For the past three/five years I had been lusting over owning an NSX. My intentions were to buy a stock 91-94 and do some simple bolt on mods. Last year I found a deal that was to good to pass up on a highly modded one. I bought the car and put myabe 6,000 miles on it and then sold it. By nature, this is how I have always been with my "toy" cars. I usually only keep them one year, enjoy them in the summer and then move onto something new. I sold my NSX in November and bought a Viper GTS in January. This is where the regret kicks in.
I bought the Viper on kind of an impulse feeling. I always liked the way they looked and always wondered what 500 ft/lbs would feel like. Whenever I bought the Viper it was about 20 degrees outside so I only drove it around the block like a granny before I purchased it. It looked awesome and seemed to be fun to drive in that brief 20 minute test drive. About two weeks ago we had a few nice days that were in the 70s, so I took the Viper out for its first spin. I was not to thrilled with the overall experience. The steering/handling characters just felt really bland to me. The engine/exhaust noise sounds plain "has a B&B exhaust." The interior is extremely simple and the seating position leaves a lot to be desired.
Now I knew that the car was very raw and un refined going into the purchase. That is what I thought would make the car fun to drive. I read how people say that the Viper is a very capable car if you know how to drive it, which I do believe. However, its justs feels like a really fast dodge. Now, there are some good things about the car. I love the exterior appearance and it gets attention like no other. For me though, its not enough to give it that special feeling.
After driving both cars I now know why everyone raves about the NSX. In comparison the seating position, engine noise, handling/steering, build quality etc is in my mind superior. The only exciting thing for the Viper IMO is the power. Which is wasted where I live anyways because the area is far from flat and straight.
Anyways, I just needed to vent and share my un biased experience thus far. I'm contemplating selling the viper already and buying a 2002+ NSX. However, by the time I sell the Viper and find perfect 02+ NSX I fear that summer would already be over. I have posted links below to some pics of my Viper and my old NSX just in case anyone was curious.
Pics of my viper...
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=14232384&uid=3388150&members=1
Pics of what use to be my NSX...
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73276&highlight=gruppem
I bought the Viper on kind of an impulse feeling. I always liked the way they looked and always wondered what 500 ft/lbs would feel like. Whenever I bought the Viper it was about 20 degrees outside so I only drove it around the block like a granny before I purchased it. It looked awesome and seemed to be fun to drive in that brief 20 minute test drive. About two weeks ago we had a few nice days that were in the 70s, so I took the Viper out for its first spin. I was not to thrilled with the overall experience. The steering/handling characters just felt really bland to me. The engine/exhaust noise sounds plain "has a B&B exhaust." The interior is extremely simple and the seating position leaves a lot to be desired.
Now I knew that the car was very raw and un refined going into the purchase. That is what I thought would make the car fun to drive. I read how people say that the Viper is a very capable car if you know how to drive it, which I do believe. However, its justs feels like a really fast dodge. Now, there are some good things about the car. I love the exterior appearance and it gets attention like no other. For me though, its not enough to give it that special feeling.
After driving both cars I now know why everyone raves about the NSX. In comparison the seating position, engine noise, handling/steering, build quality etc is in my mind superior. The only exciting thing for the Viper IMO is the power. Which is wasted where I live anyways because the area is far from flat and straight.
Anyways, I just needed to vent and share my un biased experience thus far. I'm contemplating selling the viper already and buying a 2002+ NSX. However, by the time I sell the Viper and find perfect 02+ NSX I fear that summer would already be over. I have posted links below to some pics of my Viper and my old NSX just in case anyone was curious.
Pics of my viper...
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=14232384&uid=3388150&members=1
Pics of what use to be my NSX...
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73276&highlight=gruppem