danfromohio
Enthusiast
Hello everyone! This being my first post on this forum, I hope this is in the appropriate place. I am looking for any advice, insight, criticism, encouragement, etc. that you may be able to offer.
Let me start off by saying I do not own a Viper yet, but I hope to be in a position to acquire a 1994 or 1995 RT-10 in the future (4 or 5 years). I currently drive a 2003 MINI Cooper (please don't laugh, it was the most fun and stylish car I could afford a couple years back! Plus I needed a back seat for my youngster). I know it would seem that the MINI and the Viper couldn't be more different: A 115 HP FWD hatchback and a 400 HP RWD supercar! However, there are some similarities. Both have a hugely loyal following, both are designed to be fun to drive, and both are immediately recognizeable when spotted.
The Viper has been my dream car since 1991 (I was 15), my dad and I went to the Indy 500 and I saw Carroll Shelby driving the RT-10 pace car. I later went to the local Dodge dealership and saw it up close and I was hooked. To me, the Viper is THE car, be it an RT-10 or GTS or SRT-10. I have been collecting Viper die cast cars ever since. As time passed, I never thought I would ever be able to own one of these awesome cars. I thought perhaps I would one day settle for a Corvette or some other lesser car. I am by no means wealthy, my wife is a teacher and I am a claims adjuster. Combined we make around $80k per year, but we have only our house, our cars and a small student loan by way of debts. And now, with some decent looking pre-owned RT-10 prices being around $30,000 or less, I think once the MINI is paid off I might be able to swing one. I currently only put about 5,000 miles per year on my MINI, and it is my daily driver (my work place is only 4 miles each way from home, and I have no social life!) So I would guess if I drive the Viper in the summer and early fall only, I would put around 2000 miles per year on it. Are these $30,000 Vipers generally ok cars for the limited use mine would see (I know I would need to individually check them out, just talking generally speaking)? Are maintenance costs going to eat me alive? If anybody on here owns a Viper and is not making over $50,000 a year, please tell me I'm not crazy for thinking I could fulfill this dream of mine! Am I getting in over my head with this car? I have the Viper buyers guide coming, so I know it will answer some of my questions.
Sorry for the long first post! I have been checking out the forum, you guys have some terrific looking cars! All of you guys who own Vipers, please know that you are living my dream!
Let me start off by saying I do not own a Viper yet, but I hope to be in a position to acquire a 1994 or 1995 RT-10 in the future (4 or 5 years). I currently drive a 2003 MINI Cooper (please don't laugh, it was the most fun and stylish car I could afford a couple years back! Plus I needed a back seat for my youngster). I know it would seem that the MINI and the Viper couldn't be more different: A 115 HP FWD hatchback and a 400 HP RWD supercar! However, there are some similarities. Both have a hugely loyal following, both are designed to be fun to drive, and both are immediately recognizeable when spotted.
The Viper has been my dream car since 1991 (I was 15), my dad and I went to the Indy 500 and I saw Carroll Shelby driving the RT-10 pace car. I later went to the local Dodge dealership and saw it up close and I was hooked. To me, the Viper is THE car, be it an RT-10 or GTS or SRT-10. I have been collecting Viper die cast cars ever since. As time passed, I never thought I would ever be able to own one of these awesome cars. I thought perhaps I would one day settle for a Corvette or some other lesser car. I am by no means wealthy, my wife is a teacher and I am a claims adjuster. Combined we make around $80k per year, but we have only our house, our cars and a small student loan by way of debts. And now, with some decent looking pre-owned RT-10 prices being around $30,000 or less, I think once the MINI is paid off I might be able to swing one. I currently only put about 5,000 miles per year on my MINI, and it is my daily driver (my work place is only 4 miles each way from home, and I have no social life!) So I would guess if I drive the Viper in the summer and early fall only, I would put around 2000 miles per year on it. Are these $30,000 Vipers generally ok cars for the limited use mine would see (I know I would need to individually check them out, just talking generally speaking)? Are maintenance costs going to eat me alive? If anybody on here owns a Viper and is not making over $50,000 a year, please tell me I'm not crazy for thinking I could fulfill this dream of mine! Am I getting in over my head with this car? I have the Viper buyers guide coming, so I know it will answer some of my questions.
Sorry for the long first post! I have been checking out the forum, you guys have some terrific looking cars! All of you guys who own Vipers, please know that you are living my dream!
