Jeff Lemke
Enthusiast
\"Upgrading\" to another Viper
I'm killing some time at home right now, so this could get long.
I find myself in a heavenly situation that I would have never have dreamed I'd be in a couple of years ago. I've had my 94 for almost ten years, purchased an 01 about 17 months ago and an 04 about 2 months ago (the latter two as business requirements). I was pretty excited to get the 04 as I have never even sat in a g3 car until I bought it. My wife and I have been driving it everywhere the last couple of months and having a blast. I love the quality of the car, the interior, the radio that sounds decent, the look out over the hood with the sharp fenders, the nice and easy top, and The Power. Overall, its also a great looking car that (to my surprise) will turn heads just like our Gen 1's and 2's. I was pretty convinced that if I had to keep one Viper, the 04 was it.
Until today...
The 04 is ******* right now for the hardtop project and my wife wanted a Viper to run an errand with this evening. I dusted off the 94, charged the battery and took it for the first drive in 7 months to make sure all systems were GO. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was shocked to discover how much more fun I was having driving that car. It fit me better. The seating position and the way the car drove, handled, behaved, was simply more fun. Maybe not better, but definately more fun. The interior had a more open/roadster feel and was less cave-like than the gen 3. It felt like it had more torque in the low RPMS (fun for around town). Then of course there is the drop dead georgous, look like nothing else, I have the coolest hood ever to hit pavement, only should have been a show-car, appearance.
We have a game that we play with people when they come into our shop and see all 3 Vipers. They are usually average Joe's that rarely get to even see one up close. The simple question is "which one would you pick?". The gen 2 car wins every time. EVERY TIME.
I wish I could put my finger on what it is about each of the different cars that makes them so desirable in different ways. When the gen 3 car came out it seemed only natural to envy the guy who had the latest and greatest. I now know there is no need for that. It truely depends on what you like.
The point to all of this is simple: I am in posession of all 3 cars right now and I think it is just about impossible to tell anyone which one is THE BEST. Some guys can do it because they know for sure they want a car with windows. Or a Viper without sidepipes just is not a real Viper. They have there mind already set. If I had to pick only one to keep forever, I can tell you with all certainty that I do not have the answer.
Enjoy what you have.
I'm killing some time at home right now, so this could get long.
I find myself in a heavenly situation that I would have never have dreamed I'd be in a couple of years ago. I've had my 94 for almost ten years, purchased an 01 about 17 months ago and an 04 about 2 months ago (the latter two as business requirements). I was pretty excited to get the 04 as I have never even sat in a g3 car until I bought it. My wife and I have been driving it everywhere the last couple of months and having a blast. I love the quality of the car, the interior, the radio that sounds decent, the look out over the hood with the sharp fenders, the nice and easy top, and The Power. Overall, its also a great looking car that (to my surprise) will turn heads just like our Gen 1's and 2's. I was pretty convinced that if I had to keep one Viper, the 04 was it.
Until today...
The 04 is ******* right now for the hardtop project and my wife wanted a Viper to run an errand with this evening. I dusted off the 94, charged the battery and took it for the first drive in 7 months to make sure all systems were GO. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was shocked to discover how much more fun I was having driving that car. It fit me better. The seating position and the way the car drove, handled, behaved, was simply more fun. Maybe not better, but definately more fun. The interior had a more open/roadster feel and was less cave-like than the gen 3. It felt like it had more torque in the low RPMS (fun for around town). Then of course there is the drop dead georgous, look like nothing else, I have the coolest hood ever to hit pavement, only should have been a show-car, appearance.
We have a game that we play with people when they come into our shop and see all 3 Vipers. They are usually average Joe's that rarely get to even see one up close. The simple question is "which one would you pick?". The gen 2 car wins every time. EVERY TIME.
I wish I could put my finger on what it is about each of the different cars that makes them so desirable in different ways. When the gen 3 car came out it seemed only natural to envy the guy who had the latest and greatest. I now know there is no need for that. It truely depends on what you like.
The point to all of this is simple: I am in posession of all 3 cars right now and I think it is just about impossible to tell anyone which one is THE BEST. Some guys can do it because they know for sure they want a car with windows. Or a Viper without sidepipes just is not a real Viper. They have there mind already set. If I had to pick only one to keep forever, I can tell you with all certainty that I do not have the answer.
Enjoy what you have.
