What is the strangest or BEST reaction you've had to driving your viper?

[Anaconda]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I've had my car for about two months now. In addition to the usual "cool car" kind of comments, waves, etc. I had something really nice happen the other day. ...

I took the car to Publix (which is a Florida supermarket) and was going out to my car with my groceries. One of the cart guys was like 16 or so, and was like "Wow, I really love your car, I wish I had one. I could never afford something like that." I said back to him that "well, it wasn't too long ago that I had the same job as you. I worked at Publix in college at nights." He couldn't believe it. I could tell that I really made him happy because he realized that maybe one day he would have one too. It didn't really hit me until a few minutes later when I had left, that I probably made the kid's day, and gave him a goal. Then I also realized how lucky I have been with my career and stuff, and I remember how much I hated doing his job.

 

[NOMERCY]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I have had several "weird" events.

One of my wifes friends and her three sons came over for a visit and my garage doors were opened. They walked right past my 780hp Porsche to oogle over the Viper.

Watched a guy almost rear end someone while he was trying to take a pic, on the sly, with his camera phone at a red light.

Today I had to do some banking and drove the Viper. Some girl pulled in behind me and was straining to get a look. I blew it off and entered the bank. A few minutes later she came in and got behind the counter. As luck would have it I was next and she called me over. The first thing she said was, "is that your Viper?". She went on to tell me about her boyfriends Jetta and how much cooler it would be to ride in a Viper.

My car only has about 1300 miles on it and it's winter here yet every time I take it out it seems something happens. I am not sure what the hang up is with the Gen III around this site but the general public likes it and they know right away what it is. I too can't wait for summer.

 

[ArlyDude]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

lets hear some more stories.

 

[steve911]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper (Long post)

Here's my best reaction.

I'm in the USAF. Been in for almost 33 years, been all over the world from SE Asia in the early 70's (Vietnam & Thailand & Guam for those who are geographically challenged) to Europe and 4 trips to the newest garden spot (Saudi, Kuwait Iraq) and all parts in between. Where I am stationed we have F-16C models (single seaters), known as Vipers in USAF lingo.

When I carried a toolbox, I was an aircraft Structural repair specialist. I repaired all of the aluminum & steel skin and composite (fibreglass & Carbon Fibre) of most every jet the Air Force has in that time. I have always wanted to go for a ride in a real high performance jet but was never afforded the opportunity.

Fast forward to last fall. I drove my Viper to work for the first time and had literally hundreds of people look at it once word got out that it was there. Lots of picture taking, drooling, requests for rides etc.

Late in the afternoon, I was visited by the Wing Commander. He's a pretty nice guy for an O-7 (Brig General). He wanted a personal tour of the car, and while I was showing it to him, he asked if he could sit in it. I of course couldn't refuse the "big boss" and obliged. I then offered to take him for a "ride".

We met in the lot after work and drove over to a local highway that had a nice straight stretch and proceeded to do a nice smokey launch and then redline through first, second and third gears. He was really impressed, thanked me for the ride and we went our separate ways.

About 2 weeks later, a couple of 2 seat F-16's from another base arrived to help train some our newer pilots. Yes, I got a call from the Wing Commander asking if I wanted to go for a ride in a viper that he could drive. I was shocked!!!! I said yes and the ride was set up for the following morning.

To say it was a gas is a horrible understatement. The acceleration is unbelievable. The G forces that are exerted on you body are so awesome. I grayed out at a sustained 8.5 g's. I was able to fly the jet for a while. I did a few aileron rolls and loops. It is so responsive I can't really describe here. I have a tape of my flight that was recorded on the jet's video flight recorder.

Finally for those who may be wondering, I did toss my cookies (well dry heaves anyway) after experiencing 2 negative g's right after a long positive 7 g turn. I really didn't care though as it was a long standing wish come true.

Sorry to be so long winded.

 

[Birvini]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper (Long post)

Here's my best reaction.

