Test drove first Viper today...

[santo]

I've been doing my research and have my mind set on a Viper, all without ever seeing one in the last eight years... up till last week.

This past weekend I viewed two at an auction. I was hesitant to bid because I've never even got into one before and t turned out they were bid up past what I wanted to spend and they didn't make the reserve bid so they didn't sell.

Today, I looked at another one and actually went to a used car dealer. Not exactly the best place to buy one but there are slim pickin's up here so I went for a test drive at lunch.

I actually was quite disappointed in the test drive. It was very short (four left turns since all dealer plates were out) but I could not get comfortable and the pedals were much too far away for my liking. It also had a Borla exhaust and it sounded like the world was ending. Shifting was very clunky and I am used to Reverse being down so I looked like a complete fool with the salesman next to me, even though I've driven standard for over 10 years. I had no idea where the shift points were and I didn't even look at the tach until it was too late. Only afterwards did the salesman shw me how to adjust the pedals.

It was disasterous. I left the short episode completely puzzled and had thoughts of waiting until next year and doing some more research on other vehicles. I figured I'd buy now, store it and be ready for spring since I might get a deal right now but now I wan't sure.

Tomorrow I will be test driving another one
Santo

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Buying a Viper isnt anything that needs to be done in haste. Drive as many as you need too until you find one you like. What year and style did you drive today? With adjustable pedals, I know its a Gen 2 or 3, but was it a RT/10, GTS, SRT? Viper's stock exhaust is actually very quiet when driving. It was too quiet for me, I like it sounding like the world is coming to an end . The shift points you'll learn and reverse being over and up is just something Vipers have. I dont like it either. I would prefer it to be like in some BMW's where reverse is to the up and to the left of 1st or either over and down. But thats just b/c im paranoid about going for 6th one day and hitting reverse instead. Good luck finding one you like. They really are awesome machines!

 

[cobramadness]

I hear ya, hope I don't look like an ****** when I finally take one out. I've sat in plenty although never have driven one. I wasn't aware that you could adjust the pedals either.

 

[RedEnuf93]

Sounds like you need a Corvette....or whatever they are called??? Just like the one your neighbour has, you know...

 

[big-n-italian]

before i bought mine, i thought hey, no problem, it is just another clutch car. i have driven clutches for a number of years.

but these cars are like no other. it is a very hard thing to understand until you actually buy one and drive it for awhile. what you tried to learn in one day probably took me 3 - 6 months to get comfortable doing. dont get discouraged. after two years, i am still learning the car and what it is capable of, and i dont even drive mine to its limits like others on this board do.

like V10 speed said, "They really are awesome machines!"

 

[santo]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I have driven a few other standard cars before and it didn't take me long to figure it out. this was different and I really appreciate hearing that it's not easy at first. I'm pretty sure I never needed to get out of first but accelerating for that long sort of forced me to shift even though it wasn't needed. I guess I need to be reprogrammed

It was a 2001 RT/10. It was not very well taken care of and was ruined by a large custom viper painted on the hood. It was definitely not the car for me before I even got in but my brother was there and coaxed me to test drive it anyway. I'm glad he did because now I have something to compare to.

One of the Vipers at the auction was started up and moved to the auction floor and it sounded much better. Maybe a little quieter then I expected but it was fine. It was completely stock which is simiar to the Viper I'll be testing tomorrow. My only concern with the one tomorrow is that I heard one door was repainted as well as the front facia and one of the hood vents. Carfax is clean so it may have been rock chips but I would prefer a "******" car, even if it showed some signs of wear. I have seen this car this week and it looks immaculate. I'm just going to test it out tomorrow. Is this an issue? It would have been more of an issue if the body was metal but it might not be as bad as I think if it's non-metalic. Should I worry about this?

Thanks for the advice.

P.S. "Buy a Vette?"... low blow. That's no way to treat a near-future Viper owner

Santo

 

[RedEnuf93]

My only concern with the one tomorrow is that I heard one door was repainted as well as the front facia and one of the hood vents.Should I worry about this?
would prefer a "******" car

If you prefer a ****** car, this is not it. Rarely at auctions you see "******" cars.

Try posting a "Want to buy" ad here? My friend did it and less than 2 weeks later he had a car he wanted. 9000 mile Gen 1 with external antenna. Excactly what he wanted.
Remember in Vipers looks can be decieving, you should worry more about repaired frames and collision issues.
Carfax does not prove anything.

Just be careful, you dont want to end up buying someone's garbage that looks good...

Good luck with your hunting.
PS. If everything else fails, there is still always the Vette...

 

[PSilverGTS]

The first thing I recommend before test driving another one, is to remove the driver's floor mat. The floor mat is very poor design because it bunches up under the pedals very easily. It amazes me how they never corrected this problem. When I went to test drive my car, it was in a ball under the pedals.

