06' Viper Coupe v. C6 Z06

[MclarenF1]

Believe it or not, but I've actually had the opportunity to drive both a Viper and a Corvette Z06. (This happened last year when I was working as a salesman at a Dodge/Chevrolet dealer). Granted, the Viper was not a coupe (but it was the new body style), and the Vette was last year's 405 horsepower C5 model. I just got to cruise the Viper for about 20 minutes, but I drove the Vette numerous times, HARD. Before driving them, I would have said I loved the Viper more. Drop dead gorgeous body, and unlike the Vette, it didn't have a less powerful little brother to confuse it with. Drive one, though, and you realize the seat is way narrow (I promise I'm not that fat) and the car as a whole is like trying to ride a skateboard with metal wheels down a flight of stairs. A wild experience, but even after driving it slow for half an hour, I was ready to get out. The Vette was just awesome. Even with "just" 405 hp, it had no problem laying you back in the seat. You could wind the motor to 7,000 rpm, and it sounded like the soundtrack from a Wiston Cup car. It still rode really well, and was a hell of a highway car. I wouldn't hesitate to drive one everyday. If you find a deal on a used one, BUY IT. Anyway, if the new Z06 retains even half the drivability of last year's model, I'll throw my vote toward the Vette, even if it ends up being just as expensive as the Viper.