Vehicle Description
Without even knowing you or what you drive, I'm going to tell you
that this 2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 is going to be one of the fastest
'red light-to-red light' cars you'll ever drive. How do I know
this? Well, not only does the ZBII Viper pack an 8.4-liter V10, but
it also has the hardware underneath that can actually plant it to
the ground and keep it in the corners with the throttle wide-open,
which means it's infinitely more refined than its street-brawling
older brothers were. So, if you're looking to set the pace at the
Nurburgring or get followed by the paparazzi down Rodeo Drive, this
is the stunning exotic to bring to the party.
Before we get to the neck-snapping engine, however, let's take a
look at the aesthetics of this beautiful Viper. The 4th generation
Vipers were to be the last of a short yet legendary run of insanely
cool exotic cars, with cars like this 2010 convertible being one of
the last productions to leave the Chrysler factory floor. Sure,
eventually Chrysler and Fiat figured things out and the 5th
generation was brought back a few years later, but as far as we
knew it in 2010, cars like this slick convertible were the swan
song of the brand. And boy, did they go out with a bang. Obviously
reminiscent of the Daytona Cobras, the Viper puts aggression in a
whole new category, and although the differences between the
generations can be hard to spot sometimes, they're very evident
when punctuated in a hot Toxic Orange Pearl tuxedo. The restyled
engine cover is the biggest giveaway, with its big intake scoop and
honeycomb-style heat extractors that were added by the designers to
provide a little extra excitement, but with the Viper's already
outrageous looks, it only seems fitting. You also get the legendary
grinning front fascia, dynamic front fenders, exhaust exits at the
profiles, a rear diffuser, and a carbon-fiber spoiler up top that
all work together to make this high-impact Viper the brightest and
coolest car we've had in our showroom in years. And like so many of
its siblings, this one has seen only fair-weather usage and
exemplary care, so it's in outstanding condition throughout with
just 38,845 miles on the clock. It's been further protected with a
3M clear bra up front, and it's obvious that this car has been
someone's special toy and there aren't many other cars that can
generate this much eyeball appeal on the road.
Dodge FINALLY responded to customers and the press when the time
for another redesign came, and the interior is a much better place
to spend your time than in the early cars. Form-fitting black
leather and suede buckets hold you like a vise and there are
provisions for shoulder harnesses, so you know where their
intentions lie. Color-matched black stitching, Viper emblems, and a
center console are there to make the convertible look special and
the white-faced gauges get it right, with a gigantic tach right in
the center of the cluster. More factory features did a lot for
driver comfort without diluting the car's spirit, so you get power
windows, locks and mirrors, cold A/C, tilt wheel, keyless entry,
airbags, navigation, and a great-sounding AM/FM/CD/Satellite stereo
with 7 speakers that include a subwoofer and tweeters. Up top
there's a beautifully fitted black canvas top that folds down in a
matter of seconds, and everything inside is in fantastic condition,
further proof that this was always a weekend car. The trunk isn't
much to write home about, but if you're buying a Viper for its
carrying capacity, you're doing it wrong.
All that's nice, but the Viper is about horsepower, and this one
packs 600 thundering horses complements of an 8.4 liter V10
powerhouse. There's torque everywhere on the map (560 lb-ft to be
exact), suggesting that the Tremec TR6060 6-speed transmission has
about four gears too many, and those side pipes really do sound
spectacular at full bore. Like all high-performance cars, Vipers
are insanely easy to modify, but this one remains relatively stock,
right down to the factory air filter housing (although K&N now
provides the filtration), so you don't have to worry that it's been
raced or abused. The truth is, these things are virtually
indestructible if you leave them in stock form and unless you've
had some training, full throttle is going to be a world-altering
experience for you just as it sits. The red valve covers and long
twin-plenum intake make it look rather intimidating under the hood,
which now opens in the conventional fashion for easier service. The
6-speed manual shifts crisply if you show it who's boss and with
two overdrive gears, it's a decent highway cruiser, though I won't
lie and say fuel economy is all that great despite the rather
ambitious EnerGuide section provided with the window sticker. The
suspension was completely reworked for this 'final' generation,
with new springs, anti-roll bars, and shock valving all introduced
to make the Viper more neutral in cornering, while the GKN ViscoLok
speed-sensing limited-slip rear-end really helps the tires grip
under heavy acceleration, something that was always been a
terrifying prospect in the older models. Giant Viper-logo disc
brakes from Brembo at every corner, huge blacked-out Forgestar
Performance wheels, and an underbody designed to use the wind to
your advantage all suggest the Viper was built to take no
prisoners. Even the staggered Michelin Pilot radials (a huge
improvement over the run-flats prior generations were outfitted
with) are soft enough to stick to the pavement like chewing gum on
a hot day.
Incredibly maintained with low-mileage to back it up, this
absolutely wicked Viper SRT-10 convertible is the most exciting car
that I've personally ever driven. And if I had to wager, I'd say
you'd feel the same after a spirited test drive. Call today!
