Well, I've had it for about a month now so I'll give you my first impressions.
I picked up a '96 RT/10, white with blue stripes about a month ago and drove it half way across the country to bring it home. For the first couple hours driving it home, I could hardly get over the excitement, despite some nervousness handing over the check. I settled into the car quickly and enjoyed every minute of the drive home. I knew I was in for a new experience when 3 different people on the highway sped up after I passed them to take pictures of the car with their cell phone cameras.
Once I got it home, I worked every night after work to get the car into the condition it deserved. I had already bought every product that Zaino has and used them all on the car. It came out beautiful! Then a fresh oil change (Mobil 1), and new tires, the ones on there were from 1998. New floor mats custom made by US Speed and a new stereo system and I was ready to drive.
On the first couple drives I found that this is the most comfortable car I've owned. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bragging that I'm rich or something, far from it. I'm a working class guy who has busted his butt to afford a couple nice things in life while still saving for retirement. Anyway, I've also owned two Hummers. H2 was sold to buy the Viper, and I still own my H3. Both are far more civilized, a term rarely used to describe any Hummer, more comfortable to sit in, have a more comfortable ride, are quieter, and are far better appointed in the luxuries found in high dollar cars. The Viper however still wins out. It fits like a glove, despite the fact I'm 6'4", shifts smooth as butter, and puts a grin on your face as you drive that you just can't get rid of.
I heard a lot of complaints of cooking yourself in the car from the heat off the engine. Maybe I'm used to the heat of Arizona, but that has not yet been a problem. It was 97 degrees today, yeah 97 in the middle of March, and I took it out for a few errands and a little joy ride out of town. Top off, back window out (I'm trying to find some replacement rubber for it), and windows off. Never cooked in there, but I did turn on the A/C a couple times when I was stuck at traffic lights. The water temperature does get a bit too high, I've tried the burping techniques several times but I have it scheduled to get flushed next week, I hope that helps. It gets close to the red zone but never hits it.
Things I've learned in the first month:
Don't do anything in your car while driving or sitting at lights that you don't want people to see you do, everyone is looking.
It takes a lot longer to fill the tank at the gas station because you are sure to get at least 3 people coming over to look at your car and ask you how fast it goes and how much it costs.
Everything about this car is expensive. Tires, floormats, service, gas, even a stereo is more expensive because they figure you can afford it.
I don't get as much sleep because I spend too much time in the garage.
Corvette people don't like Vipers to park next to them or pull up next to them at traffic lights because nobody looks at their car.
And finally, all of the above is worth it.
I've learned a lot searching this site. Fixed a sagging door, learned how to purge the cooling system, got some great ideas how to replace the rubber on the back window (still working on that one), and found some great vendors and suppliers. Thanks for all of that.
Pictures coming soon, I just haven't got around to that.
I picked up a '96 RT/10, white with blue stripes about a month ago and drove it half way across the country to bring it home. For the first couple hours driving it home, I could hardly get over the excitement, despite some nervousness handing over the check. I settled into the car quickly and enjoyed every minute of the drive home. I knew I was in for a new experience when 3 different people on the highway sped up after I passed them to take pictures of the car with their cell phone cameras.
Once I got it home, I worked every night after work to get the car into the condition it deserved. I had already bought every product that Zaino has and used them all on the car. It came out beautiful! Then a fresh oil change (Mobil 1), and new tires, the ones on there were from 1998. New floor mats custom made by US Speed and a new stereo system and I was ready to drive.
On the first couple drives I found that this is the most comfortable car I've owned. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bragging that I'm rich or something, far from it. I'm a working class guy who has busted his butt to afford a couple nice things in life while still saving for retirement. Anyway, I've also owned two Hummers. H2 was sold to buy the Viper, and I still own my H3. Both are far more civilized, a term rarely used to describe any Hummer, more comfortable to sit in, have a more comfortable ride, are quieter, and are far better appointed in the luxuries found in high dollar cars. The Viper however still wins out. It fits like a glove, despite the fact I'm 6'4", shifts smooth as butter, and puts a grin on your face as you drive that you just can't get rid of.
I heard a lot of complaints of cooking yourself in the car from the heat off the engine. Maybe I'm used to the heat of Arizona, but that has not yet been a problem. It was 97 degrees today, yeah 97 in the middle of March, and I took it out for a few errands and a little joy ride out of town. Top off, back window out (I'm trying to find some replacement rubber for it), and windows off. Never cooked in there, but I did turn on the A/C a couple times when I was stuck at traffic lights. The water temperature does get a bit too high, I've tried the burping techniques several times but I have it scheduled to get flushed next week, I hope that helps. It gets close to the red zone but never hits it.
Things I've learned in the first month:
Don't do anything in your car while driving or sitting at lights that you don't want people to see you do, everyone is looking.
It takes a lot longer to fill the tank at the gas station because you are sure to get at least 3 people coming over to look at your car and ask you how fast it goes and how much it costs.
Everything about this car is expensive. Tires, floormats, service, gas, even a stereo is more expensive because they figure you can afford it.
I don't get as much sleep because I spend too much time in the garage.
Corvette people don't like Vipers to park next to them or pull up next to them at traffic lights because nobody looks at their car.
And finally, all of the above is worth it.
I've learned a lot searching this site. Fixed a sagging door, learned how to purge the cooling system, got some great ideas how to replace the rubber on the back window (still working on that one), and found some great vendors and suppliers. Thanks for all of that.
Pictures coming soon, I just haven't got around to that.
