Did the ultimate no-no yesterday, let someone drive my Viper without me in it

ViperSmith

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Posts
2,918
Reaction score
0
Location
Tysons Corner, VA
But, I got to chase him in this

You must be registered for see images attach


Lord, what a thrilling car. It is just crazy to drive something that accelerates endlessly. The shifting is flawless. The suspension is unreal - but I'd classify it more as driving a LS460 than anything, it was so smooth. I can see why it eats up anything on the drag strip that is RWD.

I'd buy one if money wasn't an issue, in a heartbeat. But, honestly, the Viper is more enjoyable to drive. The McLaren was great, but you just felt a bit disconnected. I liked it better than the 991 I test drove awhile ago. I wanted to love it more than my car, but I love the roar of that V10.

Friend liked the Viper. He remarked how much it has "grown up" in the last 20 years. He was also impressed how long the first year was when getting up and going.
 

HogWhisperer

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
992
Reaction score
0
Location
West Texas
Wow, if you are going to let anyone dive it, I'd say that would be a great reason to do so. Kudos! but more pics! BTW, need one more 1 in the lower right on the tach... :D
 
Last edited:

Policy Limits

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Posts
1,372
Reaction score
1
What year was it?

I test drove one last summer and honestly I felt the paddle shifters required too much effort to pull back to change gears. In comparison, the Lamborghini was done with ease/the tap of a finger. I hear lots of F car guys and Lambo guys that McLaren was trying to pull over on their side took notice of this complaint and improved the paddles to shift with more ease but I haven't driven one since so I'm not sure its been addressed.

I'll bet u got a great view of your tail lights since the MP car is 0-60 in 2 seonds and change ;)

I remember when I test drove it last summer that the value was up near 300k and now they are listed for more than 30% less for a good one with low miles in the low 190's...holy depreciation. Definitely better off being the second owner with those.

The insect doors rock and performance is incredible but aesthetically otherwise most would choose the italia for the same dough as it seems to be missing just something.

What were your impressions with the car?
 

kratedisease

Enthusiast
Joined
May 2, 2013
Posts
936
Reaction score
0
Interesting comparison...glad your friend gave the new Viper a good review...
 
OP
OP
V

ViperSmith

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Posts
2,918
Reaction score
0
Location
Tysons Corner, VA
What year was it?

I test drove one last summer and honestly I felt the paddle shifters required too much effort to pull back to change gears. In comparison, the Lamborghini was done with ease/the tap of a finger. I hear lots of F car guys and Lambo guys that McLaren was trying to pull over on their side took notice of this complaint and improved the paddles to shift with more ease but I haven't driven one since so I'm not sure its been addressed.

I'll bet u got a great view of your tail lights since the MP car is 0-60 in 2 seonds and change ;)

I remember when I test drove it last summer that the value was up near 300k and now they are listed for more than 30% less for a good one with low miles in the low 190's...holy depreciation. Definitely better off being the second owner with those.

The insect doors rock and performance is incredible but aesthetically otherwise most would choose the italia for the same dough as it seems to be missing just something.

What were your impressions with the car?

The car was incredible. I mean, the fit and finish are fantastic. It drives like a dream (Compare it to a LS460), but - is that what you want in a high performance car? Honestly, I think if you wanted a fun around town car, it would be absolutely perfect. He daily drove it for a long time.

It was crazy just being in something where you floor it (I had it in auto mode) and it just keeps accelerating - you don't feel a jolt of a shift at all. I noticed a weird griding noise when making a sharp left turn.

On the other hand, you have the Viper. Where it is terribly powerful and to put it lightly, rough. But, it is, for all intents and purposes, a "race car." So, it is to be expected.

(I think the resale value is a bit of a shell game, as Ferrari controls the resale values very tightly on their cars through the "you must offer it to us to buy first" contractual obligation, I am sure if McLaren was playing the same, prices would be higher).

It will be interesting to see what McLaren does when they roll out their "Baby Mac" in 2015. If it follows the lead of the 12C, it will be a complete killer. For the reported $100-120k starting, it is going to be a steal. But, a slightly used 12C at $190, imho is a great deal. I wish the funds were there.

Which did I have more fun driving? The Viper. It is just more visceral. I think that is the best word to describe the Viper all together.
 

swexlin

Viper Owner
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Posts
1,357
Reaction score
0
Location
West Chester, PA
I live about 5 minutes from the McLaren dealership here in West Chester-Newtown Square. They usually bring a car to our cars and coffee every week. Amazing car. Except I cracked my head getting out of it! I'll still take a 458 first. Of course, that's like saying I'll take Brittany Daniel over Jamie Pressly (for you Joe Dirt fans!)
 

Policy Limits

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Posts
1,372
Reaction score
1
I looked at a yellow Italia yesterday 2011 with about 600 miles. Drove the Viper to the Ferrari stealer ship. Trying to hold out for gallardo successor though.
 

