Showdown - 2013 SRT Viper GTS vs. Modified 1997 Dodge Viper GTS - CAR and DRIVER

Contributing editor Basem Wasef takes to the racetrack to see how the 2013 SRT Viper GTS compares to a heavily modified 1997 Dodge Viper GTS on another episode of Car and Driver: Tested.
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Hosted by the editors of Car and Driver magazine, this show puts the audience into the action on new-car reviews, comparison tests, auto-show coverage, and more. Our experts drive and test the latest models, attend automotive events around the world, and check out the latest in-vehicle technology like massaging seats and night-vision systems. Viewers will also have the opportunity to write in and extend the conversation.

[@drill2.087]

The Gen 2 doesn’t have any equal when it comes to looks though. Perfect from every angle.

[@eduardonunez4377]

AMEN.

[@Boatfisherz1]

Gen 1 and 2.

[@jaydee6837]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@CrazyDavy22]

That’s funny, I think the 2nd generation is the worst looking.

[@bi6921]

well said, the Gen2 is my favorite as well. one of the rare instances where I wouldn't change a single thing looks wise. Just like the Mclaren F1.

[@SSSSEYA]

Thanks for all the kudos to those that still love the 97 GTS - we love her too! For anyone wondering why we'd pay to modify her, the mods were done over the course of the last decade and well before the Gen V was even a twinkle in SRT's eye. Thanks again to Dan Cragin at Specialty Performance Team and to Car & Driver for letting her show her stuff!

[@vashsant]

Nice build, definitely fun to build and test over time. Cheers.

[@SH57578]

Your car your choice - and you did a great job anyways!

[@sharpemang]

People need to stop calling the Viper a Muscle car. Muscle cars are suppose to be cheap big cars usually based on a sedan as a platform along with a big engine. The Viper, Corvette and Ford GT are not muscle cars. Just because it's American and fast doesn't make it a muscle car. Muscle cars are Challengers, Chargers, or Mustangs.

[@sharpemang]

Anthony Brymer The Camaro would be a pony car but not the Challenger. Challengers are not compact at all. Even the new Mustangs are't really considered to be "pony cars" anymore since they are getting so huge.

[@joelseoane9844]

you said sedan -.- original and traditional muscle cars are 2dr coupes that roar no matter wat! and yea low priced also! but tbh they are no way impressive! i love american cars..muscle but 8 ltr 460hp in 97 isnt impressive neither is 8 ltr v10 640hp in 2013! a 3.5 ltr (less then half) producing more then half amount of HP! and cheaper then muscle cars..IMPRESSIVE! 370z nismo, lexus isf sport, lexus lfa are just a few. they will beat this in straight but top speed..okkk bring out alpha 16 GTR m spec or audi r8 smaller engines more horsepower lower price..except the r8 lol but much worth it. so after all this id probably still go with a viper, charger hellcat and challenger hellcat believe it or not i would..the hellcat being man made..a production car..pretty impressive when mustang super snake is faster but not much and its just a machine

[@sharpemang]

Joel Seoane I see you're point. But I said usually "based" off a sedan platform. Not "a" sedan platform. One of the cars you mentioned are based on a sedan platform, hence it's weight problems, the Nissan 350Z and 370Z. So is the Audi TT if I remember correctly is based on the Volkswagen Jetta platform.

[@Epotheros]

Joel Seoane You are falling in to the HP/Liter trap which is a meaningless metric. A more important metric is the power to weight ratio of an engine. Though the Viper has a displacement of 8.4L, making 645 hp, it is still an OHV engine. Most super cars have DOHC engines which often gives them better HP/Liter ratio. The problem with DOHC engines though is that they are significantly larger and heavier than a OHV engine with the same displacement. Though a Viper's 8.4L V10 seems big, it's actually similar in volume and weight to a 4.0L to 5.0L DOHC V8. Another example is the old Corvette ZO6's 7.0L V8, that is also an OHV, and is physically smaller and lighter than the 3.5L V6 in a Toyota Camry.

