Christmas Eve in April?

[costanZo]

So tomorrow is the big day!

After 12 years of waiting, the childhood dream will become a reality and Gary Almond will be playing the role of Santa Claus

Tonight will most likely be a sleepless night... I am taking off work tomorrow(calling in sick) so that I have the whole day to drive her!

I know I have seen posts in the past regarding what you should and shouldn't do being a first timer in a Viper so it would be very helpful if everyone can post any info at all that could give me some good tips for driving a Viper.

I am aware of the extreme amount of torque the Viper has; so I remember reading something in regards that it's a bad idea to SLAM ON THE GAS or in other words...accelerate quickly when your in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear UNLESS the car is pointed straight or else the car will do a 360..

Any tips at all would be greatly appreciated.. the more the better

THANK YOU!

[Ratical2]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new toy!
Take it easy and slow. Think smooth, whether it is acceleration or throttle lift, abrupt actions can lead to violent reactions. A day at the track with an instructor is best thing you can do you and your car.

[goldcup]

There is nothing like the first time,enjoy ,be careful but enjoy.Pics when possible

[big-n-italian]

just take it easy. dont get too cocky thinking "its just another manual shift car". it is, and it isnt. it is an entirely different beast.

learn to hit steep slopes at a 45 degree angle.

oh and BTW - like it or not, you are about to become the life of the party!

CONGRATS!

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Originally Posted by costanZo

Any tips at all would be greatly appreciated.. the more the better

Tip #1: Don't call in sick and then drive a Viper around all day and not expect to be seen Took me about 3 hours to almost do a 360 in mine...so, tip #2: have a clean pair of underwear in the trunk. Congrats and be safe!!

[mad0953]

Took my Mom with me for the first drive when mine came 2 years ago. She won't ride in it now unless she doubles up on the Depends. Didn't spin it but I did realize the first time I hit 2nd with some force and the back end started dancing back and forth that I was in for a new learning experience.

[dave6666]

I wasted no time in seeing how easy it was to get the car sideways after I got mine. Doing stupid stuff in your new car should be spontaneous, not scheduled for when you are ready.

Your biggest friend will be the ability to read the pavement. On new asphalt or concrete surfaces I rarely have traction issues, but on old polished asphalt I do slip upward of 100 mph. Ambient temperature and moisture should always be observed. Not much cold weather here in Texas but it can be humid in the early AM. And that moisture affects traction.

Wear your seatbelt and trust the airbag.

[mike & juli]

Pics a must...enjoy the car first, then let us know what you think!!! GO EASY!!! You'll find your 'niche' after lots of time in the Viper, but for now, TAKE 'ER EASY!!!!! That rear can come around on ya quicker than you can say 'DRAT' (lol)....ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY!!! (And, remember to upgrade yourself to Viper Owner with your VIN# to the moderators: citysnake/kcobean/lee00blacksilver/y2k5srt!) ~juli
**Your roads will still be cold I imagine, as ours are...makes the world of difference in grip, don't be surprised if you start out and you wheel hop a bit....**

[costanZo]

Originally Posted by Ratical2

Congratulations! Enjoy your new toy!
Take it easy and slow. Think smooth, whether it is acceleration or throttle lift, abrupt actions can lead to violent reactions. A day at the track with an instructor is best thing you can do you and your car.

Thanks man, I should find a track to go too eventually so I can get a better feel for things..

By the way I'm buying the exact car you have..

1996 B&W GTS
only 9181 miles so I'm pumped!

[costanZo]

Originally Posted by V10SpeedLuvr

Tip #1: Don't call in sick and then drive a Viper around all day and not expect to be seen Took me about 3 hours to almost do a 360 in mine...so, tip #2: have a clean pair of underwear in the trunk. Congrats and be safe!!

haha thanks Chad,

I live in Haverhill and work in Waltham... it's almost an hour commute everyday so I doubt anyone will see me from work

Although one of the head guys does live about 5 minutes away from me and tends to work from home a lot!!

However, he is the only one who lives close to me and I know I will be fine!

But thank you everyone for the congrats and I will post pics later today!

[big-n-italian]

Originally Posted by costanZo

1996 B&W GTS
only 9181 miles so I'm pumped!

congrats on the low mileage car, but be EXTREMELY CAREFUL if the tires are the originals, and get them replaced IMMEDIATELY if they are.

[costanZo]

Originally Posted by big-n-italian

congrats on the low mileage car, but be EXTREMELY CAREFUL if the tires are the originals, and get them replaced IMMEDIATELY if they are.

Thanks man.. the previous owner Mark Burnstein won new tires for the car from a VCA event. I believe it was back 2 years ago and he said he had only put about 500 miles on them at most..

here is the actual thread...
MCVO Spring Brunch

[GTSnake]

So you finally are getting it delivered. I'm surprised you took so long to get it shipped. Have fun and be careful.

Next comes the power mods...

[Kenneth Krieger]

Run flats are a real scary thing to drive on! Be totally aware that you can get sideways VERY easily! Little by little, I always tell new owners. Respect the car, and it will respect you. As said before, watch pavement surfaces, and especially when damp (IE: am's) and always look where you want the car to go! I know that sounds crazy, but you'll learn that in driving school! Speaking of driving school.......I highly recommend it!! Good luck, be safe, and have a ball......you'll never be the same!

[costanZo]

Originally Posted by GTSnake

So you finally are getting it delivered. I'm surprised you took so long to get it shipped. Have fun and be careful.

Next comes the power mods...

Yup, I got it delivered yesterday around 12:00! It was a great experience. I'll never forget how I felt once Gary dropped the door to his trailor and I saw it for the first time. It was just amazing knowing it was mine!

I only put about 80miles on it yesterday though; but I plan on putting a lot more.

I want to thank you again Tom. You played a huge role in me buying this car from the start!

And yes it took a little longer then I wanted too unfortunately; but Gary was a little held up with some other cars that he had to take care of so I thought it was in my best interest to wait for him..

Originally Posted by Kenneth Krieger

Run flats are a real scary thing to drive on! Be totally aware that you can get sideways VERY easily! Little by little, I always tell new owners. Respect the car, and it will respect you. As said before, watch pavement surfaces, and especially when damp (IE: am's) and always look where you want the car to go! I know that sounds crazy, but you'll learn that in driving school! Speaking of driving school.......I highly recommend it!! Good luck, be safe, and have a ball......you'll never be the same!

Yea man I am going to be careful, thanks for the tips! I found it extremely easy to drive though. I didn't have any problems at all yesterday with it. There might have been only one or two times I felt the backend move around but I'm not really looking to track this thing or race it. Most likely I'm going to baby it but I'm sure I will have my fun once in awhile but at the moment I plan to just take it easy and enjoy it for what it truly is. I'm at work right now and I can only feel that the day is gonna go by slow.. I just wanna get out of here and go home and drive my new car!