At first I didn't notice, so in love was I with the powertrain. The 500-horsepower engine, the growling exhaust note, the short-throw six-shooter…but after a few hours, doubt began to creep into my rationale. It's not so hot on the twisties, and that fit and finish is off, too, with unequal gaps and some misaligned panels.

So what.
I still love it, though I would never buy it – at least, not now. But call me in 15 years when I have some discretionary income. Fact is, if you're in the muscle market, this is the ultimate muscle car thanks to its torrents of straight line power, packaged into a pretty regular vehicle body style. As such, the GT500 can't really be compared to the Viper, as the Viper is really only suited for those with too much money and possibly an inferiority complex. The GT500 is for the guys who work on cars and then drive ‘em slow around the neighborhood with the stereo off. It's for the enthusiast who places the symphony and power of 500 horses above carving out a canyon.