Trying out a Viper...
Trying out a Viper...
Author
Discussion

TheStoat

Original Poster:

1,498 posts

243 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
OK, so thanks entirely to FatBoy (totally to blame wink) I am now very interested in acquiring a Dodge Viper. I love the shape, the performance and the fact that it's got an eight litre engine. Sooooo cool! However I've only chatted to Mark for a little while at the Littlehavens gig and ended up going for a spin in Bachi's Ferrari after all that. Doh!

I've currently got a Dax Tojeiro (replica Cobra) so I know the general character of the Viper is in the right area for my preferences however I'd really like to put my sensible hat on and drive one before I start trying to sell my cars etc. I've searched on here and found a couple of threads on hiring one. There's a lovely SRT-10 in Germany banghead for hire but nothing else that I can find. Thruxton have replaced the Viper with an R8... Anyone got any clues on where in the UK I might be able to drive a Viper, even if it's just a short run? Any help much appreciated!

Anyway, sorry for the long first post in this neck of the woods smile

Andy

GTSDave

6,364 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Goodwood has an American Car experience via Mithril Racing, which includes three laps in a GenI Viper

http://www.mithril.co.uk/giftvouchers/americana.as...

I don't know which Generation of Viper you are intersted in, but the difference between a GenI and a GenII, and then again to a GenIII is pretty substantial, but it will give you a bit of an idea...

TheStoat

Original Poster:

1,498 posts

243 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Thanks for that. To be honest I'm not sure myself 100%. I keep saying now's the time to buy an SRT-10 and I'd love to have a convertible again. Then I see a GTS and wobble hehe

Goodwood's not that far from me so I'm tempted to give them a go though...

GTSDave

6,364 posts

230 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Our experience is that the GenI's and GenII's are holding their value alot better than the GenIII's ... More desibable shape I think is the main reason, it's the one everyone thinks of...

Very basic comparisons... (There are alot more differences, and do come down to personal preference at the end of the day)

GenI's are more basic, no windows for instance, (they slot in, or out)
GenII's have electric windows, most have Aircon fitted, better handling, and in general a bit more power.
The GenIII's have an 8.3Litre engine, and a few extra refinements, and are a different again to drive.

Take a look at a few and see how you get on...

James at Atlantic might be worth getting in touch with as he has a GenII and a GenIII in stock.

http://www.atlanticsportscars.com/home/

fatboy18

19,468 posts

233 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Hi Andy, welcome, I am willing to take you out in mine to give you some idea of what these beasts are like smile

What ever you do, Please, Please don't buy a Yellow one! There as common as muck on here hehe

Ok Ok Just kidding

For insurance there are a couple of good companies, Check out this link smile

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... insurance sticky

So which way are you thinking of going? UK car or Import? Viper2day (Les) has just imported his dream car, There are a few of us now who have done this, so you have come to the right place for info wink

Feel free to PM me for any info and contact details smile

Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 23 September 19:38

TheStoat

Original Poster:

1,498 posts

243 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Hello old bean! Good to chat again. I think that importing a car may be the way to go looking at the prices in the UK. I wasn't going to get a yellow one, honest! biggrin Would really like a red or black SRT-10 if the money will stretch

Might just take you up on the offer of a passenger ride. Whereabouts are you based?

fatboy18

19,468 posts

233 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Andy, YHM smile

viper paul

2,485 posts

296 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
You can Pm me as well I have had all the Vipers made so if you need advice.

fishboy

3,365 posts

252 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
fatboy18 said:
Hi Andy, welcome, I am willing to take you out in mine to give you some idea of what these beasts are like smile

Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 23 September 19:38
dont kill him

fatboy18

19,468 posts

233 months

Thursday 24th September 2009
quotequote all
tongue outtongue outtongue out

neilsfishing

3,502 posts

220 months

Thursday 24th September 2009
quotequote all
viper paul said:
You can Pm me as well I have had all the Vipers made so if you need advice.
So its true you will be the first with the new (ish~)ACR the A8 thing was you just kidding

viper paul

2,485 posts

296 months

Thursday 24th September 2009
quotequote all
Its an R8 and no not sure I could run to an ACR plus 2k miles a year in the convertable does bring a huge smile to my face.

In short its the ones who keep talking about others who are the 'Dark Horses' especiallly when they already own 'Hard Core' cars.

Edited by viper paul on Friday 25th September 09:12

Atlanticvipers

309 posts

235 months

Friday 25th September 2009
quotequote all
Hi,

We would be happy to let you have a spin in our "yellow" SRT-10. Don't worry no heavy sales chatter at our showroom very relaxed and happy to help out a fellow viper enthusiast. The Gen 2 is my work in progress toy so not currently for sale at a sensible price anyway !!

Dave thanks for plug.

Dr-Bob

6,630 posts

282 months

Friday 25th September 2009
quotequote all
James is one of the good guys helps out the UK Viper club alot..
The Yellow SRT-10 is VERY clean and also an Ex club car....

Baz

PS Don't buy that Yellow RT-10 up there it's pedal power.....

Viper

10,005 posts

295 months

Friday 25th September 2009
quotequote all
my 15G offer still stands for the pedal powered RT, dont need to see it running wink




Edited by Viper on Friday 25th September 13:03

fishboy

3,365 posts

252 months

Friday 25th September 2009
quotequote all
i'll give 16 and thats my final offer ..................ish!!

fatboy18

19,468 posts

233 months

Saturday 26th September 2009
quotequote all
Well that's one test drive over, I think Andy enjoyed it smile

Dr-Bob

6,630 posts

282 months

Saturday 26th September 2009
quotequote all
Just met him at Atlantic.. Hes now been out in a fast yellow!!!!!

fatboy18

19,468 posts

233 months

Saturday 26th September 2009
quotequote all
Not a bad day then hehe RED and Yellow in the same day smile

TheStoat

Original Poster:

1,498 posts

243 months

Saturday 26th September 2009
quotequote all
Just got back to Horsham and let me be the first to confirm I'm sitting firmly on the fence in the yellow versus red debate hehe

Had a lovely day (apart from the sat nav taking me through London to Atlantic!) and now thanks are due in no particular order to:

(i) All you guys on the forum here who have provided me with a ton of information and also given me the confidence to pursue Viper ownership. I hadn't realised just how well the scene had come on. You've got a really close knit community and parts, servicing etc well sorted. By hook or by crook I'm going to join the club!

(ii) Mark aka FatBoy18 for taking me out for a spin and even letting me see first hand just how well mannered the GTS is. Had a superb time, drove like a nun when it was my turn and couldn't believe how well the GTS wears its racing livery. Such a cool car smile Very relieved to find that Vipers pop properly on the overrun too...

(iii) James and Simon at Atlantic SC for letting me loose in a lovely SRT 10 on what was the perfect day for a test drive. Simon even hung around while I farted about in the London traffic doing my best not to arrive at all. Just to balance things up he made Barry's little girl cry, which was nice smile

Thanks to everyone for helping me out and for the offers of advice here on the forum. I'm afraid I've got the Viper bug now so you're going to be seeing more of me! Just got to see about selling my Cobra and Panda and counting the pennies...

Cheers,

Andy