You want to see a VOI.10?

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Everyone from our region had a great time... and all of them said they would return for a VOI.10!

I wanted to quote this...just for posterity.

Funny how people who could make a day trip out of it thought it was the bee-knees.

When VOIX (or whatever the heck they call it) is all the way in Orlando....and your wallet is MUCH lighter, I hope you feel the same way.

For those of us who DIDN'T spend a wad of cash (since we don't live one state over)....I don't feel like I missed much.

Karma!

[8 0f 200]

I have been to 8 VOI's. The hugh majority were east half of the US. Our region's members enjoyed them as much or more than the 2 or 3 out of 9 that have been close to us.

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Sigh...

This was the first VOI I didn't register for (as a Viper owner) because:

A. My car is still at Doug Levin's, which knocks down the "fun factor" considerably for me as I wouldn't have a Viper to drive.

B. It was scheduled during a work week and I simply can't take a week off when I save those vacation days for family trips.

C. As it was also a school week, my wife had to stay home with our son. I enjoy sharing the Viper ownership and Club experience with her.

Regardless, several of our second-time attendees (Dallas was their first), said it was even BETTER in Vegas. The parking was better, the track events were better, the cruises were better (despite some gravel), and everything seemed to flow smoothly. People got to meet and hang out with hundreds of fellow Viper owners and that is what truly makes these things special.

VOI's are NOT about big announcements nor have they ever been. People got spoiled in Dallas when they unveiled the SRT Coupe. And guess what? That was a disaster. What? It was GREAT - or wasn't it? As an owner, sure, it was fantastic getting the early "inside scoop" on the new car. But for DC it was a mistake and they apparently learned from it. But I will get to that in a minute.

First off, how many manufacturers underwrite a huge party for their ownership group? Let's see, counting Ferrari, Lamborghini, AMG, Porsche, Chevy, and every other marquee out there: NONE. Does anybody besides Warfang (who I am not sure even attended) honestly think that their $850 covered the actual cost of this event? Try renting a full NASCAR facility for four days (or more). Then throw in 20-30 factory cars to drive. Bring in just about every Skip Barber instructor they have (paying them, their transportation, plus room & food). Hire security for your garage 24/7 - not to mention the cost and logistics of clearing out two full floors of parking well in advance of the event. Transport buses for those without cars. Food for everybody. Open bars (where many can easily drink half of their entry fee). Goody bags with lots of customized stuff. Viper hoods to sign (and transport). SRT & JRT personnel all over the place. Meeting rooms, giant ballrooms, stages, lighting, professional comedians (Jon Reep will set you back $10K alone for an appearance), expensive centerpieces, concept cars on display, etc, etc, etc. The $850 didn't begin to cover the cost, of that I guarantee you.

So who paid the difference? It wasn't the VCA and it wasn't JRT, so it must have been those folks at DC and SRT. And what did they get out of their generosity besides some disgruntled attendees? The opportunity to push some other product and keep the division alive. Make no mistake, with over a 1.5 billion dollar loss in the last quarter alone things like VOI have probably come under scrutiny. Do you think the bean counters are saying, "Hey, let's go throw a huge party for a bunch of people that aren't necessarily even buying our cars right now!"? Probably not.

Was the lack of a new product announcement a disappointment to many? You betcha! Does DC or SRT "owe" it to us? Don't be absurd. No other manufacturer does this for their buyers. And they sure don't cater to folks that didn't even buy them new - never spending a dime with the actual company. Hell, if I were Bonkers I would be sending SRT a thank you note once a week for the rest of my life: They created a one-off Competition Coupe that he won in a VCA raffle. I wouldn't be telling them that they owe me because I bought a salvaged Viper long after it was out of DC's hands - and profits.

