are quick and the Dodge appears slightly quicker. Viper also has an advantage over the last GT we tested in the slalom (74 mph versus 69.5 mph) and braking (107 versus 115 feet).
Stepping beyond the numbers the Viper has the advantage in terms of pure torque because of its increased diplacement and cylinder count, not to mention its normally aspirated engine. But this is offset by the uneven throttle response offered by the snake. It seems Dodge really wanted to protect imprudent drivers from themselves, so the Viper's throttle tends to feel lazy until you push it past 3/4 travel. Other than torque few would argue the GT's advantages in terms of steering feel, shifter refinement and overall driver feedback. If the other two categories are close (and they are) this one is razor thin. Winner: Viper
Not everyone's definition of head-turning style, driver engagement and overall performance is identical, so your results may vary. But as someone who has experienced both cars recently in a variety of conditions the more "Event Worthy" car is the a bright orange 2009 Dodge Viper SRT-10 that can pull both crowds and zero-to-60 times in under 3.5 seconds; all while forcing you to pay attention throughout every second of the process.
Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor at Large
throwback says:
12:30 PM, 09/ 3/10
Excellent comparison Karl, I don't disagree with your assesment. But I'll still take the GT. Silver, no stripes.
jeepsrt says:
12:53 PM, 09/ 3/10
I love the Viper and am a Dodge/Chrysler guy, but I would so take the Ford GT over one.
sherief says:
12:54 PM, 09/ 3/10
Wow..It's a good day when you can open your garage to the sight of a Viper and a Ford GT.
sherief says:
12:59 PM, 09/ 3/10
*Oh, and I would take the Ford GT. With the special edition Gulf livery.
rdryder says:
01:01 PM, 09/ 3/10
Ford GT all the way!
exnevadan says:
01:02 PM, 09/ 3/10
it may be more of an "Event", but less is more in this event. GT looks more "exotic" and is certainly rarer (in MA anyhow), so I suspect a GT would draw a larger crowd were the two sitting side by side in my driveway.
of the two, I'll take the GT - gunmetal grey (or Fordspeak for same), no stripes
teampenske3 says:
01:18 PM, 09/ 3/10
Nice comparo. But I have to disagree. For me, its the GT. Gulf Oil livery, powder blue and orange. Perfect. On a side note, I saw a Ford GT (same color as yours Karl) on I65 just south of Indy. Looked fantastic.
editor_karl says:
01:33 PM, 09/ 3/10
Thanks teampenske.
I should note that while the Viper is more of an Event to drive there's no contest which one I prefer, too (obviously). I don't personally like a lot of attention when I'm in a car, which is actually the only downside to owning the GT (well, that and California's highway robbery registration fees).
For me the car is about engineering excellence, elegance and racing heritage. In those areas the GT smokes the Dodge.
felonious says:
02:16 PM, 09/ 3/10
Thanks for the writeup, Karl! I'm definitely surprised by your winner. Like 100% of the other commenters before me (and you), I'd take the GT given the choice. I would prefer to choose to be engaged with my driving, not forced at gunpoint. :)
kevm14 says:
02:29 PM, 09/ 3/10
The ZR1 is an interesting alternative to those who want not quite as much attention, and compared to the Viper, you can kind of just jump in and go. That's an engineering achievement in its own right.
teampenske3 says:
03:20 PM, 09/ 3/10
Nice, Karl. you seem to have the same opinions on cars that I do. Proof that great minds do think alike. (If I really am a "great mind")
brn says:
03:38 PM, 09/ 3/10
I'm repeatedly impressed with the Viper, but I'd rather drive the GT.
throwback, I think the color you really want is Tungsten. Even with a stripy, it's sweet.
http://www.gulum.net/arabalar/resimler/Ford-Tungsten-GT-03-1024.jpg
half_ton says:
04:51 PM, 09/ 3/10
Much like the comparisions between the Corvette and Viper I would choose the GT over the Viper. The Viper has all the performance creditentials in the world but just lacks refinement.
santiagofdz says:
05:25 PM, 09/ 3/10
Like sherief I'd have the GT with the Gulf livery.
dimic says:
07:36 PM, 09/ 3/10
Thanks Karl.
