So I'm filling the tank at the BP just off exit 18 on 295 in South Jersey yesterday morning. As the dollars are cha-chinging by, a green Viper pulls up at the pump next to me. I step out to check it out (I love Vipers). The guy begins to tell me a story about how he claims he was running a guy in a modified "one of those" (he points to my 8), and says the guy ran all over him, he (the Viper) couldn't hang.

Does that sound even remotely possible to anyone or was he blowing smoke?

 

By modified maybe he meant a 3 rotor 20B inside one?

 

It's possible. I once passed a Ferrari like it was standing still, and my 8 is stock.

Ken

 

yeah 20B or maybe a viper engine in the 8 LMAO!

 

Unless it was a 20B turbo swapped RX-8 it's not happening.

 

Yeah I figured. He didn't give any details, not how he knew the car was modified, what the mods were...nothing.

Seemed kinda weird to me too.

I have seen a few Vipers in my day, for some reason, I just didn't remember them being quite that small. I mean the thing was a good 4-5" shorter than the 8, which looked huge by comparison. They may have been the same length, but my car just looked like a Lincoln Town Car next to that thing.

 

Was it standing still? Like parked on the side of the road?

 

In traffic. His lane was stopped, mine was moving.

But a pass is a pass...

Ken

 

I've driven more than a few Vipers, when I was an auto mechanic for the local Dodge dealership... Like others have said, the RX-8's modifications would have to be very impressive.

Btw, the Viper is one of the few cars (in my remotely someday possible price range) that I'd give up my RX-8 for. Love, love, love that car!

 

Awesome post, LOL!!!!

If I could afford it, I would have bought one a long time ago. It is my absolute favorite "american" sports car. The design - any year - is just beautiful...plus the engine is the most interesting one ever produced by Dodge, IMHO

 

maybe he thought the "M" badge stood for Maserati?

 

Maybe you jest, but where I work there is a guy with a maserati (not sure which model) that parks a few rows over from me. From the side I thought it was a grey rx8, until I got a little closer...

 

I second that. I think the Viper is about the only American car that I would rather have than the eight. That is one damn fine car.

 

Did he mention the venue? An 8 might walk away from a Viper on a twisty road course...

I'd still rather drive the Viper... It drives as vulgarly unharnessed as an acid junkie with Tourette's. It is the BEST American Supercar and the only Dodge I would even consider.

 

Maybe he forgot to downshift from 6th gear.....

 

I thought the 8 only attracted chicks...lol

 

Really. On the right road, it's certainly possible.

"The suspension takes hits from the road like a champion prizefighter, so much so that during our driving loop the RX-8 was actually the fastest car on real-world roads."
– Car and Driver comparo (vs Ford Mustang Shelby GT, Nissan 350Z, Audi TT 2.0), June '07

"The Viper is docile under most circumstances, and going fast is relatively easy, but the car’s reputation as a raw-edged performance machine is well deserved. It’s like keeping a pet tiger and keeping it a little hungry. Head out to play, and it might say, “We can screw around if you’d like, but fair warning: I might kill you.” Virtually anyone who has ever driven a Viper on a track has spun one off a track. There are no electronic nannies. Even with 345mm-wide rear tires—that’s 13.6 inches—once the Viper’s tail goes, it’s not easy to rein in."
– Car and Driver Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster Road Test, October '08

 

I dusted a Lambo in traffic cause I'm a better weaver!!