Secondly, the pedals are also poorly thought out. I ended up adjusting the pedals individually to lower the gas below the brake pedal. Easy to do and directions can be found on this site. You will get used to the pedals in time, but I'm not a fan of the long clutch pedal, the brake pedal is too far over to the left and no dead pedal. I wish I was on the engineering committee because I would have fixed these issues before production.

The transmission is basically the same one used in Corvette. The Viper has enough power to start in second and drive in six gear at 40. I don't understand why you were looking for shift points, it's not a four ******. I usually start in second, shift to fourth, then six gear. What ever you do, just don't floor it in first and shift hard into second because you'll die!

P.S. The Viper will be the best car you'll ever own.

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

Many of us have been "bitten" by the Viper in learning to drive it and it is not uncommon for some minor paintwork or other cosmetic issues. Other Vipers were not so lucky and were totalled and rebuilt. There is a difference between a mailbox and a tree when hitting them. Try to contact the previous owner to see what happened.
You are right in that prices are best this time of year especially in the snowy areas as I did this myself just over 1 year ago. I live in Rochester, NY, a fast ferry trip away from you. Keep in touch on your progress and good luck.

 

[Inferno]

Santo, I live in the GTA, let me know if you want to see a nice Viper up close.

 

[santo]

Just be careful, you dont want to end up buying someone's garbage that looks good...

Thanks for the concern RedEnuf93. The auction was an annual Classic/Performance car auction and was nt a run-of-the-mill "let's get rid of these cars" auction. I will have it looked over independently, if it's the right one. The dealer has driven it personally for the last year and is selling because winter is coming so I don't see any red flags but we'll see tomorrow.

Now, is if anyone is selling a Gen II RT/10 in Canada, I'd be interested

Thanks for the feedback,
Santo

 

[santo]

Santo, I live in the GTA, let me know if you want to see a nice Viper up close.

Thanks for the offer, Inferno. I really appreciate it but I think I'm okay. Once I get mine, I plan on seeing yours up close at some events, perhaps. What I would REALLY like is the name/location of a good Viper mechanic, if you know any. Please PM me. I am in Richmond Hill, if it makes any difference.

Santo

 

[forensicsteve]

Santo

Had my 1st Viper 6 months now. Had a zo6 before. Both are 6 speeds. Drive my gen2 daily. Also still getting used to it. Have driven sports cars since 1972.

Got to say that this is car that just excites. It's visceral. It's not about speed (at least not for me). It's about gripping a small steering wheel firmly and actually having to drive an automobile. It's about being too focused on driving to not care or even think about the absence of a cup-holder and other such trivial amenities.
It will embarass you if you take it for granted or show disrespect.

It's rough. It's rude. It's brutal. It's beautiful. It's a Viper

 

[DEVILDOG]

But thats just b/c im paranoid about going for 6th one day and hitting reverse instead. Good luck finding one you like. They really are awesome machines!

I think you meant to say 5th. I think the reverse lockout would prevent that from happening, however, I'm not going to test it on purpose to find out.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

But thats just b/c im paranoid about going for 6th one day and hitting reverse instead. Good luck finding one you like. They really are awesome machines!

I think you meant to say 5th. I think the reverse lockout would prevent that from happening, however, I'm not going to test it on purpose to find out.

Oops, I stand corrected

 

[steel snake]

Santo, This is a car you have to get aquainted with. Mine has Borla. I LIKE it. Going around the city block don't tell you sh*t. Get this car on a mountain road and it's the most fun you'll have with your clothes on. I never get out of 1st in a parking lot. Who needs skip-shift. 3 grand seems like a smooth shift point. Seamless. And there's nothing clunky about the tranny. You can pop a shift in a nano-second. These cars are scary, exciting and definitely unique. Pulling 5 grand on a mountain straight away....priceless. Get on board!!!!!

 

[red98RT10]

Got to say that this is car that just excites. It's visceral. It's not about speed (at least not for me). It's about gripping a small steering wheel firmly and actually having to drive an automobile. It's about being too focused on driving to not care or even think about the absence of a cup-holder and other such trivial amenities.
It will embarass you if you take it for granted or show disrespect.

It's rough. It's rude. It's brutal. It's beautiful. It's a Viper

Great quote forensicsteve! You really capture the Viper experience!

 

[viper spray]

What you need to do is get back on your 10 speed and start practicing your shifting , then move up to a Yugo and work with that for a year or two. Then after many years of driving around the block go back to that used car dealer and check to see if he still has the Viper.

 

[Falconeer]

I send you a PM.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

I have seen Falconeer's GTS. It's in great shape.