I'm in the USAF. Been in for almost 33 years, been all over the world from SE Asia in the early 70's (Vietnam & Thailand & Guam for those who are geographically challenged) to Europe and 4 trips to the newest garden spot (Saudi, Kuwait Iraq) and all parts in between. Where I am stationed we have F-16C models (single seaters), known as Vipers in USAF lingo.

When I carried a toolbox, I was an aircraft Structural repair specialist. I repaired all of the aluminum & steel skin and composite (fibreglass & Carbon Fibre) of most every jet the Air Force has in that time. I have always wanted to go for a ride in a real high performance jet but was never afforded the opportunity.

Fast forward to last fall. I drove my Viper to work for the first time and had literally hundreds of people look at it once word got out that it was there. Lots of picture taking, drooling, requests for rides etc.

Late in the afternoon, I was visited by the Wing Commander. He's a pretty nice guy for an O-7 (Brig General). He wanted a personal tour of the car, and while I was showing it to him, he asked if he could sit in it. I of course couldn't refuse the "big boss" and obliged. I then offered to take him for a "ride".

We met in the lot after work and drove over to a local highway that had a nice straight stretch and proceeded to do a nice smokey launch and then redline through first, second and third gears. He was really impressed, thanked me for the ride and we went our separate ways.

About 2 weeks later, a couple of 2 seat F-16's from another base arrived to help train some our newer pilots. Yes, I got a call from the Wing Commander asking if I wanted to go for a ride in a viper that he could drive. I was shocked!!!! I said yes and the ride was set up for the following morning.

To say it was a gas is a horrible understatement. The acceleration is unbelievable. The G forces that are exerted on you body are so awesome. I grayed out at a sustained 8.5 g's. I was able to fly the jet for a while. I did a few aileron rolls and loops. It is so responsive I can't really describe here. I have a tape of my flight that was recorded on the jet's video flight recorder.

Finally for those who may be wondering, I did toss my cookies (well dry heaves anyway) after experiencing 2 negative g's right after a long positive 7 g turn. I really didn't care though as it was a long standing wish come true.

Sorry to be so long winded.

WOW!

Thank you for your service and thanks for a great story!

 

[OrecaGTS-R/T]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

What a great thread! I'm not an owner so I come from the other side of the fence but here is a little story of my own. PS, to say that I am an enthusiast would be one of the world’s biggest understatements!

A few years ago here at one of our Melbourne car shows (Victoria, Australia) I wondered around for a while checking out all the latest concepts, new Porsches etc... until I stopped dead on the spot. Not only was I staring at a bright red RT/10, but I was also staring at 2 other Vipers!

Now, I would have been over the moon to see one viper face to face but to see 3 at once, I was in utter disbelief. I was 20 years old at the time but instantly turned into a mumbling 2 year old.

I remember that the guy from the stand looked at me with a big grin and said, "you alright mate, looks like your having a heart attack or you've seen a ghost or something?" to which I replied, "I think I just had the heart and now I've died and gone to heaven" The rep burst out in laughter and said, "yeh, these cars can do that to you".

We had a bit of a conversation about the cars and he was surprised about how much I knew about them. He piled a show bag full of stuff for me and I left the building with a permanent smile. You guys are very lucky to own such amazing cars, congrats.

From Down under

 

[InjectTheVenom]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Me I'm not an owner either, but I did arrange some rides all by me, myself and I, even when I was on holiday in Calgary Canada to visit family of ours (thanks to Patrick Hiebert for two of them with the same owner ).