[@xishootstuffx]

+Joel Seoane I still don't understand why everyone is obsessed with horsepower. There is much more to the story. Yes the Gen1 made "only" 400 HP, but it was also 465 ft/lb of torque at a very low RPM. So while the little 3.5 has to wind up to 6000 RPM to hit peak power, the V10 brings it right off idle. Between my turbo Lexus and the Viper - both producing roughly the same HP, and similar 1/4 mile times, the Viper is much more fun - at the expense of gas mileage. Not that I care...

[@albertoramirez5977]

New one looks wayyyyyy to much like a corvette in the front, The old one is one of the most beautiful cars ever made!

[@eldo59]

I still want the 1996 GTS. Those stripes made it look soooo cool as a kid.

[@costasmandylor7252]

When you see the "old" viper it still looks magnificent.

[@std882]

It's the best looking of all.

[@bliglum]

I agree. I couldn't believe how much better the old viper looked than the new one in the thumbnail!

[@ojdajuiceman6139]

The new one looks more advanced and sleek. It is the ultimate definition of a Viper in 2013

[@InTheZoneAXC]

I wish they showed the laps. I'd like to see if it was more driver error with the GTS or if it was in fact "slower"...

[@adamsjoberrg]

I'm gonna own a 1st gen Viper one day! Looks so good, and are so brutal....

[@2007suprasport]

Wow! 2 sec faster. ..impressive. I still would take the old one

[@colereed1997]

I want the old one I want to learn how to actually drive

[@RajerThatYT]

D. Alex Hutchinson why did you get rid of it?

[@davidpineda645]

Inwould take the old one, sell it get a e46 m3 and a 997 porsche 911, get a old land cruiser and a cool sports wagon

[@schoolboy6633]

I can understand how so many guys can say they love the Gen. II looks so better but when they made the Gen. V's they came back to look like the earlier Gen II's. I have Both & IF you ever drove a Gen. V you'd NEVER go back to a Gen. II

[@7THxSIGN]

You just can't duplicate the raw driving experience the GEN II GTS produced. They didn't even go all out with the GEN II when it came to the lap around the track and yet it still managed to hold only a 2 second difference in lap time with the 2013 GTS. That imo deserves some respect. -99 GTS ACR owner

[@weejitwill]

I love how Dodge had the best styling in 1996. They came out with a sport package that looked better than anything else at the time, way ahead of the competition, even while the corvette still looked like a box with corners. Within 4 years of the Viper being introduced, it had unique styling that hasnt needed a makeover.

[@joshlawrence4512]

That 97 GTS if my favorite newer car... that thing is gorgeous and so fun to drive a second gen

[@iant720]

I love the old one because many people cant't drive it, its to deadly, scary, and un tamed... I want it. Same problem with the newer Lambo's, to refined... I want a car that will try its hardest to kill me! I want to tame the beast!

[@GETUPANDGO]

Ha, agreed!

[@edwinheredia3735]

The TVR is for you then

[@thisisfaka]

The srt is great but that 1997 gts.. i fell in love with that one since day one ❤️❤️

[@ssoffshore5111]

I have a Underground Racing TT 96 blue and white Viper GTS... Twin 78mm turbos and just about every mod you can imagine. It ran 7.76 @ 186 about a decade ago, with the 6sp and IRS. While I have retired it from track duty, it's still putting almost everything on the street to shame. These cars are timeless.

[@aidencoker6719]

I think I would take the new Viper over the 97' but I still love the older one though. There is always something awesome watching an older car romp on new ones though. My personal favorite viper to this day is the 2010 ACR. Just gorgeous.

[@ReV14VeR]

The old viper's design was timeless.

[@Humance]

the old one looks much better!

[@That_ViperDude]

Haha, Dan is my buddy. He is the god of the Dodge Viper:)

[@isoooalrock]

Old one is the iconic viper we know

[@MonteOlsen]

Another great installment in the series. Thank you.

[@MrClintz28]

Awesome vid would love to see more old vs new comparisons like this.

[@vittershins5430]

The cockpit noise when he was in the old one actually vibrated my desk, lol!

[@MechWarrior324]

I agree, it will forever be a classic. (I love Shelby Cobras too! Haha) Another car that hasn't gotten old is the McLaren F1, which was discontinued in 1998, but looks like it could easily be a modern-day sports car, AND it performs better than most of today's cars as well.

[@mambaracing]

Any color looks good on the Viper.... 100% BADASS!