So that brings us full circle to the "announcements" and that thing called "profits". Neither DaimlerChrysler or SRT is a charity. They have to be profitable to stay in business. Have they made a few missteps with the Viper? Sure. The design has been questioned by some (mostly a handful of "purists") while over-production has undoubtedly caused other problems. The Z06 didn't help matters. But what really slowed down Viper sales was their generosity: Unveiling the Viper Coupe at VOI 9 in 2004. Don't believe me? Then consider this:

Besides the 1994 RT/10, the SRT-10 outsold every single model year of each model Viper ever made. That's right, more 2003 Vipers sold than any '96 or '97 GTS, etc. Even 2004, with a much-publicized recall history (and probably more than a few buybacks) was a decent seller - until the Coupe was announced at VOI 9. Oh, the factory kept producing the roadsters, but speculation about a Coupe was slowing down sales considerably. By announcing the Coupe at VOI 9 - a full 16 months before they started shipping - it slowed those new orders to a crawl. And it wasn't just the "new" bodystyle, but more speculation on the horsepower, weight, etc. As a direct result, remaining 2004 units were unsold and 2005 sales were far below expectations.

So why weren't people knocking down the door to buy the new Coupes? Well, some people started floating rumors of a 550-750 HP Viper for 2008 - about the same time the Coupes started coming off the line. "Inside information" from SEMA, unnamed moles within the DC or SRT organizations (depending on the rumor), or local dealers from Nowhere, USA that supposedly had the inside scoop. All indirectly told potential buyers to wait for a better mousetrap. One that may not even exist and was NEVER officially confirmed by the manufacturer.

So with an unknown number of unsold Vipers out there currently, why would a company that is losing BILLIONS of dollars tell a group of potential buyers that they may (or may not) be changing the formula? And more importantly, why would a group of owners, many of which haven't bought a new DC/SRT product ever, feel that they are entitled to the inside scoop from a manufacturer when no other marquee does it for ANYBODY?

Bottom line: Even though I didn't attend this year's VOI I am grateful that our manufacturer takes the time and money to offer an event like this to Viper owners. That they send their staff and engineers to personally meet and greet us. If we happen to get a hint of things to come that is just a dollop of icing on a very large cake. To diss the entire thing because that little icing rosette wasn't on there seems pretty ungrateful. Is that really the message we want to send?

Chris, thank you for that. I'm sure many of us had the same thoughts but as usual you expressed them better than any of us could have. I agree with what you said 100%.

[96GTS]

If you're snot-bubblin' about the price of VOI here's a little food for thought: I attended an SRT Experience, it was $300.00 and now I believe it's up to $500.00 for just 1 day (and we got 2). Two days with Skip Barber instructors would run a couple hundred, and a day of unlimited runs around the roval and drag strip probably wouldn't be cheap either. The goodie bag alone was $150.00, and you cannot get it anywhere else. The centerpieces were $95.00 for the one with the Viper, and $50.00 for the one that looked like a stack of poker chips. The food was 1,000 times better than any MRE I got in Afghanistan, and better than any chow hall. The rooms at the Venetian were about half the usual price, and they are the largest of any hotal on the strip.

I got to see Herb Helbig, the Hemi guy, Roy Sjoberg and JonB. A group of guys that design, acquire materials and produce the car sat in the row in front of me at the tech talk. I met and got a picture with Cindi Lux. I signed 3 Viper hoods that will forever be a part of the VOI history, and I was in awe of the amount of people that showed up from all over the world to celebrate a common passion for an incredible automobile. The sight of all those Vipers in one place at one time is something I will NEVER forget. I got to spend a week with a kick a$$ group of people known as the Nevada Region of the VCA, and would do it all over in a heartbeat. If you didn't have a good time, you must have gotten lost and went to the "I whine like a little girl with a skinned knee" support group in the banquet room across the hall.

[Warfang]

If you're snot-bubblin' about the price of VOI here's a little food for thought: I attended an SRT Experience, it was $300.00 and now I believe it's up to $500.00 for just 1 day (and we got 2). Two days with Skip Barber instructors would run a couple hundred, and a day of unlimited runs around the roval and drag strip probably wouldn't be cheap either. The goodie bag alone was $150.00, and you cannot get it anywhere else. The centerpieces were $95.00 for the one with the Viper, and $50.00 for the one that looked like a stack of poker chips. The food was 1,000 times better than any MRE I got in Afghanistan, and better than any chow hall. The rooms at the Venetian were about half the usual price, and they are the largest of any hotal on the strip.

