I'll miss VIper, but I think it's time to give it up. IN no way can it compete w/the sophistication of the Vette ZR1 or new Nissan GT-R as there just isn't the R&D funding for it.
Not that this is the point of this thread, but I can't disagree with you more. The Viper has proven that it can
out-perform both of the "sophisticated" cars you just listed. You can start with the fastest lap-time at the Nuburgring as proof - especially considering that both the ZR-1 and the GT-R were
extensively tested at the 'Ring, while the Viper was tested and tuned on American soil.
I also have a video of a Generation 2 Viper (the 1996 to 2002 line) keeping up impressively well against a GT-R at a sanctioned race event. (Probably available on YouTube.) So well in fact that the GT-R driver got spooked and drove off the track. So much for those electronic nannies! Both drivers were equally experienced.
Electronic Sophistication doesn't make the car - it only makes the driver look more capable. Unfortunately, the American Public has become obsessed with cars that clean their headlamps, look backwards for them - even cars that stop or slow down for them! How much longer until we need cars that remind us when to eat, or sleep, or BREATHE... The import-cars keep catering to our National State of Lazyness.