Best state to live in with a viper?

[AviP]

I might relocate in the next year or two, and a big consideration of where I move to is which state it would be nicest to own a viper (or any exotic) in. There are a lot of factors, some more important than others.

Is a front license plate required?
How strict is the emissions testing, if required?
What are the speeding and other laws that have to do with driving?
How strictly are they enforced?
Are there red light / speed cameras?

I’m sure there are others that I can’t think of. Which states do you guys think are the friendliest towards our vipers?

Damn, it's nice to have the luxury of deciding to move on the basis of your car's needs. You have definitely done well for yourself.

That said, I would rule out the frigid midwest where you currently live. If you were colored, you would definitely rule out Louisiana, Alabama. Pacific Northwest is too wet. California will slide into the ocean. The North East is also cold and full of liberal crap . And the Atlantic coast is a hurricane zone (probably going to get worse with global warming). Damn, that leaves no place to go.

Wish you luck.

 

[RPHJR]

Big Property Taxes? Come to the Garden State sometime.. Lets just say I pay annualy, about the cost of a small/mid-sized car.. My house is nice, but its no mansion either.

well, let's try West Virginia:

lots of country roads and apex's to hit
no smog inspection
no front plate required
radar detectors allowed
VIR, Mid OH and Beaverun nearby

BIG drawback-property taxes!!!! arrrggghhh!

good luck on your search for free roads and lotsa speed

 

[Mach10]

Colorado is awesome. I don't run a front license plate on my Ferrari and will not run one with the upcoming viper purchase. With exotic cars, this law is waived. None of the Ferrari club members ever have placed a front license plate on their cars and they have never been harrassed either.

If you can handle the change in weather (Blizzard one day, 60 degree weather the next), then Colorado is the place to be. the mountains are spectacular and there are many things to do out here (skydiving, hanggliding, hiking). Hope this helps.........

 

[Andy 98 RT/10]

So from the research I've done, it looks like the south (Lousiana, Alabama..) and Nevada might be some of the best. Actually, Michigan seems pretty good in most regards. With Michigan though, the big problem is the terrible weather and crappy road conditions.

 

[WOT!]

Please allow me to add my .02 to this great question.

Without a doubt, NH is it. Sure we have 5 months (OK 6) of winter, but that helps keep the millage down. To compensate for not driving your viper for 6 months, we don't have a sales tax or state income tax. A great balance if you ask me. Oh ya, and are roads are in great shape.

Live free or die on every plate! Doesn't cut you much slack, but you know where you stand.

 

[George Farris]

But the "Old Man on the Mountain" is no longer with us!

 

[97 Viper GTS]

I would select a state (and city) closest to your favorite track and rack up the road course hours!!! I complain about my one hour drive to MSR (lol).

 

[Kelly06]

Only problem with Florida is that your car could get molested. Not cheap to have to replace your fuel filler after one of them perverts gets done

 

[Warfang]

I think California by far is the best state for Vip... who am I kidding? High tax rates, INSANE gas prices, a Socialist hatred of luxury cars, and the epicenter of all of the eco-freaks in the world. I'm amazed every day that I don't wake up and find my Viper in the garage on fire with CAPITALIST GAS GUZZLER! spray-painted on the side of my house.

God bless America!

 

[93 Cobra R]

If Tennessee only had a coastal line. But for what it lacks, it more than makes up with parkways, scenic routes, Nashville Superspeedway, good paved highways (excluding when they're being repaved for no good reason), Deals Gap - Tail of the Dragon, no winter storage, no sand/salt, and hot Florida women can be found visiting downtown Nashville.

---

Is a front license plate required? No

How strict is the emissions testing, if required? Depends on the county you live in. Many counties in TN do not have emissions testing.

What are the speeding and other laws that have to do with driving? 70 mph interstate speed limits, careless/reckless driving citation possible for racing.

How strictly are they enforced? Generally you're allowed 10 to 20% over on speed before getting pulled over. THP is the most lenient, whereas Nashville Metro PD has a "Zero Tolerance" policy. If you are ticketed, appear in court and you'll be offered a driver safety class to dismiss the ticket. TN is more about having a "stupid tax" as opposed to getting bad drivers off the road. Once you get in the more rule areas, you often are granted a "warning" rather than a citation.