I got to see Herb Helbig, the Hemi guy, Roy Sjoberg and JonB. A group of guys that design, acquire materials and produce the car sat in the row in front of me at the tech talk. I met and got a picture with Cindi Lux. I signed 3 Viper hoods that will forever be a part of the VOI history, and I was in awe of the amount of people that showed up from all over the world to celebrate a common passion for an incredible automobile. The sight of all those Vipers in one place at one time is something I will NEVER forget. I got to spend a week with a kick a$$ group of people known as the Nevada Region of the VCA, and would do it all over in a heartbeat. If you didn't have a good time, you must have gotten lost and went to the "I whine like a little girl with a skinned knee" support group in the banquet room across the hall.

The least you could have gotten was a good time. That's never been in contention. The people, the car, and the location almost guaranteed it. But to say the people that threw this together owes the attendees nothing is just wrong, and if that's their attitude, they should be proud enough to announce it...

VOI X: We owe you nothing. Put up the money and "Have a good time".

See how well that sells.

[8 0f 200]

OK... looks like you took my "they owe us nothing" the wrong way... what I meant was they don't have to throw these events... they do it because they enjoy it as do we (the Viper Nation) or should I say the vast majority of us.

[Warfang]

OK... looks like you took my "they owe us nothing" the wrong way... what I meant was they don't have to throw these events... they do it because they enjoy it as do we (the Viper Nation) or should I say the vast majority of us.

Point taken, but just because they enjoy it doesn't mean they don't make a good amount of money either. I mean, if they can't make money off of this, I'd be happy to take it off their hands and throw VOI X. I can use the extra cash.

[SRT10]

......If you didn't have a good time, you must have gotten lost and went to the "I whine like a little girl with a skinned knee" support group in the banquet room across the hall.

Somehow "that" group went to the first SRT tech session and were whining thru the whole Q & A period. A great opportunity to ask some good questions to the SRT engrs went out the window. Thanks A**WIPES!

[Camfab]

Y2K5SRT, certainly summarized it best. I just showed my wife, who by the way attended and drove as much and as hard as I did, these posts. She laughed and said, "Why did they attend VOI? Only for an announcement?" "Didn't they go to the track?" Hello, you got to drive your car on a super speedway, you got an autocross track, you got the SRT experience, Defensive driving course, SRT drive along, Drag racing, Kart Racing. All the food and drinks at the Track you'd like. Dinners and reception with open bar, breakfast each day, Prepped lunch with cooler and drinks for your scenic drive of choice. They even gave you cash for tolls and park entrance fees. Shuttles to the track every half hour. Hundreds of staff members who worked their butts off to make this a memorable occasion.

What part of the above was Dodge giving you nothing?

[OPHITOX]

Y2K5SRT

You rock. Absolutely right on! Excellent summary. It was an excellent event. Dodge does not have to do this. If your personal tally of expenses indicates Dodge made $250K from our registration fees, you need to go back to Accounting 101.

I appreciated all their efforts, looking forward to another VOI, although Florida is a long ways away if it indeed is in Orlando, and if you enjoy the viper, then consider buying a new one when it eventually comes out. That is what I am doing. Dodge, I don't believe, will just drop production of their flagship race car, because there is a ZO6 vette out there. Dodge enjoys an enthusiastic and supportive Viper Nation, a great heritage in their sports car, and we should support them and be thankful they support VCA.

Warfang, if you feel you didn't get your money's worth, don't go to another event. I felt I got more than my money's worth, as I got irreplaceable memories and great camaderie and a chance to enjoy my viper! And a great venue, excellent entertainment, probably the best in the world, and a great room rate. So those of you use to staying at Motel 6 and dining at Denny's should realize what a venue this was and it was inexpensive. Beleive me as I travel extensively and there is no way you can get a room like the ones at the VEnetian for $185 / night anywhere else in the world, period!

Y2KSRT is right, until they have a kick-ass product ready to go, why give out any information on it. Remember, there is the new vette, the Ford GT, and of course Ferrari, Lambo etc out there. Ford let no information out on the GT and actually called the production concept, "PETUNIA" to limit industry interest in their conecpt vehicle. So Dodge is being careful, keeping it secret, which on fuels interest. They are perfectly right in not giving details on the new viper until is it ready. Competition requires a remodeling of the car and its design, give them time, they will come up with a 650 BHP rocket ship that will be the hottest car out there when it arrives.

