2001 Dodge Viper

The verdict:

Versus the competiton:

The Dodge Viper is one of the most uncomfortable cars in the world to get into or out of, much less drive, but it’s still one of the most desirable vehicles on the road.

On the market since 1992, Dodge has sold about 11,000 copies.

We tested the RT/10 with its 8-liter, 450-h.p. V-10 and found age hasn’t had any effect on the high-performance roadster, though age hasn’t improved its 12 m.p.g. city/21 m.p.g. highway mileage rating either.

And though there are a lot more on the road now than in ’92, Viper still attracts as many admiring glances now as it did then–only some of those admirers are gawking at you from behind the wheel of a Plymouth Prowler or Plymouth PT Cruiser and expect an admiring gawk back.

For the 2001 model year, which begins Jan. 1 for Viper, there’s a major change, the addition of ABS as standard.

While Viper started life as a rather crude machine without the amenities, it has slowly added power side windows, door handles, air bags and now ABS. But no cupholder. Dodge will bend, it won’t break.

We tested the roadster, which starts at $67,225 for 2000 and moves up to $69,225 for 2001 with ABS.

New colors for 2001 will be racing yellow with or without black center stripes and a deep sapphire blue pearl.