So I was having a great time, the owner and I drove to his house in the Paxton supercharged '97 blue/white GTS, he gave me a cap, traded the GTS for his red '03 SRT-10, went for another spirited drive down some long stretchy roads, went back to his house briefly where I got a huge VOI 5 poster, and we head back to the gas station where my dad and uncle were waiting for us to return.
We drive up the parking lot, exit the Snake and have a little conversation, and at this moment a group of bikers come through the gas station. They spot us and the Viper and come over to talk to it's owner.
So he tells this young kid riding with his dad on the bike that he just gave me a ride in his car, and I swear to god... if looks could literally kill I would have died on the spot The look in the kid's eyes was soooo miserable

Yeah... life owning a Viper will be great once I can afford one of my own

 

[STUGOTS]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I got one that happend to me yesterday.

A guy (who delivers my uncle his oxygen) sees my viper (in the garage) and starts telling me he built a drag car I say ohh really thats cool what kinda power is it pushing "I dont know" ok what does it run in the 1/4 mile "I dont know" "all I know is it will destroy your viper" I say umm ok what kinda motor are you pushing in there?? I have a (and im not making this up) a VW inline 4" I could not help myself and busted out laughing in this guys face. So he says "pop the hood let me see that little motor" I said little???? so I pop it and he says "HOLY ****" "thats the biggest V8 I ever saw" I said no its a v10, "this things gotta really move but my VW will still smoke you"

After that I told em he was on crack and went to go inside the house, and he says I win the car show every year around here why dont you show up so I can beat you? Now being I have the ONLY viper around here im sure I will win that show, besides what kind of a show can it be if his POS VW wins, and this guy dident seem bright enough about cars to be driving one let alone building one.

 

[BACKNBLACK]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Did he have flowers all over the Bug?

 

[CrimsonVenom]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

My favorite story is the boyfriend and girlfriend following me into a mall parking lot; when the kid gets out of his car and walks over to me and says "this is my girlfriend's dream car, do you mind if she takes a picture with it?" To which I, of course, say, "Sure!, why don't you get a picture of her behind the wheel?" The girl, visibly shaking, gets into the car (for about just enough time to take a picture) and, on the way out, stops, looks me dead in the eye and says, "I love you, sir!". She was about 18 and a real hottie.
I've had an ambulance turn on all of it's lights while I was sitting, facing it at a red light.
I've also seen my share of minor accidents where people coming toward me bumped into cars in front of them while I was at a dead stop.
The 'Vette thing is true; they never look over at me when they pull up. Bikers frequently give the Harley sign; I was sitting at a light recently when a biker gave a rev-up with his gal on the back; I don't think he had seen me because I gave a rev back... he looked over at first with a frown but then smiled once he took in the whole car; so did his girl.
I definitely have to plan a drive to the grocery store and leave plenty of time because there is ALWAYS someone who strikes up a conversation either before or after I get there. For me, people have only gotten angry or pissed when I don't have time to chat, so I always make time before heading out.
It's true... there's nothing like a Viper!

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Did you let the girl know about the " let's go for a ride" option?

 

[Bandit3]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Near Rd Atlanta- I had the top off and there was a Sebring behind me with the top down. I was alone and the guy driving the Sebring had his wife in the passenger seat. Driver of the Sebring conv yells- "wanna trade?" My response--"can she cook?' Got a laugh from them all. This car makes ya feel like a wheel. John

 

[Viper4Christ]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Viper is an awesome, powerful car no doubt, but it cant take away your sins like Christ can. Maybe add to them lol Vic you know what I mean...

 

[GALA-96-GTS]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

This is my first post on here. I have been a viper owner for exactly 21 days (96 GTS B/W - No mods...yet), but I have already had many of the same stories.

1) The first day I owned the car I thought I was about to get car jacked. I pull into Blockbuster, and in my rear-view mirror I see to people running up to my car. I proceed to get out thinking I am going to have to fight to keep my keys, when I hear this 20 yo guy saying OMG... That is the coolest thing I have ever seen. Turned out this guy and his gf saw me and followed me just to get a peak at the car. I let him sit in the driver seat while his gf took a picture. He couldn't believe what a cool car this was and he had never seen one in person.

