The Viper is dead

[TheIntrepid]

http://jalopnik.com/354292/the-dodge-viper-is-dead-in-lieu-of-flowers-please-send-rd-funds

2011 will be the last year of production.

[Raza]

You mean a consistently sub par car is being killed off after nearly twenty years of production?  I'm shocked!

[Eye of the Tiger]

Too long enough.

[FordSVT]

No doubt it will be replaced by a slightly more refined, less expensive, true competitor to the base Corvette and Porsche Boxter.

[Vinsanity]

No doubt it will be replaced by a slightly more refined, less expensive, true competitor to the base Corvette and Porsche Boxter.

One can only hope.

I hope you're not referring to the Demon, though

[TheIntrepid]

No doubt it will be replaced by a slightly more refined, less expensive, true competitor to the base Corvette and Porsche Boxter.

Base Corvette?

[MX793]

No doubt it will be replaced by a slightly more refined, less expensive, true competitor to the base Corvette and Porsche Boxter.

I doubt it.  Chrysler is hurting.  I'm not sure they can really afford to be producing very limited run, niche sports cars of any sort.  Just look at how they are handling the Demon, putting it on a FWD Chinese platform to cut costs.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

It's a shame. 

[mojammer]

It'd be sweet if the year before it was discontinued they made the hennessey 650R package standard (no price increase).  Go out with a bang.  Make the ZR1 work for it's reputation.

[CALL_911]

Base Corvette?

That's more of a pony-car competitor, to the new Camaro and the Mustang, not the base 'Vette.

[sandertheshark]

The second golden age of muscle is slowly drawing to a close...

[JYODER240]

I'm not really surprised. The Z06 is just as fast, cheaper, and more refined. The 911 is a much better drive.

[nickdrinkwater]

Who cares?

[mojammer]

The second golden age of muscle is slowly drawing to a close...

I agree.  It's sad, but I don't think it's a bad thing.  It's good for there to be more options for powering an automobile, good for competitive forces.

[S204STi]

Well, now it's even more of a collector's item.  I can dig that.

[Lebowski]

Big deal.

[280Z Turbo]

Darn.

I was planning on leasing a new one in 2012.

[CALL_911]

Darn.

I was planning on leasing a new one in 2012.

I'm sure you still could find a new 2011 in 2012.

[565]

That's sad, the only real American exotic of the modern age is gone.  The super Corvettes, Euro-image machines, and American tuner pseudo kit cars can never fill the void left by the Viper.  It was one of the last truly brutish sports cars that didn't care about creature comforts, refinement, daily drivability, interior squishyness or any of that crap.  It was a Tyranosaurus rex in a world of race horses.  I guess it goes the way of the T-rex as well.

[Rich]

That's sad, the only real American exotic of the modern age is gone.  The super Corvettes, Euro-image machines, and American tuner pseudo kit cars can never fill the void left by the Viper.  It was one of the last truly brutish sports cars that didn't care about creature comforts, refinement, daily drivability, interior squishyness or any of that crap.  It was a Tyranosaurus rex in a world of race horses.  I guess it goes the way of the T-rex as well.

Ford GT?

[565]

Ford GT?

You mean that thing that existed for like 2 years as Fords 100 birthday present to itself?  It's an automotive footnote.

[giant_mtb]

That's sad, the only real American exotic of the modern age is gone.  The super Corvettes, Euro-image machines, and American tuner pseudo kit cars can never fill the void left by the Viper.  It was one of the last truly brutish sports cars that didn't care about creature comforts, refinement, daily drivability, interior squishyness or any of that crap.  It was a Tyranosaurus rex in a world of race horses.  I guess it goes the way of the T-rex as well.

Plus one.

[JYODER240]

That's sad, the only real American exotic of the modern age is gone.  The super Corvettes, Euro-image machines, and American tuner pseudo kit cars can never fill the void left by the Viper.  It was one of the last truly brutish sports cars that didn't care about creature comforts, refinement, daily drivability, interior squishyness or any of that crap.  It was a Tyranosaurus rex in a world of race horses.  I guess it goes the way of the T-rex as well.

Which as is all good if it was better to drive than it's competition.

[Raza]

The Viper's been an anachronism since day one.  I'm surprised it lasted so long.

[the Teuton]

Lee Iacocca must be having a massive heart attack right now.

[Raza]

Lee Iacocca must be having a massive heart attack right now.

He's still alive?  I thought that commercial he did with Snoop Dogg would finish him off.

[the Teuton]

He's still alive?  I thought that commercial he did with Snoop Dogg would finish him off.

If the deal's fly, then you must buy.

I just read his last book in December.  He's still very much alive.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

He's still alive?  I thought that commercial he did with Snoop Dogg would finish him off.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Well, now it's even more of a collector's item.  I can dig that.

I like the first generation more than the second. I guesse one day we'll see what these beast command at Barret-Jackson 20 years from now. 

[565]

I like the first generation more than the second. I guesse one day we'll see what these beast command at Barret-Jackson 20 years from now. 

It'll probably have a decent cult following, just like it's spiritual predecessor, the Cobra.