Are there red light / speed cameras? No cameras used for ticketing, only used for reporting traffic delays and congestion.

---

BTW, no state income tax or personal property tax in Tennessee and you're allowed to deduct sales tax on your federal return. Tags run me about $50 per year for each vehicle I drive.

 

[qburge]

I want to know what is the matter with Ohio, Hey I live in
Arkansas and we don't have front license plates, emission
testing or very many State Policemen but our taxes are
non-existent compared to people up east. If you like to
hunt or fish this is the place bubba. There are thousands of Paula Jones types running loose in this state but I don't think I'd want one messing up a nice Viper interior.
Ain't much to do but set out on I-40 and hope you see a
Viper heading for Dallas!!!

 

[Noredline]

ARIZONA

No front plate.
Understaffed law enforcement (less tickets)
Red State
4 hours from the ocean/gulf (Mexico)
6 hours to San Diego/ocean
6 hours to Vegas
2 hours from skiing (in winter)
1.5 hours from cool air (in summer)
Hot broads
Hot broads with fake *******
Low cost of housing (although starting to skyrocket in last 18 months)
300 days of sun, year round
Summer nites are hot, but nice

and how could we forget,

the best NFL football team ever. Woops. Ok, just kidding on that one.

What he said, and, very low property taxes to boot. BTW, I've gotten to Vegas in 3hr 45 minutes (very light traffic at the Hoover Dam). Mapquest says it is about 5 hours, I never believe them

 

[vette2viper]

I was/am looking to relocate solely for the sake of my cars. Took a long and close look at Arizona. Things seemed ok until I realized that I would not pass their emissions test in a 1000 rwhp Viper.

Next best...and the choice I have made...is Florida...NO emissions testing!

One consideration that no one mentioned here...fuel octane. Any place west of Texas has only 91 octane, except for a few select stations in big cities. East coast is 93 octane. If you plan to mod your Viper to any degree, the 93 octane is an important factor.

FWIW...both Arizona and Florida have lots of nice housing with 4+ car garages...a must for me. Here in NC, anything over 3 cars must almost be custom built.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Andy 98 RT/10]

Tennessee sounds nice. Arizona seemed great, until they started putting speed cameras up. Big minus.

vette2viper: What do you think about South Carolina? (seeing that you're close)

 

[vette2viper]

Tennessee sounds nice. Arizona seemed great, until they started putting speed cameras up. Big minus.

vette2viper: What do you think about South Carolina? (seeing that you're close)

Sorry, but I know very little about South Carolina. They have NO Front plate, but don't know about the tax structure and emissions testing.

In my search, Arizona was the best for housing. For $500-$700k, you could get a super house with taxes around $1800 a year. In Tampa, a 4,000 sq ft home (nice) is $800k-$1.5m with taxes $12k a year or higher. Still a better choice for me because of the 93 octane gas and NO emissions testing.

Also, I'm retired so don't have to worry about the job market. If you don't have a high HP Viper that would be emissions-unfriendly, Arizona would be hard to beat. So mainly choices and considerations, huh?

 

[TCKTPLZ]

I like to live in a place where you can have your own 1/4 mile drag strip right outside your house...

You must be registered for see images

...as well as a world class racing facility about 5 minutes away...

You must be registered for see images

 

[Andy 98 RT/10]

I like to live in a place where you can have your own 1/4 mile drag strip right outside your house...

You must be registered for see images

...as well as a world class racing facility about 5 minutes away...

You must be registered for see images

That is too awesome

Also TCKTPLZ, I have almost exactly the same mods you do (except Roe hi flow cats instead of randomtech) would I have any problem with Nevada emissions? Do they even have them where you live?

 

[MoparMan]

Nice...so how about having the Nevada Region VCA out for some drag racing?

 

[forensicsteve]

Not south Louisiana....at least not this week.
Wish me luck as it's my daily driver. Hoping Cindy doesn't come up my driveway. I'll worry about Dennis later.

