One of the biggest improvements of Viper-present vs. Viper-past is the top. Formerly fitted with an ill-fitting, clumsy, targa toupee, the new car is a true convertible, with a truly fine ragtop. Snug and weather-tight when up, the manual lid folds easily in a neat, semi-enclosed stack, without need for a boot. Top down, there's little wind in the cabin, thanks to the car's high belt line and high backed bucket seats.

The footwell in new Dodge Vipers has a skosh more room than the previous generation cars (enough for a dead pedal), and there's less offset between the pedals and your legs. These improvements are appreciated, though it's still tight quarters for big feet and my size 11½'s occasionally clipped the side of the pedal next to the one I was aiming for. Wide shoes? Fuhgeddaboudit.

The cabin is snug but the relationships are right - arm's reach to shifter, switches within grasp. Thickly bolstered sport seats keep you in place during hard driving. A quartet of gauges march up the center stack in formation, while below and to the side, controls for the climate and sound systems are refreshingly uncomplicated. The speakers include a small sound box embedded in the shotgun position between the two front passengers. It generates 310 watts, enough to make itself heard over the collective din of wind, engine and road noise. Out back, the 8.4 cubic foot trunk will hold a golf bag or several soft-sided duffels.

Photos: © Dan Lyons 2004