Need some of your opinions here - Page 2

Way2SSlow · 07-04-07, 01:46

Here's my take on the question that you asked: I'd advise you to learn how to drive a manual on something other than a Viper. Vipers have VERY VERY heavy clutches (atleast the older style ones, I havent had a chance to try a newer one). I WOULD not use that car as a daily driver. One, it rides like a go kart...Two, because the clutch would be a nightmare in rush hour traffic (I drive a 5 speed in traffic daily and NEVER complain about it)...Yes, the clutch is THAT heavy.....Third...I'd be worried about something happening to the car. Being 18 with a Viper, you're going to get a lot of negative attention. Jealousy is a hard pill to swallow...trust me on that. You WILL more than likely be the target of jealous kids who want to destroy what you have.

I think it is a little bit too much car for someone your age. I'm not trying to call you irresponsible, but I got my SS when I was 17 and I dont condone some of the things that I did in it when I was younger (and it's nothing like a Viper). You've also got to figure the insurance on that bad boy. I'm going to bet that you'll have to search out a company that will actually insure you on that thing, and when/if you find one, you better keep your record clean or they'll drop you like a bad habit.

With all that said, if your father agrees to help you with the purchase of a Viper, PLEASE take care of the car and drive it responsibly. Always remember, there's a time and a place to drop the hammer. I'd hate for ya to become a statistic.

Scottwax · 07-04-07, 04:11

If you get a Viper, I have a feeling we will end up seeing the aftermath on ogrish or rotten.com (don't even think of googling those sites if you are at work or have a weak stomach). Go take a test drive in a WRX, I think you will really like it. Plus, as your driving skills increase, you can always add more power to it.

Accumulator · 07-04-07, 04:53

Series1- Learning to drive a stick isn't something you oughta do in a car that's expensive to repair. Clutches and synchronizers aren't all that cheap to replace on *anything*

Most people get the hang of it pretty fast, but getting the double clutching and heel-and-toe work down to where you don't hurt the machinery takes a little while and I'd want to learn on something easier (and cheaper) than a Viper.

Having a car sitting in the garage never/seldom being used is hard on the car and on your mind. Gee, ask how I know

Get something you'll put a lot of happy miles on.

IMO the single best thing you could do to take advantage of your father's largess (and I mean that in the best possible way

) is to do a few of the better driving schools. You'll have a *LOT* of fun, you'll learn all sorts of stuff that you could never learn on your own, and you'll not only gain skill as a driver, you'll also get a feel for what kind of car you really like. By the time you've a few on-track classes, you'll be viewing this stuff from a whole 'nother perspective.

Honest to god, having had a few radically fast cars, beastly performance cars simply aren't all that much fun on the street (great heaps of fun on the track though). There's an old saying that's very true: driving a fast car slow isn't nearly as much fun as driving a slow car fast

And you really do have to drive fast cars at about 4/10ths on the street or you'll end up incarcerated (or worse). No you *WON'T* behave; you'll yield to temptation, eveybody does when they're young. I was lucky; I only lost my license for forever and a day

I'd be pretty surprised if an insurance company would write you a policy for a Viper anyhow. For the price of that policy your dad could buy you a lot of tires and brake pads

Nothing wrong with enjoying your father's generosity; get some good training and then get him to buy something you'll really enjoy driving day in/day out. I betcha it won't be a Viper

Vintage · 07-04-07, 06:02

I have to admit, I am happy for you but at the same time I am jealous. Here's my 2 cents:

Learn to drive a stick first. A good purchase: earlier model Porsche Boxster. You'll learn the stick, it's a 2 seater, and it's a convertible. Have fune with it and invest the money you saved. If you're leary of stocks and commodities, put it in cd's and mutual funds. You'll have plenty to spend on a brand new Viper when you're a bit older and wiser. I think that's exactly what I would do if I was in your situation.

Joshua312 · 07-04-07, 06:29

Unlike Vintage's opinion...I am not jealous.

I think you should be different than your brother and sister and buy a little less of a car than they had. There are more important things in life than driving a cool car, even if the opportunity is there...materialistic things shouldn't always be at the top of our list. I pay for everything I have from my car, gas, insurance, clothes on my back and as much as it sucks at times..it has made me a stronger person and more appreciative.

You have a lot more appreciation for what you have and can take pride when you worked to earn it...I'm not saying you shouldn't maybe take your dad up on the offer. But I'd get a WRX or maybe a Charger. Good luck and keep us posted...I will give you one thing, it seems like you have a good head on your shoulders and appreciate your parents - you will make the right decision!

Sherman8r44 · 07-04-07, 09:22

As a fellow 18 year old I first off have to say I'm jealous. Very jealous. I would love to even have the prospect of getting a Viper. That being said, I would advise you go for something else.

It's not necessarily that hard to just get a manual car and learn stick by daily driving, but it IS hard in a 450hp car with a clunky gearbox when you're so inexperienced.

