Help!!! need some opinions on the viper for my next car

ViperGTS

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>>>If i get it i plan on keeping it for a long time and making this my first project car. I have always wanted one since high school and i used to go to the local races with my friends. Im not a racer but i love the adrenaline rush you get from pushing a really fast car.<<<

Keep us posted what happens to you and your Viper :drive:
 
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dgold3030

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Already said i would rent one. Availability is the issue now. I googled them and found one for 295 at exotic dream cars. Im trying to set up a good date as we speak. The only issue is my age im gonna have to have a family member rent it for me and help with the hefty deposit. Hopefully i can get it for next weekend but we shall see. But all in all i think im going to buy one in the next month or so. I mean how hard can it really be to drive? Im not an idiot
 

ViperGeorge

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In December of 1997 I went to look at a Viper. Couldn't see it because it was locked up in a separate garage at the dealer and no one could find the key to the place. Ended up leasing a 98 Jag XK8 convertible. Problem was I had a poster of an RT/10 on my office wall. I looked at that poster every day and regretted not getting the Viper. Three months later I took the Jaguar back to the dealer with only 1000 miles on it and told him to take it back. Lost my shirt on that deal but I then went out and got my dream car, a 98 RT/10 in Viper Red. :D
 

Austin

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Anyone else kind of get the feeling that this guy really just came here to boast/brag and isnt really too interested in getting a Viper?

If you're actually wanting a Viper. Get it.
 
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dgold3030

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Ill put it to you this way austin. I want one just trying to get info on it. Every time i said something to someone about my girl they asked me to prove it and i did cause i back my statements up. I dont feel the need to lie or boast to other men because i am a heterosexual my friend. if your gonna lie to anyone lie to a girl to get in her pants anything else is just your insecurity. Can you say hater!!! And yes i am trying to get the car just having some issues getting a loan without a co-signer. Im set if my brother co-sign's but id rather do it my self im just that kinda person. Plus every car i have gotten in the past has had to be with a co-signer now i really wanna do it all on my own
 

ViperGeorge

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Anyone else kind of get the feeling that this guy really just came here to boast/brag and isnt really too interested in getting a Viper?

If you're actually wanting a Viper. Get it.

I think he really does want a Viper but some posters do tend to scare potential owners away with tales of how scary the car can be. Any car can be scary when driven poorly. I've found that I probably drive my Vipers more carefully (at least on the street :D) than other cars because I know their potential if abused. I can think of no good reason why he shouldn't go out and just buy one.
 

Snakecharmer

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I'm late to this party but, I have several Vipers as well as a Vantage V8 roadster and other exotics. I have owned Vipers since 1993 and I would not buy a Viper as a daily driver. There are better cars for daily drivers. You either can or can't drive a stick so learn how. The Viper does not have many creature comforts and you may get tired of the compromises you make in driving it. It also draws too much attention (the bad kind) to leave in a mall parking lot etc. The Viper should always be a second or third car. Not a daily ******. So, go rent the Viper and see how you like it. Then if it makes you happy add one to your garage but keep your ******. Ken
 

Austin

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Ill put it to you this way austin. I want one just trying to get info on it. Every time i said something to someone about my girl they asked me to prove it and i did cause i back my statements up. I dont feel the need to lie or boast to other men because i am a heterosexual my friend. if your gonna lie to anyone lie to a girl to get in her pants anything else is just your insecurity. Can you say hater!!! And yes i am trying to get the car just having some issues getting a loan without a co-signer. Im set if my brother co-sign's but id rather do it my self im just that kinda person. Plus every car i have gotten in the past has had to be with a co-signer now i really wanna do it all on my own


I never made mention of what team you bat for, guy. Hater? Please. There have been many come through doing just what you've done, here and on other sites. Just trying to **** out the fakes and the people who actually want REAL info. If you're really wanting to get into a Viper, awesome. If not, dont waste our and your own time. Thats all.

Now, with that said. Good luck with your search of what car you'll be getting. Hopefully its a Viper and you'll be joining us on this great forum. The Viper is a blast and Im sure you'd enjoy it.
 