 

[TCKTPLZ]

I like to live in a place where you can have your own 1/4 mile drag strip right outside your house...

You must be registered for see images

...as well as a world class racing facility about 5 minutes away...

You must be registered for see images

That is too awesome

Also TCKTPLZ, I have almost exactly the same mods you do (except Roe hi flow cats instead of randomtech) would I have any problem with Nevada emissions? Do they even have them where you live?

No problems whatsoever. When I lived in Henderson (right near Vegas), a smog check was required for vehicles in their 3rd registration in the county (Clark), but as far as vehicles registering for the first or second time, you are exempt. It is really lenient out here.

http://www.dmvnv.com/emission.htm#General

Out here in Nye county, where I live, nothing is required and pretty much ANYTHING goes.

 

[TCKTPLZ]

Nice...so how about having the Nevada Region VCA out for some drag racing?

I'd love to and even spoke with Marko about having the members over at my place. I'd first like to actually attend a meeting. It seems that whenever there is one I am working. I'll have some time off in August and will definitely make it out to Hot Rod Hill and arrange a get together.

 

[MoparMan]

Nice...so how about having the Nevada Region VCA out for some drag racing?

I'd love to and even spoke with Marko about having the members over at my place. I'd first like to actually attend a meeting. It seems that whenever there is one I am working. I'll have some time off in August and will definitely make it out to Hot Rod Hill and arrange a get together.

There's also a club meeting July 13 at 630pm at Hot Rod Hill in Hendertucky.

How long ago did you talk to Marko? We're starting to look at another event at Sherrie's Ranch for late October.

 

[AZ Buckeye]

ARIZONA

No front plate.
Understaffed law enforcement (less tickets)
Red State
4 hours from the ocean/gulf (Mexico)
6 hours to San Diego/ocean
6 hours to Vegas
2 hours from skiing (in winter)
1.5 hours from cool air (in summer)
Hot broads
Hot broads with fake *******
Low cost of housing (although starting to skyrocket in last 18 months)
300 days of sun, year round
Summer nites are hot, but nice

and how could we forget,

the best NFL football team ever. Woops. Ok, just kidding on that one.

What he said, and, very low property taxes to boot. BTW, I've gotten to Vegas in 3hr 45 minutes (very light traffic at the Hoover Dam). Mapquest says it is about 5 hours, I never believe them

Arizona.....

You've got beaches (Mexico and CA close by), skiing and great roads at a reasonable cost of living.

Personal record to San Diego is 4hrs 45 mins. (hardly any cops on the 10 until CA)
Record to Vegas is 3hrs 45 mins. (thank god for radar detectors)

--Eric

 

[Andy 98 RT/10]

Interesting results so far...

Florida : 8
Nevada : 3
Arizona, Arkansas, Texas : 2
Alaska, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Tennessee, West Virginia : 1

 

[AZ Buckeye]

Well, assuming your coming from Michigan, you can't go wrong with any of the poll results. Actually, ANY other state would be better!

If it were up to me I would anex Michigan to Canada for a 1 Canadian Dollar...

Apologies, but I graduated from O.S.U.

 

[Randy]

...as well as a world class racing facility about 5 minutes away...

Hmmm... I live 75 miles from Sears Point (now "Infineon") and 74 miles from Laguna Seca (who cares what the current bought name is? "Mazda"? ). So, not quite as convenient as 5 minutes, but we also have mountains/skiing 3 hours away, beaches less than an hour away, something like 5 to 20 million people just outside your door, some of the highest housing prices in the nation (median price over $550k), half of the world's immigrants fresh off of the boat that just got their driving license and think 30 mph or less is an appropriate freeway on-ramp merging speed, etc, etc. Welcome to San Jose / the San Francisco Bay Area.

Damn, perhaps I need to move...

 

[Mach10]

did i mention Colorado??

 

[HOGDEALER]

OREGON - Not a straight road in the State

 

[BACKNBLACK]

Hey Hog Dealer sorry to change the subject but what ever happened to your friend with the Cobra? Did he make it?