Newport Viper

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 17, 2000
Posts
4,657
Reaction score
0
Location
Newport Coast, CA
I live about 5 minutes from the McLaren dealership here in West Chester-Newtown Square. They usually bring a car to our cars and coffee every week. Amazing car. Except I cracked my head getting out of it! I'll still take a 458 first. Of course, that's like saying I'll take Brittany Daniel over Jamie Pressly (for you Joe Dirt fans!)

Tough call


You must be registered for see images attach



You must be registered for see images
 

BigDawg

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Posts
644
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston
Nice! The problem with the McLaren is it's a tiny car. The 458 can fit a 6'8" driver somewhat comfortably. I doubt a 6'3" driver could get into the McLaren. Gallardo not a chance.
 
OP
OP
V

ViperSmith

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Posts
2,918
Reaction score
0
Location
Tysons Corner, VA
Nice! The problem with the McLaren is it's a tiny car. The 458 can fit a 6'8" driver somewhat comfortably. I doubt a 6'3" driver could get into the McLaren. Gallardo not a chance.

I am 6'2'' and I didn't feel cramped at all. The owner is the same height too, so I am sure the car is setup correctly.

It was strange going from the Viper with the super long nose to the Mac where it feels liek you are looking at the pavement.

One thing I did not enjoy was the steering wheel. I love the big beefy wheel on the Viper. The McLaren's felt like a pencil.
 

Policy Limits

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 15, 2012
Posts
1,372
Reaction score
1
I like the spyder. the drop the top "on the fly" is a cool feature & the double humps in the rear with the top down look cool.
 

NHL2133

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Posts
1,521
Reaction score
0
Location
Greeley, Colorado
The only styling cue I don't like on the 12C is the front bumper, but McLaren offers a solution to that. The McLaren Special Operations front bumper...


You must be registered for see images attach
 

PDCjonny

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 2, 2004
Posts
5,999
Reaction score
3
Performs great, very high quality fit an finish. Cool doors.
I like everything about them but how it looks. Lotus Elise on steroids.
 
OP
OP
V

ViperSmith

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Posts
2,918
Reaction score
0
Location
Tysons Corner, VA
Performs great, very high quality fit an finish. Cool doors.
I like everything about them but how it looks. Lotus Elise on steroids.
Yeah, if cash was there I'd be all over it.

I think it is very much a "function over form" car, it is undeniably fast.

Good time to be a car guy.
 

vancouver-gts

Viper Owner
Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Posts
1,042
Reaction score
0
Location
Vancouver BC
Friend has a 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB that I'd take over the Mac car for the reason some commented on space and getting in and out. Only problem I have with these excellent marks for only one reason, no manual gearbox offered!. My friend had a 550 Maranello manual before that I'd prefer with the 599's engine. The interior of the Ferrari 599 is unsurpassed IMHO. Depriciation of these F cars [ he only has 5K miles ] blows though if you check resale values on the net!
 
Last edited:

PDCjonny

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 2, 2004
Posts
5,999
Reaction score
3
Friend stopped by to get his McLaren detailed by me. Car is sick as hell.
Really seems well built and has a great sound with the sport exhaust.
Still think overall the SL looks better from a wow standpoint (although you always get points for insect doors...:) )

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Pythonpete

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 3, 2005
Posts
1,577
Reaction score
0
Location
NY, Westchester
Friend stopped by to get his McLaren detailed by me. Car is sick as hell.
Really seems well built and has a great sound with the sport exhaust.
Still think overall the SL looks better from a wow standpoint (although you always get points for insect doors...:) )

Hey Jon, I don't see you working there. Define Detailed by me.
 

PDCjonny

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 2, 2004
Posts
5,999
Reaction score
3
Hey Jon, I don't see you working there. Define Detailed by me.

Hmm phrased that wrong didn't I.
Friend stopped by ME to get his car detailed by some OTHER guys.
I was in charge of drinking beer.
 

BigDawg

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Posts
644
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston
I am 6'2'' and I didn't feel cramped at all. The owner is the same height too, so I am sure the car is setup correctly.

It was strange going from the Viper with the super long nose to the Mac where it feels liek you are looking at the pavement.

One thing I did not enjoy was the steering wheel. I love the big beefy wheel on the Viper. The McLaren's felt like a pencil.

Hmm. I took one look in it and decided not to try and sit in it. After my traumatic Gallardo experience (sarcasm) I'm hesitant to squeeze into little cars. It must be deceiving then. Next time I see the guy I'm gonna hop in it.
 

SlateEd

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Posts
570
Reaction score
0
Location
NY/CT
Hmm phrased that wrong didn't I.
Friend stopped by ME to get his car detailed by some OTHER guys.
I was in charge of drinking beer.

haha I thought that looked like Nick :) Nice scene in your garage though Jon!


Does anyone know how the maintenance costs compare on the McLaren vs. the Italian comparables?
 

