Dodge Viper 3rd Generation 2003-2006 (ZB l) Review

The gen-3 Dodge Viper only ran for four model years and was never facelifted. The ZB II generation could technically be considered a facelift, but that model retains the same visuals yet with extensive mechanical enhancements.

At the belly of this beast is the large naturally aspirated 8.3-liter odd-firing V10 with two different states of tune for the coupe and roadster. It is available with only one transmission option - a six-speed manual.

The EPA only provided mpg estimates for the third-gen Viper roadster, as the coupe was technically a special edition that was only available in its final year of production. With an 11/19/13 mpg city/highway/combined estimate, the 3rd-generation Viper is not what you would call a fuel saver. The C6-generation Chevrolet Corvette with its 505 hp 7.0-liter V8 scores 15/24/18 mpg estimates, which are far better. The Ferrari F430, on the other hand, achieves a very similar 11/16/13 mpg with its 503-hp 4.3-liter V8 and six-speed manual transmission.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

The NHTSA did not crash test the Dodge Viper 3rd-generation, which is common for performance cars of this caliber. Safety is catered for marginally with the standard inclusion of only driver and passenger airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, tire-pressure monitoring, and child-seat anchors located on the passenger seat. There is no sign of stability control.

The 2003-2006 third-generation Dodge Viper coupe and roadster are only available in SRT-10 guise and even though it is a flagship model, it has a very short list of standard convenience and comfort features. It is clear that there is an unrelenting focus on maintaining a driver-focused ownership experience.

In 2004, the Dodge Viper ZB l was available with a limited-run special package, in effect the only special edition of the ZB I Viper:

• 2004 Mamba package. Limited to just 200 units, this gave the sports car a unique Viper Black or White body paint with a black soft-top roof and two-tone black and red leather upholstery for the interior. It also features special 18-inch front and 19-inch rear alloy wheels with red brake calipers.

The third-generation Dodge Viper is as compact as sports cars get with both the coupe and roadster having a headroom figure of 36.5 inches and legroom of 42.4 inches. This provides just about enough room for people a bit over six feet tall. The 3rd-gen Viper convertible offers owners a minute 8.6 cubic feet of cargo space, allowing you to squeeze in two medium suitcases. Thanks to the 3rd-gen Viper coupe fastback hatch and lack of a folding roof, it offers a more generous 14.7 cubic feet of space, which is more than what you'll need to carry two medium suitcases with some space to spare for a weekend away.

The ZB I features partial leather and microfiber upholstery for the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter boot, and other select cabin trimmings. This is contrasted by a combination of soft and hard plastics and a slick aluminum finish for the six-speed gear shifter and door handles. While it may not appear as fancy as its European rivals, owners of the ZB I Dodge Viper praise it for its respectable cabin quality but it has been criticized for below-average comfort. It is available exclusively with a black interior color scheme.

The third-generation Dodge Viper is a hands-on vehicle when it comes to routine maintenance. An oil and filter change is required every 6,000 miles. The rear axle's fluid needs to be changed every 18,000 miles. An air filter change and relubrication of the front and rear suspension ball joints must be conducted every 30,000 miles. 36,000 miles is when you will have to change the manual transmission's fluid. New spark plugs, ignition cables, brake fluid, clutch fluid, and an accessory drive belt are needed every 60,000 miles. Engine coolant must be flushed and refilled at 102,000 miles or 60 months. On average, you may spend up to $450 on routine maintenance costs for the Viper on an annual basis. Bear in mind that this is a high-performance sports car, so mechanical components such as the clutch, brakes, and more will add thousands of dollars to your repair bill.

The third-generation Dodge Viper has a fairly large oil capacity, but an oil and filter change should cost no more than $123. A new set of spark plugs should cost $70 and an air filter $70 as well.

There are only four 2003-2006 Dodge Viper recalls. All model years were subject to two recalls for inadvertent airbag deployment relating to a bad module that incorrectly detects a collision. 1,739 2003 models were recalled for a park light switch that may corrode. 69 2003 units had to be recalled for fuel-pump wiring that could come into contact with the underbody heat shield, which may cause the pump to fail and the engine to stall. If you ever encounter the P0141 fault code, it means that there is an issue with an oxygen sensor's heated circuit.

Considering that the ZB I Dodge Viper was sold in such small numbers and owners tend to drive them over shorter distances compared to run-of-the-mill commuters, few issues have surfaced thus far. Based on this, it is unlikely that you will have problems with the 2003-2006 Dodge Viper's ordinary parts, such as the air filter, gas tank, or fuel pump.

It would be best to avoid the 2003 and 2004 models as these were subject to the most recalls. You should also ensure that the car you are looking at has not skipped any routine servicing whatsoever and avoided as much track use as possible. You should also steer clear of examples that have spent a lot of time parked in the open.

2005 and 2006 Dodge Viper ZB I models would be your best bet as they were only subject to the airbag recalls. Most of the models you come across should have covered relatively low mileages. Ensure that examples you considered have been subjected to very little or no track time. You also need to run a fine-tooth comb over the car's maintenance history to ensure that it has been well looked after as per the manufacturer's maintenance requirements. The coupe would be the body style of choice because of the hardtop's additional torsional rigidity and the fact that it does away with the canvas roof's woes, but these are harder to find because they were produced in small numbers.

The third-generation Dodge Viper is a generally undervalued example of the nameplate's short lineage because it doesn't have the exclusivity of the first- and second-generation models or the power of the fourth- and fifth-generation models. Putting this aside, the ZB I is no less a Viper than the rest of its brethren as it features a dependable V10 powertrain, head-turning exterior design, and rewarding - if fearsome - handling characteristics. Bear in mind that it is a high-performance sports car, so using it as a daily driver may not be in your best interest as you may struggle with its tight interior packaging, low comfort levels, and high gas consumption.