Need some of your opinions here

I

imported_series1

New member
Alright some people are going to get mad once I start listing the details but I need more opinions. First off I want to let you guys know that I'm an 18 year old kid who is definitley spoiled. My dad bought my brother a 2002 Trans Am WS6 which was 30k new and got my sister a Pontiac Sunfire, which was then traded in 2 yrs later for a 2003 Monte Carlo SS. So yes we are all spoiled. I am now asking my dad to help me buy a 1999-2002 Dodge Viper GTS. This is the part where you guys might get mad. An 18 year old getting a Viper? Well my question is that since I dont know how to drive stick should I learn off a friends car for a day or two, or should I get a manual car myself and drive that around for 6 months or so to get the hang of it? If I did talk my dad into a Viper I just want to say that I would spend more time staring at it in the garage then actually driving it meaning I would only take it out on weekends occasionaly. Any opinions or comments are appreciated.
 
18 with a viper? NO offense, but you dad would have to be crazy to let that fly. I certainly wouldn't let myself drive one.



With that said, drive stick for a while, not just for a day. Even after driving a buddies car, you will still be, "learning," on a Viper.



Again, don't take any offense, it's just my thoughts.



Greg
 
:geez I still remember watching Hulk Hogans kid wreck a viper on Hogan knows best and all I can think after reading this is poor viper. Good luck!!!
 
I know if my kid asked me for a Viper I would laugh at him.He would have to out of his mind to turn an inexperienced driver loose in a car like that. No offense. That car is too much for most drivers with alot of seat time.That is a serious accident waiting to happen.Just my feelings on young inexperienced drivers and fast cars.Dangerous combination.
 
You should drive a stick for half your life before you get a Viper. Those things are known as "mid life crisis cars" for a reason, I'm sure. And with well over 500 hp at dime, you'd do well to "learn" to drive stick. As in really learn. As in drive one for a few years.



If your folks do the trade-in thing then, if you guys are so apt to take domestics, and if you're so damned spoiled (I admit I'm jealous) then grab a Corvette for a few years and then upgrade. Driving a stick isn't exactly like riding a bike. With that amount of torque you NEED to know what you're doing. And you're not going to get the hang of it in two days.



**** you're right. An 18 year old with a Viper? That's utter crap. Although this I'll say this earnestly, I'm happy for you that your parents are able to indulge you like that. I hope you appreciate it.



I sure hope your parents have instilled some kind of responsibility in you. You better not wind up on the news with brain splattered over the better half of a toll booth.
 
I'd say look for a good driving school that teaches how to drive a manual transmission properly. I know there are some in this area so you should be able to find one in yours. Also, look for something with less power and then upgrade in a few years. I know I'd want to take an advanced course before even attempting a Viper.
 
Just get a car for under $500 thats stick and learn with that. That's what I did and then I after like 3 months you should get the hang of it.
 
Seriously, your Dad is nuts to even consider getting you a Viper, especially since you have no experience driving a manual. A car like that can get away from you fast enough as it is.



An older guy who apparently had his share of fast cars bought a new Z06 from a Chevy dealer (the one at 75 and Arapaho for those in Dallas) and totalled it less than a mile from the dealership. Believe me, the Viper is a HUGE leap in performance over your brother's F-bird. Even very experienced drivers can have their hands full with a car like a Viper. In addition, the average damage claim on Vipers involved in accidents is around $25,000 so when people wreck them, it is pretty obvious excessive speed is a contributing factor.



My first car was a 1971 Chevelle with a 350 and a 2 barrel carb. If it was as fast as it was when I sold it when I bought it, I would probably have had a serious accident within days of buying it. I ended up knocking a good 4 seconds off the quarter-mile ET (and adding 25 mph to the trap speed) but it was a gradual process, not all at once. Even so, a few mods, like changing from a 2.56 open rear end to a 3.08 posi rear end did cause some initial problems, like almost rear-ending a car as I accelerated onto the freeway on the way home from the rear end install because the low to midrange acceleration increased so dramatically.



You are better off getting something like a WRX. Plus, with AWD, it will be a lot safer in the rain.



BTW, I have a customer whose parents bought him a Ford GT.
 
Not only do I agree with everyone else, but the Viper is not a car to joke around with. These sorts of cars are made for people who are serious about driving, and APPRECIATE the engineering and craftsmanship that goes into building them. You're far too inexperienced with driving in general to even comprehend the dynamics of controlling a vehicle with that amount of power.



Start gradual and work your way up, you will appreciate cars like that a lot more, and they will be more than just eye candy to you. Your experience will make you a safer driver, and when considering cars like that, you have to consider the safety and respect of others on the road because you are sharing it with them.



With all that money you're going to be holding off (assuming you don't get the Viper yet), do something smart with it...invest it in some mutual funds or something and watch it grow.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I take no offense from what anyone of you have said, which is why I wanted to get your opinions. I guess I probably should "learn" to drive stick before I think of getting a 450 horsepower V10 right away. And once again I know that I'm spoiled. I appreciate everything that my parents do for my. When I talk to my friends and hear what their parents do I am deeply thankful. I don't have to pay for insurance or for gas when some of my friends have to do both. I sometimes wonder though when looking through listings of Vipers that if I find a good deal that I should get it and just put it in our garage until I am ready. Any opinions on this? I do like Kavals idea of maybe putting some money off and investing it. Again I appreciate any comments rude or not, just voice your humble opinion.
 
Most people hear have already said what I want to say, but to piggyback on Scottwax's comment, I think a WRX or GTI might be better for you. I don't know how much the Vipers are going for, but with any of these cars at least you can get it brand new with full warranty. Plus it'll be plenty fast (IMO still a bit too fast) for an 18 yo.



Since you're young, I'm sure you have a friend dumb enough with a beat up manual car that will let you learn with it for a few hours. It really doesn't take long to learn the basics of a stick. The stalling part is scary at first, especially at your first red light at a busy intersection, but you'll overcome that quickly. One fear in a manual I've never been able to personally overcome are VERY steep hills like in San Fran. I can do it if I have to, I just don't like the feeling. I've become so accustomed to not even thinking when shifting, that when a super steep hill like that comes along I panic and start thinking too much.



I really hope you do listen to the advice given to you. You're at the age where you most likely will get into an accident. A Viper would be way too dangerous for not only you, but everyone else on the road.
 
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.
 
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. :)
 
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 :o 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 :D ) 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 :o



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 ;)
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top