Saw a Viper here in the UK

"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
05/17/2014 at 15:08 • Filed to: None

They must take payment in kidneys at the fuel pumps now...

Based on the urban consumption this thing costs roughly a dollar a mile in fuel. That's calculated on normal unleaded prices and I'd imagine this takes premium too so add a little more to that.

DISCUSSION (27)

DoubleDragon > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:17

Shocking!

I used to love this car when I was a kid. Didn't know much about cars then.

Nowadays i'd never want to own one though. If I was offered one of course! but then after i'll sell it and use the money for something better.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 15:20

I love the look of them but obviously don't know a lot about how they drive other than reviews etc. Always fun to see an american big engine car over here just for the novelty though. A v6 mustang convertible base model is a novelty over here. Hell I saw a ford flex street parked and it was drawing a lot of interest just because they're rare.

JR1 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:22

Does everyone look down on American cars over the Atlantic as much as the TG presenters make it seem like they do?

DoubleDragon > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:23

Its interesting and kinda awesome how rare cars are treated that way. I do the same to If I saw a viper, I mean they still are beautiful cars.

Just really really high on the fuel consumption, and that thing about the corners.

DoubleDragon > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:24

Are fords rare over there? or just the american domestic market ones?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JR1
05/17/2014 at 15:27

I don't think so. I love seeing them for the novelty value of seeing something different and also who doesn't love a rumbling v8 or v10, handling be damned. My friends seem to like them too. Classic car shows here draw the odd muscle car too which can be anything from an old 69 camaro to a new model 'stang and they're always well received. I think it's just stuck up people or people who take absolutely everything Clarkson says as gospel that dislike them. Although barely anyone would actually buy one they enjoy seeing them. Then non-car people see a shiny sports car and think it's cool either way.

KirkyV > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 15:29

Fords are common as dirt - for several years now, the UK's best-selling car has been the Fiesta, and the Focus isn't far behind - but non-Euro Fords, like the Mustang and the Flex, are quite the novelty.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 15:29

Just the USDM cars, I've only seen that one Flex over here. Imported american cars seem to be a show of wealth here sometimes. The high end estate a few miles out of town from where I live has the odd Lincoln Town Car among the usual Mercedes S class and such.

DoubleDragon > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:35

Kinja'd!!!

Yeah but that is the problem, in regards to handling. I have been in an old FORD 1975 gt 351 and after the acceleration the initial novelty wears off quickly. Actually there wasn't even a novelty to begin with, I actually did not find the acceleration to be that impressive.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 15:40

I think it's a character thing mostly. If I won the lottery I'd be on the next plane to find a clean 1970 chevelle ss 454 to import over here, I just love the look and sound of the thing.

DoubleDragon > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:42

Yeah it must be a character thing, which is very much saying personal taste. I think that is awesome, to have people love their cars.

in saying that though, its usually fat guys that love muscle cars. if you are fat, don't hit me! lol

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 15:53

I'm not fat so I don't have to hit you haha

DoubleDragon > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:54

thank god!

can I hit you though? I like hitting. XD lol

JR1 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 15:55

Makes sense that people there wouldn't buy them. I assume a low number of cars were imported there. Also I think personal heritage and pride play a big part in buying cars. There is more of an allure for a Corvette in the US than in the UK.

JR1 > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 16:00

I think that is a little close minded. I know a lot of guys here in the US that would love a muscle car (not fat). In regards to the 75 GT that was a terrible era for speed. You need to be in a pre 70 muscle car to experience the full package.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JR1
05/17/2014 at 16:00

I think a big part of it is money and not wanting to stand out too much. A brand new 3 series coupe is cheaper to run and blends in seamlessly with everything else in the corporate car park. People here tend to buy what they see on the roads right down to the colour combo, thats why there's white corsas with black wheels absolutely everywhere where I live.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 16:01

I'd rather you didn't...

DoubleDragon > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 16:02

Too late! back slap!

DoubleDragon > JR1
05/17/2014 at 16:05

Thank for the enlightenment. Does it come close to a new nissan gtr in terms of acceleration, or a evo lancer with breathing mods and some tuning?

just out of curiosity, I want to know what a pre 70 would rank

DoubleDragon > JR1
05/17/2014 at 16:07

also, not to offend or sound close minded. A lot of australians are obese nowadays, horribly so. not sure about the us, but actually, it is pretty much the same there isn't it?

anyway nevermind, back to the point, a lot these cars are driven by fat aussie "yobbos".

I think maybe in America the roads are straight and long hence a muscle car is ideal, is that accurate?

JR1 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/17/2014 at 16:17

I figured money would be a part of it and a fear to be different. Most people just seem to enjoy a mainstream lifestyle without being a blip on the local radar.

JR1 > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 16:22

No of course nothing really has the speed of a GTR. But some of the muscle cargreats like a 427 Shelby could hit 60 in 3.5 seconds. The average muscle car wasn't quite that fast but 5.5 seconds to 60 was the norm I'd assume. A 70s muscle car (usually) is closer to the 8 second range.

JR1 > DoubleDragon
05/17/2014 at 16:27

I mean there is an obesity rate (largely over exaggerated). A lot of roads are long and straight in the US especially the middle of the country. That being said Bear Tooth Pass in Montana/Wyoming just outside of Yellowstone has to be one of the greatest driving roads in the world. And around me a lot of the roads are quite twisty. But the main roads usually are typically straight.

DoubleDragon > JR1
05/17/2014 at 16:41

Wow I learned a lot from that. Might have to copypaste into my documents of car info wealth.

I don't hate on muscle cars, and I do not agree on mainstream to be mainstream. but flip it around muscle cars would be mainstream in US, of course?

I love my inline 4 engine; it has power on the lower rev range. I drive a 91 Magna with LUKEY extractors and aftermarket pipes all the way to the custom aftermarket end can (shiny chrome with a long barrel tip). Quite quiet though, but at certain revs (at the lower range) there is a distinct rumble. It has a reprogrammed aftermarket ECU as well. its fairly big capacity for a 4 cylinder, at 2.6 liters. It cruises at 1.5k rev at speeds up to 80 kmh and 2k revs at 120 kmh. Due to the mods it flies at higher speeds. Very low on fuel consumption for what it is. My wheels weighing 13lbs help as well.

this picture looks pretty much close to my car, its a magna.

Kinja'd!!!

the original smaller galant sigma in the middle

Kinja'd!!!

JR1 > DoubleDragon
05/18/2014 at 16:07

That is a great looking car, I don't know much about it personally to be honest. I assume they take corners pretty well?

And yes to answer your questions muscle cars are main stream.

DoubleDragon > JR1
05/19/2014 at 03:27

I haven't been but I know for a fact you guys must have great roads to drive on. What are the speed limits on the windies?

Whats your fav muscle? and car ingerneral?

JR1 > DoubleDragon
05/19/2014 at 09:46

The speed limit is 55mph. The lack of cops in rural areas usually means you can go a little faster and push it.

Those are two pretty hard questions to answer. But I suppose my favorite muscle car would have to be a 65 Shelby GT350. Favorite car in General is about impossible to answer. Maybe a Duesenberg Model J. But this is subject to change.