Convince Me to Get Viper Over R8, Gallardo, 12C

[Evoking]

Gang,

First of all I used to have a 98 GTS so I'm not new to Viperland. Got an XKR now and have been planning to move to something more sport for some time now. Bruce has crossed over and I know he's loving it. Initially I thought I MUST try something new and definitely mid-engined as its been a while since my NSX and Elise. But the 15 price reduction makes what was already a stellar bang for buck car even better! I was on verge of getting a last of run 14 Gallardo for about $190k - same for 12C. But for that $ I can have:

Set 1
15 Viper with exhaust, wheels, drop AND
Panamera or even better a new S8 which is an absolute marvel


Set 2
15 Viper
12 A8 or 10 E63 (both $45k ish)
Nice Cobra reproduction

Set 3
R8 $120k
Panamera or E63 etc

The point is that from a bang for buck perspective I can't get past the Viper. But I wonder if I would regret not getting my first Italian or a McLaren? My logic is that the Gallardo is already "yesterday" with Huracan and the 12C while still awesome I can't row gears AND I can't have as nice cars on the side. Yes I realize I'm convincing myself but still want to hear from yall ;-)

Bruce, I know you crossed over... Any regrets? Any in the full blown exotic camp car to weigh in?

 

[LouN]

It all depends what you want. Sounds like you already know the viper is a great car. Do you want a very visceral, involving experience, or do you want the more technical accuracy of the gallardo or 12c? I've owned or driven just about every high performance car out there. They are all different, the key is to find what meets your desire. I love the gen V, and I've owned previous gen vipers. Yes Gen V is somewhat more refined than previous vipers, but it is still a very raw car. Much more so than the cars you mention. When dodge takes away the raw, visceral experience that's when I stop buying them. I can tell you, the other cars you are considering give a different experience. They are awesome too, more technically precise feel, probably a little less involving to drive. Keep us posted.

 

[Bruce H.]

I couldn't be happier. The car is just so special to drive, stunning to look at, and those with an XKR that think it gets a lot of attention just have no idea. Every time you drive it it's an event. The car reminds you each time that it's an exotic, from it's appearance, to contorting to get into it, the close and purposeful interior that reminds the driver that this is going to be all about him, and the rewarding of his driving skills, the assaulting of the senses when the engine fires up, the rawness of it all. Exotics are flawed by definition, not at all suitable for the masses, and my TA is flawed to perfection. This is a special occasion car, and being retired and living in the country, I can turn any day into a special occasion. I don't have to deal with city or congested traffic very often at all and can't imagine the car with anything but its terrific manual.

Once I got comfortable with its huge personality I was able to focus on its performance, and I'd say it's taken all 5 months, nearly 10k miles and 13 track days to extract 90% of its performance. Its handling at the limit is just flawless, I've slightly exceeded it countless times on track and regained control easily without missing a beat. I run competitively with the fastest stock production cars (like my favorite 991 GT3, 997 GT3 RS and 991 Turbo S). Everyone is blown away by the car visually, and track friends are blown away by its performance.

I had planned to put 100,000 miles on the car as quickly as I could, enjoying it responsibly and relentlessly, but not sure whether to do it with this one or the next TA if it raises the bar even more. It's just silly money now, as you point out. The XKR was fun with 510 hp and great looks, but always left me wanting more. You were the same, perhaps trying to scratch that itch with mods that never seemed to satisfy for long. The TA nails everything that important in an elemental, engaging, yet modern high performance sports car, and driving it just never gets old. My experience is with the TA, but I'm sure it's quite similar with the other models, although if you also want to track it yourself I'd strongly suggest that buying a TA would be money well spent. I've also received excellent dealer service that has been very reasonably priced.

Good luck with your deliberations, and if your use allows for an exotic, I think the Gen V is worth a very serious look!

Bruce

 

[Evoking]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Now if only the 15's were available before I change my mind again ;-) When do the 15'*****?

 

[ASPIRATIONS]

THE VIPER.......Its American,its got enough power to keep you happy with hopefully a ECM that can be cracked and forged internals, and SRT has refined it but its still a brute.

