Be Safe Out There Everyone As Few Weeks Ago My Dodge Viper Did Its Job And Protected Me, But The Buy Back Was Too High

There are certain cars that are labeled “widowmakers”. The Dodge Viper is one of the most prominent examples of cars that although capable, require serious driving skills. Sadly, reaching your destination isn’t solely dependent on the driver. While spending time on the Gen3 & Gen 4 Dodge Viper Owners group on Facebook, I stumbled upon a post from Jason Bear, who was unlucky enough to have been involved in a car accident, but lucky enough to walk away with only minor injuries. 

The more peculiar aspect of the story surrounds the car itself, how it did its job, and why the owner couldn’t get it back after. Here’s what the owner says:

“Be safe out there everyone!  A few weeks ago I got clipped by a truck and spun out up a hill and the Viper was totaled.  The car did its job and protected me.  Walked away with just a bruised knee.  I had an amazing time with that car for the past 7 years!  Can’t believe it’s gone! What an amazing car, and I’m so thankful it protected me!”

Despite the savage reputation, the Dodge Viper fulfilled its main purpose

The Dodge Viper has always had a reputation for wanting to “delete” its drivers. So much so that it often doesn’t get credit for how capable it actually is. This being a third-generation Viper, it is safer than the earlier iterations. From 2002, all Vipers got ABS due to a federal mandate, so some of the “killer” tendencies inherited from the Shelby Cobra were put to rest. 

Due to low production numbers, the Dodge Viper never received an official safety rating from NHTSA or IIHS (by the way, here you can see the safest affordable cars you can buy in 2025). Due to the wide transmission tunnel, most Vipers have an offset position to the left, which puts your left knee into a vulnerable position, hence the owner’s minor injury (those who have been in one know what I am talking about). The important thing here is that the car did its job and preserved the life of its driver, in what looks to be a terrible accident. 

The buy-back value given by the insurance company paints an interesting picture regarding the value of rare sports cars like the Dodge Viper

To me, the Dodge Viper is one of the most driver-centric sports cars ever made - a claim enforced by the fact I still have a poster of one (and a few scaled models) - which I am sure many others would back up. That said, insurance appraisals also reflect that. Unlike other iconic sports cars like the Porsche 911, which went hybrid, the American icon remained relatively analog until the end.

Like any other owner who had poured years of love into his ride, Jason attempted to buy back his car in an attempt to rebuild it. Unfortunately, the buy-back was too steep at $42,000, so he said “no”. 

Looking at specialized websites like Classic.com, Edmunds.com, and Cars.com, I can see why the owner refused. While certain, low-mileage, clean-title, third-gen Vipers can go for over $80,000, there are plenty of good ones for around $45,000 to $55,000. Moreover, the extent of the damage (see images) may end up costing too much.

The most important thing is that in modern days, even analog cars like the Dodge Viper are capable of preserving life. What would you have done? Would you have bought the car back from the insurance company and rebuilt it, or would you have gone for another car? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.