What triggered you to buy your first Viper? What was it?

[Qualitywires.com]

I can remember when I first saw the Viper in a show room floor of a Dodge Dealer in Louisville KY. That was back in 1994. I then saw one on the road for the first time and just about sat there in my car in amazement. I didn't know what to think but awesome. I never thought I would ever be able to attained one. I still remember the feeling when I first saw the beast.

I was browsing through an Auto trader and just cashed in some stocks. I thought I would go over to the dealer and look at it again. I never thought I would ever walk away with it. I got a ride in it and the rest is history.

I'm on my 2nd one right now, but the funny thing is, I'm a big Ferrari fan and Ferrari's don't get me excited like they used to. I still want one someday, but not at the sacrifice of my Viper.

 

[Performin Norman]

My wife wanted me to have one.

 

[Tom Friend]

Excitement over making my second million in the market sent me after a Miura. But I decided they were to too maintenance intensive, so then a Diablo. But when it came down to it, I couldn't spend that kinda coin on a car. So I looked (again) at the Viper. This time I found the Viper Board, and the rest is history...

 

[Tom and Vipers]

It's quite an interesting story, but basically it was the bottom dropping out of the 12 cyl Ferrari market.

I always had dreams of a 12 cyl Ferrari and the last I knew they were all over $200k used!

So much for that.

Then about 16 months ago, a friend of mine took me to The Stable in Peapack NJ where there was a TR in the back lot. I didn't even want to go over to it because I still thought they were $200k and above. I went over and low and behold, it was $70k! I immediately knew I could find one for under $50 or $40k!

I called my Ferrari friend and he said they were the most pracital 12 to own however they were HEAVY. Like about 3800 lbs! Well that CRUSHED ME!

So I started looking around at what else was out there.

I was always impressed with the Viper and was blown away by the original, however, I never really thought I would ever get one.

Once I did all the comparisons, especially getting it serviced at Dodge dealerships, there was no doubt that it was the best deal about.

What I didn't realize was the cult following of the car.

No other car commands the attention the Viper gets. Children dream of Vipers! While I still like Ferraris, I still have to look for the horse to be sure I'm look at one - there are so many!

The Viper is superior in so many levels it is hard to believe!

Oh, and if the stock market ever recovers for me, I would like to have an F40 (faster than F50).

 

[Newport Viper]

Was ready to go to the Corvette dealer ( C-5), when this guy pulled into the apartment complex where I lived in a Viper. I remember, it was green (1994), tan inside. I said out loud, " Now that would be the ride!" When his hot a$$ girlfriend jumped in with him I was done! Now I have the hot a$$ girlfriend and the ride!

 

[kowalski vanishing point]

Iwas tired of getting sand kicked in my face at the beach
so I sent away for a Charles Atlas course
and then..............

What was the question again?

 

[Phil]

After driving a Viper for the first time back in 1993, fall in love with the car instantly and went brought my first 1994 RT/10. Because of the unpratical design of the car--can't open the door from outside...the canvas top leak big time when in rain...etc. I sold the car and got an Acura NSX. The NSX was great...close to zero maintainence fees, comfortable...but after awhile, I had once again decided to get the more civilized GTS. The desire of owning another Viper is so strong, it's just amazing!! Althought some bozo employee at the dealership stole my 98 GTS and crashed it, I still got another Viper back. My love for the Viper just never dies!!! Love the car every day and night. Been driven lots of other exotic cars before, but nothing come close to owning a viper!! The experience is just awesome! Had never experienced that someone is so jealous, even throw a empty soda can at my Viper!! Although I'm extremely mad, but hey...this never and ever happen to me while I'm driving the other cars!! Viper rules! God Bless America!!!

 

[Richard K]

Saw my first one when I was working in Dhahran Saudi Arabia. It was a red '94 RT/10. We were going to lunch and it was parked at the curb outside one of the local markets... It was an amazing car, because you got used to seeing Mercedes and other higher end vehicles but this was the first Viper I'd ever seen. Right then I knew that when I returned to the States I would have to have one. Three years later a GTS was in my garage in Michigan

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

After twenty years of **-hum Detroit cars I figured the Viper was just more Detroit hype. Until I saw and heard one pass in front of me.

I bought my first one without ever having sat in one. Now I can't get enough of them.

This plate says it for me...

You must be registered for see images

 

[FikseGTS]

for me it was the July 1994 issue of Motor Trend.... this was the cover....

after reading the article just now, I noticed this interesting quote:

"Now that the Viper II, the coupe is slithering nicely towards production, I'd like to exploit this opportunity to forecast the future. the Viper III, produced as a real convertible with roll-up windows, airbags, and no clunky roof bar."