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dgold3030

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Snakecharmer thanks i think you are one of the only posts that has actually helped. Thats really all i wanted to know. I just need opinions and things people dislike about the car that would make them go for something else instead . Every car has its faults just looking to get that facts for all the vipers. But to be honest i think my mind is made up. I have one reserved for saturday next weekend so if all goes well and i dont for some reason get turned off i will be getting one asap. One a major plus the dealership i have been speaking with regarding actually purchasing the viper they have has dropped the price a good bit on autotrader so i feel i can get a heck of a deal with some negotiation. Btw whats everyones fav color the ones on autotrader i can afford are red, black and silver
 

Malu59RT

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Creature comforts, lol. My Lexus GS430 has heated/cooled seats, dual automatic climate control, cruise control, voice recognition for many functions (AC, Radio, Nav,etc.), steering wheel mounted radio controls, onboard computer display, navigation, Mark Levinson stereo system, and a crap ton more little things. I've probably put 2x the mileage on the Viper this year than the Lexus. It was 25F this morning in Dallas, and I took my Viper that was parked outside to work, instead of my Lexus that was in the garage all night. Not a daily driver? :lmao:
 

ViperGTS

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Nothing wrong with a DD at 25F if you know what you do :crazy2:
 

texas_venom

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Drove mine every day in California (22,000 miles the first year) and loved it. I could have thee worst day in the world, put the top down, go for a cruise, and all of the sudden its one of the best days of my life. One of the funnest cars I have ever owned and by far the fastest. It does have a rock star appeal to it so be ready for people taking photos, staring, and even girls flashing you as you go down the road... because its going to happen often. Your brother car is nice but wont have the sex appeal this car has... and wont get the attention either. I hope your girlfriend is secure in your relationship!!!
 
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dgold3030

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dont worry that guy just seems to hate life everything out of his mouth is negative. I mean he thinks cause i like fast cars im gonna crash 2 min into having the car. Im sorry i know it has allot of hp and is nothing to mess around with but its still a car! Point shift drive and steer ya know its not all that complicated. Btw everyone spends their hard earned cash the way they like i know people that wont walk in grass with new shoes on but like i tell them if you spend the money use them whenever you want. Why worry about the person after you when you buy a car or the resale value use it and enjoy it that is why you spent the money right?????
 
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dgold3030

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Btw guys please keep your likes / dislikes of the car coming that was what i was originally looking for. Really just wanna know if you had it to do all over again would you still buy a viper?
 

boogie-n

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Thinking about getting a Viper as well. I wish they had a place to rent one around me but no such luck. I want to make sure I can get my fat a$$ in the seat LOL
 
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CPPRHD265

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Ok, I'm biting...

Bought an 05 two years ago with 5,600 miles on it. Never even sat in a Viper before I bought it. The closest thing to a "sports" car I'd ever owned before was a POS 82 Camaro.

Likes,
It's wicked crazy fast. Torque like an elephant. I have no fear working on it because, for a modern car, it is very simplistic. It is relatively cheap to maintain, unless something catastrophic happens.

Dislikes,
Heat, heat, heat. The heat in the footwell after about an hour drive was insane. I'd take my shoes off after a drive because my feet were cooking. The A/C on the footwell setting was the norm for me.

Attention. I'm a rather shy person and the attention the car got was really rather annoying to me at first. I guess I'm used to it now.


I'm glad I got it, and there's nothing I'd rather drive. I make excuses to get out and run around. When I'm about to get off work, I get all giddy thinking about the drive home :) That's after owning it for 2 years... still has that effect.
 

gb66gth

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Dude, buy the Viper. You won't regret it!
Just take your time learning how to smoothly drive a manual transmission, so you don't damage it or look like a ********* in public.
And whatever you do, don't put your foot to the floor unless you're pointed in a straight line!And even then be careful.
 

ViperGeorge

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Likes:
Power, torque and HP are amazing.
Looks, nothing like it on the road but I do like the coupes better.
Convertibles, driving with the top down is awesome.
Uniqueness, won't see a car like yours unless you're at a VCA event.
Comfort, once you're in it is actually quite comfortable.
Mileage, gets great highway mileage in 5th or 6th gear.
Tracking it, awesome car for the track.
Tires, they're huge.
Brakes, unbelievable in a Gen 3/4
Colors and stripes are in your face.
Easy to work on.
Easy to add even more HP, yea I know sounds crazy but you get used to it.
Adjustable pedals.

