I just drove the SRT Coupe

I am a new member here but a daily lurker. I am just a "lowly" 26 year old pizza place owner of a couple years, have a small stable of cars that include a 03 supercharged Sonic Blue Cobra, 03 Nissan 350z, and an 04 Honda civic (delivery car). I will own a Viper. Lets get to the good stuff

I am driving through bloomfield hills/birmingham Michigan on Maple road at 10pm, tonight, when I see a new C6 fly by me. I thought: "hmm i wonder if that is the z06, because if anyone has it, it will be driven in this posh area. Two cars behind the C6 is the blue and white stripe Viper. I debated busting the U-turn to catch the guy, but decide to do it. I am in my delivery car, and generally like talking to people if I am in my own sports car, but I just had to take a closer look. This isnt the first coupe I have seen, but its the first blue/white. I finally pull up to the guy and give a "That is an amazing car speech." The guy was very cool and said "thanks, it is a great car." I decided to follow him a mile down Maple to Telegraph to just check the car out some more. He headed North on Telegraph and started slowing down. I decided its time for me to stop stalking the guy and I proceded to pull into another lane to give him a thumbs up. He had his window down and said "want to give it a ride?" I COULDNT BELIEVE IT.

TUrns out, the guy is an executive at Chrysler, and it is a development vehicle. THey test the car and it will not be sold to the public. I tried asking why it did not have the silver center console but he had no idea. THis is the first time I have driven a Viper. Surprisingly, it feels very much like my Cobra. The clutch is very nice, and its not as quiet as most people say. its got a nice sound for a stock vehicle. The coupe is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. I could buy a used GTS, but I am going to get the gen3 in a few years, when I can afford a nice low mileage one. The fit and finish is great and just amazing to drive. I felt like an idiot not knowing where to find the seatbelt thats hidden behind the seat! The AC was blasting and it was very cool inside but I could feel how hot it would be with the AC off. I wish I could give a better description but unlike most of you, I couldn't compare it to anything.

The car had 688 miles on it, and I was allowed to get on it "to the best of my ability." Out of respect for the car, test or not, I didnt blast on it, but enough to see its power. Faster than my Cobra, but not much different in the experience of acceleration. I felt confident when I stepped on the gas.

Final impressions: Everything I believed this car to be, it is and more. I dont care what z06 has going for it in advantage. The z06 is not just a "vette" just like the Viper is not just a "dodge." But the viper is beautiful. A picture cannot capture its essence because of its Angles. It has NOTHING to do with it needing to be "great in pictures AND great in person like the Gen2". I find angular cars reflect light in different and peculiar ways, that photos dont capture. My mustang is very angular, and it looks much better in person, than in pictures unlike my 350z. The Z is a great looking car because of how well the lines flow and its curves. But I digress.

You first 200 are in for a real treat. Its simply awesome. Performance will be a drivers race with the new Z, but no one will remember the Z compared to this unique car. I see a few gen 2s going around telegraph weekly. Its a beautiful car as well. This car is simply amazing in person. I did find the tires to look a little "narrow" though. Anyways thought i would share my AWESOME experience with the people of this board as I seem to "lurk" here every day. Cheers!

I also, just want say say what a great guy to let me drive the car. He obviously saw that I was escatic over the car. Not many people would take that time to let some stranger behind the wheel. If you have any questions, I could try to elaborate. I do understand how this wouldnt be the best daily driver, but I wouldn't get this car to do that in. I felt cramped in the car, but in a good way. I could easily take the car on a long drive, but it is cramped. I have never felt so "in tune" with the car and the road and that is exactly how I felt. I will stop rambling, and obviously I am probably over excited but feel honored to have driven a 06 b/w coupe. This car got stares from everyone on the road. Trust me, in Birmingham Michigan, the average driver is sporting at LEAST a 5 series BMW. Aston Martins, vettes, h2's, are commonplace. You will regularly see a ferrari, phantom, H1, etc. The average person could not tell the difference between a gen 2 and this car, and this car just had "ooohs and ahhh's" from everyone driving down telegraph. Such a great experience for a working stiff like myself

Thanks for the write-up. I suggest you buy a GTS now and then trade it in in a few years if you still want a used SRT Coupe. Look at it this way you won't lose any money on the GTS in fact you will proably make more than you paid for it after 2 years ownership!!!

Awesome story and write up. Lucky you!

Youwish, I thought about that. My cobra is paid off, but my Z car is not. I will never be "young and dumb" again and buy two new cars. I just can't take that huge depreciation hit. I still have my pizza place to pay off, and I will keep my current cars until everything is free and clear and then buy. Your logic makes perfect sense, I am just two years out before I will be able to/want to buy another car. As long as the pricing is right, I will buy the Gen3. But in two years, who knows what will happen. All I can say, is that my night was made. I truly check this forum everyday, and my fiance knows my passion for this car. Maybe embarassingly so, I was thinking about the damn car moments before passing it. Timing was perfect! again, you early buyers will be impressed. I cannot wait to see more pics and reviews. I also can't wait to see more gen2 and gen3 owners show pics of b/w gts and b/w coupe and get their opinions. Some "lurkers" will be very interested And if any nice metro detroit owners want to show me their awesome gen 2 gts I would be all obliged to give ya a free pizza and chat cars with you for a bit!

your very lucky . BTW did you tell him your looking to buy a viper?