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

I got mine in August. Until I got the pedals right, driving the car was a little awkward. Wait until you have driven a few until buying. Talk to Chuck Tator about any car you are considering. He will give you the complete history on the car, and advice on how to inspect it.

All that said, driving the car is the most fun you will have. I was driving it today, and a mail driver drove up beside me. He looked down, smiled as big as you could believe, and shouted to the world, "That's what I'm talking about!". He damn near fell out of the mail truck.

Happens almost every time I drive it.

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

Got to say that this is car that just excites. It's visceral. It's not about speed (at least not for me). It's about gripping a small steering wheel firmly and actually having to drive an automobile. It's about being too focused on driving to not care or even think about the absence of a cup-holder and other such trivial amenities.
It will embarass you if you take it for granted or show disrespect.

It's rough. It's rude. It's brutal. It's beautiful. It's a Viper

The above comments capture Viper ownership quite well and remind me of a quotation I saw here almost 6 years ago:

“The 348 Ferrari is more like a fine cutlass and the Viper more of a two-handed battle axe. You can dispatch your opponent with either one, but only the Viper can cleave his head off in one massive stroke”

That statement pretty much sums it up. A Viper is like electricity---treat it with much respect and it will serve you well. No respect......expect to be bitten. It's a two-handed car on all but the smoothest roads and can never be taken for granted. You really need to get on a track with some schooling to appreciate these cars and drive them safely.

Except for the offset pedals, I found the actual mechanics of clutch and transmission to be one of the smoothest and easiest I've ever driven.

Steve

 

[JUCD VPR]

Exactly what steve 00RT/10 said its a two handed car. I bought mine and i had not seen one in 10 years since i was a little kid, never driven one or anything but i knew it was my destiny to own one. I've alway had fast mustangs and drove them with only 1 hand on the wheel. The Viper likes the attention and requires you to hold her with two hands. Rough roads **** and in my RT/10 it feels like the car is everywhere. Its hard gettin used to at first. The first day i drove mine the stupid floor mat stuck the throttle at 3 grand so i ripped that SOB out and threw it in the trunk for eternity haha
Good luck on your search.

 

[santo]

Well, again, thanks for everyone's responses. I beleive my new signature speaks for itself

The second test drive went great. The shifter is in a bit of an awkward position for me since I'm used to it in a different location (the Viper is a little taller because of it's locationin the centre console) but it won't take long to get used to it. It's a 2001 yellow (I hear they are faster...) RT/10 that is bone stock. I like it that way. It is a Florida car that was brought up and has 34,000 miles on it. I think I got it for a decent price up here and am anxiously awaiting it's availability for me to pick up on Monday.

Here it is:

I'm psyched yet sad that I'll probably be able to drive it a week or so then store it for the winter. It will be a looooong winter, I tell you

Time to finally join the VCA! Thanks again all,
Santo
Owner: 2001 Yellow RT/10

 

[LETHAL GTS]

Good for you and welcome. If you ever make it out towards MB let me know. There are a few of us around Winnipeg with Vipers. Look into MGW short shifters. That's what myself and many others here are using. I don't like the stock truck like shifter and changed mine. Now my arm lays flat on the council. Big improvement.
The winter won't be that long if you have a place to work on your car. You need to make a few mods to your car. For example, get ahold of ROE RACING and order S&B filters and smooth tubes.
http://www.roeracing.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCat_P.asp?ProdSort=1&idCategory=6&page=1&iPageSize=10
$150 gets you 10hp. You mentioned earlier that you don't like your car too loud? Well my guess is that it won't be long before you are doing exhaust mods. Another needed mod. I changed my exhaust before even putting my car on the road. I couldn't hear my shift points LOL.
Congrats and have fun.
One other thing, Be very careful with your new ride. The torque is more than most have ever experienced before and can easily get you in trouble. Never change directions when you have your foot to the floor. At least not until you get use to driving your Snake sideways anyway.

 

[red98RT10]

Congrats on the new Viper! I am sorry though...you were misinformed about the Yellow's speed. Red has been show to be the fastest by far. Something to do with the color being on the far end of the visual spectrum or something...

 

[DodgeViper01]

Congrats. Looks like you got off to a rough start but everything seems to have worked out for the better. Good luck with the car!!

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

Well, since it is Yellow, you can't go wrong! Best of Luck. And, Enjoy.

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

Congrats!!! My Viper will be off the road in a couple weeks also. RT/10 Vipers are the most fun with the top off so next summer will be awesome for you. I prefer to use 2 people to put on or take off the top to avoid scratches. Take it easy on the throttle because it can break loose with just the gas pedal. Feel free to ask me any questions. Good luch and enjoy the beautiful ride before winter.

 

[santo]

Thanks for all the well wishes. I appreciate it and am literally counting down the hours till I can pick it up tomorrow

Santo