Dislikes:
Gen 3s were hot unless you change exhaust, then no problem. Gen 4s aren't hot inside.
Radios ****, need an aftermarket with sub.
Shifter too tall, again easy fix by changing to MGW knob.
A bit hard to get in and out of.
Top in a Gen 4 is hard to latch by yourself.

Would I buy a Viper again, Hell yes, I've got two now and have owned a total of 4.
 

v10Muscle

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Agreed! It can be quite a beast to those unprepared...
To the OP- just be safe is all anyone here is trying to convey to YOU!
Many an experienced Viper driver have wrapped one around a pole.
If you rent one- keep it pointed straight for any hard acceleration (this is much more rapid than most can believe until experienced) In the turns - brake going in - NOT IN the turn. The Viper is a fantastic handling car, but much like a race car there is no warning upon hitting that point of no return (where the rear end breaks lose)
Just respect the snake (or fear it) until you get used to the car.
That's all.
 

escapedan

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Just my $0.02 - Most of the crashed vipers we hear about are due to drivers with little or no high-horsepower RWD experience, whom are accustomed to traction control and other driver aids, underestimating the power and torque. (These are increasing as the price of used vipers comes down.) Stepping into a viper from your past vehicles and driving it for only a few minutes a day is, purely in my opinion, a recipe for disaster. You WILL have the urge to step on the go-pedal and, with only a short drive, will do it on cold tires. When this happens, you WILL go sideways (or backwards) and be lucky not to kill yourself, your gf, or the poor bastard that happens to be in the next lane.

I love vipers (as does all of us on the forum) and I am not suggesting you dont buy one, but please, for all of our sakes, sign up for some track days, high performance driver schools, etc. Learn to control your viper at speed in a safe environment and dont be one of the statistics.

Good luck with the purchase.
 

Chuck 98 RT/10

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On the traction control and exaust heat I'm not super worried about it's just the only negatives I have found through reaserch on the net and I'd like to know how u feel about it as an owner of the car not just someone testing it.

I've got no TC or ABS and my A/C hasn't worked in years. I have over 120,000 on my RT/10. Does that answer your question?

I must add though, I am crazy.
 
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dgold3030

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Are there any track days / driver schools in the south fl area you can recommend? I could prob swing one as an x-mas gift so i wouldn't have to pay as im saving for the down payment.
 

2001-V10 Power Nut

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DG, you wont regret buying a Viper, i'd say 80% if the Viper owners never owned or drove a car this fast till they purchased one. I think 90% of the owners on the site want another one ! I know I do.

There are several great driving schools, specifically, NARRA (formerly Viper days), a site sponser here, they are great, been to several of their driving events, they usually run $400-$800 for the weekend depending on when/where they are, I think theres one coming up in Mid-January at Sebring, hopefully, you'll be an owner by then.

good luck, and keep asking questions, most people here are more than glad to help out:headbang:

here's the link

NARRA Online
 

WILDASP

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..... I mean he thinks cause i like fast cars im gonna crash 2 min into having the car. Im sorry i know it has allot of hp and is nothing to mess around with but its still a car! Point shift drive and steer ya know its not all that complicated.
dgold,
Please allow an old man to give you some advice here. First of all, let me say that the exhaust heat and lack of traction control are the least of your worries. The first can be easily fixed with exhaust mods; the second, well, in a car with 500+hp, frankly, it serves mainly to induce false confidence in a novice driver. Drive a Viper properly, and you won't need it; drive it improperly, and all the electronic nannies in the world won't save your bacon. If you like the car, and can afford it, by all means, get one; I'm on my fourth Snake, and have enjoyed every one. Now that we have that out of the way; let's talk about what is REALLY important here: keeping your Viper, and you, in one piece.

