I must admit that I don't really care for the car in these pics. It reminds me of a 90's Toyota Supra. However, I must go back to when I was a VV which I remember very clearly. This is my unemotional, unattached, pure recollection of my VV (Viper ******) experience, not contaminated with knowledge or experience.
When I saw the Gen I in pictures for the first time, I thought it was interesting but was not blown away. I remember all the hype but it was more than a years salary and totally out of my league so I moved on. Then some time later I actually saw one and I WAS blown away. It was still more than I could afford but I did fantasize about owning one one day. A few more years go by, I have been working very hard its time to for a little reward. The new Gen III comes out, but its OK in pictures. It does not do much for me so I am looking at Porsches. My wife says to me, "there is no way your a Porsche guy, isn't there something else out there". Well I say, maybe a Viper. I found one at a fairly nearby dealer, so on our way to dinner one night we stop by. I remember very clearly. I walk into the showroom and there it sits. Holly !@#$, that is so cool. I asked if they would start it and they did. I knelt down to the side pipe, took a deep breath, inhaled and said I'll take it. You will always remember your first.
I have never thought the Viper looked good in pictures Gen I, II, III, or IV. It never really shows of its aggressive, low wide stance. I still don't think they look good in pictures but I am now very bias. When I see a viper in a picture it immediately conjures up emotional attachments from all my connections to the car. I have been to so many track events and driving events, seen so many Vipers and have so many great memories that any picture brings out those fond memories, so I cannot objectively look at a Viper ever again. It's not just a car and hasn't been for a long time.
So now the Gen V comes out. The first pictures actually look pretty good to me. I don't have all the hangups that many on this forum have. The only thing I don't like is the gap under the front facia and around the wheels. But if everyone is honest all the other Gen's have a big gaps too. ALL the cool looking pics of Viper have lowered stances and a dropped front facia. The recent pictures of the Gen V on the street don't look near as good as the promo stuff does. It looks too narrow and high, but there is not a good reference to really judge. So I went back and looked at stock pictures of GEN III & IV's. They look pretty tame and sit high as well. I don't really know what to think.
Though I am not a ******, I have not seen my Viper in quite a while. I have been building a new house, been very busy and have no place for it at home so I have had it in storage. Plus the fact that it did not pass emissions the last time and I have not had time to deal with it. Well I thought, I could be a born again Viper ****** (BAVV). The other great thing about Vipers is that you rarely see them on the road and I hadn't seen any Viper in quite a while. I could definitely qualify as a BAVV. So I leave the office today and go by my storage unit, pop the lock, raise the door and as the light creeps in from under the raising door, that gorgeous Viper reveals itself. Damn I love that car. I forgot how wide it is and low, mmm . . . . I climb in, snuggle in my seat, put my hand on the shifter, ooohhhh . . . .push the start button . . . . ahaaaaa.
Morally of the story, I would have never bought a Viper if I had not seen it in person. I submit to you all of you, that know one has any ties to the new car like you have to yours, so there is no subjective, emotional pull like you have with the older cars. Of course I am only speaking to Viper owners not Viper posers. I have talked to a couple of people that have actually seen the car, and they say its great. Based on that, I have put a deposit down on one. I will have to see it in person before I actually buy it, however but I am confident that it will not disappoint. I have loved them all so far and I suspect # 5 will continue to keep my interest.