2) While shopping for a Tundra at the local Toyota dealership, I found that one point all of the salesmen and all of the customers had stopped what they were doing and gathered around the car. The car literally shut down the business for a good 10 minutes. People were asking all sorts of questions, and girls and guys were taking pictures.

For the money, there is not a single car on the road that can compete with the Viper. I am a proud owner, and I look forward to reading many more posts by you guys.

 

[Matthew Klinger]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

My stories aren't quite as cool as some of these stories, but here are some

- had many people take pictures of it, both while driving and while washing it.
- had someone VIDEO taping it while it was in a parking lot, at first I thought "let me say out of his frame"... but then thought HEY WAIT THIS IS MY #$(&% CAR!
- Had people ask for a ride or to get in... WHILE I WAS DRIVING...
- Asked if I were a football player (Eagles were in town)
- This one always gets me, people ask "hey is that the NEW Viper" ... I always respond with "No, it's an 02"
- Mustang drives bowing to me, as they should LOL!

 

[Anaconda]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Viper is an awesome, powerful car no doubt, but it cant take away your sins like Christ can.

Who cares about sins when you own a Viper? I know I am not thinking about burning in Hell when I am driving around with a hot babe in the passenger seat.

 

[Anaconda]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

While shopping for a Tundra at the local Toyota dealership, I found that one point all of the salesmen and all of the customers had stopped what they were doing and gathered around the car. The car literally shut down the business for a good 10 minutes. People were asking all sorts of questions, and girls and guys were taking pictures.

How are you supposed to negotiate a good deal on Tundra when you show up with a Viper? They are going to assume you have money, and not give you a good deal. I don't think that was the brightest thing to do, no offense.

 

[gthomas]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Viper is an awesome, powerful car no doubt, but it cant take away your sins like Christ can.

Who cares about sins when you own a Viper? I know I am not thinking about burning in Hell when I am driving around with a hot babe in the passenger seat.

You missed it, 'it cant take away your sins like Christ can. Maybe add to them lol'

 

[Anaconda]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I saw it. Ehh, doesn't bother me either way, as I am a devout atheist.

 

[GALA-96-GTS]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

While shopping for a Tundra at the local Toyota dealership, I found that one point all of the salesmen and all of the customers had stopped what they were doing and gathered around the car. The car literally shut down the business for a good 10 minutes. People were asking all sorts of questions, and girls and guys were taking pictures.

How are you supposed to negotiate a good deal on Tundra when you show up with a Viper? They are going to assume you have money, and not give you a good deal. I don't think that was the brightest thing to do, no offense.

Trust me... they saw my car, they had my income on my credit app... they knew what I could(n't) afford.

By the way, I ended up getting a $20K Tundra on a 3 year lease at $200/month with nothing down. So... I think I ended up getting a pretty good deal.

 

[Warfang]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Viper is an awesome, powerful car no doubt, but it cant take away your sins like Christ can.

you obviously haven't seen the chicks thread yet.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Near Rd Atlanta- I had the top off and there was a Sebring behind me with the top down. I was alone and the guy driving the Sebring had his wife in the passenger seat. Driver of the Sebring conv yells- "wanna trade?" My response--"can she cook?' Got a laugh from them all. This car makes ya feel like a wheel. John

GREAT respsone! I gotta remember that one

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Me and a friend went to see the Dukes of Hazzard the night it came out, but it was already sold out, so we decided just to cruise the shopping center that the theater is in (big hangout for the import car people on the weekends) for a little bit. We cut thru a Wendy's parking lot and this group of 4-5 teenagers all stopped talking, 3 started bowing down and 1 was yelling "we're not worthy".

 

[Cali Viper]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I guess people in the S.F. Bay Area must be a bit jaded, because noone has offered me sex for a ride, and I don't get the frequency of attention mentioned by others on this board.

I do get a fair amount of stares, and I have heard people say "Oh look, a Viper!"

