OK, I was just wondering because I have been reading a lot here and I have seen many posts about things going wrong with your Vipers and you guys seem to get real upset. Plus, I have many people telling me that it would be a poor decision to buy something like this because it will never gain value and it's juts not a very smart finincial decision. and when I hear that It really kind of upsets me. I'm 19 and my life revolves around this car. The only reason why I dont have one now is insurance reasons. I mean hell, I have been working my *** of sinse I turned 15 just so I can get one. If the insurance wasnt real crazy expensive I would be cruisin right next to you guys. I guess I just need a mood uplifter.
As far as things going wrong on a Viper.......I have not had a single problem with mine in the little over a year that I have owned it except for a reverse light switch that was inoperable when I purchased vehicle. Even though I have not put a tremendous amount of miles on mine, I feel it is as reliable or more reliable than any other car that I've owned. Even the gas mileage is much better than I expected....over 20mpg on highway.
As far as it not being a smart financial decision.....I never bought mine thinking that I would make money on it. Yes, the car does depreciate....but at a much slower rate than most other cars(like Mopar said). The GenI's initially sold for $40 something and are still selling for $30 something almost 12 years later.....not too bad at all.(not exactly sure on the numbers).
I have owned my 98 for a little over a year and am quite sure I would be able to sell it today for within a few thousand of what I paid for it....again not too bad as far as depreciation.
It cracks me up how the general public thinks Viper owners are very wealthy. I have had people come up to me at gas stations on more then one occasion and ask me if I paid over $100,000 for my car. It is just the exotic look and low production numbers that have given them that perception.
Truth of the matter is you don't have to be a college grad or be super wealthy to own a Viper(contrary to popular beleif). Anyone with a half way decent steady job can have a Viper in their driveway if not by paying cash...then certainly through financing at todays low interest rates.
Andrew and Keith do have a point with your age though. Housing and other more important things in your life should be taking priority over a car.
However, we don't know exactly where you stand on those issues nor what kind of job you have.
I am also a big fan of spending money and buying my toys and fun things at a relatively young age while I am still healthy. I watched my Uncle bust his **** for years and save every penny he ever made. He became very wealthy but never enjoyed his money and that is the way he went to his grave. What good did that do him? I swore as a teenager that would never happen to me and I am still following that philosophy. I am fortunate enough to be getting a phenomenal pension when I retire at a relatively young age so I don't worry too much about the saving money part. I will enjoy it now. You never know when your time is up.
I am sure you are smart enough to figure out if you can afford it or not on a monthly basis. If you buy a Viper it shouldn't be much different than buying any other car and the good thing is if it doesn't work out for you or if by some strange reason you don't like the car, you can always sell it for fairly close to what you paid for it and you will have experienced one hell of a car. I have absolutely no regrets in my purchase and plan on keeping this car for a very long time, one of the best things I have ever spent money on...to me it is worth every penny and more.
I gotta tell ya though...If Vipers were available and I could have afforded one at 19, I am not so sure it would have been a good idea for me.
I was very irresponsible at 19 and I wrecked a 1967 Camaro....2--1968 Camaros and 1--1969 Camaro all within 3 years from my age of 18 to 21. Totaled each and every one of them, racked up 21 points on my license and was lucky I didn't kill myself and even luckier I never hurt or killed anyone else.
Good luck to you.............that damn insurance is a killer at your age....been there... done that.