As you put it, this is "not all that complicated", but there are a few pieces of "not all that complicated" knowledge that many of us here have accumulated from years of driving ultra-high performance cars which just might be worth your attention. The cause of most Viper crashes can be found between the seat, and the steering wheel. Failure to believe that can and has caused more than a few before you to become unfortunate statistics. Here are some things that may help keep you from becoming one of them:

ATTITUDE - A small amount of nagging fear in the back of your mind is a GOOD thing. This is a serious car, different from anything you have driven. It absolutely DEMANDS your respect at all times, whether you are an experienced competitor, or a sports car novice, whether you are 24, or 64. This means that before you strap in, shut the door, and push the start button, you make sure you park your ego outside, and leave it there. Ego, and showing off, have caused a number of crashes.

EXPERIENCE - If you have it, it won't hurt to get more; if you don't have it, get it. Go to a good racing/high performance driving school, and absorb what you learn there. This will not only make you a better driver on the street; it will also give you the basic competence to start tracking the car. There is no way you can safely fully enjoy or appreciate the performance capabilities of a Viper on public roads; the street is a far more dangerous environment than the track!

FOCUS - It is a very, very bad idea to drive a Viper with your mind and body not fully engaged with the task. This means your hands need to be on the wheel and gearshift only, not occupied with eating, drinking, a cell phone, or anything else (that includes your girlfriend), and your mind needs to be fully alert and paying attention, not off woolgathering. The Viper is very sensitive to sudden inputs, whether steering, throttle, or brake; handle her roughly, or carelessly, and she can be a harsh, unforgiving, and jealous mistress.

TIRES - TIRES are absolutely CRITICAL on a Viper. Should you get an 05 or 06, it may well have its original runflats. Change them immediately! No matter how good the tread, CHANGE THEM! Old tires get hard, and don't grip as well, and those four contact patches, (which have less area than your own hands and feet), are the only thing holding your Snake (and you) to the road. Check your tire pressures each time you gas up (at a minimum). Also be sure to get your tires properly warmed up before doing anything enthusiastic with the throttle; cold tires and sudden throttle application are a "Viper Bite" waiting to happen! It is quite possible to do a 180 degree (or more) spin under these circumstances (yes, at 30mph in 2nd gear, and in a straight line!), as many before you have learned, the hard way! Read it, and believe it!

SELF-CONTROL=CAR CONTROL - I'd tell you this, if you were twice your stated age! Some people do stupid things around a Viper! Expect everything from challenges to race, to comments, to stares, to aggressive driving by others. NEVER, EVER, respond to this with more than a rev and a friendly wave! You can't control what idiots do, but you CAN control what YOU do; it's not worth losing your license, not worth wrecking your Snake, and definitely not worth your life (or anyone else's). If you're going to drive a serious driver's car, act like a serious driver: be polite, be courteous, be friendly, be safe! Don't let pride in your ride make you act like a ****!

I tell you these things, not to discourage you, but to keep you safe, and to remind you that with great horsepower comes great responsibility. Every one of us here was once a newbie too. We want you to be a part of the Viper Nation; a live, safe, responsible part!

Now, good luck with the search!
 
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TommyG

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My first sports car was a Mazda RX7 tt 1993 which hooked me into turbo cars. I went pretty lean cash wise for many years and when the tables turned I picked up a 05 clk500 vert and loved it until I wanted to go to the next level which brought me back to turbos which was a 03 911tt that I still have and love.

I do some road course work for fun and decided it was time to learn a rwd car and it was bt a ZO6 or Viper. I went for the Z but one week after bringing her home I realized I should have bought the srt10 snake so I bought an 04 vert and sold the Z after 8 months.

I have done an aftermarket exhaust which helped out alot on the heat issue. Lord knows I have poured a ton of $ into my snake to make it safer on the track such as suspention and harnesses and roll bar.

This year I picked up a F430 coupe. I love all three cars but I am always suprised to see the difficulty I go through bt taking out the F car or the Viper. If I got into a pinch, I would sell the F car and keep the snake.

I am tall and do alot of driving for work so none of the above are used as DD. As a matter of fact, for me anyway, the snake would be the least comfy DD out of all of them.

Now that I have owned a Viper, I hope I will always be able to have one. It is RAW and perhaps that is what I like about it over the others. Good advice on some of the other posts. I am 39 and have wrecked way too many cars in High School and college so I do give the snake the respect it demands.

Good Luck.
 
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