[@rd.r577]

The 97 GTS looks "Fatter" and Robust. The new 2013 definitely reverted back to the styling cues of the 97 and its very hard to compete with an incredibily impressive design of the original GTS. Hands down the 97 is a classic in the making. Performance even by todays standards is incredible. My choice would be the 97 GTS. A car thay set the benchmark and is still compared to today in performance and styling.

[@xsboost25psi]

This guy's a genius!! I was thinking of getting a bad ass car in the near future and adding some mods but I think I'll follow his line of reasoning and save my money for 16 years in anticipation of something faster and more advanced. Wait a second . . . I may just keep saving twice that long and wait 32 years for something EVEN BETTER!

[@wiibaron]

That BLUE is the best color on the 2nd gens. The 1st gen was probably the RED. The 3rd gen was maybe BLACK with the silver stripes. The new one, to me looks best in WHITE...

[@CadillaccJ]

nah, that new matte grey color that just came out looks way better. (saw it in person at the LA autoshow)

[@iant720]

Jonathan Alerte Yeah saw the same Matte grey with Black Chrome rims at detroits, aww screw it I want Lime Green!

[@MySaviorservant]

gimme that orange on the srt10. oooooo

[@XennialGuy]

I own a 98' GTS and have seen the new one up close. It's a tough choice in person. But the curves of the old one can't be beat and the raw low end torque is still amazing, even in stock form.

[@MrStlover99]

16 years old and looks like a 2013. timeless beauty

[@matthewtrent2019]

2nd gen vipers are the sexiest cars ever.

[@spazemonkey]

love this old vs new comparison you guys should do the new stingray vs the old stingray

[@ravenphantom4248]

My All Time Favorite Car Yall already know is the Dodge Viper GTS hands down the best Dam Sports Muscle Car in the World

[@zero00-100]

V10

[@TunerGuy_90]

The GTSR sticker on the back threw me off! I was like ??? that's not a GTSR lol Id take a 2nd gen viper any day!!!

[@nicksgroi6287]

side by side, both cars are a home run. But the 1997 is a grand slam. Im 37 now and this car was in my bedroom, and I sell cars now. with all this digital dash stuff, ill still take the old school gages over the high tech dash, and for 2 sec slower, yea its the 97 for me!

[@CO_EVO_8]

i love both, but I've gotten to go for a ride in a stock 97 Viper GTS ans it was absolutely amazing.

[@cesarhidalgo23]

Awesome video again, good job and thanks, although you should have had a drag race!!!

[@ponyboyfiveo]

The old car is so much more attractive than the new one. A true classic.

[@Patmclean232]

I really hate what they’ve done with the nose on the new ones! The gen 1 was my fav! It was the perfect blend of modern super car, and old school roadster, loud mean race car influence that Carroll Shelby put into it. If you look at the old ac cobra next to the viper you can see where the roots come from!

[@Kingjay814]

I got to drive an old GTS once...I'll never do that again. That is the most terrifying car I've ever driven. I swear the Viper's only purpose is to kill off unworthy drivers.

[@90sIbizaDanceParty]

I love both, but you can't beat the 90's, grew up on the 90's vipers had all the model cars

[@willowsprings1192]

Viper vs. Viper on our track? Forget snakes on a plane...

[@Nick212NYC]

Can't believe it's 16 years old. I had a picture taken with one and lied to everyone who saw it freshman year, before I even had a permit, about my dad buying me one. They knew. I guess they didn't want to ruin the pipe dream, right?

[@demongawl]

I love American muscle! Got my '12 Mustang 5.0 which is a beast. After I get that paid off I want to pick up a Challenger SRT8 392, or really reach for either a '08 Z06, or a new StingRay(Sexiest car ever)

[@95blckfirebird1]

OMG I love Car and Driver. Way better than MotorTrend! I wish I could be driven in the new SRT. This was an awesome video.

[@traindawg21]

That 97 GTS-R still looks awesome

[@MrEvilTag]

You can pick up an older viper, mod the holy hell out of it, and run circles around a new viper with $100K to spare compared to the price of a new viper.

[@ak_sprite]

What??? The cheapest first generation viper I saw was going for 35k. How do you spare 100k when the viper isint even that expensive.