Getting a Viper at such a young age is like peaking too early. How can you appreciate all the "lesser" cars out there if you're starting out so high up? What cars are left to upgrade to after you get sick of the Viper? If I were you I'd start out with a cool but "lesser" car and eventually get a Viper when you can most fully appreciate it. I like Josh's advice...get a sports sedan (something more practical for driving your friends, too) and have fun with that for now.

Mcthings · 07-04-07, 10:54

I'm 18.

1. How do you think you can control a 450 hp car when you currently can't control a 100 hp car that is stick? I read that you will learn how... but I'm thinking more of driving expierience than skills.

2. Jealousy will make that car a wall of graffiti in less than a week. I live in Southern California, not in LA, but one of the top 5 cities of it's size in saftey (I'm not going to tell everyone where I live). When I was in High School, a group of kids threw tater-tots covered in mustard at this girls 2004 Mustang GT (stock) while I was parked in the parking lot just because they thought she was a spoiled brat (they had never met her).

My point is not everyone appriciates nice cars like you, I, and everyone else at this board. I have a 1997 Toyota Camry that I keep in better-than-brand-new-condition. I'm terrified about going to college because I have such a nice-condition car and I'll have to park it in the street in a college town. And I've got a 1997 Camry. My brother in law had his car keyed -- from headlight to tail light -- one time in this town. For no reason... someone was walking on the sidewalk drunk. My sister had her doorhandle break off. Some drunk guy in her group of friends wandered outside their party and wanted to get something he left in her locked car, and, because he was drunk, didn't have the whole "the car is locked" thing down.

The only way I would ever buy such a nice car at such a young age would be to store it, as it would be a collectors car in 20 years or so.

I guess all I am saying is that I would hate to see another car go to the gallows due to stupid teenagers that don't appriciate other people's property.

odonnellb · 07-04-07, 10:59

my dad got me an audi a4 new for my first car....it was a stick....i was learning on it...i thought i was good at it so started driving harder...i totalled it a few months later lol...not a good idea to get a performance car wen your young and learning to drive stick, just my opinion....go with a civic for a few months those are easy to learn on, then have dad buy you the dream car lol

White lexus 23 · 07-05-07, 04:24

Well first I want to say. If you go the route of learning to drive a stick on your friend’s car, it will be a world of difference going to a viper of just a few weeks learning to drive a stick. Second id have to MCTHINGS post as well. That thing will be a target for anyone that you have ever made enemas with. And second you don’t want to be the kid that everyone says "he’s the one that his Daddy bought him a viper" Cus I have paid for my two cars and was about your age when I bought a 2000 trans am ws6 and I would get so frustrated when people would say that and it was totally not true. And I don’t know how I would fell if someone said that and it was true. Plus you will really appreciate what you have more if you work hard for something and get it yourself instead of just having someone hand it to you. I’m not saying you wouldn’t appreciate it but you would more if you worked hard to get it. If you were to get this car. I would have to agree with mcthings as well and just store it... THE RIGHT WAY. cus even though you say that you would only take it out every so often no matter where you go there is going to be people begging you to give them a show. And I don’t care who you are, at 18 with a car like that your gonna want to push that car at least once. And if your not that experienced at driving a manual transmission you take the chance of breaking something that’s going to be expensive to fix or you could seriously hurt yourself or someone else. So I guess im saying if you get it do the right thing with it and store it. cus if you just get it and take it out every now and then something will happen to it. I know everyone keeps telling you should get this instead or that. If I was in your shoes id get a prowler, or a corvette.

series1 · 07-05-07, 08:22

Thanks for the advice guys. I really am taking it in consideration. I see your points and believe all of you when you say that no matter what I would show off at least once. And to go from learning on a friends Maxima for a day or two to driving a Viper would be hard. Way2Sslow, thanks for posting up your comment about the clutch being heavy and different than other cars. I dont know what I posted earlier, but I have been looking at the 1999-2002 GTS. Well I guess I have some thinking to do, but I really appreciate your comments. Thanks!

azenthusiast · 07-08-07, 09:14

I'm 18 as well and I agree on the idea that you are not ready for a Viper. For me personally, I got what was my parent's daily driver (a Jeep Liberty) and I feel myself to be very blessed to have that. I used to wish they had gotten me this or that instead. However, the responsible and mature thing to do is to be grateful for whatever they give you since you are not paying for it. I would personally feel bad having my parents take orders on what car I wanted and then spend so much money that they could be applying in other aspects of their own lives on a frivolous vehicle that I thought I "needed" to have. My opinion is take what you can get, work hard, and strive to be able to afford a nice vehicle on your own dime someday. That's why I have worked for a scholarship in business to the university that I want to attend and have a 3 Series BMW desktop on my desktop computer so that I have to look at it every time I turn it on.

Joshua312 · 07-08-07, 09:44

azenthusiast - Very nice words of wisdom, you sound very mature for your age and that is commendable! (I am only 20 but I don't think a lot of older people understand how difficult it is to have the mindset you do at our age...a lot of bad influences and other things people our age our doing, it is difficult to keep that mindset and have the maturity/respect that you have) Good luck with the scholarship!