It's now been one week since I bought my 2000 GTS. You'll have to search my username if you want to see pics.
A little background on me. I started shopping Vipers probably about 1-1/2 to 2 years ago. I eventually talked myself out of buying and decided to order an E55. As the time drew near to make final choices for options on the E55 I found that I kept doing searches for used GTS's and glancing at this forum from time to time. Then a couple of weeks ago I noticed two for sale in my area. One was black and the other was the one I bought. After a week of getting inspections, transferring funds and all the other stuff I needed to do, I picked up the car on my lunch hour on July 25th and drove it back to work.
I have to admit that although I have driven high horsepower cars on the street, I was a bit intimidated by the "new to me" Viper. My current car, a blown '93 Trans Am (which is for sale if anyone needs a racecar) is faster than the Viper. It's also more explosive when going WOT in the 2-3000 RPM range. But the Viper seems to lay down the power pretty well. Now that I've pulled it to redline a few times I can feel that the torque curve is a bit wider. In addition, the return to drivability is a real blessing. Oh, and airconditioning and power at the same time.....I'd forgotten what that was like even if I don't use the air much
My other concerns that I had about Vipers were the following.
Interior heat....hasn't been an issue in my car. The side sill has only gotten warm to the touch and then only if I've done some "spirited" driving. Maybe I was spoiled by the TA, which has neither air nor vents and requires one to drive with the windows down all the time?
Visibility....Far better than I expected, and even better once I learned that the pedals adjust....DOH!
Buyer's remorse.....ROTFLMAO!
Giving up the luxury items.....I will need to improve the radio...maybe. I might not want to have it compete with that fine exhaust sound.
Gas mileage: First tank was 11.5 MPG. That's as good as my Grand Cherokee daily driver....oh, my ex daily driver for the moment
Gawk factor. My kid & wife see more people looking at us than I've notice alone. I've been to busy looking out the front view to care about the other people. The guys in the neighborhood stop by if they see me out. Everyone wants to get a ride.
Some of my concerns.
I've only had a couple of chances making turns at elevated speeds. There is a point of absolute ease to make turns that my other cars would be a handful. Not that they couldn't go that fast, but in the Viper it fells like a normal speed. I still have not gotten near the limit of adhesion and am intimidated to approach there. I've got to get some track time in September to really get a feel for what the Viper does at the edge.
Parking.....the exercise does me good
Tailgaters......these idiots have no idea how fast I can stop.....BACK OFF!
Street racing....must fight the temptation....God give me strength. To the guy in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with paper plates. Enjoy your Rally car but know, even a Subaru will kick your butt!
Seat comfort.....My seat bottom seems to lean forward. I suspect the previous owner put in the seat lowering kit. The front edge looks lower than on the passenger side. I think under heaving braking I may submarine. This should be an easy adjustment if I take the time to get out of the car instead of driving it.
Mileage....I'm afraid I'm going to be one of those Viper owners that rack up the miles.
VCA...Should I actually join?
And my biggest concern.....When do I get to drive it again?
There are so many others things to describe my feeling in the Viper. I know you other owners understand. For the rest of you trying to decide....well you'll have to wonder if it fits you. For me, all my friends agree that between the following two comments, the latter really fits me.
Hi, I'm a Mercedes owner.
Hi, I own a Viper.
Carl
A little background on me. I started shopping Vipers probably about 1-1/2 to 2 years ago. I eventually talked myself out of buying and decided to order an E55. As the time drew near to make final choices for options on the E55 I found that I kept doing searches for used GTS's and glancing at this forum from time to time. Then a couple of weeks ago I noticed two for sale in my area. One was black and the other was the one I bought. After a week of getting inspections, transferring funds and all the other stuff I needed to do, I picked up the car on my lunch hour on July 25th and drove it back to work.
I have to admit that although I have driven high horsepower cars on the street, I was a bit intimidated by the "new to me" Viper. My current car, a blown '93 Trans Am (which is for sale if anyone needs a racecar) is faster than the Viper. It's also more explosive when going WOT in the 2-3000 RPM range. But the Viper seems to lay down the power pretty well. Now that I've pulled it to redline a few times I can feel that the torque curve is a bit wider. In addition, the return to drivability is a real blessing. Oh, and airconditioning and power at the same time.....I'd forgotten what that was like even if I don't use the air much
My other concerns that I had about Vipers were the following.
Interior heat....hasn't been an issue in my car. The side sill has only gotten warm to the touch and then only if I've done some "spirited" driving. Maybe I was spoiled by the TA, which has neither air nor vents and requires one to drive with the windows down all the time?
Visibility....Far better than I expected, and even better once I learned that the pedals adjust....DOH!
Buyer's remorse.....ROTFLMAO!
Giving up the luxury items.....I will need to improve the radio...maybe. I might not want to have it compete with that fine exhaust sound.
Gas mileage: First tank was 11.5 MPG. That's as good as my Grand Cherokee daily driver....oh, my ex daily driver for the moment
Gawk factor. My kid & wife see more people looking at us than I've notice alone. I've been to busy looking out the front view to care about the other people. The guys in the neighborhood stop by if they see me out. Everyone wants to get a ride.
Some of my concerns.
I've only had a couple of chances making turns at elevated speeds. There is a point of absolute ease to make turns that my other cars would be a handful. Not that they couldn't go that fast, but in the Viper it fells like a normal speed. I still have not gotten near the limit of adhesion and am intimidated to approach there. I've got to get some track time in September to really get a feel for what the Viper does at the edge.
Parking.....the exercise does me good
Tailgaters......these idiots have no idea how fast I can stop.....BACK OFF!
Street racing....must fight the temptation....God give me strength. To the guy in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with paper plates. Enjoy your Rally car but know, even a Subaru will kick your butt!
Seat comfort.....My seat bottom seems to lean forward. I suspect the previous owner put in the seat lowering kit. The front edge looks lower than on the passenger side. I think under heaving braking I may submarine. This should be an easy adjustment if I take the time to get out of the car instead of driving it.
Mileage....I'm afraid I'm going to be one of those Viper owners that rack up the miles.
VCA...Should I actually join?
And my biggest concern.....When do I get to drive it again?
There are so many others things to describe my feeling in the Viper. I know you other owners understand. For the rest of you trying to decide....well you'll have to wonder if it fits you. For me, all my friends agree that between the following two comments, the latter really fits me.
Hi, I'm a Mercedes owner.
Hi, I own a Viper.
Carl
