Guys, I am considering trading my 993 for a Viper. Guys, please talk me out of it. Thanks. Mike W 95 993

 

i hope you like injection-molded plastic, because that's mostly what you're gonna be seeing, as well as hearing. Have you ever ridden in/driven a viper? i've ridden in one and other than the annoyingness of the engine, i can hear the thing rattling itself apart. The only thing the Viper has that the 993 doesn't have (and if you own a turbo then delete yourself from this equation) is sheer straight-line speed, other than that the 993 is hands down a much better car.

 

Mike,

I didn't know you like cheap cheezy tacky American car interiors?

The 993 will run circles around the Viper on the track. Like ZAMIRE said the Viper is only good for straight line performance. Unless you buy the Viper ACR version, which ironically have German shocks and Italian brakes.

I have personally withness many Vipers get blown away by your garden variety 993DXs at Road Atlanta.

On top of that financially the 993 is a much better investment. The depreciation rate on a Viper is much higher. You are a numbers guy you know better than that.

To conclude, if you buy a Viper, I will never talk to you again. Now if you are buying the Viper as another car and keeping the 993, that will be ok.

 

If you's got's to have the acceleration, you can always supercharge for--relatively speaking--little money.

In California, the sales tax alone on a $45k (used Viper?) purchase will pay for about half the cost of a 993 supercharger.

 

I know that all the things you guys are saying is correct, but the Viper is sooo fast! Problem is I hate to loose Robin as a friend so mabe I better reconsider! Mike W

 

Mike,

Do you golf? I could fit a golf bag in the back of my C4S, in a Viper, I could probably fit a few *****, a towel and my shoes. But seriously, the Viper is perhaps one powerful straightline car (like the Vette), but from a pure handling perspective, the Porsche beats them. As Robin pointed out the 993 are a great investment. There are so many Vipers out there that they're not attractive as a collector ...but if you're buying the MY2000 ALMS Oreca Vipers, forget everything I said!

 

MJC, The car I have been looking at is a 96 GTS blue with white stripes. The car is in new condition with 9000 miles on the clock. But as you all point out it is not a Porsche. But there's something about that brute acceleration... Mike w

 

Mike W

The previous posters have missed the one other thing the Viper does well besides straight line acceleration.

Man, can you hang the tail out on it in a corner. Talk about a big-*** power slide...WOW.

I agree with everyone it's no 911. And Robin is too important a friend to have.

But as a second toy... (and a coupe in blue and white does looks great)

 

Mike,

Like any new shiny penny, the Viper too will lose it's lusty appeal and you will have had a "fling" with a sweet American and ruined your "marriage" to that fun, loyal, and reliable German we call the 993.

Trust me I have been a HUGE car *****! Just look at my Photopoint site!

I think I have found the long term car for my needs/wants/desires.

Now, she may need plastic surgery over time to keep her looking young (front spoiler, clear markers) and a SuperCharger injection in the butt eventually, it's no reason to dump her and go after some unreliable floosie though!

If you must get the Viper (with all the PLASTIC surgery fakeness that comes with it) then:

Buy it, use it, dump it. Go back to your wife.. err Porsche.

 

Mike, I've driven Vipers and recently instructed at a hard-core Viper event at VIR in Virginia. Several of us Porsche folks were instructing. Let's put it this way, except for the long straights, stock 993's are faster (braking, cornering, etc.). The Vipers have too much weight for this.

Only on the straights did I ever wish for more horsepower.

Viper GTS's are nice cars; someday I'll have one just for fun, but if I had to choose, I'll take my 993 over a Viper any day.

 

Mike, maybe you could just treat yourself to a morning at an amusement park every couple of months?

In Houston there's something called Greazed Lightin' - you do a standing start that's something like 0-60 in 3.5 or 4 seconds. Go into a vertical loop, up an 80 degree ramp until gravity stops you, then do the same thing backwards.

~$30 admission is a lot cheaper than the car!

 

Two suggestions (one expensive the other not):

1. The expensive option - Send you 993 to RUF and have them upgrade it to a Turbo R (http://www.ruf-automobile.de/html/press_993_turbo_r.html). I think a couple of folks on the board have invested in it and can provide first hand experience. The RUF Turbo R will go head to head against the Viper in straight line acceleration without giving up any of the desirable characteristics of the 993.

