Could it be possible?

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Ther Wave Actually Started As An MG Thing

Dale,

------Dont want to step on any toes here,but have you actually driven or ridden in a Viper?My experience is that they are good handling and certainly somewhat fast,but ergonomicaly a joke.Horrible foot room,bad use of existing space,etc.The minute amount of speed difference between a good running C-5 and similar Viper would probably be erased by driver inequities.For a long time I lusted for a Viper but after an extended period in a 1999 GTS Viper,I no longer have to worry about wanting a Viper any longer.Hope I havent stepped on any toes here.Sorry,John,got to call em like I see em............Bill S

[Patrick H.]

Re: Ther Wave Actually Started As An MG Thing

Bill,

Having driven them, and having a good friend who builds Viper race cars, if the one you were in was only "somewhat fast" then you got a bad one. I have yet to see a stock C5 that seemed to slap me up the side of the head like a Viper.

I'd agree in a second, though, on the ergonomics and the fact that anything over 15 (non-racetrack) minutes in one is too much time. Wait until you try the new one, though.

Patrick

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Ther Wave Actually Started As An MG Thing

Your comments are reminiscent of those that many people voiced in 1962 about the C1 Corvettes. Leaked water, loud, rough, etc.

In the C2 era it was the Cobras that were "not as nice as the Corvettes".

The 2003 Viper will outperform any Corvette yet built including the racing versions. If creature comfort is a requirement, the Mercedes Benz is attractive.

I want a REAL sports car!

Dale Pearman

[Joe DeAngelis]

Re: The Real Reason

I think that most C-5 owners don't wave because:

1. The top is up and locked
2. The air conditioning is on and set at 72 degrees
3. The windows are tinted
4. The Bose stereo is tuned
5. The suspension is set
6. The sunglasses are on and adjusted
7. The lease payment coupons are in the glove box

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Ther Wave Actually Started As An MG Thing

Dale,

-----I really dont get the 62 analogy.Actually,I think your 62 is more of a true sportscar than either the Viper or the C-5.While Im thinking about it,I dont understand why a Viper would be more of a sportscar than a C-5 with a clutch simply because its faster.Last time I looked,outright speed didnt have all that much to do with defining the genre.If that were the case my 4000lb. low ten second(in the quarter)70 Chevelle would be a hell of a sportscar,and it most decidedly is not.Please dont take offence at my comments.They arent meant to irritate,just illuminate my idea of true sportscars.Im mostly a mid-year guy,but I truly think a 57 Vette is my idea of a real sportscar.Something to do with the out in the wind driving position and reality of the driving experience...Oh well,Ill get off the box now!........Bill S

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Ther Wave Actually Started As An MG Thing

Yeah the 1962 is surely a sports car as are most of the other Corvette models before creature comfort started to be designed in. You have to be a "sport" to drive a car that leaks water, is somewhat uncomfortable, but yet performs such as to be FUN to drive.

Fun is the criterion and having fun is subjective BUT I have more fun driving my Dodge diesel pick-up truck with air, sound system and leather seats than I do in a C5 with the same equipment.

Take a test ride in a new Viper. It gives me the same feeling I had during my first Corvette ride in a 1958 Fuelie.

Dale.

[Clem Z.]

rev both you and john h extol the virtue of the

viper but neither one of you have one,any good reason? signed a proud C-5 owner

[Dale Pearman]

Simple Matter

1) I can't purchase a 2003 since the entire year's production was sold out in the first three hours.

2) I'm unwilling to pay $20,000.00 over sticker for one.

3) I'm amassing the bucks at the pass for buying a 2003 when one becomes available.

4) Just a matter of time Clem. I'm in training now to fit inside one.

5) I've got friends who own Vipers. One of them says whenever a C5 driver sees the viper in the rear view mirror, he truns left or right or else parks!

6) Terry Prince owns two 1962 Corvettes and a Viper. Talk to him about sports cars.

7) I've driven Corvettes (C5s). Interesting cars BUT I don't see one in my future.

Dale.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Simple Matter

hey rev there is a idaho dealer with 5 new 2002 gts for sale at 76,900 this way you can get in cheap and then work your way up

[Dale Pearman]

NOPE!

I want a 2003. There's a world of difference!

[John H.]

Re: rev both you and john h extol the virtue of th

Clem -

I had a new one every year for six years as my assigned Company Car when I was the Viper Plant Manager, but I couldn't convince them to let me keep the last one as my retirement memento last year - no sense of humor, I guess

The free ones I had are a lot nicer than the ones you have to pay for - and I got used to it; I have enough toys now to keep me happy

[Clem Z.]

Re: rev both you and john h extol the virtue of th

why don't you see if you can get the rev a 03,i hate to see a man want!!!!

[John H.]

Re: rev both you and john h extol the virtue of th

I would, but the new 03's are all gone - the whole first year's production was sold out in an hour back in April, all to current Viper owners, at MSRP (or less); dealers won't be allocated any for stock until the 2004 model year.

[Patrick H.]

Re: rev both you and john h extol the virtue of th

John,

I kind of wonder what "current Viper owners" they sold them to. I've got a patient who has never owned one who has his on-order 2003 targeted for delivery in April. They can't be that impossible if a guy can just walk into our local dealer and get one, which is what he did.

Patrick

[Clem Z.]

Re: rev both you and john h extol the virtue of th

the dealer my wife worked for ordered corvettes in my name and other good customers names so he had a sold order to get more corvettes. there are used vipers on the market now and i will bet that if these owners do not get their price they will pass up the 03s.