What don't you like?

[Wild Bill]

What don\'t you like?

G'day

As the search for my soon to be purchased 97-99 RED RT/10 continues I curious what you don't like about your Viper?

What would you like D/C to change or add?

I'm 6'3"- is it difficult to install the seat lowering kit (I am mechanically challenged)? In fact, in general, how difficult is it to do some of the standard maintenance yourself?

Thanks!

Bill

 

[GTS Bruce]

Re: What don\'t you like?

The Viper is a quirky car but strong and reliable.All exotics are a little quirky and usually not strong or reliable.Love the car.A few quirks are part of the character. Bruce

 

[SUN RA KAT]

Re: What don\'t you like?

I'm 6'5" and had someone much more agile than I am put in the 2" seat lowering kit at Woodhouse Viper before I flew out and picked up my Viper. I still wish for more leg room. I'm thinking a small hard pillow attached with velcro to the transmission cover for my right knee to lean on would be good, but I haven't found the right size pillow yet. I had to get the GTS because my head would be 2" higher than the emergency folding top with the seat lowering kit and 4" too high with stock seats. I like the quirks that give the Vipers their own special personality.

 

[RX VIPER]

Re: What don\'t you like?

If your into tunes the factory stereo is a bit weak, especially if you put on an aftermarket exhaust. Also, the battery tends to trickle down a little quicker than the average bear if left sitting for any length of time. Also, I'm 3'1" so I had to have my seat raised a foot. You may have seen me in the latest Austin Powers movie. YAH BABY! Seriously though, no real complaints on the car, and for the record I'm 6'1 in my George Costanza Timberlands! (That's an inch of rubber on the bottom for you non-Seinfeld fans!) As far as general maintenance, the car is much easier to work on than most cars that roll of the lines today. Everything is pretty straight forward. I'm not that mechanical so I got the '96 service manual for mine and have impressed myself with the things I've been able to do on my own.

 

[BruceW]

Re: What don\'t you like?

My complaints are:
1) the turning radius is too big (it's my daily driver and it's a bit of work manuevering in tight spaces)and,
2) I have become obsessed with Vipers. When I'm not driving it or working on it I am spending a lot of time reading the manual and cruising this web site and others learning more about it.
I love this car!

 

[SPARKY]

Re: What don\'t you like?

Ditto to SlaughterJ. Turn the wheel and pop the clutch! works everytime!

 

[SSSSE YA]

Re: What don\'t you like?

I have become obsessed with Vipers. When I'm not driving it or working on it I am spending a lot of time reading the manual and cruising this web site and others learning more about it.
I love this car!

[/B][/QUOTE]
Perfectly said!!!!

 

[slaughterj]

Re: What don\'t you like?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BruceW:
My complaints are:
1) the turning radius is too big (it's my daily driver and it's a bit of work manuevering in tight spaces)and,
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's not really an issue though - I find that if I apply some additional pressure with my right foot while turning the steering wheel, that the rear end will spin around nicely, severely cutting down the turning radius

 

[slaughterj]

Re: What don\'t you like?

What I don't like are the outrageous prices for parts for the car (i.e., the Viper "tax") - make sure you get an extended warranty to ameliorate that!

 

[Tiepilot]

Re: What don\'t you like?

I hate having to buy food because that stuff takes away from my mods budget!

 

[Don Hiltz]

Re: What don\'t you like?

You've asked, so I'm going to have to tell you........

It's all the attention it gets from onlookers, particularly the female type.

For example, last week I was in the barber shop when the door flies open and in rushes a female who appears distraught. She immediately wants to know who owns the Viper. Since it's only the barber and me in the shop, it seems like a rhetorical question. Nevertheless, I politely answer that it's mine. Without a moment's hesitation, she indicates that she wants a ride. I am then forced to use my standard retort: "My wife allowed me to buy this car with only one proviso: That I not take pretty women for rides". Dejectedly, she left.

Following her departure, I asked the barber if he knew her. His response: "Never laid eyes on her before".

Get used to it Bill. If you get a Viper, you too will have to deal with this type of behavior. It can get old, but most of us have learned to deal with it!

Don

 

[LETHAL GTS]

Re: What don\'t you like?

Sometimes, what I don't like about my Vipers is the attention they get.
For the most part people are great, but there is always a few that worry me, because they have no concept as to how much a paint job costs.
I've had people lean on my car, I've had people stick their kids in my car (without permission).
I don't get worked up over things like this, because sometimes people just don't use that melon on their shoulders, they just gets so excited when they see a Viper.

