Oppo Tell Me I'm Crazy

"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick) 02/14/2015 at 13:59 • Filed to: None

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After my post about whether I should look into getting a coupe or just get something practical I've made my decision.

I'm going the route of a coupe. Might as well enjoy my youth and singleness while I can. Now that I'm fixated on coupes I've decided to see what else was out there. My planned budget was about $16k and I've come across used Vipers that are only $2-$3k past my budget. I'm sure if I offer $16k for some of these examples they will say yes or we'd negotiate to somewhere in the $17k range.

So Oppo what do you think? Am I being completely unreasonable yet!?!?

Here's a Viper for your time

TheHondaBro > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:05

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You're crazy.

Personally, I couldn't see myself buying a Viper. Of course, I can't tell you how to spend your money.

SlickMcRick > TheHondaBro 02/14/2015 at 14:09

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Figured as such.

I have my Saturn for reasonable purposes. I wanted a C4 but now that my dad is getting one I'm not trying to have a matching set. Also I've always had a thing for the Viper. Was doing some research on the GTO last night and apparently parts are becoming scarce quick, fast and in a hurry.

What coupe would you get with $17k?

Tareim - V8 powered > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:10

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have you done the math to see if you can afford to run the Viper? pointless being able to buy it if you can't afford to run it

TheHondaBro > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:13

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I'd probably get a clean hardtop S2000, but that's just me.

SlickMcRick > Tareim - V8 powered 02/14/2015 at 14:13

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Still doing the math. Besides this will be a purchase much later in the year. Just tossing ideas out there currently. Still have to do research on it.

Milky > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:14

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But coupes are practical.

I do love vipers too, but I imagine an early one would make a terrible DD.

SlickMcRick > TheHondaBro 02/14/2015 at 14:14

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That's a solid choice. What are those going for nowadays?

XJDano > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:15

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I'm crazy

TheHondaBro > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:18

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You can buy a really good AP1 for your budget. Probably no CRs, but the AP1 is the screamer.

Xyl0c41n3 > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:20

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Of course you're crazy. But that's why we love you.

Do what makes your heart sing. ^_^

SlickMcRick > Milky 02/14/2015 at 14:21

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Actually I was looking at 2nd gen and 3rd gen models. Also I have a second car for DD purposes that gets triple the gas mileage. A Saturn SL2. Guess I'm willing to get the Viper while I have no responsibilities like a wife or children. Also I'm sure when it's time to sell I'd more than likely break even on it since they hold their value well.

Sam > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:22

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You're crazy. There ya go. Also, get a Viper, brah.

SlickMcRick > Xyl0c41n3 02/14/2015 at 14:23

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I wont be able to hear my heart sing over the V10 roar though... :-(

Textured Soy Protein > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:33

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A friend of mine had a '96 Viper GTS. I took this picture of it:

Personally I wasn't much a fan of the car.

It got loads of attention, and the occasional girl's number left on a note on the windshield (might have been because of his 'NO W1FE' vanity tag), and made lots of noise because it had straight pipes and no mufflers.

But the thing I remember most about that car it was super claustrophobic inside. And I drove a Miata at the time.

DrScientist > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 14:36

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have you driven a viper? will this be your only car? beyond the cost of running/upkeep/gas/insurance, they're even on the far side of impracticality.

i've only ridden in a viper one. but it was kinda cramped, and loud, and not comfortable at all. (i'm assuming youre talking about the 1st gen vipers.)

i'm all for coupes, and being impractical while its still feasible, what with no family responsibilities. hell i have two 2+2 coupes that couldn't fit a full sized adult in the rear seats if you cut him in half and then put one half in each car. so dont think i'm being the old man fuddy duddy. just think i'd get sick of a viper pretty quick if it were my only car.

anyway, i think you can get a bunch of car for 15-16k. probably even a e9x 3 series coupe thats on the high-miles side.

TheHondaBro > XJDano 02/14/2015 at 14:55

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We're all crazy.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 15:06

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Being sane is boring. I'd daily drive a Viper if that was the car I drooled over and the only way I could own it. Even if I could have something boring on the side I'd probably still want to DD the Viper. Life is too short to worry about whether other people think you're being practical—if it works for you, then you're being reasonable. The key consideration would be the added stress from owning the car; if it's going to significantly hurt your financial stability and make you worry about security in that regard and make you dread your daily routine much more, it's not really worth it.