2. The cheap option - Stay with the 993 and rent a Viper whenever the urge to experience brute acceleration overwhelms you. To build on the wife/mistress metaphor after a 1/2 doz. sordid nights (and days) you'll probably lose interest.

 

Think seriously about how often you will use that all out brute acceleration. If it's from every single stoplight, every day, then...

Then think about when you have to drive the Viper on normal roads, in a sensible manner and where brute acceleration doesn't count. Then think about every time you'll see a 911 on the road and wish you could change places.

If you need acceleration, buy a Fireblade or a 996 (Ducati of course).

--Paul--

 

I feel I have to chime in as it sounds like I am the only person so far whom owns/has owned a Viper. The Viper and Porsche are two totally different cars. In acceleration there is no comparison. 422rwhp and 3330 lb (my GTS) makes for world-class performance but if you want a pure drag racer don’t get a Viper. They are designed to be road racers not drag racers and will get killed by a Camero with similar hp. In town you have to be careful as a poorly timed burst of throttle will easily break loose the 335’s and send you for a loop. Loads of fun to drive.
Having driven both I would have to say that handling goes to the Viper, esp. the ACR’s. But in a novices hands the Porsche will probably beat the Viper, as it is much easier to drive. The Viper’s tremendous potential cannot be realized with a few quick laps. There is a reason (albeit unfair) that in the SCCA a Viper despite no modifications cannot run in a stock category but must run in ASP. It doesn’t have the electronic handling assistances that the newer Porsches have to help/hinder you. It is truly a driver’s car.
Brakes clearly go to the Porsche. While the Viper’s brakes are not terrible they do not live up to its supercar handling and acceleration. The ACR’s, RT/10’s and GTS’s all have the same front calipers, same as the F-40 Ferrari. Many people upgrade them.
Interior is pretty similar I think (compared to my friends 95 911 C2). Obviously the Viper has no rear seats but has room in the back for 6 or so bags of groceries. Both are fairly spartin like a sport scar should be. The stereo is a bit better in the Viper I think but it doesn’t have as many gadgets (cruse control, cup holders, elaborate climate control, etc.) Seating in the Viper is remarkably comfortable though the cockpit is quite warm. Pedals are canted to the left, which is different but works fine.
Appearance is of course subjective but the visual impact of the Viper is unbelievable and you have to be prepared for it. Just yesterday while driving home I noticed a car following me. As I pulled into the garage I saw the car slowly drive by with the driver looking. As I was about to get out I noticed the driver walking up the driveway mesmerized. A nice kid about 17. I pulled the car out and we talked a bit about cars. Also took him for a short drive. He was in awe and I think it made his day. Funny thing is that you will get the same reaction from 90 year old ladies! Huge number of smiles to the gallon.
Reliability wise I think they are similar. The Viper is sturdy and built very well. Unlike a Porsche I have absolutely no fear of repeated hard accelerations off the line as he drive train is extremely strong. Fit and finish goes to the Porsche but not by much. The Viper is a hand built car and the assemblers do a great job.
Serviceability and upgrade ability go to the Viper. Oil changes, spark plugs, wires, coolant, rearend fluid and brakes are all easy and parts/fluids are readily available. It is easy to get another 10, 50, 100, 150, 200 hp from the Viper with headers, cat backs, engine controllers, heads, filters, tubes, nitrous, turbo or superchargers. Not cheap though…
Gas mileage goes of course to the Porsche but I will tell you that I get 23 mpg on the freeway in 6th (75 mph at 1500 rpm!)

If all this sounds like passionate rantings it probably is. In a study I have seen, Viper owners were found to be the most passionate about their cars. New VW Beetle owners were second! Don’t worry, the 911 was 4th. If you don’t want a Viper, what ever you do don’t test drive one…..

You may want to post this question on the VCA board as there are several people there who own/have owned both (mostly 911 TT’s).

 

I should also add you are in a win-win situation. You have a great car. The Viper is a great car. Just very different......