Oh, I don't know if I would agree with "glorified kit car", but I do agree that there are always going to be faster cars out there, as well as a few that are better looking (very few). It would be fun to drive a black Diablo for a while, and a rip down the 1/4 mile with your AMX sounds like a hoot! However, for everyday "fun factor", I think the Viper would be hard to beat. Here is why:
Speed: Nope, certainly not the fastest out there. However, there are only a handful of factory rides that can match it's acceleration, and only one that can dominate it - the $1,000,000+ McLaren F1. The new Saleen may do some damage - at $375,000 a pop. At the drag strip, most of the cars that beat it are on trailers, need the wheels/tires swapped, or need NOS. Those that are driven in and go faster are so modified that the manufacturer wouldn't recognize the motor, much less honor any warranty. The Viper isn't the fastest, but it is about as healthy as they come in stock form.
Handling: Not the absolute best out there, but pretty darn close. Generally wins every car magazine slalom test out there, as well as a great result on the skid pad. When I first took my Viper to a road course (the 2.5 mile NASCAR circuit at Heartland Park), it was incredible. I love drag racing, but this car runs like it is on rails when you hit the twisties. Not too many cars out there that are comparable (but I hear good things about the Z06).
Looks: I might favor a black Diablo if you pressed me hard enough. Nothing else compares. You will attract a bigger crowd at the grocery store with the Viper than you will with a seven second car at the drag strip. Car shows? Unless you have a shiny new Diablo parked nearby, few cars will pull as many lookers as the Viper. There was a nice red Countach at the last show here, with few people giving it a second glance. The Viper, with it's incredibly low, wide stance, just screams MUSCLE. There are fancier, more exotic looks out there, but few look so purpose-built.
Build: I wasn't going to touch on this one, but since you mentioned the "kit car" aspect, here you go. If you haven't had an opportunity to tour CAAP (Conner Avenue Assembly Plant - where the Viper is built), then you are really missing out. The time and craftsmanship that goes into these cars is incredible. This is not a paint-by-numbers car by any means. Indeed, to experience the speed and agility of this car in any race environment, you know that the tolerances need to be exact to avoid disaster. I would be very nervous pulling a sub-15 second 1/4 mile in a kit car. I would completely avoid taking one on the twisties at any great speed. These cars take a licking and keep right on ticking. While they may lack the pedestrian comforts of cupholders, cruise control, etc., they accomplish their goals in complete style by dominating just about every car out there in factory trim.
Fun factor: This sums it all up. You can go from the drag strip to the road course, wash it off and head to a car show. In every venue you will do extremely well. You can cruise down the boulevard and turn every head that you pass. You can zip along a country road and enjoy the wind in your hair (noticed you have an RT). Of course, the rumble of the V10 at idle is inspiring, while the roar at full throttle is intoxicating. The overall result is a car that is simply a treat to own no matter where you are.
Enjoy your new Viper (love the color!) and all that it brings with it. It's no drag car, as you well know. It may not even be the most stunning car every place you go (Pebble Beach
You must be registered for see images
). But you will find that there is no kit car that can come close.