Thanks for the write-up. I suggest you buy a GTS now and then trade it in in a few years if you still want a used SRT Coupe. Look at it this way you won't lose any money on the GTS in fact you will proably make more than you paid for it after 2 years ownership!!!

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That might be a stretch.

What's the exec's name & did you get his card?
Did you get pictures? Story is hard to believe.
10pm at night. Your delivering Pizza's.

Put that fiance to work and tell her you want to meet your goals FIRST. If you don't it will be minivans before Vipers.

Frank, he couldn't find the seatbelts. Very common if they aren't left over the bolster....how would he know that if he didn't at least get in it? Kinda like a newbie in a GenII looking for the seatbelts on the outer side of the car.

Terminator02;

Thanks for posting your experience. It is really great to read an intelligent, enthusiastic post from a "younger" person's point of view.

I hope you get your dream Viper; in my humble opinion, you deserve to own one. You obviously "get" what the Viper is all about! Once you get "bitten", it is hard to put the dream of owning a Viper out of your head.

Now, I am kicking myself for not taking one of the new Coupe B/W "First Edition's". I am ready to go the Coupe route after owning 4 Viper roadsters (two Gen II, and two Gen III SRT-10's). I want to get out of the sun these days, and with "Tinnitus" (ringing in the ears from being a drummer for 35 years) I think a Coupe would be a bit quieter and more insulated from the "noise" I don't need to hear. The "noise I refer to is the noise of the road, other cars, Harley's, trucks, wind, etc.

So I ask this question of you Terminator02 (and other Coupe owners) : is the Coupe a lot more insulated from these extraneous noises than a roadster (with the top up)? Remember: I am talking "noise", not the music of the Viper engine/exhaust itself.

I would truly love anyone's comments on the Coupe vs. Roadster (top UP) noise question. Maybe I'll go for a Coupe after all!

Thanks as always for any insightful responses.

Jim W. "Cornsnake"

Frank, I was not on deliveries. I just happened to be in the delivery car. I am sure someone in the metro detroit area could verify a b/w coupe driving around yesterday. Supposedly, the guy and his 15 year old son were out driving it around downtown Birmingham earlier that day. I am far too busy to make up a bs post on an internet forum. I actually had to get another password sent to me in order to even make this post. My last post was in response to my thoughts on the 05 NAIAS. I did not get a card, nor did I feel the need to ask.

Iwwwiii, I couldn't really comment on your question as I have never been in any other viper. So my experience is very different than someone who has driven many other generations. I could probably answer it if someone lets me drive their gen2 rt/10s and gen 3 srts though If anything I was more dumbfounded by the entire experience. It was hand's down the best driving experience I have ever had. I thoguht I was "Bit" by the snake just from perusing forums etc, but last night put me over the top. When my business is either sold or paid off ( whatever comes first) and my other cars are as well, I will upgrade. Fiance will be fine with that. She would never be caught dead in the mini van! Just an amazing car..thats about all i have to say.

edit: I guess I could also tell Frank that I had to ask how to adjust the drivers side seat to move it forward. I am used to my Cobra's power adjuster. I was surprised to find it to be a simple bar that you move forward.

Very cool!!!

Whoa...

Put that fiance to work and tell her you want to meet your goals FIRST. If you don't it will be minivans before Vipers.

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Tell em' TVC

...I truly check this forum everyday, and my fiance knows my passion for this car. Maybe embarassingly so, I was thinking about the damn car moments before passing it...

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This is truly terminal amongst BOTH owners and enthusiasts. You are not alone.

VCA == Viper Club Anonymous

Welcome aboard!

Jay K.

Put that fiance to work and tell her you want to meet your goals FIRST. If you don't it will be minivans before Vipers.

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HA... my mantra to my wife for YEARS had been "Viper before diaper."

Thats my backyard, what pizza joint do you own? I'll give your store a try.

Thats my backyard, what pizza joint do you own? I'll give your store a try.

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Jeff, I grew up in birmingham and that is where my mom lives (the new condos by the whistle stop). She recently sold a house that I lived in growing up right by Mills pharmacy/Comerica bank. I can only afford to live in Dearborn. My pizza place is in Taylor tucky It is a Toarmina's pizza, and there is one in Birmingham where the old cottage inn used to be. Its very good pizza. If you are ever downriver though...stop by. I am sure the viper would only do good things for my business lol. I am years away from living in a birmingham house, but I am a driver...and I cannot drive a house I am perfectly content with owning a decent house in a decent neighborhood, with an oustanding vehicle in the garage.

Now that's enthusiasm. Wish my young son's had your desire and drive T-2.

HA... my mantra to my wife for YEARS had been "Viper before diaper."

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LOL! Finally, I have a good answer to say if someone calls me up claiming I'm their baby daddy