Did Ralph Gilles Call the Corvette a “Disposable Device”?
01-29-2014, 05:46 PM
#41
Team Owner
Well, it's OK that you love the Viper more than a C7, but if you would take one over the C7 any day of the week, where is your Viper? And if a lot of people agree with you, why are Vipers not selling?
By the way, I like the Viper. I would not enjoy it as a DD the way I do a Corvette.
By the way, I like the Viper. I would not enjoy it as a DD the way I do a Corvette.
Have you driven a brand new Viper, how do you know you'd enjoy a C7 more?
I'm a car guy, I like them all, I'm also not blinded by the Corvette mystique.
01-29-2014, 09:42 PM
#42
The Consigliere
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01-29-2014, 10:08 PM
#44
Racer
01-29-2014, 11:29 PM
#47
Racer
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Price really has nothing to do with the Viper's issues. The issue is that SRT still does not understand what factors are the most crucial to succeed in this market. Image is #1 and they simply don't get that. The Viper barely made it back for the 5th gen and I don't possible see how the business justification for a 6th gen will be there. Sales aren't even decent; they're horrible. RIP Viper.
01-29-2014, 11:55 PM
#48
The Consigliere
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Price really has nothing to do with the Viper's issues. The issue is that SRT still does not understand what factors are the most crucial to succeed in this market. Image is #1 and they simply don't get that. The Viper barely made it back for the 5th gen and I don't possible see how the business justification for a 6th gen will be there. Sales aren't even decent; they're horrible. RIP Viper.
This didn't help Viper:
Nor did Ralph's behavior subsequent to it.
01-29-2014, 11:55 PM
#49
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
People aren't buying them because of the price, not because they're junk, you can get two 1LT Stingrays for the price of one Viper. If I could afford a brand new Viper I certainly would've bought one, I can't so I bought the next best thing, simple.
Have you driven a brand new Viper, how do you know you'd enjoy a C7 more?
I'm a car guy, I like them all, I'm also not blinded by the Corvette mystique.
Have you driven a brand new Viper, how do you know you'd enjoy a C7 more?
I'm a car guy, I like them all, I'm also not blinded by the Corvette mystique.
I would love me a new Viper. I was seriously checking them out at the ALMS weekend at Road America last year. The same weekend I finally saw some Stingrays in the flesh.
Sweet things they are.
01-30-2014, 12:19 AM
#50
sales numbers mean absolutely nothing when comparing cars. How many Carrera GT's did Porsche sell, not a lot, does that make it worse than the Corvette. Some of you people need to take the blinders off, put down the Corvette Kool Aid and take a deep breath of reality. The Viper is an awesome car period, I'd take one over a Stingray any day of the week and so would a lot of people but that doesn't make the Stingray a bad car just a less expensive, slower car.
1992 model year through right now, Corvette has sold more in 1 year on several occasions than every Viper built.(specifically every single year 1998-2008, and yes, even in the 80s, and 70's) Guess what, exclusivity is a good thing for Viper owners.
And to those bitching about number sold in 2013, it was a late year, first 2013's didn't ship until April was it? Viper then switched over to 2014 model year production in July so again, it was a short year with 805? produced. Viper also had 1 iteration with the new model. The coupe, for the first time ever. There are plenty of buyers waiting for a Gen V with a removable top.
I for one am glad the car is hand built and exclusive. It makes owning one that much more special.
And for those stating the Viper is garbage, build quality etc. I seem to recall more threads than I can keep track of with C7 quality issues on launch, but we wont mention that here now will we
-Sincerely,
Former Corvette owner, long time Corvette fan, grew up in a Chevy household, proudly living the dream owning a hand built 1 of 1 Viper fanatic.
Last edited by ACRucrazy; 01-30-2014 at 12:26 AM.
01-30-2014, 10:01 AM
#51
Safety Car
I really like the Viper. I would say I'm more of a Corvette guy though based on my tastes. Part of the Vipers lure is more exclusivity. You are not supposed to see one every day like you will a C7 in a year or two. I think for the price though they should be able to eliminate the hot legs in the cabin and other issues like that. I know it's hand built but that kind of stuff shouldn't fly for 140k. With the budget the Viper has its a great product and it would be a huge loss to American sports cars to lose it.
Oh and SRT has done an awesome job in racing having only been in the series 1.5 years and they are in probably the toughest GT racing on the planet.
Oh and SRT has done an awesome job in racing having only been in the series 1.5 years and they are in probably the toughest GT racing on the planet.