SlickMcRick > Textured Soy Protein 02/14/2015 at 15:11

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Ahh that looks good. And its in my favorite color. I love the 2nd Gen Viper. Did he have any reliability issues with it?

SlickMcRick > DrScientist 02/14/2015 at 15:16

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Unfortunately I haven't had the privilege of riding in nor driving a Viper.

It's on my bucket list that's for sure. I already have an older Saturn for more practical needs. It's also a Sedan so I think it'll decently suffice.

I've also definitely considered BMWs but leaned towards the 1 Series Coupe. I'd love a 135i but I'm scared of those repair costs. I used to work at a BMW dealership and when something goes wrong with these cars out of warranty, don't ever expect it to be cheap or slightly reasonable.

SlickMcRick > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/14/2015 at 15:19

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Zero worry about security for my daily routine and I already have a boring car to hold me over and also as for use as a winter beater. It just popped in my head to search for a Viper since I'm looking at cars I'd want to own. My old man is getting a 'Vette so I figured it'd be nice to drive around with him with an American supercar of my own. That and the Viper is my dream car. I'll probably own it for a year or two but it'd be worth it to say I had it.

Milky > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 15:40

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Well with this new information, why would you not get a Viper?!

SlickMcRick > Milky 02/14/2015 at 15:49

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Looking at my response there seems to be no reason why I shouldn't. Also I'm now the magic age of 25 when driver's insurance finally goes down for males. This is seeming more and more reasonable the more I think about it.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 15:55

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Sounds like an awesome plan to me! If it's a car that you lust over, I don't see why not. Viper and 'Vette cruising sounds like a lot of fun to me. I'd daily drive a Viper given the opportunity, but it wouldn't be too much more inconvenient than my current car anyways. Just wondering, why only keep it for a year or two?

Jimmy Tango > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 16:03

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Enough to lease a M235i, that's my pick.

And more people will call my idea crazy than yours. Let them be.

If you must go used and rather own it, E46M3 super clean on can be have for the money. Or 2008 high mileage E92 M3.

SlickMcRick > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 02/14/2015 at 16:06

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Just speaking in general. I'd like to keep it as long as possible but as an Opponaut we don't have the tendency to stick with cars forever. I may eventually get bored with it. Not planning too but it's a possibility. Ignore the one year remark. I'm shooting for two or better. I still may end up trading it by two years time for a new toy though. Only time shall tell.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 16:07

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a 17 grand viper has bad news bears written all over it

SlickMcRick > Jimmy Tango 02/14/2015 at 16:12

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Meh the 235i doesn't do it for me just yet. Maybe I'll give it another look. I love the 135i though. My fear with BMWs is how expensive something is when it breaks. I used to work at a BMW dealership and those repair bills are lifestyle changing.

SlickMcRick > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 02/14/2015 at 16:15

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They're more or less going for $17-$20k with about 50k miles on them on the low end. And that's not necessarily true. You have to remember some of these cars are almost 20 years old. It's about to hit the bottom of it's depreciation curve. Of course if I actually decide to go with this idea I'll have to do much more research on Vipers in general and also do a thorough investigation on whichever one I wind up choosing.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 16:23

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Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I feel like once I have put tons of effort into my car and have done everything I want to do with it, I'll lose interest almost immediately. I kind of fear the "then what" question, because I really won't have accomplished much by only having a little fun with it. I can kind of see the attraction to newer cars in that way; much easier to move on without having to consider that you've put so much effort into the car. All the same, it's logical to go into a car assuming that you'll get bored with it after a time—even if it's a Viper.

PS9 > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 16:30

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CHOOSE - YOUR - CAR!

* picks viper amid alarms and flashing lights*

YOU'RE - CRAZY!

SlickMcRick > PS9 02/14/2015 at 16:36

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Many good memories to go along with that game. Thank you for that.

