Dodge Viper / Lamborghini Diablo connection

Topic 13 · 23 responses · archived october 2000

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~Afor Sun, Oct 26, 1997 (10:02) seed

It is not widely known, but the Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Diablo have more in common than sinister names. The Viper was designed by Chrysler with input from Lamborghini (owned by Chrysler at the time) in the design of the aluminium V-10 block; a good idea, considering the decades of experience Lamborghini has with large, multicylinder aluminium blocks. Meanwhile, the Diablo profited from Chrysler's experience with ergonomics, electronics, quality control (don't laugh now, remember this was during he Iacocca era, when Chrysler rediscovered quality) and emissions control devices, which made it more comfortable and reliable than the Countach. What are your opinions on these two cars? And do you think Chrysler should have sold Lamborghini?

~terry Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (08:49) #1

What's the sticker price on these respective two cars, even though it isn't in my budget till I win the lottery.

~Afor Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (10:05) #2

A Dodge Viper lists for about US$75,000 That's the cheap one! The Lamborghini Diablo, the last time I read, was going for almost US$300,000! That might be beyond your budget even if you do win the lottery!

~Afor Mon, Oct 27, 1997 (10:06) #3

However, you can get a Vector M-12 for less than that, with the same engine (that is, if Vector hasn't folded yet!)

~Cafe Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (16:43) #4

Try http://www.popularmechanics.com or get the new issue. A quickie comparo of the new Porsche, 'Vette, and Viper. Guess who's on top?

~Afor Fri, Dec 12, 1997 (19:20) #5

Initial guess is Porsche, but I'll look at the site afterward... And to think I wanted to delete this topic!

~stacey Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (19:12) #6

I saw a real live Viper cruising down the Phoenix Highway (HWY 17) last weekend. Not much to it!

~Afor Mon, Dec 15, 1997 (22:51) #7

To quote the Chrysler Corp. ad (which was referring to the Prowler): "That's kind of the point!" Big engine pulling not much body. Goes fast, turns hard. It's everything the Corvette used to be before it became civilized. The Viper is to the Hemi 'Cuda and the Mustang Boss 302 what the Miata is to the MGB and the Triumph Spitfire. (I don't remember what the larger displacement Boss was; 454, maybe?)

~stacey Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (19:25) #8

I find them analagous to bikinis. The less there is the more expensive it runs.

~Afor Wed, Dec 17, 1997 (22:07) #9

For the same reason, the less there is, the sexier it is!

~humdog2 Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (17:54) #10

i am not nuts about lamborghini so even if i had the money which i don't i wouldn't get one. i would, however, do a whole lot for an old lotus.

~humdog2 Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (17:54) #11

i am not nuts about lamborghini so even if i had the money which i don't i wouldn't get one. i would, however, do a whole lot for an old lotus.

~humdog2 Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (17:56) #12

EEEEEK!!!!!! it posted twice!!!!!!!!

~stacey Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (18:16) #13

s'ok carmen. Just means you REALLY mean it!

~Afor Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (21:06) #14

Depends on which Lamborghini. Diablo, no. Countach, maybe or maybe not. Espada, maybe. Miura, YES!

~Afor Thu, Dec 18, 1997 (21:07) #15

Forgot the Uracco and the Jalpa; maybe & yes, respectively. Forgot the Jarama, too, but that was intentional.

~Cafe Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (09:46) #16

We're back to the "if you woke up with Pamela Anderson" thing here; any Lambo would be MOST appreciated! (o;{ Sam (and others) I was going at it on the Guzzi-list with a guy who owns 2 Alfas, a Lambo 350, and an MR2. I said for mere mortals the MR & the last 300ZX were tops. Any opinions on the 300?

~Afor Fri, Dec 19, 1997 (19:33) #17

Given how hot Jamaica is, if I woke up with Pamela Andreson, I'd check to see if her breasts had melted! (Just hope they hadn't used a thermosetting resin!) 300ZX Mk II, possibly the second most desirable of the latest generation of Japanese Muscle GTs (after the RX-7 Mk III). Never really liked the styling, but at least it was restrained (except for Super HICAS) and relatively elemental (compared to the Supra and 3000GT)

~Cafe Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (15:56) #18

Yeah I like "restrained", and reliable smooth GT power. I could see owning one over an MR2 or a VT3000.

~Afor Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (18:13) #19

The original MR2 was O.K. The second generation was a bit too styled, but it was more elemental than the Supra or 3000GT. It was also the last affordable mid-engined sports car and the only one to have a second generation; the X-1/9 died of old age and the Fiero from parental ineptitude & neglect. Apparently, GM did not have Mazda's vision; they should have introduced the Quad-4 engine in the Fiero, where the excessive engine noise would have emattered less than it did in the Calais, and the extra (peaky) power would have been more appreciated. By the time they tried it with prototypes, it was too late, the Fiero was as dead as the Corvair.

~Afor Sat, Dec 20, 1997 (18:16) #20

BTW, does anyone have an opinion on the "Chrysler TC by Maserati"? This when Chrysler had bought an interest in Maserati, before acquiring Lamborghini and quite deservedly dropping Maserati like a hot potato.

~Cafe Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (09:48) #21

TC belongs with the Allante IMO. Parked at motels in Vegas alongside the guys" Z3's!

~Afor Mon, Dec 22, 1997 (21:00) #22

Better looking than the Allante, or the 560SL,but another glorified Reliant K. Not a sports car, but was it ever good looking!

~sprin5 Sat, May 13, 2000 (08:34) #23

I miss these classic comments (from above): " Given how hot Jamaica is, if I woke up with Pamela Andreson, I'd check to see if her breasts had melted! (Just hope they hadn't used a thermosetting resin!)" - El Sam Blob

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