Top 5 Vipers

As many of you surely know, the Viper is witnessing its last golden sunset as 2017 will be the last year of the wide-hipped snake we know and love. Motor Trend recently reported, however, that despite struggling sales figures in recent years, all 215 25th Anniversary Edition cars sold out only a few days after Dodge made the announcement. With the Age of the Viper coming to a close, I thought I'd show you my Top 5 Viper Trims/Special Editions.

5. First-Gen Viper Convertible

https://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2010/01/18/23/39/2009_dodge_viper_srt10_coupe-pic-871685882498139690-640x480.jpeg

The one that started it all. It doesn't get any more 90's than the factory ketchup and mustard wheel and paint configuration. Sporting a massive 8 liter V10 the Viper was like no other supercar in the world when it entered production in 1992. The Viper was inspired by the legendary Shelby Cobra of the 60's and was no less terrifying to drive.

4. Second-Gen Viper Coupe

https://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2010/01/18/23/39/2009_dodge_viper_srt10_coupe-pic-871685882498139690-640x480.jpeg

While this generation of Viper was never appreciated by the automotive community, I always loved the second-gen Vipers aggressive front-end not to mention the V10 that made over 500 Horsepower.

3. 2013 Dodge Viper

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201204/2013-srt-viper_600x0w.jpg

The current Viper improved on the second-gen in practically every single way. The smoothed over styling that payed homage to the original worked magnificently. That, combined with the improved interior and dedication to the monster V10 even as government regulations maligned such a car earns it a podium finish.







2. 2008 Dodge Viper ACR

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto-news/2010-dodge-viper-acr-bests-laguna-seca-lap-record-at-1-3391/27286096+w750/2008-dodge-viper-acr-front.jpg

The Viper ACR was to the automotive community what the Miracle on Ice was to hockey. The 2008 Viper ACR dominated nearly every production car lap record that existed from the Nurburgring to Laguna Seca. The ACR laughed in the face of Ferrari Scuderia's and Porsche GT3's and showed that an American production car could still beat the greats at their own game.

1. Dodge Viper GTS

http://thefabweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ZdcbG.jpg

Only when Dodge decided to put a top on its then convertible-only Viper did the snake see its full potential. The styling was somehow improved over the RT/10 and included the "double bubble" roof last seen in 60's race cars. The racing success of the highly related GTS-R cemented this Viper as my number 1.

Top 5 Sporty Cars Under $30,000

Here's my list of the top new and used cars under $30,000

5. C5 Corvette Z06:

When the C5 Z06 first came out in 2001 it was one of the fastest and best handling cars in the world. While 15 years has seen 400 horsepower go from supercar territory to sedan territory, the Z06 still offers some of the best performance for around $30,000. When trying to determine which car should be in the number 5 sport I was stuck between the early Vipers and the Z06. What ultimately led me to choose the Z06 was the sound of the LS6 and the pop-up headlights which is one of the features I miss most from 90's cars. Because of the low weight of the Z06 (3100 lbs!) with a few mods this vette can run with the best of today's supercars.


4. 2016 Fiat 124 Spider:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5wlHNyE7mhxGLuYHx10F6CbIqsEH1hd2Kjm9hyphenhyphenYzp2pchpcJpXkh_8oHQ4WRLksUFdAXKttkzdW8JmCr1-X_WGNxGpqM6-G_tym5vXnkl8eVGl5EjXK1x6Bw5zJki2-CYBm5kApfYvA/s1600/FIAT-124-SPIDER-17.jpg

The Fiat 124 Spider is one of those cars that only comes around every few years. Jointly developed with the Mazda Miata, the 124 shares many parts with its counterpart. What this car has to offer that the Miata does not, however, is soul. The 124 has that unique look and when mixed with the growling 4 leads to a truly special machine.

3. 2016 VW GTI

http://media.caranddriver.com/images/13q2/510832/2015-volkswagen-gti-first-drive-review-car-and-driver-photo-511664-s-450x274.jpg

When I reviewed the GTI I said it didn't have enough flaws almost to a fault. For most, this would be a great thing and the GTI excels in every area you could imagine. This, combined with the fact that you can now get a brand-new GTI for about $22,000 means that this is the steal of the century for a new car.

2. Nissan 370Z

http://wallpapercave.com/wp/EUm7RX4.jpg

The 370Z has never been a car I have particularly liked but have always respected. While I don't think many people can argue that the 350 was a better looking car, the 370 is unique and can be personalized to make it your own. With the VQ series V6 this car is also just waiting to be modified. With very lightly used versions under 30 grand, this is a tempting option.

1. 2012-2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

http://f.images.boldride.com/ford/2012/ford-mustang-boss-302-1317741667-25016.jpg

The Boss is by far my favorite mustang special edition (GT350 included) and exemplifies everything that's right in recent automotive history. The track-special even when new was still somewhat attainable and now with the GT350 prices for these are starting to dip below $30,000. 440 naturally-aspirated horsepower, side exhausts, and only a 6-speed stick offered. Perfect.

Top 5 Most Disappointing Car Powerplants

Here's 5 cars where the style writes checks the engine can't cash...


5. Jaguar XJ220

http://wikicars.org/images/en/e/e2/JaguarXJ220supercar.jpg

While the XJ220 was definitely not underpowered (540 hp in 1992!), promises of a motorsport-derived V12 by Jaguar led many in the automotive community to be disappointed when the company ended up ditching the engine for a Twin-Turbo V6. About 1500 people put deposits down for the supercar before the final engine was chosen and many ended up backing out because of the switch. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ220)




4. Honda CR-Z

http://auto-database.com/image/honda-cr-z-2013-wallpaper-207458.jpg

3. Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/12/02/2016-subaru-brz-series-hyperblue-quick-spin-review/

2. 1999 Mustang Cobra

           http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/561621/1999-ford-mustang

Just look at the CR-Z. All it needed was the S2000 engine in an si model and it would have been lust-worthy. Instead it got the wheezy hybrid powertrain from an Insight. Somehow Honda still produces the CR-Z 6 years after its debut. At least you can get it with a stick.






The "Toyobaru" twins were supposed to be the legacy of the legendary AE86 Corolla of the 80's. They followed the recipe a little too well, however, as the BRZ/GT86/FR-S barely had a better power-to-weight ratio than than its predecessor.







The 1999 Mustang Cobra was disappointing for a different reason. While Ford claimed the 32-Valve V8 produced 320 horsepower, multiple independent tests suggested it made more like 285. Ford even halted production of the Cobra until it was "fixed". Ouch.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang_SVT_Cobra)



1. Delorean DMC-12

http://cdn6.3dtuning.com/info/DeLorean%20DMC-12%201981%20Coupe/factory/7.jpg

The stainless-steel wonder that defined the 80's looks like it should be powered by a jet turbine. Too bad it was actually powered by a Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V6 with 130 horsepower. Reaching 88 mph never took so long...
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeLorean_DMC-12)