VCA rocks, my support is there. Thanks for a most excellent VOI9. Looking forward to VOIX. You can't please all the people all hte time.

[OPHITOX]

Y2K5SRT

You rock. Absolutely right on! Excellent summary. It was an excellent event. Dodge does not have to do this. If your personal tally of expenses indicates Dodge made $250K from our registration fees, you need to go back to Accounting 101 and make an appointment to see a shrink.

I appreciated all their efforts, looking forward to another VOI, although Florida is a long ways away if it indeed is in Orlando, and if you enjoy the viper, then consider buying a new one when it eventually comes out. That is what I am doing. Dodge, I don't believe, will just drop production of their flagship race car, because there is a ZO6 vette out there. Dodge enjoys an enthusiastic and supportive Viper Nation, a great heritage in their sports car, and we should support them and be thankful they support VCA.

Warfang, if you feel you didn't get your money's worth, don't go to another event. I felt I got more than my money's worth, as I got irreplaceable memories and great camaderie and a chance to enjoy my viper! And a great venue, excellent entertainment, probably the best in the world, and a great room rate. So those of you use to staying at Motel 6 and dining at Denny's should realize what a venue this was and it was inexpensive. Beleive me as I travel extensively and there is no way you can get a room like the ones at the Venetian for $185 / night anywhere else in the world, period!

Y2KSRT is right, until they have a kick-ass product ready to go, why give out any information on it. Remember, there is the new vette, the Ford GT, and of course Ferrari, Lambo etc out there. Ford let no information out on the GT and actually called the production concept, "PETUNIA" to limit industry interest in their concept vehicle. So Dodge is being careful, keeping it secret, which fuels interest. They are perfectly right in not giving details on the new viper until is it ready. Competition requires a remodeling of the car and its design, give them time, they will come up with a 650 BHP rocket ship that will be the hottest car out there when it arrives.

VCA rocks, my support is there. Thanks for a most excellent VOI9. Looking forward to VOIX. You can't please all the people all the time.

[ViperGTS]

My third VOI after Nashville and Dallas and as said:
This event was well organized and everyone could have some great fun in Las Vegas.

Minor things, like food (in the Venetian!) wasnt sooooo good, doesnt count for me since I am not going to VOI's to have first class food.

THUMBS UP to the organization team!

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Even if it would have been free I couldn't have made it. The time off work is the biggest cost, and then there is travel and hotel stays. Plus I have got to do a Viper Days event or some track event (VOI isn't really a track event) in conjunction with so much travel.

Hopefully there will be a VOIX and I can make it.

[John N]

My input will be short and sweet.

Was it as "grand" as prior VOI's or the last Vegas VOI? No.
Are times tough in the car business? Yes.
Will I go to the next VOI? HELL YES!!

If the VCA wants more thorough feedback, maybe they can survey us or something (because there is a reason I buy Ford company vehicles).

[Viper23]

Y2K5SRT!

You are the man...you hit the nail right on the head. VOI9 was a blast, it was my first one and surely not my last. Everything was great, I was a little confused about the ending of the whole event but I guess I was "expecting" some info about the new Viper, but I surely understand from a business aspect why nothing was mentioned and I commend DC for that.

Warfang - I don't have the spread sheet for the cost, but from what I have seen and done at VOI9, I can promise you that $850 is chump change for what it actually cost to run this thing. I am gonna guess that the Viper logo "stuff" (which I love) would cost at least $100.00. That leaves $750 for the remaining event. For the amount of time I spent at LVMS, the $750 would not be close.

Come to think of it, the money thing is not even an issue, because....let just say for your argument sake that the VCA made money on this event (which I know they did not and DC had to help with the cost), so what! The VCA needs the money and guess where that money is going to go...back to the members!

I had a blast...and please have VOI10!

Just a side note, please come up with something new as how to give away the center pieces. No more, oldest guy and closest birthdate, unless you do it in early August...lol. I wanted one so bad because since it was my first one that I actually paid for one...lol.