Seems a pattern is developing here:

1. Lightning blows the SS Silverado away in acceleration, but the SS is "all weather".

2. The Cobra out runs the GTO, but the GTO handles better (according to the Australian press' assesment of the Monaro vs Cobra).

3. The SRT-4 apparently can flatten a Redline (bad pun), but the Redline is apparently better around the track.

 

All around performance has been what's made Corvette so successful for so long! It may not be the fastes car out there or even the best handling (although for it's price I think it all but is) with it's current competition, but no other car can match it for it's ability to handle AND accelerate AND provide a good daily driver if necessary!

This is why, even if price was equal, I'd still choose a 1997 Corvette over a new Viper or 2004 Cobra. GM performance cars should all strive to meet this standard.

 

I don't know about the reliabilty of the SRT-4 from friends experiences. I have 2 friends that each have an SRT-4, and BOTH have had to have their engines replaced, and one of them needs it replaced again! They are dropping boost, stalling out, blowing up pistons... it's sad. But its only 2, out of.. well 3000! Im sure theres more as well. Its too bad they cheaped out on the pistons, otherwise it would be otherwise awesome in the strength department. They can hardly take the stock boost, let alone the upgraded boost.

-Eric