 

[pathoguy]

You should make the same post on Lambo, R8, and MacClaren sites or maybe you have. I'm 6 hours drive from closest Lambo dealer, 100 miles from where I bought the viper, so my choices are limited geographically (warranty, servicing etc) and I have no experience with these other cars, but I would want to hear what their owners have to say. Only thing I would convince you to do is to research each vehicle with equal thoroughness and try to filter out owner bias.

 

[Evoking]

Yes have been posting and shopping for some time now. Question - when do the 15's start arriving? If I place order now anyone know typical ballpark?

 

[Chelseasnake]

Yes have been posting and shopping for some time now. Question - when do the 15's start arriving? If I place order now anyone know typical ballpark?

the plant should start up in nov last time i heard. if so there should be cars at the dealers in december and january

 

[Evoking]

That's too far out. How many changes? I want a blue with white stripes. Do I have no choice but to wait until 2015 or buy a 13 launch?

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Do you love the United States of America? There is your answer right there. Seriously - take pride in an American-designed and American-built supercar.

Phoenix(ex)GTS

 

[Twister]

Im in the same boat. Been trying rt10 o Dr evidence between viper r8 snd gallardo for over a year

 

[Policy Limits]

I've owned or driven all of the cars u mention. Depends on your objective. Sunday driver? DD? Track toy? Gallardo has a clunky single clutch gear box which is fun for weekends (has mine alost 4 years) but not a realistic daily. Plus it's just been replaced with a newer model. Could totally have it all with R8 and German engineering is king. 12c is buggy. I found the paddles too firm to pull. The styling and name are blah. It too was just replaced and the 650s makes it look dated. Porsche is all that and a bag of chips but mass produced and yawn, what was I saying? The Viper is the most exclusive, biggest bang for the buck super car in the market today. It's a ton of fun, turns heads everywhere and invokes lots of positive emotion from everyone who sees it in first person. It's a street legal race car and there's nothing else like it on the road.

 

[ViperSmith]

used MP4-12C's are just crazy priced and I don't think they'll be going much lower than $150k. I think you could pick one up, drive the hell out of it and lose little to nothing.

Really, really want one.

 

[zim32]

used MP4-12C's are just crazy priced and I don't think they'll be going much lower than $150k. I think you could pick one up, drive the hell out of it and lose little to nothing.

Really, really want one.

Have owned MP4-12c for over 2 years 8000 miles....can't get enough of it!! Amazing vehicle...you are SPOT on with your view...ridiculous value at current levels imho..

 

[Sainthitch]

I just traded my gallardo back in for a new viper and could not be happier with my choice. ultimately its what makes you happy and no one else.

 

[Evoking]

No doubt. It is also nice to hear of someone having gone the opposite way - from G to Viper! The fact that it's half the price is even more cool!

 

[MoparMap]

I just traded my gallardo back in for a new viper and could not be happier with my choice. ultimately its what makes you happy and no one else.

Yep, might be a tough prospect, but driving each one is usually the best way to go. Everyone is different and has their own tastes and limits. I daily my gen 3 and don't really have any complaints. Ride is acceptable, interior is comfy, noise is within limits, clutch/shifting isn't too hard, etc. Works in all weather (aside from snow) and gets driven in all weather, rain or shine. The guy I bought it off of couldn't hardly stand more than 50 miles in it at a time and I drove it 13 hours home with my brother. Sold a 2000 XKR to get the Viper because the XKR was just kinda boring. Awesome car, gorgeous to look up, super comfortable, but the automatic was just killing it for me. Also felt like you had to flog it for it to be exciting. The power was there, it just took a lot of persuation to make it feel like it.

 

[Sainthitch]

I know exactly what you mean MoparMap. My Gallardo was the same thing - amazing car but really didnt have the excitement i was looking for when i took it out for a drive. Not saying it was a bad car at all! if anything it was an amazing car, just not for me.

 

[PDCjonny]

Got to laugh at guys saying the MP4 is suddenly "dated" (all the way back to 2012...man that's old) because a new one came out.
Who drive Gen V's which look 75% like a 18 year old Gen 2.
The MP4 is absolutely the best bang for the buck out there and they still run 175K for a decent used one.
Considering they had MSRP's over 300K on some.