[@MrEvilTag]

Alik Kromin SRT vipers here are going for around $200K because dealer markups are insane. First and second gen vipers are only going for about $30K-$40K.

[@ak_sprite]

You can get them like on eBay for 90k.

[@CallsignVega]

Uh, this comparison was versus a well modded 2nd gen Viper and the new Viper still won handily.

[@hesayad1055]

you can literally do that with pretty much anything. dont compare modded and stock

[@radz282003]

I'm really liking the new Viper, but the old Imp still looks better to me :)

[@37thorpe]

There is a long road ahead of Dodge, I hope they listen to all the criticism and apply that to the next Viper. As long as they keep it up, I'm sure we'll see them in Grand-Am ripping it up with the ZR1 and GT500 (: good work Dodge. You made it new but not ridiculous! End of the day I say the new one, simply because it's a new beginning for a great car!

[@Novafro]

I recognize that. Which is why I made a different comment saying they should compare to the SRT-10 ACR since that car is very well balanced.

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

my god they're both amazing. i know every single one of you would take any one.

[@g00dl00kinb0i]

Funny, I used to work for Cablevision contractor and owned a 98 Astro cargo van, got nothing but parking tickets with that. Since I drive this Camaro even New York State Troopers don't pull me over when I'm speeding for some reason, I was expecting the opposite :)

[@PunChris_92]

1997 > 2013

[@xVIPER94x]

It seems near impossible to find an original Dodge Viper GTS stock these days...

[@V10ViperSRT]

Great vid! It's nice to see some Viper love.

[@streamnoremorse]

1997 really looks modern! Even newer than 2013. 2013 looks like early 2000

[@joshuafinley644]

Vipers Galore! I want both the old and the new! The Viper is one hell of a supercar and it's really beautiful. When messing with this snake, you better bring your anti-venom!

[@pezzonovante888]

The old ones (GTS and RT/10) are still by far the best looking imo. The new one is okay too though. And "only 450 horsepower"? In that car with no TC, SC, ABS, etc. that was and is a shitload of power.

[@LLYoutube565]

I love how he says, "97 is an old car."

[@brickonwheels]

I think we can all agree that the blue with with stripes second generation Viper GTS is the best looking Viper of all time.

[@crotchrotgorewang]

The narrator sounds like the boss on Office space... "Im gonna have to ask you to come in on saturday"

[@kickwagon]

Watching this video makes me want a '97 GTS even more.

[@thereglis]

Love it or hate it. The new body style resembles the old. But on closer look every inch is brand new and imo looks great. Great job engineering and design team.

[@Stinger427NGX]

16 years old. pretty damn good for its time

[@ZondaF355]

Having owned both cars I recently went back to a '97 GTS from a '13 GTS that should tell you what you need to know. I will say the only things I miss involve creature comforts or tech but then I slide my gen 2 around and feel everything through the seat and I forget Gen 5

[@Eidrian111]

This has to be the most boring comparison I've ever seen. I'm actually quite shocked that corvette fanboys haven't arrive saying their plastic car is better. I think a 3rd gen Hennessy Viper would wipe the floor with the new one.

[@Eidrian111]

Corvette fanboy #1 strikes

[@Eidrian111]

love both of them as well I like more the new z06 than the new viper but if they let me chose I would chose a third gen convertible with twin turbos.

[@snakeskinner2]

+Eidrian111 uhhhhh...they didn't make a second gen vert bud

[@Eidrian111]

2003-2009 isn't the second gen?

[@snakeskinner2]

+Eidrian111 no, 96-02 is second gen.

[@JerseyMikeP]

Yeah the new one lost some of it's edge/danger but the new interior/comfort is a big step up...especially since it hasn't gotten FAT like other cars (Z06).

[@V8Supercar1]

The new Viper is just so much better car than the old ones. I love how they finally put a high quality interior in the Viper.

[@TheTexasViper]

I love all the unrefined harshness of my customized Gen1

[@rd.r577]

No Way.. The old Viper looks meaner and just more hardcore. I would take that 97 GTS in a heartbeat. Its the ultimate Viper!

[@adamrobledo3996]

I would not change a thing on that GTS. Maybe stock wheels but those wheels fit that car well.