01-30-2014, 10:39 AM
#52
Race Director
One of a few guys in this thread who seems to get it. Viper has manufactured over 2,000 per year 3 times since 1992.
1992 model year through right now, Corvette has sold more in 1 year on several occasions than every Viper built.(specifically every single year 1998-2008, and yes, even in the 80s, and 70's) Guess what, exclusivity is a good thing for Viper owners.
And to those bitching about number sold in 2013, it was a late year, first 2013's didn't ship until April was it? Viper then switched over to 2014 model year production in July so again, it was a short year with 805? produced. Viper also had 1 iteration with the new model. The coupe, for the first time ever. There are plenty of buyers waiting for a Gen V with a removable top.
I for one am glad the car is hand built and exclusive. It makes owning one that much more special.
And for those stating the Viper is garbage, build quality etc. I seem to recall more threads than I can keep track of with C7 quality issues on launch, but we wont mention that here now will we
-Sincerely,
Former Corvette owner, long time Corvette fan, grew up in a Chevy household, proudly living the dream owning a hand built 1 of 1 Viper fanatic.
1992 model year through right now, Corvette has sold more in 1 year on several occasions than every Viper built.(specifically every single year 1998-2008, and yes, even in the 80s, and 70's) Guess what, exclusivity is a good thing for Viper owners.
And to those bitching about number sold in 2013, it was a late year, first 2013's didn't ship until April was it? Viper then switched over to 2014 model year production in July so again, it was a short year with 805? produced. Viper also had 1 iteration with the new model. The coupe, for the first time ever. There are plenty of buyers waiting for a Gen V with a removable top.
I for one am glad the car is hand built and exclusive. It makes owning one that much more special.
And for those stating the Viper is garbage, build quality etc. I seem to recall more threads than I can keep track of with C7 quality issues on launch, but we wont mention that here now will we
-Sincerely,
Former Corvette owner, long time Corvette fan, grew up in a Chevy household, proudly living the dream owning a hand built 1 of 1 Viper fanatic.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/26/g...w-viper-sales/
I stand by the fact that he needs to manage his brand and get off the internet.
Jimmy
01-30-2014, 11:12 AM
#53
Le Mans Master
OK, I have both a 2012 ZR1 and a 2014 Viper GTS, not bragging just fact.
I have been a die hard Vette guy since my first one in 70, it was a 65 vert. I've probable had 30 or so.
I bought my first Viper about 6 years ago, a 2002 GTS, had it for a couple years and moved up to a 2009 ACR (damn!!! what a car). Had both the ZR and ACR at the same time and loved them both. It's kind of like your kids, you don't necessarily love one better than the other, they are just different.
When I saw the Gen 5 Viper rollout at the VOI 12 I thought it was the best looking hot rod I'd seen and got on the list. It took over a year to get it but worth the wait.
So which one do I like best..neither. They are both amazing, have their good and better points.
As mentioned earlier, I'm not that into how fast they run around LS or Sebring, they are both way better cars than I'll ever be driver.
As for Ralph, I got to hear him as the keynote speaker at the Viper Owners Invitational in Charlotte. It was refreshing to listen to someone that is so passionate about his craft. He is a true car guy loyal to his brand.
The ACR
Bad Asp1
I have been a die hard Vette guy since my first one in 70, it was a 65 vert. I've probable had 30 or so.
I bought my first Viper about 6 years ago, a 2002 GTS, had it for a couple years and moved up to a 2009 ACR (damn!!! what a car). Had both the ZR and ACR at the same time and loved them both. It's kind of like your kids, you don't necessarily love one better than the other, they are just different.
When I saw the Gen 5 Viper rollout at the VOI 12 I thought it was the best looking hot rod I'd seen and got on the list. It took over a year to get it but worth the wait.
So which one do I like best..neither. They are both amazing, have their good and better points.
As mentioned earlier, I'm not that into how fast they run around LS or Sebring, they are both way better cars than I'll ever be driver.
As for Ralph, I got to hear him as the keynote speaker at the Viper Owners Invitational in Charlotte. It was refreshing to listen to someone that is so passionate about his craft. He is a true car guy loyal to his brand.
The ACR
Bad Asp1
01-30-2014, 11:20 AM
#54
Racer
The viper is no joke, IF...... They put the new "hell cat" 6.2L and it was 70k i would be in. Dont get me wrong i love my z51C7. Ralph did not insult the vette, he is liked in the Auto world and I personaly think that Americans would ratther spend 130K on something from Europe, Kind of sad. I cant afford one now, so the c7 was the answer... but maybe(one day) teem SRT will consider a V8 and a lower price, new badge, but thats wishful thinking... I have a friend that has a 13GTS its a nasty little SOB...