 

[ViperSmith]

Have owned MP4-12c for over 2 years 8000 miles....can't get enough of it!! Amazing vehicle...you are SPOT on with your view...ridiculous value at current levels imho..

unsure if I can convince my wife it is basically free!

lmao

 

[ViperSmith]

Got to laugh at guys saying the MP4 is suddenly "dated" (all the way back to 2012...man that's old) because a new one came out.
Who drive Gen V's which look 75% like a 18 year old Gen 2.
The MP4 is absolutely the best bang for the buck out there and they still run 175K for a decent used one.
Considering they had MSRP's over 300K on some.

I really think the used prices are going to stabilize around $170 and even driving the hell out of one you'll get back a large chunk of that. I don't see how prices can go much lower in the mean time.

Thankfully I live 1 mile from the newest McLaren dealer in the states

 

[PDCjonny]

I really think the used prices are going to stabilize around $170 and even driving the hell out of one you'll get back a large chunk of that. I don't see how prices can go much lower in the mean time.

Thankfully I live 1 mile from the newest McLaren dealer in the states

That's the key. You have to live nearby a dealer and they are far and few between.
Since they are all still under warranty and have been known to be glitchy that's a must.
I couldn't rationalize a purchase because there is no dealer in my STATE....nearest is a hike up to CT.

And I agree, they have about bottomed out price wise. Great cars. Does the 650S look better, yeah.
Does that diminish the value of the MP4? Not in my eyes its still very much a true exotic.

 

[ViperSmith]

That's the key. You have to live nearby a dealer and they are far and few between.
Since they are all still under warranty and have been known to be glitchy that's a must.
I couldn't rationalize a purchase because there is no dealer in my STATE....nearest is a hike up to CT.

And I agree, they have about bottomed out price wise. Great cars. Does the 650S look better, yeah.
Does that diminish the value of the MP4? Not in my eyes its still very much a true exotic.

The 12C is perhaps one of the most fun cars I've driven. It just felt scary once you got past 70MPH. My Viper never gave me that feeling (perhaps shifting sort of breaks the feeling up)

Only way I'd grab one is with the extended warranty with it, $4k a year but all in all $350 a month is cheap insurance for what could be a $50k engine repair. If the closest was far away I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[ViperDC]

Viper for sure. With the deals they're offering now you can't go wrong. Performance close to Gallardo and McLaren for much cheaper. I prefer the looks of the Viper to the McLaren, but prefer the looks of the Gallardo to the Viper.

 

[v10enomous]

It sounds like you're determined to spend $200k on a car or two. If you were going to just save the $100k I'd say get the Viper but if you must spend $200k for some reason then get the McLaren or buy 2 Vipers or a Viper and a Z07. Having a $100k daily driver is a PITA IMO.

 

[EdwardETraylorIII]

Or... Just buy that 2014 TT Viper that's for sale since you obviously want more performance than a stock Gallo or Viper can provide......

 

[fuelman]

Go with the Viper, as Bruce said, once you spend the time learning where the edge of the envelope is, then you will be tuff to beat at any track day. Plus you can beat on the car all weekend and still drive home, no $10k brake jobs to be done. Also, I always get a thumbs up at the gas pumps from everyone.

 

[2001-V10 Power Nut]

I have a Gen 2 & a Gen 4 car, with the differences being fairly large. At VOI last weekend I test drove a 2015 car & WOW what a difference, the Gen 5 cars are amazing, from the styling to the leather to the driving, its scores a 10 in my book. Go test drive one, I think it will more than push you in that direction.

 

[2001-V10 Power Nut]

The SRT guys told us at VOI that the plant will start up in November, unless there is a stronger demand for the 2015's then they will start up the plant sooner. I test drove a 2015 at VOI, I have no idea if it was just a car that SRT brought to VOI to show off (they had 3-4 2014's there also) or if some of the 2015's have started to make it to dealerships. Basically the 2013,2014,2015 have very few differences, and the 15K discount applies to all of them.