I'm wondering if result would be different if you owned Viper, but were borrowing Ford GT? You may be blaze about GT because it's already yours, accessible.
I drive 996 Turbo and if I commute in it for few days, I don't even think about it.
However, If I jump and commute in my Miata for 2 weeks, when I get back, It's like Wow, that's insanely nice steering, what power...
hybris says:
09:13 PM, 09/ 3/10
I'm going with the GT. (Red with or without Black stripes)
I want to have the choice between "A calm drive" and "Lets see how far I can go" when I'm driving.
kevm14 says:
07:31 AM, 09/ 4/10
"I drive 996 Turbo and if I commute in it for few days, I don't even think about it.
However, If I jump and commute in my Miata for 2 weeks, when I get back, It's like Wow, that's insanely nice steering, what power..."
I think this is the key to enjoying a car for the long term. It almost sounds counter-intuitive that having more cars leads to buying fewer cars over time. But it's true. People that find themselves getting bored should consider having two cars to spread the driving around, and they certainly don't have to be anything exotic. There are many benefits, including buying and older, higher mileage car that you wouldn't necessarily want to rely 100% on daily, but as a second car, can really open up your car choices because you can always fall back on the other one. I will never go back to one car. I hope people that blow all their money on a new car payment think about this...
bimmerjay says:
09:16 AM, 09/ 4/10
The crudeness of the Viper just wouldn't do it for me - I'd easily take the GT.
surfwagon56 says:
10:20 AM, 09/ 4/10
One more vote for the GT. My neighbor has a red viper and it's pretty cool, but I think the GT just has a classic look (as it should, as it's modeled after a car from the '60s) that will hold up over time. Also, GTs so far have seemed to have held their value very well, most for sale online seem to be in the $150K range, which is just under what they were when new if I'm not mistaken. Make mine red with white stripes. I know it's juvenile but I like stripes.
Rage0329 says:
03:57 PM, 09/ 4/10
Viper all the way, truly a man's car. I like both for what they provide, but everything in the viper is a thematic choice to be that way. The HP, the Torque, the lack up cup holders, and the fact that you must be engaged when you drive.
Although, you'd probably have to be more engaged in a ZR1 cause it'd snap on you mid-corner, haha.
church123 says:
11:28 PM, 09/ 4/10
I'm also in the GT camp.
1) It is unique
2) It doesn't depreciate (much at least)
3) Accessible performance is a lot more fun on a car that you use on the street, and the GT is ever so accessible. I've never been able to hang the back end out so easily on a mid-engine car as on the GT. It's a brilliant chassis and you can feel it in the first 100 feet of driving.
4) Mods - that blower means another 100+ hp is a pulley and ECU tickle away.
I can see the Viper being more of an "event", especially when you consider the average (meaning non-car enthusiast) person's reaction to it, but really, who cares? :)
brn says:
09:11 AM, 09/ 5/10
While I voted for the GT, Rage0329 is correct. Let's not diminish the awesomeness of the Viper. For the right person, it's a clear winner. I'm not that person.
eldaino2 says:
05:14 PM, 09/ 5/10
so the numbers are a wash, but the gt has better steering feel and driver involvement...and the viper wins?
i'd take a gt all day. its refined, the viper is not.
scottyscooter says:
05:46 PM, 09/ 5/10
This comparison is simple; I would take the Ford GT in a heartbeat!
revmarc says:
09:49 PM, 09/ 5/10
Alright, I'll be the only dissenter. I'm with Mr. Brauer--I'd take the Viper. I have several friends who have various vintages of it, and they all are nasty, savage vehicles which demand that you pay attention to them while driving. One friend in particular, who owns a number of supremely powerful vehicles, says the Viper is the first car he's ever had that he is convinced wants to kill him.
Works for me.
If I had the money, the Viper would be in my garage.
wrinklebump says:
10:39 PM, 09/ 5/10
I'd buy a Cayman and use the change to buy my dad a Mustang
johnchun says:
07:24 PM, 07/21/11
That's a cheap townhouse with $300k in car in it. Let me guess..............
Cars worth more than the Real Estate?