[@tryhardnoob1140]

The new one is nice, but the old one is still the one that i have a poster of on my wall and would own if i get the chance.

[@dirk0389]

It's the same block they used in the 1989 concept. 23 years ago that was a TON. Especially for being naturally aspirated.

[@IgnacioGarciaNJR]

They are both beautiful

[@pennysgarage]

The Viper was engineered with the Shelby Cobra in mind. If you dont know, look up the specs and the history behind the Cobra. That is why the Viper is what it is. Made to kill off unworthy drivers (Kingjay814)

[@AdussFadass]

Glad to see that others as well as I think the 97 GTS Viper was best looking Viper of all.

[@MrAtoZ-un3fk]

"pucker factor" "angry soul" "neutered safety" All delivered with the excitement of seeing Estelle Getty naked, post 2007. Giddy up.

[@CDQ2691]

Because road racing actually requires more skill than just going in a straight-line, as well as being a way to push a car to the limits.

[@kevinpazos9951]

Man I remember when I was younger the viper randomly came out and it was the coolest thing ever cause it had the V10. I didn't know much about cars back then but I thought it was like the world's fastest car and that I'd never afford one. Now that I'm older and making a bit more money, getting a 98 or 2001 convertible viper is within my ball park. They're pretty cheap now. Some go for as low as 28,000 bucks. (Of course buy at your own risk a 28000 dollar viper) but still really cheap! (Which is a good thing) :)

[@NikoBell12]

Okay review. I love the new Viper but the old Viper is just a legend and so badass. Is it wrong for me to love them both though? It seems there always is on sided ness in these comment sections, "oh the new one isn't a drivers car" "oh the older one is ugly". Whatever I like both...

[@Mainiac1221]

Ive been in a 900hp second gen viper, such an adrenalin rush

[@MechWarrior324]

Wow! I didn't know it got that hot in New York! Haha It's about 95-100 around here in Arkansas, and it hasn't rained in days, so there are miles of dried up fields. :P I haven't driven my Mustang much since I just got it, and I've been working on it quite a bit. But I love that fact that it's a convertible, that it has custom red leather seats, and it has a 5.0 V8. :) I researched your Camaro by the way, and it looks equally awesome as well! :)

[@xixstrik3xix]

Man I love that car ever since I was 3 and I saw a blue 2001 GTS Viper in person. Such an awesome car and the greatest part is the 97 Viper is going for less than 50k now so getting one is a real possibility

[@90sIbizaDanceParty]

for me it was the '99

[@xixstrik3xix]

90sIbizaDanceParty yea I saw that viper when I was 4 grew on my from there

[@starscreammtfan]

Nice to see Microsoft Sam narrating this review.

[@jkheslekrants]

I think the new Viper is SOOO much Sexier, but I'm a Chevy man. Regardless, the bore of a reviewer keeps saying stupid shit like "modest 450hp" 450hp today is still not modest and 16yrs ago that was absolutely INSANE

[@CHUUMPASS]

the Viper is one of very few cars that can sport a piss yellow paint and look effin great with it.

[@AntilleanConfederation]

I must be the only person that thinks the new viper is by far the best looking viper.

[@Pokemonguy16RS]

whats up lui!! the real luimarco.

[@ghe229]

So... correct me if I'm wrong... but isn't that the standard 2013 Viper, and not the GTS?

[@damefaso]

The old GTS looks so damn good

[@InTheZone85]

btw the top speed on this gen 2 is closer to 200 than 185, there's another vid here of a top speed test by a gts recently.

[@MechWarrior324]

True, true. But I don't see the majority of cars turning fully electric for quite some time to come. Oil companies are money hungry, and they will do whatever it takes to stay running. Nice purchase by the way! I just bought a '95 Mustang GT 5.0 convertible for a fantastic price. It's my baby. :)

[@TheDadFatha]

I love to see these two race its beautiful.

[@rollthelosingdice]

The old vipers were way better. They ruined the whole design.

[@Thomas___]

The Rear end of the new one is classic looking except for the front end

[@mbdulka]

Working on a Gen 2, but a Gen 5 ACR is the end game.

[@filipsspil]

it would be cool if they put the new vipers rear on the old one, love those lights on it :D

[@Fishing4Fish96]

The new vipers look sick as hell. I want one really badly lol.