The list of things that I love about my Vipers is far too long, besides you owners will already know what I'm talking about.

One thing that I will say is that I have made more than a few kids day when I've shown, allowed them to sit in and even given rides to them.
94 RT/10 $39,000.00
00 GTS $59,000.00
The look on some kids face when you let him sit in your VIPER - PRICELESS!!

 

[ViperCorp]

Re: What don\'t you like?

Ditto - you can't relax in the car and its attracts attention. If I want to relax and lay low, I gotta take the Tacoma.

As for attracting females ... I haven't seen this. In fact, I get the "gas face" ("What the f is that?") from most chicks except those who appear to be in their teens still. For the most part, this car is a HUGE GUY MAGNET -- guys guys guys -- when does it end --- I am still waiting for the flock of women to parade around my car and ask "whose is it?".

PS: I am 33 years old in good shape and good some looks to boot, so where are the women?

 

[Bonkers]

Re: What don\'t you like?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slaughterj:
severely cutting down the turning radius

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not to mention tread depth...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wild Bill:
What would you like D/C to change or add?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd like DC to change the street legality of the Comp or at east trade it for the Srt2000.

The cool thing about this car is that you get all the fun of the 60s (so i've heard) with todays technology with just a light touch of exclusivity...

 

[NJVIPER]

Re: What don\'t you like?

It may not sound like it, after reading my "not so crazy about items", but I love my 2001 GTS...just answering the question asked honestly.

It is just the following things make me crazy:
1.) Squeaking brakes (This is the worst in my opinion...very embarassing)
2.) Excessive brake dust on wheels after driving less than 20 miles.
3.) Hot side sills
4.) No dead pedal space to rest your foot
5.) Floor space...pedals are too close together
6.) Mediocre radio (controls are very poor) and speakers
7.) Outside drivers mirror moves out of position everytime door is opened & closed. Also, current position of the outside driver, and especially, passenger side mirrors. Difficult to see in current driver seat position.
8.) Very tiny glove compartment
9.) Driver and Passenger windows slow in going up and down
10.) Low front fascia naturally susceptable to scatches
11.) Long shifter knob
12.) Car horn...(what a wimpy sound!!!) and not easily depressed
13.) Heat build-up inside car cabin and inside engine department
14.) Standard floor mats cheap and slide around the floor
15.) Lame sounding exhaust
16.) Difficult to reach battery
17.) Wire speaker covers on hood (A real pain when waxing the car!!)
18.) Cheap plastic hood release lever
19.) Lack of a front license plate holder (Resolved thanks to Lee Dove!!!)
20.) Large turning radius
21.) Shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear (takes practice!)
22.) Lack of a light feel in depressing the clutch and gas pedal (2001 GTS vs my buddies ACR which is a really easy action)
23.) More durable side sill plates (current ones scratch very easy)
24.) Plusher, and better leather, seats
25.) Absence of cruise control (Would be nice for long distance runs)
26.) Entry into and out of the car cabin is very tight
27.) Seat height (difficult, not impossible, for anyone taller than 6')

 

[NJVIPER]

Re: What don\'t you like?

Oops..make 11.) Shifter is too long

 

[Viperfreak2]

Re: What don\'t you like?

I like all the quirks of the car. My favorite was the folding top on my '99 RT-10. It only took five minutes to install or remove. Just enought time for the passing afternoon thunderstorm to make the seats look like fresh shiny armorall. Oh and the factory hardtop on the later RT-10's! Once you learn how to leave it and the soft top home on nice days, the car is perfect. Serious advise....change the exhaust if it is stock. No one thinks a stock Viper sounds like an 8 liter V-10 should. Before they started my '02 GTS and pulled it off the delivery truck (from Woodhouse!) I warned everyone that this would be the first change to the car. Six little bolts and the rear muffler section comes off, and you can drive the car like this until the replacement parts arrive (or get fabricated by your local muffler shop) Speaking about sound, #6 on NJVIPER's list above is correct on the RT-10. It take serious cash to get a decent sounding system. On the GTS, all I did was add a 1000watt Bazooka amp and triangle sub, and it (everyone agrees) is one of the best sounding systems around. It also fits perfectly where that stupid spare tire used to be!