Mopar Boy
Enthusiast
ViperJon - Nice shot! That is AWESOME!
Robert
Robert
About to realize 15 year dream!
- Thread starter JimK
- Start date
RevHeat
Viper Owner
Send me your email address and I will shoot you a document I put togeher about the 96 GTS.
Rev
Rev
Welcome Jim. I too had a long awaited dream of owning one of these beasts as well. Got lucky enough to find one this summer from a guy in Virginia. I am also in the Chicago area (West Suburbs - Lisle to be exact). When you finally find it I'm sure there will be meet/greets somewhere local next summer. Where you from?
Grape
Grape
Hey Grape -
I'm also from the West Suburbs - Elgin. Your story is ironic - last year I wanted a fun daily driver for summer to tide me over until I buy a Viper without gauging into the Viper fund too much. I remembered reading an "Automobile Magazine" article where Mario Andretti said his favorite daily driver to and from the track was his 97' Honda prelude Type SH. So I hunted one down (3 months of looking) that was unmolested bone stock, low miles, mint in VIRGINIA. Tara and I flew out and drove it back thru the mountains. It was a blast - that little sh*t is like riding on rails.
I must admit though, the whole time I kept fantasizing what must it be like to drive a Viper on those same roads. Now I'm almost there but will keep the Type SH for my summer daily driver even though I've had several offers for more than I paid for it (most twice, one almost 3 times as much). I'm sure we'll meet up at some event or another this summer. Lets make it a point...Jim
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SmoknTires
Enthusiast
Hey Jimbo & Grape!
It sounds like more good news in our neck of the woods. Welcome to the VCA from the Viper Club in Illinois! Little known fact - we're insane about this car and we have a spirit as a group that binds us in a way that isn't normal! We just like to have a good time and we always aim to do those not-so-run-of-the-mill gatherings with our Vipers. I want to invite you and acclimate you to our group.
If your paperwork came through to us properly, you should have received a new member packet that has an IL Club pin, video of last years events, club guidebook, club calendar, etc... It'll get you immersed and up to spped in no time.
Our website is the way we all stay on top of things, stop by and check it often: Home Page - Viper Club of America - Illinois Region. You should also be getting frequent email announcements from us. Feel free to email me pic(s) and I'll put you in the member spotlight picture forum.
We love these cars and we like people passionate about them. You have any questions, feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].
Stay in touch! This snow has to thaw at some point...
It sounds like more good news in our neck of the woods. Welcome to the VCA from the Viper Club in Illinois! Little known fact - we're insane about this car and we have a spirit as a group that binds us in a way that isn't normal! We just like to have a good time and we always aim to do those not-so-run-of-the-mill gatherings with our Vipers. I want to invite you and acclimate you to our group.
If your paperwork came through to us properly, you should have received a new member packet that has an IL Club pin, video of last years events, club guidebook, club calendar, etc... It'll get you immersed and up to spped in no time.
Our website is the way we all stay on top of things, stop by and check it often: Home Page - Viper Club of America - Illinois Region. You should also be getting frequent email announcements from us. Feel free to email me pic(s) and I'll put you in the member spotlight picture forum.
We love these cars and we like people passionate about them. You have any questions, feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].
Stay in touch! This snow has to thaw at some point...
lagalaxy13
Viper Owner
My dream finally came to a end last monday. Has snowed ever since, looks like I'll be waiting 2 more months. KILLING ME, I HAVEN'T EVEN DROVE IT YET!!!
Congrats!
Well, put on your parka and sit in the garage and soak up the beauty in the meantime! Thats what I would do...
So what did you get?
Jim
lagalaxy13
Viper Owner
Congrats!
Well, put on your parka and sit in the garage and soak up the beauty in the meantime! Thats what I would do...
So what did you get?
Jim
03 Srt Convert, Red with black stripes.
I've move it a total of 2.5 feet twice!!! Needed to get something in the garage. I don't even see it everyday. My wife does, I had to give up my garage spot.
I was with you until you bought an 03. In my mind the last real viper rolled off the assembly line sometime late 02. The first real one in 96.