Last edited by killascrimp; 01-30-2014 at 11:33 AM.
01-30-2014, 11:31 AM
#55
Burning Brakes
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Hard to dispose of something, when noone is buying it.
Its pretty pathetic when the first time I saw the 2013 Viper in person.. was a few days ago at the start of the DC Auto show. Even sadder when you consider I hit quite a few car shows and cars & coffee events during the summer. Seems noone has one.. and noone even wants one.
Its pretty pathetic when the first time I saw the 2013 Viper in person.. was a few days ago at the start of the DC Auto show. Even sadder when you consider I hit quite a few car shows and cars & coffee events during the summer. Seems noone has one.. and noone even wants one.
01-30-2014, 12:08 PM
#57
"We're trying to make packages because it's easy for the dealers to digest, but we are not Corvette. We've never tried to be Corvette. We never will be. We're handmade. It takes 18 hours to paint the stripe on a Viper. We color sand the entire car, inside and outside. All the panels are beautifully finished. We're trying to build a custom show car that you can own. This is not a disposable device here."
He inject Corvette (twice) into the response all on his own. What "device" do you think he had in mind when he gave the answer? Mustang? Porsche?
01-30-2014, 12:21 PM
#58
Race Director
The full paragraph from the interview is....
"We're trying to make packages because it's easy for the dealers to digest, but we are not Corvette. We've never tried to be Corvette. We never will be. We're handmade. It takes 18 hours to paint the stripe on a Viper. We color sand the entire car, inside and outside. All the panels are beautifully finished. We're trying to build a custom show car that you can own. This is not a disposable device here."
He inject Corvette (twice) into the response all on his own. What "device" do you think he had in mind when he gave the answer? Mustang? Porsche?
"We're trying to make packages because it's easy for the dealers to digest, but we are not Corvette. We've never tried to be Corvette. We never will be. We're handmade. It takes 18 hours to paint the stripe on a Viper. We color sand the entire car, inside and outside. All the panels are beautifully finished. We're trying to build a custom show car that you can own. This is not a disposable device here."
He inject Corvette (twice) into the response all on his own. What "device" do you think he had in mind when he gave the answer? Mustang? Porsche?
A drowning man will grab on to anything to stay afloat.
That said I am a Mopar guy and love the Viper just not the price.
01-30-2014, 12:24 PM
#59
Race Director
The full paragraph from the interview is....
"We're trying to make packages because it's easy for the dealers to digest, but we are not Corvette. We've never tried to be Corvette. We never will be. We're handmade. It takes 18 hours to paint the stripe on a Viper. We color sand the entire car, inside and outside. All the panels are beautifully finished. We're trying to build a custom show car that you can own. This is not a disposable device here."
He inject Corvette (twice) into the response all on his own. What "device" do you think he had in mind when he gave the answer? Mustang? Porsche?
"We're trying to make packages because it's easy for the dealers to digest, but we are not Corvette. We've never tried to be Corvette. We never will be. We're handmade. It takes 18 hours to paint the stripe on a Viper. We color sand the entire car, inside and outside. All the panels are beautifully finished. We're trying to build a custom show car that you can own. This is not a disposable device here."
He inject Corvette (twice) into the response all on his own. What "device" do you think he had in mind when he gave the answer? Mustang? Porsche?
I read it and he is not saying Corvette is a deposable device... Go to a dealer and look the Viper over carefully and you'll see what he is talking about...
01-30-2014, 12:57 PM
#60
Safety Car
I always kind of laugh when I see people complaining about the price of something. When they actually should be complaining about their disposable income level, and doing something about it. I could sit here and bitch that I can't afford a Veyron (I can't), or I could figure out how to earn more. I never thought I'd be able to afford 10 cars, and I've never complained about the price of something.
Comparing sales between both cars is also ridiculous. Different goals exist for each vehicle. They only hand-build 4-6 Vipers per day. So, even the production scales are much different. The reason the Corvettes are cheap is BECAUSE they build so many, and because they share engines with the Camaro/Cadillac/Truck/SUV lines within GM. If they didn't, then the Corvette might even be more expensive than a Viper.
Comparing sales between both cars is also ridiculous. Different goals exist for each vehicle. They only hand-build 4-6 Vipers per day. So, even the production scales are much different. The reason the Corvettes are cheap is BECAUSE they build so many, and because they share engines with the Camaro/Cadillac/Truck/SUV lines within GM. If they didn't, then the Corvette might even be more expensive than a Viper.