I got to drive an 08 Viper the other day!

[Dough88]

So I go to the wife's grandma's for Christmas on Sunday, not expecting my day to get better than a great home cooked meal and a couple gift cards....And her aunt Shauna's buddy Keith shows up in a damn near brand new Viper!!! 

I'm trying to play it cool.  I check out the car and ask him enough questions to find out he's not so much a car guy as a guy lucky enough to have the budget for a really cool car.  Shauna keeps saying "Justin, just go drive it." but I'm smart enough to know that's not cool unless he actually invites me.  So Keith asks me if I want a ride and I don't dare turn it down.  We cruise out of town a couple miles and Keith says "Well, Shauna vouched for you, so if you want you can drive it back to the house."  I think we all know the answer to that question. 

He told me I could gas on it a little bit, but judging from the way he drove it I could tell that my idea of gassing it a little bit (I'm thinking smoky burnout through about 4th gear) and his idea were probably not the same.  I eased her out in 1st, grabbed 2nd real smooth, hit 3rd and layed in it a little bit (just enough to know that this thing pulls REALLY F'ING HARD) and hit 4th nice and easy.  I can tell you that this is one fine automobile and feels like it wants you to throw her into a corner WAY FASTER than you normally would.  Just thought I'd share the experience with you guys, I already told all my friends

[Silver R/T]

glad you liked it.

[Ghoste]

Pics?

[500hp_440]

which ones ur favorite now the 08 viper or a 69 charger?

[PocketThunder]

Oh hell ya!!  Some day i'll have a viper in my stable.  Probably long after the 3 kids are out of college though.. 

[Mopar2Ya]

Someday I want a Viper coupe w/a auto trans swap. This kind of power would be nice too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IOpuGVoyCk
I rode in a '97 GTS, it was nice, but no 600hp '08.

[Dough88]

Sorry, no pics.  My fave is still the 69 charger, but to have both would be nice, if I win the lottery. 

[472 R/T SE]

Someday I want a Viper coupe w/a auto trans swap.

Yeah me too.  They put the auto's in the SRT 10 quad cab.

I drove one a long time ago.  I can't remember if it was a '96 or '97 GTS that had head work.  I tried to get a 2nd gear chirp to no avail (sales manager squinted his forehead  )  I remember coming out of 2nd right at 80 mph.  The brake & clutch take some getting used to.  I went to engage the clutch and hit the brake pedal.

It was deceivingly fast.  You're doing triple digits before you know it as it doesn't seem like you're going that fast.

[John_Kunkel]

I tried to get a 2nd gear chirp to no avail

My '97 will spin the tires for about 20 feet on a lift-foot 1-2 shift but the tires don't chirp; soft rubber compounds rarely squeal when spinning.

[472 R/T SE]

Yeah I'm the first to admit I couldn't drive a car like that correctly.  I was doing my standard roll in 1st and then got in it and power shifted like I like to do with my old iron.

As said I'd love to own one as a second car but it'd have to be an auto.  John, do you know of anyone doing the auto out of the SRT 10 swap or is the geometry all srewed up?

Definitely a fun car. 

[Mopar2Ya]

Yeah I'm the first to admit I couldn't drive a car like that correctly.  I was doing my standard roll in 1st and then got in it and power shifted like I like to do with my old iron.

Definitely a fun car.  As said I'd love to own one as a second car but it'd have to be an auto.  John, do you know of anyone doing the auto out of the SRT 10 swap or is the geometry all srewed up?

There are swaps available. I asked about it on http://www.srtconnection.com/ & was given a link to a place that sells kits/parts. I don't remember the site, but the trans may have been GM  . It was pricey too. I'm sure there is a way to use the SRT10 Ram or other Mopar trans.
This may be auto? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVEarWZY1ZU&NR=1

[Mike DC]

Nothing against Vipers but I think I'd rather stick a fuel-injected aluminum BB into a vintage Charger for that money.  Let's see how much worse than the Viper it handles once you retrofit an IRS and the 335mm tires.

[Mopar2Ya]

Nothing against Vipers but I think I'd rather stick a fuel-injected aluminum BB into a vintage Charger for that money.  Let's see how much worse than the Viper it handles once you retrofit an IRS and the 335mm tires.

I agree the $100K is to much, but used Vipers go for much less. I've seen several low mile ones on ebay for under $40k.

[400/6/PAC]

I bet that was a blast.
Wish I could drive one.

[Mike DC]

I agree the $100K is to much, but used Vipers go for much less. I've seen several low mile ones on ebay for under $40k.

A sub-$40K Viper sounds interesting.  But I probably wouldn't pay more than about $50K for a Viper. 

It's not practical at all so it's purely a performance buy.  But there are too many other performance cars I'd rather have before I'd get down the list to that one.

 

[Dough88]

Nothing against Vipers but I think I'd rather stick a fuel-injected aluminum BB into a vintage Charger for that money.  Let's see how much worse than the Viper it handles once you retrofit an IRS and the 335mm tires.

Dammit Mike, quit adding $$$$ to my build.   Just kidding, my budget can't do what I want already.  Cool idea though, I'd love to see it done (and then meet the guy and hope he's another one that will let me drive his car).

[John_Kunkel]

There was a paraplegic who had a Viper built with an auto, I believe they used a 518. It has passed hands a couple of times.