I too have spent my fair share of time dreaming of having one of these. Never thinking I would get one, I impulsively bought a starter viper not knowing a damn thing about them. A beat bad, 97 gts needing lots of love. Since then I have given it all I have both time and money and am still doing it with no end in sight with NO regrets to this day. To say I have become intimate with this car is an understatement. I can tell you this....nothing gives me wood like this car does. Its equally enjoyable to look at as it is to drive it with the only exception being the annoying attention it gets when visible to the general public. To me it is an engineering masterpiece. The only thing that dissapoints me at this point is the brakes. *** would dodge go this far with a car like this and not put decent back brakes in it. What a silly place to cut corners.
Anyways,
I have some idea what 40k cars are all about. Think basic engineering practice used on higher end new Mustangs and Camaros. If these POS cars are worth 40 grand, the viper was a steal at 60 and Dodge didnt make squat on them. There is no comparison. The engineering and use of exotic materials and parts I feel are similar to what you would find on cars costing twice as much with half the reliability. I have a hard time believeing even the coveted Ford GT spent as much time in the engineering stage. After 02 tho, I feel something got lost. Many here feel something got lost after the use of forged internals. I do but what do I know. 97 b/w, Forged internals and a high-school lumpy cam right out of the factory. Nothing screams hot rod like that.
I too have spent my fair share of time dreaming of having one of these. Never thinking I would get one, I impulsively bought a starter viper not knowing a damn thing about them. A beat bad, 97 gts needing lots of love. Since then I have given it all I have both time and money and am still doing it with no end in sight with NO regrets to this day. To say I have become intimate with this car is an understatement. I can tell you this....nothing gives me wood like this car does. Its equally enjoyable to look at as it is to drive it with the only exception being the annoying attention it gets when visible to the general public. To me it is an engineering masterpiece. The only thing that dissapoints me at this point is the brakes. *** would dodge go this far with a car like this and not put decent back brakes in it. What a silly place to cut corners.
Anyways,
I have some idea what 40k cars are all about. Think basic engineering practice used on higher end new Mustangs and Camaros. If these POS cars are worth 40 grand, the viper was a steal at 60 and Dodge didnt make squat on them. There is no comparison. The engineering and use of exotic materials and parts I feel are similar to what you would find on cars costing twice as much with half the reliability. I have a hard time believeing even the coveted Ford GT spent as much time in the engineering stage. After 02 tho, I feel something got lost. Many here feel something got lost after the use of forged internals. I do but what do I know. 97 b/w, Forged internals and a high-school lumpy cam right out of the factory. Nothing screams hot rod like that.
lagalaxy13
Viper Owner
I agree it's not the car I set out for but, seems to be the better fit for me right now. I wanted a car I could drive & not have to worry about things. Nice having a travelling top that doesn't take trunk space.
^ Re-reading this again I feel my response was unfairly harsh. You just seemed like a good-old-boy like me. Thought a gts would have fit you better. However, you have possessed something today that not many will ever experience. Ive seen many owners here that dont get it and never will. Take some time to look beyond the fiberglass. Theres more to this car than meets the eye. When you see it, let me know. In time, you will know what I am talking about. Congrats.
Zen master.
lagalaxy13
Viper Owner
I didn't make this purchase over night, I had been looking at Gen 1's over 2 years, trying to find the perfect one. But with the way prices have fallen over the last 6 months I decided to become a Srt10 fan. Not a GTS fan for the fact I like my cars without a roof. I live in Ohio (Would be a Florida guy but wife won't move) and the weather changes every 5 mins. So being able to enjoy the "wind in my hair" is what I like with my sports cars. Also I like to be able to take small trips and not being able to take a small over night bag because i need to haul a top around just didn't do it for me. I don't need weight ratios and crap like that. i bought the car to enjoy on a wonderful sunny day. if someone calls it a Vette, oh well I'll still be able to sleep that night. I'm not trying to make others happy. Someday I will own a gen 1 but now i will be happy with the New Dodge version of a Vette.
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