The biggest amount of attention I get in this area is from guys driving ricers. On Monday, a guy in an 80's Turbo Supra pull up along side me in the carpool lane and stays even with me for two minutes. I could hear him spraying nitrous as he motioned for me to race. That's not something I'm up to doing in traffic, so I ignored him. Five minutes later, I'm in the right lane, ready to exit, and the same Supra pulls up next to me on the shoulder, again with the motion to race. I ignored him and he acclerated down the shoulder and cut in front of someone 10 cars ahead.

On the plus side, my wife's friend is visiting from out of town, and when she heard I had a Viper, she anxiously asked if should could take a ride.

I guess I'll have to go out of town to get more respect for this car.

 

[Cudaman]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I never get tired of seeing a car ahead of me on the interstate roll its rear window down and seeing a child's head pop out and then 2 thumbs up fallowing their head. You know the driver (usually a parent) tells them there is a Viper coming up behind them.

I always smile back and wave to the child, much to their delight to be acknowledged by the Viper driver!


Cudaman

 

[Need4Speed]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

Most all reactions are thumbs up and posative but anyone ever get any Negative comments? I got one from a bunch a kids in a jeep once. One of the 17yo passengers with bad acne leaned over and yelled "That cars not fast!!" All I could think of as a response in the 2 seconds before the light turned green was "And your not Butt Ugly"... Well at least it made his passengers laugh as my viper shot out of site in like 2 seconds.

 

[Cali Viper]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I did have a teenage guy make a comment to me while he and his cute girlfriend were getting into his pickup. He made a referrence to me needing a Viper to make up for my lack of manhood. I said to his girlfriend "Do you want to ride in a man's car instead of Junior's little truck?" She laughed and he scowled.

 

[STUGOTS]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I guess people in the S.F. Bay Area must be a bit jaded, because noone has offered me sex for a ride,

being that its S.F maybe you dont want to be offered sex for a ride huh?

 

[Warfang]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I guess people in the S.F. Bay Area must be a bit jaded, because noone has offered me sex for a ride, and I don't get the frequency of attention mentioned by others on this board.

I do get a fair amount of stares, and I have heard people say "Oh look, a Viper!"

The biggest amount of attention I get in this area is from guys driving ricers. On Monday, a guy in an 80's Turbo Supra pull up along side me in the carpool lane and stays even with me for two minutes. I could hear him spraying nitrous as he motioned for me to race. That's not something I'm up to doing in traffic, so I ignored him. Five minutes later, I'm in the right lane, ready to exit, and the same Supra pulls up next to me on the shoulder, again with the motion to race. I ignored him and he acclerated down the shoulder and cut in front of someone 10 cars ahead.

On the plus side, my wife's friend is visiting from out of town, and when she heard I had a Viper, she anxiously asked if should could take a ride.

I guess I'll have to go out of town to get more respect for this car.

I'm in SF too... six figured cars are commonplace, and anything made in America is frowned upon here. I still get more attention than I'd like though... people too busy gawking and not paying attention to their driving.

No offense to our brothers that meet monthly down in the south bay, but we Viper owners further North should get together around here. Between the distance AND the traffic, San Jose might as well be Oklahoma.

 

[Randy]

Re: What is the strangest or BEST reaction you\'ve had to driving your viper

I guess people in the S.F. Bay Area must be a bit jaded, because noone has offered me sex for a ride, and I don't get the frequency of attention mentioned by others on this board.

I'm in SF too... six figured cars are commonplace, and anything made in America is frowned upon here. I still get more attention than I'd like though... people too busy gawking and not paying attention to their driving.

Strange, twice in the past week I've had passengers in cars driving next to me take pictures of the car - in San Jose.

No offense to our brothers that meet monthly down in the south bay, but we Viper owners further North should get together around here. Between the distance AND the traffic, San Jose might as well be Oklahoma.

Hmmm - we have people that come from Petaluma, Stockton, and other areas further away than you. For that matter, I was just in Oklahoma earlier this week.