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2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Road Test

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Khatir Soltani

"Ha, I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to a Viper as refined."

Besides being the closest thing to a race car available for the street, I find it pretty easy to live with. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

"I suppose that's not a word that would define it best, or cause Viper fans to run out and buy one. But, besides being the closest thing to a race car available for the street, I find it pretty easy to live with."

"Yeah, I could drive this every day, for sure."

"Don't they give you one of these for a company car, Tim?"

"Ha, yeah right."

"Oh, we're coming to a bridge up here on the right, perfect for photos. You wanna be my Viper model?"

"Hold on, let me get out my sunglasses."

I'm out of the car and Tim is turning it around to drive back over the bridge for a few shots. Wow, this is perfect. There aren't many of these old bridges around anymore. Wood plank roadway. Single lane. Trestle design. And an idyllic floating village for a background? This is about as good as it gets. Man I've got to

An amazing supercar in the foreground and an idyllic floating village for a background. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)
enroll in a camera course, just to figure out lighting alone. I suppose if I take enough shots, one of them is going to look decent.

The island is below sea level, totally flat and hardly populated. With the top down, cool wind blowing through the cockpit, it's easy to see a panoramic view of some of the best farmland in the country, or so I've been told. Not exactly the best place for testing out the car, as there are too many homes and barns around, and with that too much potential for kids or animals to run out onto the road. But another perfect photo op, up on top of the dyke with celestial sun streaks spreading rays down to the shimmering river through foreboding clouds, makes it a good choice.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada