I Replaced the Lotus with My Dream Car

"whatisthatsound" (whatisthatsound)
01/24/2015 at 09:48 • Filed to: viper, dodge viper, horsepower, v10, v-10, snake, fangs, snake bite, 0-60, acceleration, addicting, fast, loud, speed, racing, fun

Yesterday, I wrote about selling the Elise, as well as a review of the enjoyment and disappointment it brought me. I also mentioned something frightening exciting was coming next.

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That something is now in my garage, this was last night as the Elise met its replacement. I left the house Friday at 10:00 am to drive west of New Orleans to a small community where english is a second language to the colorful creole. I arrived around 3:30 in a rental Accent, ready to buy the car of my dreams. As I pulled into the parking lot I saw it there. Two white stripes adorned an elongated body quietly nestled in as the most venomous creature amongst Stingrays. I knew immediately I had made the right choice to come.

Let me backtrack, I've been searching for this particular color combination, car year, and body style for the past two years in a price range I could afford. When this popped up I immediately called to ask why is this car 8,000$ cheaper than the others. He mentioned it had been rear ended. My heart sank. After dealing with the lotus this is a huge red flag because a rear end collision in the Elise more than likely means the car has a salvage title. I searched the vin, and the title was clean.

I decided to take the chance and drive out to Houma LA. to know whether or not I could live with a previously damaged car with a clean title. If I could, the money I would save for the low miles made the decision even easier. The title was clean, but I was hesitant about putting a deposit down sight unseen, instead I drove out as early as I could to look.

I was greeted by the manager immediately. He gave me the two prior owners' phone numbers to talk too. Thank god for small towns in the south. I called them both. The first couple bought it brand new. The wife was rear ended in 2009 at 10 mph at a stoplight. Instead of fixing the damaged panels the husband bought new OEM panels. Four years later he traded it for a 2013 SRT Viper.

The next owner was a 65 year old man who wanted the car show quality. He had the snake disassembled and repainted so all the body panels matched perfectly and instead of matte white vinyl stripes, pearlescent white stripes were painted on the beautiful blue body. He also added a rear diffuser, new suspension, short throw shifter, and some interior upgrades. He emailed me all the receipts for the work he put into it. Coming in just over 15K$, I was beginning to feel more comfortable. I have never been more impressed with a small town dealer making the effort to contact a prior owner. I felt they genuinely wanted to help me buy my dream car, and they knocked some money off an already low price as well. After a thorough inspection with a different Viper owner and mechanic, who said if I didn't buy it he would, I knew this was the car for me.

Three hours later, one rental car drop off, a 6 inch subway sandwich, and 4 bottles of complimentary water I was headed into the night with a 5 hour drive and a 2006 SRT-10 Viper, my dream car a blue and white stripped Viper.

The drive began—I was terrified. I did not want to get bit and tossed into a LA Bayou because of inexperience with 500+hp, rain, and the stories we have grown to love about this car. At first, I was timid with the wheel and right pedal, and the car seemed to know it. I was unsettled by the weight, power, and unfamiliarity. I kept thinking did I make the right choice with this car, or should I turn around and cancel the deal because I'm scared? I pressed on, I fly jets for a living with a rocket under my butt. I was going to let my nerves get the best of me.

After five months of owning the Elise I would have never taken it on a four hour drive at night in the rain. Again, some people might have, but the car requires so much attention when the roads are wet eventually I would slip up from exhaustion or boredom. The highway drone of the car eats at you. I bought the Viper drove home on a rainy night and never felt the rear end loose traction or slide.

With two hours of driving in the rearview, a pit stop for 17 gallons of gas(it is a gas guzzler, but gas is cheap!) and a long talk with myself, I decided to be calm and finish the drive that night. Three hours in we were starting to gel a little better, I started to know when things became squirrelly. I knew when to leave it at 1,500 RPMS in 6th gear and cruise at 75MPH(yes you read that correctly). By the time I parked at my house I realized this car was everything I had hoped for and more. My dream car exceeded every expectation.

The Viper is unapologetically heavy, which is a good thing. If it were significantly lighter I cannot imagine how terrifying it would become. The interior is excellent, everything is focused around the driver similar to the layout in an s2000 and the C7. The seats are large and bolstered, the cabin was spacious compared to the Elise, and the exhaust is under the window, so if nothing is on the radio you can listen to the V10 roar. Side note, I drove for four hours and the side sills where the exhaust run were cold to the touch, this may be because it was 40° F therefore the air flow kept it cool, but I didn't burn my legs on day one. Success!

The fit finish and comfort of the Viper is above and beyond the Elise. The Elise feels looks and drives like a track toy. The Viper, well, you decide for yourself...

I have an autox planned on January 31st so I will give you a full handling update now, because the roads were wet last night, it was dark, I was scared to die so I limited myself heavily.

I'll answer any questions you have, but for now enjoy some Viper porn.

I'll end this article by using the only quote that came up to describe this car. It's from the move Live Die Repeat by MSGT Farell:

Battle The Viper is the Great Redeemer. It is the fiery crucible in which true heroes are forged. The one place where all men truly share the same rank, regardless of what kind of parasitic scum they were going in.

DISCUSSION (58)

Brian Silvestro > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 09:50

DAT EVERYTHING

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 09:55

Easily the best color combination for that car. I'm jealous like you read about people being personally struck down by God for in the bible.

Devilishprune > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 09:59

You, sir, are a fucking hero.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:00

I mean, i'm not really into american car, but Doge Viper is one of my all-time favourite. Enjoy your Viper!

Takuro Spirit > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:01

My favorite color combo as well, veddy noice. Much jelly. Stripes on fleek.

whatisthatsound > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW.
01/24/2015 at 10:06

I don't think is any other car I've lusted after so long, and like you I don't like many american cars. This though, this is something different.

Argent > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:12

Driving a car of that caliber home yourself, at night, in the rain? Fucking boss. Or insane. I don't know.

whatisthatsound > Argent
01/24/2015 at 10:15

Here is my favorite part. If you combined the last three cars horsepower it equals the viper, s2000 240hp + wrangler 150hp + elise sc 217hp. If you combine those three torque numbers you are still about 150 torques shy. If I was going to buy this car, last nights drive helped me a lot.

Flat Six > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:17

Congratulations, what a car! I think it is up there with the Countach and Cobra one of the all time most ridiculous cars. And your garage ...

Kinja'd!!!

whatisthatsound > Flat Six
01/24/2015 at 10:20

The Elise is leaving as soon as the buyer tells me the shipping truck has arrived. Then it will be back to the lady friend's Golf 'R and my Viper. I wish I was rich enough to keep the SC though.

Flavien Vidal > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:26

Enjoy that new thing called torque man. Once you get a taste of it, it's really hard to get back to "normal". Newer vipers are easy cars to drive. They don't have much to do with early 90s models. They are still monster, but much much more docile now :)

Enjoy man, I definitly envy you :)

Nibby > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:44

what do you do for a living and are you/they hiring?

whatisthatsound > Nibby
01/24/2015 at 10:46

I am currently a student goose at Pensacola FL. I've traded up on all my cars, and I sold the Elise and pocketed 10K, which became the downpayment for the Viper. It was an even trade for financing from when I bought the Elise so USAA didn't think twice. I wasn't asking for more money just new money.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:47

Oh man, that's awesome!

whatisthatsound > Nibby
01/24/2015 at 10:47

Remember too, these are now in the 30-40k price range below 50,000 miles and reliable. Plus servicing and insuring a viper is literally thousands less than the Elise.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:47

my wife and I have decided that one day we will own a second gen viper. This makes me want to make one day like next month haha

Nibby > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:50

o_o

I... should start buying and selling cars.

whatisthatsound > Nibby
01/24/2015 at 10:52

You definitely should. The lady friend doesn't car about what I buy or how much I spend as long as it comes out of my car fund and we can still do things together like eat and pay rent. Luckily she makes more than me so we split everything 50/50 because she doesn't want to be dependent. I'm surprising her with this when I pick her up from the airport.

whatisthatsound > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
01/24/2015 at 10:54

Funny story. I just told my lady friend how I was going to keep the Elise for awhile even though I didn't love it. As I finished that statement a blue and white gen II drove buy. I found a buyer for the Elise the following weekend. Normally I like rare cars and the SC is way way more rare than the Viper, but I don't care if every person on earth owned a Viper. I would still love this freaking car.

whatisthatsound > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney
01/24/2015 at 10:55

There will definitely be more articles to come on it. Along with track/autox videos.

Nibby > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 10:56

\o/ best boyfriend ever

Roadster Man > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:01

Sick! How is the pedal box? I read that since the engine is pushed so far back, engineers had to move the pedals like 6 inches to the left. Did it take some getting used to?

EDIT: I see you had an S2k! How does it compare?

whatisthatsound > Roadster Man
01/24/2015 at 11:07

The s2k was a blast, and I really enjoyed that car. I put 50,000 miles on it and owned it for 5 years. I never paid more than 500$ at a mechanic for anything except tires. Unbelievably reliable car. The Vipers pedals are pretty centered and in the 2006 they are adjusted by a switch forward and back so you can set up the right ratio between wheel seat and pedals. On the four hour drive home I never got uncomfortable just ancy and tired from driving the Hyundai.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:07

My cousin has a gen 2 the same color. Will barely ever drive it. It make me sad. I think I might be the only one who's driven it in anger... Consequently, I was banned from driving it afterward.

Flat Six > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:09

I'm sure they will make a nice couple ;)

whatisthatsound > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney
01/24/2015 at 11:10

This will be my DD. It's way way way more practical than the Elise, which is one of my favorite things about this car is saying that aloud and having it be true.

Cherry_man1 > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:11

epic dude awesome color combo!

whatisthatsound > Cherry_man1
01/24/2015 at 11:15

Thank you!

vchengap > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:22

The Elise and Viper are two of my favorite cars. It's like you're living my dreams. Any plans to track it (not just autocross)?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:27

Funny story my wife actually learned to drive stick in a lotus Elise Because when she worked at an auto auction she was the only one smaller enough and flexible enough to get in to it. But yeah she'd love a 98 viper gts. I promised her one day I'd buy her one

Cherry_man1 > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:28

Quite welcome!

I have been looking at vipers and such before but that blue and white is the best color combo. Now time to save up for my more attainable dream car

B_dol > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:33

You sir are doing it right! I applaud your desire for the wild and untamed stead (Lotus and Viper alike!)

Kinja'd!!!

Sn210 > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:33

Kinja'd!!!

(everybody on Oppo)

Scary__goongala! > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:41

you got the best color combo. Nice ride and job well done sir.

whatisthatsound > vchengap
01/24/2015 at 11:58

Yep, there is a local viper club that races at NOLA raceway. I'll let you know how it goes.

doodon2whls > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 11:59

Great story and congratulations. They really are fun cars and will run forever if you treat them right. Tires, brakes, oil, and car wash soap should be your only major expenses. ;-)

As you are well aware at this point, the torque comes on strong even at 1200 rpm, so don't drive too hamfistedly.

Also, the fact that you will DD the Viper is awesome. They really are comfortable daily drivers despite what the (largely misinformed) masses say.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 12:13

This is WAAAY better than the cocaine tribal one! Congrats!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 12:37

Beast. Truly worthy of being the first permanent addition to your stable.

Dusty Ventures > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 12:39

My jealousy knows no bounds right now

Haimatox > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 12:46

You son of a bitch. Just kidding. You're awesome.

Roadster Man > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 13:26

Very cool. I really REALLY want an S2000 to replace my Miata in 3 years or so. I'm scared that their prices are going to skyrocket, and they are already soaring for well-sorted stock examples. I want a 100% stock AP1 in WHITE with RED interior. I'll probably end up spending half the price of an NSX on a good S2k.

I'm pumped for you to get your dream car. Document your experience here on Oppo! And please take video of the exhaust ASAP. Seriously.

BeaterGT > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 13:39

Dude, congrats. What do you do for a living?!

Averyrm - GTI YUP > whatisthatsound
01/24/2015 at 14:14

Weirdest thing. I bought that exact color Elise ('05 laser blue) from a guy who sold it to buy a Viper. This was, however, in Detroit and a few years ago.

whatisthatsound > Roadster Man
01/24/2015 at 15:11

You will love that car when you get it. I've done a lot of 6+ hour road trips in my S, and I wouldn't ever take the time I spent with that car back. It taught me a lot about RWD, and enjoying a car to the max.

whatisthatsound > BeaterGT
01/24/2015 at 15:12

I'm a student goose right now for the Navy. I'll be winging soon and in the backseat of either a growler or super hornet.

whatisthatsound > Averyrm - GTI YUP
01/24/2015 at 15:13

A lot of Lotus guys who have money buy Vipers, something about the raw experience and the enjoyment. Others aren't rich enough to have both so for me the choice was easy. I wanted the full size car of the maisto blue and white model viper I've been moving around with since I was 12.

whatisthatsound > Haimatox
01/24/2015 at 15:14

I feel the same way man.