You must be registered for see images

after seeing and reading all about that blue and white striped machine, I knew I had to have one.....

I was 19 back then, 6 years later, I finally got it...

Brooks

 

[Qualitywires.com]

That's cool. I've never seen the GTS with the 3 spoke wheels.

 

[SteveBCloud9]

In 1997, I vacationed in Maui for my 5th wedding aniversary. When I got to the hotel they had all of these brochures in the corner by the front desk. Low and behold "Rent a Viper" was at the top (So how many of you rented that Yellow RT-10 in Maui?) I took that car all the way around Maui Island on all of the curvy roads and got hooked. I remember walking into the shop to rent the car saying to myself, THIS is what I want to do for the rest of my life....

 

[GTSREDDOG]

I have loved the viper from birth..but just couldnt afford one...I set my goal of owning one and after seven years of saving I finally got it, and boy it was worth waiting for!!!!!The reason I got it was cause I wanted reliability and horsepower and a car noone in town had that would draw a lot of attention...
Nuff Said: <FONT COLOR="Red">MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 98 GTS</FONT c>

 

[silverviper]

I did a little comparison shopping, didn't quite know what I wanted to replace my old 94 Mustang Gt. I considered a Porsche 911, Jaguar XK8, and lots of others. In the end, the Viper seemed to have the best power to cost to wow ratio. In the San Francisco area, Porsches are as common as Civics, and the Jaguar just didn't have the juice.

When I saw a new 1999 Silver Viper ACR at the local dodgy dealership, I had to check it out. Unfortunately, I was not taken too seriously as a buyer: 26 years old, torn jeans, t-shirt. I asked for a test drive and they said it was absolutely out of the question. So I left. I came back on the last day of the sales quarter, mid-afternoon, better dressed and with the paperwork to demonstrate I had the means. This time they allowed the test drive, and after I drove it, the rest is hisstory....

 

[Afy]

In may of '98 I came to the US with $50 in my pocket and dreams.
I remember seeing a Blue/White in the showroom, while I was buying a used Celica and decided that in Three years I would have one..

I got mine in May of this year..

 

[NascarDave]

I was searching E-Bay one day and saw this killer Viper with flames and dolphins painted on it. I knew right there, I had to have one. However, he wanted like $180,000 for it. Too expensive for my blood. So, I figured, I buy a new one, buy some rental property, vacation in Hawaii and pay for my kids college and still come out cheaper than he wanted.

or

I thought it was an amazing looking and performing car that you don't see everyday.
I found it for sale on the VCA webpage, called, negotiated and bought it.

Dave

 

[Mark Young]

hmmmm.... two words:

BILL PEMBERTON

or 'Da ****' as I believe he's going as these days.

 

[SapphireGTS]

I was looking at a 6.0 Diablo at Nelson Autogroup but had to settle for the Viper

 

[RonC]

My wife's uncle owns one. He often keeps in in San Diego during the winter time where his sister lives. I would often drool over it in the garage (when no one was looking) while we were visiting. Well one time he brought it over to AZ to attend the Barrett Jackson auto auction. I cannot describe the rush I had when he threw the keys to my father-in-law and said "take Ron out for a spin". Hee Hee Hee, my father-in-law had that thing going sideways! He then pulled it over and said "go ahead, drive it!". I was hooked! Did'nt take me long to get my own snake.

Ron

 

[farrbar]

Growing up around Ferraris I always thought I would get one of those. However, I was never allowed to drive a Ferrari.

Back in 1996 I was in Las Vegas with some college buddies when I won a couple of thousand bucks at the tables. My friends insisted that we would get some in room "Entertainment" however, as we wlaked down the strip at 8 am (on the way home for the night) I saw an exotic car rental joint and stopped in. I really wanted to rent a Ferrari but since I was only 21 the best they would let me in was a Viper. I drove a roadster without A/C around Vegas all weekend in august!!. I WAS HOOKED. A year and a half later I was ready to buy a sports car. Still thinking that I wanted a Ferrari, I started looking, but no Ferrari dealer would take a 22 year old guy seriously.

I made the trek to Roanoke Motor Company and was astonished by the selection and kind manners (he actually let a 22 year old test drive a viper, it had 4k on it) of John Gastman. I bought the car (94 RT/10) on the spot. Last year I still thought I wanted a Ferrari - just to have one. I figured a way that I could keep my 94 and buy an 88 Ferrari Mondial. Needless to say, when you drive a Viper to a dealer you get more respect. So this time they let me drive the Ferrari and it broke down on the test drive. At that point a said screw it, I may own a Ferrari when I am older and can buy a new one w/warranty. Instead I took that cash and the 94 and just got a 2001 Yellow RT/10. Could not be Happier!!

I think I will always have a Viper