My First Drive (Long with pics)

[HI-NOS-Viper]

That is a great story. You have been bitten Just keep working towards it and you will own one hopefully sooner than later. I too had always loved Vipers since they first came out. I nearly passed out when I saw a Gen1 which was one of two in Colorado back in 1995. I believe John Elway owned the other one. I bought my Viper about this time last yeah but have only been able to drive it about a month and half, and that was last year . Here shortly though I will be driving it everyday in Hawaii to make up for much lost time.

[InjectTheVenom]

No A/C is why you have AW/C: All Windows open Conditioning (well except the rear hatch glass)
Great story Kurt, I hope to be in your position someday soon.. I'm 24 and change, no telling when exactly but I haven't got the slightest clue if they even have them for rent here in The Netherlands, especially with the indroduction of a gas guzzler tax underway.

[HHI VIPER]

Originally Posted by JonB - PartsRack

I felt the same way when I drove my First VIper on Memorial Day weekend 1993. You were 7.
The feeling has not diminished much..I am still excited to peek in my garage anticipating a track day.

There is a guy who hangs here that actually TRADED a rare matchbox car (VW?) for his first VIPER !
He was as excited as you back then, must have sent me 100+ emails before/after.

Email me your address, and Ill send you a Viper doo-dad to focus on til you BUY a Viper.

You seem worthy of ownership!

JonB@PartsRack.com

Sending him a "Viper doo-dad". Very, very cool of you JonB!!!! Kurt, I finally got one after 12 years of wanting. My kids took priority! Other performance/sports cars I have had were just a warm up for what would come. It's a fun car that demands attention everywhere! GET ONE!!!

[mike & juli]

Kurt...that was an awesome story...along with the gorgeous pictures. VERY glad you got to get some 'medicine' for that 'venom'...lol...Viper Fever, never goes away~! GLAD ya got out in one!
Nice write-up...you are now bitten, you will never be cured--mwah-hah-hahhhhhhhh......juli

[2006red/whitecoupe]

I sure enjoyed reading that; my first experiance with a Viper was also in Las Vegas back in 1996 when a buddy and myself rented a 1995 black RT 10 from Sunbelt Car Rental on the strip....drove it up to Rachel, NV [near area 51] and back. Flew home and months later I had a 1997 Red 1997 GTS in the garage. Sounds like you rented from Rent-a-vette near the airport; they rent pretty much anything there and the cars are always detailed; I always rent a sports car there when I am in town.

[mad0953]

Ah the memories. I have so many pictures from the rental places on the Strip.......and they all are of me standing next to a Viper.......everytime I went to Vegas the car rental joints were at the top of my list. If the lady I was with didn't want to go there I knew she was not GF material.

PS: Chad, this is my first non-naughty post!!!!

[Rizzo]

Great story. Sounds like a blast allthough I can not imagine driving in a Viper at 105F with no A/C. LOL.. Just wait until you own one.... 3 years of ownership and I still look behind me every time I park it to make sure I'm not dreaming. You never get sick of driving it.

[opnwide]

Stop complaining about the AC! I drive my '97 all over the place with the windows down, and its currently 101 degrees and 75% humidity here in Austin! The viper has never been a car for wusses, so try to make sweat look good

The AC in my '95 isn't even currently charged. Do I care? HLL no!

[Kurt]

Wow, thanks for all the kind responses everyone!

The place I rented from was DreamCar Rentals on the strip. They had quite a nice collection of cars available to rent, including a Shelby Cobra, Gallardo, and F355 just to name a few. The prices were reasonable (About $330 for the Viper for 5 hours, which includes 75 free miles- after that, .50 per mile), and I would recommend them to anyone.

I feel like my passion for the Viper has reached a new level, and I can't wait for the next opportunity to get behind the wheel.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

[TAXIMAN1]

I rented a B&W GTS from Dream Car Rentals in 2001.... I owned a GTS 4 weeks after I got back from that trip

[JonB - PartsRack]

[quote=Kurt;2567006]Thanks a lot Jon, I really appreciate it! E-mail sent. Can't wait to make the first phone call to you, and I promise it won't be on a Monday!


Doo-Dad Sent.......

[Kurt]

This post is slightly overdue, as I've been getting everything organized to head back to school. But I wanted to publicly thank Jon for sending a very cool Viper t-shirt and keychain, both red. He certainly didn't have to send anything, but I really appreciate both items and will get lots of enjoyment out of them.

THANKS A LOT JON!

[KURT E]

Good read. Your story sounds lot like mine. My first drive was in a Viper (RT) rented from the same place. My girlfriend and I took the same canyon drive. I was a junior in dental school at the time. I have held on to that first drive and that girlfriend (now wife) to this very day. Graduated UMKC-SOD in 2002. Viper owner for 4 years now. Best wishes.


Kurt E

[alpine7822]

I remember my first ride (black 94 rt/10) and drive (MY 04 black mamba). The smile on my face both times was hard to wipe away. I still love going the in garage after work and seeing the car there and thinking "Wow, that's MINE!!!" No better feeling in the world, well, the best feeling other than starting her up and driving away!

Good luck and stay focused...it's well worth the wait to own one.