What was the car before your Viper?

[Maverick The Electrician]

Mine was a Mitsubishi 3000. A real slug.

[2thDr]

Mine are in my sig....

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Ours was a 98 c5 corvette. Many thanks to wife who allowed me to trade in her dream car so I could have mine We are both happier with this one!

[Venom Lover]

Here's my tale.

My first car (bought in 1988) was a 1985 Mazda RX7 (last year of Gen I, I believe). I drove that to 160K mi. It was stolen twice (the second time for good in 1997). At that point I had a little more money, so I figured I would buy a Gen III RX7 (TT). In looking through the LA Times, I discovered "Lotus" comes alphabetically right before "Mazda", and I found a 1987 Esprit for sale that was under my price limit ($20K). 28K miles and the last year of the original Giugiaro angular body style. I bought it. Then I realized I needed more power (Turbo Esprit HCI is only 215 fwhp in a 2700 lb car), and so I bought a 1990 Esprit SE (300 fwhp in a 2800 lb car after I put the S4S chip in it).

I would probably still have the Esprits, except the 1987 became too expensive to maintain (big surprise, eh?). Actually, the 1990 had very few problems. So, I sold the 1987. I thought I was going to buy a V8 TT Esprit, but after driving 3 of them, I concluded they weren't really much faster than my SE, but cost 2.5 times as much. (0-60 of 4.6 sec for the SE, 0-60 of 4.4 sec for the V8 TT).

So, I was at a loss as to what to do. A local used car dealer had a '93 RT/10 for sale, so I went for a test drive. That was all it took. I knew I had to have one. I test drove Ferraris (512 TR, 355) and Porsches (not the TT -- too expensive), but the choice was clear. The Viper had the most outrageous styling and the best performance at the lowest price!

Subsequently, I sold my '90 Esprit to buy a Z06 Vette for road racing and daily driving -- I hate to put too many miles on the snake or I'll end up like poor Wayne, entombed in my Viper when I die!!!

[nutsRT]

Had a 2000 Saleen SC281 with only 3500 miles burn up in my garage at 230 AM ( electrical short ignited fuel line). Saleen would not honor the warranty to replace the car. I had a very good insurance company that paid the claim. Now the dilemma, what to replace it with? No Saleen!, too many Vettes on the road, hate style of TA and SS Camaro. Viper?
A bit expensive, but what an awesome vehicle.
Need to smooze wife. It worked. New RT/10 in bound to dealer, will take delivery in about 10 days!!!

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I am waiting for '01 yellow GTS, so right now I am driving a '79 Olds SW with woodgrain even!

[Sean Roe]

Sportscar wise BV (before viper)

Porsche 944 - silver
Porsche 944 Turbo - silver
Porsche 928S - black
'89 Corvette 6 sp. coupe - white w/ red
'91 Corvette AT convertible - black
'92 Corvette 6 sp. coupe - red
'93 Corvette AT convertible 40th anniversary edition ruby red
'94 Corvette AT - metallic blue

Then I had enough experience to get the first of our Vipers starting in February of '98. And yes, I do feel lucky and know I've been fortunate.

[MGWLTD]

here is my long painful road to wellville...

started with...

1991 toyota mr2 turbo
1994 toyota supra turbo
1994 corvette
1995 mitsubishi 3000 gt vr4
1994 porsche 911 rs america
1995 lotus esprit s4s
1994 dodge viper rt10 green
1996 blue/white gts
1997 red gts
1998 red rt10
1999 blue/silver gts
2001 yellow rt10 on order

notice a trend??? i have actually tried HARD to find another car that pleases me just for the sake of something different. but once you have owned the snake everything else is just a car :> )

george

[PaulB]

Problem here is not getting rid of them and having to find room for more.

1965 Mustang Race car (Tube Chassis, 4 link, Glide, 540 ci BBF)
1965 Mustang GT Fastback (289 4-speed)
1969 Mustang Mach 1 428 CJ ram air
1970 Mustang Boss 302
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
1998 Viper GTS - (did find a way to part with this one)
1999 Viper ACR
2001 Corvette ZO6

Man, I'm glad I'm not into boats!

[Maverick The Electrician]

I started out with a 84 Honda Accord then moved on to a 91 Geo storm.Then went to a 84 beat up toyota pick up truck. I couldnt stand it so I got a new 97 Toyota X-cab 4x4. Then the Mitsubishi 3000, then got a new 98 toyota to join the Mitsubishi. Who knoew what I was thinking when I made the jump to the viper. Now I also have a 2000 Durango 5.9 RT. Not to bad for being 28

[Venom Lover]

Gee, Paul, it takes a lot of guts on this BB to admit you bought a Z06! Every time I come to that car's defense or admit any interest in it, I seem to attract ambivalence at best. (I'm being kind here.)

Anyway, based on sequence numbers, my Z06 was built yesterday (no actual confirmation yet from the factory). Should be here in California by the 16th, I'm guessing. Do you have yours yet? If so, how do you like it? If not, when does yours arrive?

BTW, my car buddy Bob in Atlanta bought a Z06 last week and has been totally loving it. Of course, he used to own an NSX, so he has no idea what torque really feels like....

[PaulB]

Mike,

Ours, (just like yours, Black/Black w/ red inserts), was built last Friday, SEQ#8645. It shoul be delivered to the dealer next week sometime.

As you know, it still can't hold a candle to the Viper in terms of FUN FACTOR but should be a neat ride.

Actually, my lovely Wife Tammie will be driving this one. But hey, don't worry, I'm sucking up thoroughly so I can make a grocery run or two!

Good luck with yours. If you are like us, I know you are excited!

Cheers,

[Venom Lover]

Paul,

Glad to hear your Z06 is on the way. I am very excited as you folks are. Right now my Viper is my only car, and I don't like putting so many miles on it, despite how fun it is. So, the Z06 will be the daily driver and my road race car, while the Viper will remain the raise hell and drag racing car.

Note my failed attempt to have my Viper pix in my signature below!

Take care, Paul....

[Gerald]

A girl named Nina rode me a few years ago.. Does that count????

no really..

hmm
Before Viper..
Corvette '73 ragtop
'76 Corvette
Superbeetle convertible. Air cooled, automatic stickshift.. AWESOME CAR that was!

[Venom Lover]

Here was the '90 Esprit:


Here was the '87 Esprit:


I always liked the older body style better. But what a piece of crap in terms of reliability!