Mister Viper

Viper Owner
Joined
Nov 15, 2011
Posts
74
Reaction score
0
But, I got to chase him in this

You must be registered for see images attach


Lord, what a thrilling car. It is just crazy to drive something that accelerates endlessly. The shifting is flawless. The suspension is unreal - but I'd classify it more as driving a LS460 than anything, it was so smooth. I can see why it eats up anything on the drag strip that is RWD.

I'd buy one if money wasn't an issue, in a heartbeat. But, honestly, the Viper is more enjoyable to drive. The McLaren was great, but you just felt a bit disconnected. I liked it better than the 991 I test drove awhile ago. I wanted to love it more than my car, but I love the roar of that V10.

Friend liked the Viper. He remarked how much it has "grown up" in the last 20 years. He was also impressed how long the first year was when getting up and going.

Thanks for sharing this Harold.

There are a lot of great cars in our era, and we should all be very proud of the great American cars that are among them. I am really glad to hear that you find the Viper more pure than these "highly refined" European cars (including the 991 I remember you dissing us for!...)

Electronic aids are good, but only to a point. Sometimes engineers take them too far, and we've tried to keep the Viper a pure driving experience, unlike many of the electronically castrated Germans and Brits. When a Porsche 911 does not oversteer when you drop the throttle mid-turn, you know they've gone too far... I'm happy to tell you that you can still make your Gen 5 Viper oversteer all day long when you want to!

And SRT Engineering has more dream machines on the way!

Enjoy the drive.
 

mnc2886

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 1, 2010
Posts
1,018
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston, TX
Thanks for sharing this Harold.

There are a lot of great cars in our era, and we should all be very proud of the great American cars that are among them. I am really glad to hear that you find the Viper more pure than these "highly refined" European cars (including the 991 I remember you dissing us for!...)

Electronic aids are good, but only to a point. Sometimes engineers take them too far, and we've tried to keep the Viper a pure driving experience, unlike many of the electronically castrated Germans and Brits. When a Porsche 911 does not oversteer when you drop the throttle mid-turn, you know they've gone too far... I'm happy to tell you that you can still make your Gen 5 Viper oversteer all day long when you want to!

And SRT Engineering has more dream machines on the way!

Enjoy the drive.

ACR!!!???? :D
 

PeerBlock

Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 23, 2013
Posts
460
Reaction score
0
Electronic aids are good, but only to a point. Sometimes engineers take them too far, and we've tried to keep the Viper a pure driving experience, unlike many of the electronically castrated Germans and Brits. When a Porsche 911 does not oversteer when you drop the throttle mid-turn, you know they've gone too far... I'm happy to tell you that you can still make your Gen 5 Viper oversteer all day long when you want to!

And SRT Engineering has more dream machines on the way!

Enjoy the drive.

I hope you keep the Viper "pure", I prefer it that way and I appreciate that there is still such an option on the market. Bringing back the Stealth?

The only styling cue I don't like on the 12C is the front bumper, but McLaren offers a solution to that. The McLaren Special Operations front bumper...

This is something that I feel ruins a lot of cars - the smiley face front end. It REALLY bugs me because I don't need a "happy face" on my car. Car designers need to get off this whole smiley face obsession that so many cars have. If you want aggressive looks, which is what performance cars should have, then you need to stick to straight lines, rectangular shapes and avoid "stretching" the front end over into the sides. On that same note, don't do the opposite either and make "angry face" cars like the current Lexus models and a lot of Audis.

Yeah, if cash was there I'd be all over it.

I think it is very much a "function over form" car, it is undeniably fast.

Good time to be a car guy.

Good time to be a car guy if you're raking in the big bucks. Seems like the sub $100K and sub $50K markets could use some love. Nothing I'd consider really exciting in those price ranges.
 

VENOM V

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Posts
1,318
Reaction score
0
Location
San Jose, CA
Lord, what a thrilling car. It is just crazy to drive something that accelerates endlessly. The shifting is flawless. The suspension is unreal - but I'd classify it more as driving a LS460 than anything, it was so smooth. I can see why it eats up anything on the drag strip that is RWD.

I'd buy one if money wasn't an issue, in a heartbeat. But, honestly, the Viper is more enjoyable to drive. The McLaren was great, but you just felt a bit disconnected. I liked it better than the 991 I test drove awhile ago. I wanted to love it more than my car, but I love the roar of that V10.

Friend liked the Viper. He remarked how much it has "grown up" in the last 20 years. He was also impressed how long the first year was when getting up and going.

Harold, you should take your friend for a hot lap in the Viper on a road course, then ride with him in his McClaren. I think you'll feel even stronger that the Viper is more enjoyable to drive. Straight line acceleration is fun, but nothing beats a road course as the true test for a supercar :D
 

VENOM V

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Posts
1,318
Reaction score
0
Location
San Jose, CA
Friend stopped by to get his McLaren detailed by me. Car is sick as hell.
Really seems well built and has a great sound with the sport exhaust.
Still think overall the SL looks better from a wow standpoint (although you always get points for insect doors...:) )

You must be registered for see images attach

Damn that's a sweet shot! Between the two, I'd take the Lambo in a heartbeat.
 
Top