JasonStern911 > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 16:53

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they're death traps unless you really know how to drive. and I don't mean "I can play Gran Turismo okay" drive, I mean actually know how to drive. and even then, they're death traps in the rain, or if you're stupid enough, snow. Vipers, at least the early ones - I have no experience with the newer ones, are like the ultimate progression in the Miata->S2000->???->Viper chain.

just remember that a $17k Viper is the entry fee. any in that price range are going to be beat to ish and require work. the car is low production, so expect expense. but not foreign low production expense.

whatisthatsound > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 16:54

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Okay we can do this breakdown either one of two ways. I'll start with way number one first. I love mine, and they are amazing cars. Second way, you should not do this on your budget. You are going to be stretching your finances more than Mr. Fantastic. I bought a 45k example and I had about 2-3k in suspension in things to fix when I brought it home. I spent more to upgrade the suspension while I was in there though. I would not touch a Viper sub 25k unless I was a capable mechanic with a shop. Now, having said that I've bought some cars on a budget and made a lot of money and been burned as well. Everything is a gamble, but if you are going to look at purchasing spend the 200$ to get an SRT tech to do a 3rd party inspection. Things will need to be replaced, and they will be honest with you. If you have any questions I'll give you my email and we can talk personally about owning one.

SlickMcRick > whatisthatsound 02/14/2015 at 17:11

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Thanks so very much for this advice. I kind of figured that'd be the safest thing to do by hiring a tech to take a look at it before I make any commitment. Right now I'm just throwing ideas at the wall to see what would stick. I'm at least 8 months away from likely having the finances I want to have saved up to purchase anything. Just thought I'd clear my bases first and get all the wild ideas tossed out first.

Funktheduck > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 17:12

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I just saw a yellow first gen Viper about 20 minutes ago. Do it

SlickMcRick > TheHondaBro 02/14/2015 at 17:15

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I can't stand you for placing that AP1 idea in my head... Now I cant get it out because of you! The fact that it's also dead reliable isn't helping. I was trying to break away from my Honda roots but you constantly pull me back in. I fell in love with Hondas the first time I experienced VTEC which subsequently was also turbo'd. Scared the piss out of me and I've loved Honda since. Even sold Hondas at a dealership before.

Spoon II > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 17:16

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You're crazy! ...if you don't do it...

whatisthatsound > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 17:17

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If you do get it, you will love it. I started with an S2k, I learned to drive/race with it. Moved to an Elise SC than the Viper. I liked the Elise, but the S2k was an excellent car. For your price range you can get a top model and really learn how to drive/race a RWD car.

TheHondaBro > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 17:18

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whatisthatsound > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 17:18

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I'd take the S2k in a heartbeat.

SlickMcRick > whatisthatsound 02/14/2015 at 17:27

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Man so much logical advice here. My brain is overflowing with insight. I'm blaming you for rekindling my desire for a Viper. The S2K is looking like a reasonable compromise for my wants thus far. As much as people praise the Miata I'm not shooting for one. I want a little power scooting me around which it doesn't seem to provide without great modification. I think I may follow your pattern.

whatisthatsound > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 17:30

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I owned that s2k for 6 years 70,000 hard miles and never had a mechanical repair over $500 at one time. I bought my '05 in 2009 with 21k, no mods for 16.9 I sold it for 13k. I'll take that deprecation on any vehicle any day. The s2k will never ever disappoint you.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 20:12

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A Viper for <20k sounds sketchy and you'd better budget a bunch for repairs.

I don't know what you're upgrading from, but I'd recommend a 350Z if you want a coupe, or an S2000 if you want a convertible. With a 350Z, you should be able to get a 6 speed with LSD, full leather and power everything for under 15k. Probably under 75k miles too, and these things are incredibly reliable cars. 290HP not enough, turbo kits are *relatively* cheap and also pretty reliable.

EDIT: and you can fit a full sized drill press in the passengers seat. Trust me on this

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 20:29

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What I mean is a 20 grand viper is going to cost even more in repairs in the long run as the 8.0 isn't exactly reliable. If you'd have to stretch your budget to afford one in the first place it's a bad business move

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > SlickMcRick 02/14/2015 at 21:13

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First thing I think of is maintenance and running costs, but IDK, if you have a DD, go for it!

Textured Soy Protein > SlickMcRick 02/16/2015 at 00:00

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He didn't have any issues that I knew of, but he also only had it a couple years and it wasn't his DD. Also this was in like '04-'06 that he had it so they'll be 10 years older now.