Sold my business and turned 33, so I bought my 06' Coupe brand spanking new out of the showroom as a present to myself. Of course, my lovely wife always preaches no regrets in life, so it was with her full support.
35 now, but I have been collecting cars and working on cars, since I was able to work and turned the ripe ole age of 13. Pretty much capped off every highlight in my life with a special car purchase;
(1) - 1969 Mach 1 when I turned 14 after working a summer of construction
(2) - 1983 Ford Mustang GT - After getting my drivers license.
(3) - 1987 Ford Mustang GT - After getting drafted to NHL.
(4) - 1993 GMC Sierra GT 1/2 ton truck - 383 stroker, whipple, lowered, etc. - After graduating high school.
(5) - 1996 Ford Cobra Mustang - after graduating BSEE and getting first professional career job.
(3) - 1999 Saleen S281R - after receiving my first management position promotion.
(4) - 1995 Saleen S351 "Mystic Edition" Speedster (my very first dream car after getting my driver's license) after my first Operations Management position promotion.
(5) - 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo - After my first VP BD Position for the US.
(6) - 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe - After selling my company.
(7) - 2007 Jeep SRT8 - After selling my company.
(8) - 2005 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S - After my first VP of US Operations promotion.
That pretty much caps it off. While I am young, I hate to say but I agree that for the most part a Viper should be a car you grow into, not start out in. If I had a Viper when I was 16, I would have probably wrapped it around a pole with me in it. The financial stability aspect is important and you need to understand that a Viper is a luxury item. Take care of your smart investments, money management and your professional career first because if you do that, you can have as many Vipers as you like later on. In all that, there is a balance. I lucked out that I was able to find it and it looks like there are a lot of young Viper owners that have done that as well. That is awesome.
I think everyone should just feel fortunate to own such a car and the large numbers of young owners is extremely encouraging that the Viper, itself will remain truly timeless.
For the older guys who were around when the Cobra was new. It is a second chance that is for sure. What fun is inheritence anyway?
Okay I will get off my soap box. just glad to be a part of the big family.
