SRT 10 first sighting

[Viperfreak2]

I know, all of you have long since seen a real SRT-10 on the road, but this weekend was my first. I have to say I'm very disappointed. Not with the car, with the driver. Duncan SC is a very small town, yet Viper sightings are an everyday thing! Me. So you can imagine my shock at seeing a silver 2003 within 1/4 mile of my house! I pulled out on the main road and there it was, nose to nose at a traffic light (the only one in the town) a red with white stripes 2002 GTS and the silver 2003 SRT-10! So, in the 'family tradition' I offered a brief wave and thumbs up as we passed each other. What was this [******]'s reaction? An upturned nose and complete lack of recognition of a fellow Viper brother. All day I fumed. I'm still having a hard time understanding. When I ride my motorcycle (crotch rocket) I always wave to other bikes. Some Harley guys won't acknowlegde my existance, but I can understand the disapproval of such dissimilar machines, but to me Vipers are Vipers. While I like the looks of the car, it is making me reconsider a lot of things. Do I want to be one of these guys where arrogance is the norm and I truly believe in my own superiority to the point that no one else comes close to me? Maybe I should just chill out and accept that some people just don't get it. I've rarely seen anyone from this area post here, so I assume this guy isn't a Viper club kinda guy. Maybe he just didn't see my bright red GTS? It's gonna take some time.....

 

[viperdrummer]

I'm surprised you recognized it as a Viper. While I would love to have one for the performance (I have had Gen 1 and 2), to me it looks like a blown up S2000. I would not look twice if one passed me on the street. There is one here in a showroom in Richmond and there were 2x as many folks looking at my GTS as there were looking at the 03--sad. But, like I say, I would not turn one down.--just very disappointed in the lack of styling. Imagine how bonkers people would be if the SRT had come out first followed by a Gen 2 car.

 

[Daffy Duck Viper]

That is sad to hear. Shocking, really. I mean, the Viper community is relatively small, so you'd think it would be much more close-knit then that. Obviously he's just an *******. They're all over the place, unfortunately. I feel sorry for the Viper, to have such an owner.

As for people not recognizing the new Viper, anyone who has a brain knows what it is. It's not THAT different from the old Viper. And those who keep insisting it is, and continuing to make all sorts of negative comments, they need to get over their biased attitude. It's a Viper, and it's here to stay, so embrace it and stop causing unnecessary division within the Viper community.

-Daffy

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Don't let it get to you too much. There are some people that are just WAY too full of themselves no matter what they are driving. That guy probably bought his from a broker for $125,000 when they were first released (somebody immediately "turned" one) and just KNOWS he is the better man because of it. You get those kinds of guys in every single type of car ever made.

I remember my very first Viper encounter when the GTS first came out. We were in our Suburban with the kids heading down to Florida. Saw this blue/white GTS pull up next to us at a light in Louisiana. We all waved and gave big thumbs ups to the guy (and I had no hope of ever owning a Viper at the time). The guy looks over, LITERALLY puts his nose up in the air, and drives off as the light changes. Not even a smile. It was then and there that we decided that ALL Viper owners were jerks. Fortunately, we have since found that to be only partially true.

Chris

 

[MiamiJeff]

...Obviously he's just an *******...

...As for people not recognizing the new Viper, anyone who has a brain knows what it is. It's not THAT different from the old Viper...

I agree with the first part. However, even though I've got an SRT on order, I've been fooled by the hood of a black camaro (or was it a black firebird?--I guess I'm no Mensa member!) I still don't see any S2000 though.

 

[doctorbob]

I agree with Daffy Duck. I have had an RT/10, two GTSs, and my SRT is on order (hopefully will be here in a month). However, the SRT is a Viper and definitely does not look like a S2000. I will miss my GTS but I am looking forward to the technological change and a go faster car! As a final comment, bring on the next generation street coupe!(John or Herb at PVO if you are reading this put my order in now)

 

[Viperfreak2]

Thanks for the support. I'm starting to see clearly. There will always be the 5% that belong on the Jerry Springer show. I'm just angry that instead of a local Viper friend, I have the opposite. I'm still reconsidering the yellow 2004 I have ordered (Woodhouse) and thinking that a Roe supercharger on the GTS would make any encounters with the guy in the silver SRT more interesting. I dare him to show up at the Greer dragway.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Did anyone consider that he simply didn't notice you? I know that my sight isn't real keen and I am far from someone that turns up his nose, but many times I don't notice someone until they go by. I feel bad about it, but what can you do? I'll bet the guy is great, as all of us are, he just didn't see you.

 

[Viperfreak2]

I put that in above, but you have to consider the location time of day, and color or the car. Location? 4 lane intersection, straight as an arrow for at least a mile, him at the lights on one side, me approaching alone from the opposite. Time of day? High noon, bright sunshine 65 degrees outside. Color? Red with white stripes. He glanced at me with his eyes as we passed each other, but didn't feel the need to acknowledge my friendly gesture. Same thing happens whenever I see a Z06. They kinda pretend the Viper isn't really there.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Happens sometimes with me as well. I have one hand on the shifter and the other on the steering wheel. Only way to gesture is a head nod. Easy to miss.

Same thing regarding Vettes. Many will wave/signal but many also do not. Of course many Vette owners are not "car people" and thus may not even know what a Viper is.