New owner member from PA

[jpmst3]

Hello All!

I am the new and proud owner of a red 2004 Roadster, located in western PA.
Unfortunately, the weather here precludes me from enjoying my recent acquisition. I am looking forward to spring!

:D

[thetalonguy]

Congrats! Even though you can't drive it for another season, it still is a great conversation piece to gawk at...Better looking that any art I've seen at the museums. :-)

Make sure you've checked the tire date codes before you get it on the roads. Tread may look wonderful, but they can be hockey pucks in disguise!

Post some pictures of your proud addition!

[daveg]

WOW, looks nice! Just think how exciting spring will be for you. My car went into hibernation a couple days ago and when it comes out, its like I bought the car all over again.
Congrats and enjoy!

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Congrats !

Get yerself a fully automatic BATTERY TENDER such as www.batterysaver.com.


$5 Mil of Viper Tires Sold so far: JonB@Partsrack.com Thanks

[jpmst3]

THANKS!

I was a bit nervous purchasing something site unseen, but it appears for have turned out well..2-owner, 3,850 miles.
Yes, they are the original tires, that was one of the first things I thought of when pulling the trigger. I have those on my to do list before I do any "spirited" driving! I will tackle that when I get her inspected in the spring.
Ordered a new street sign to accompany it too, formerly "Mustang way."

49986
49985

[jpmst3]

I could not figure out how to remove/reorder the images, GRRRR.
Oh well.

Thanks for the suggestion, yes it is trickle charging as we speak. I am clearing out space to move it to the heated garage.

At least there is something to look forward to in the spring, other than sunshine! :)

I am going with some black HyperDip on the wheels too. I never cared for polished or chrome wheels.

Nice! I love those blue/white and gray/white colors you guys have! Black/red is always my first choice, have had roughly 10 vehicles with that combination.
But, when that combo is not available, I really like those other colors.

[Loud]

Congrats and welcome. Who did you use for the personalized street sign?

[jpmst3]

Congrats and welcome. Who did you use for the personalized street sign?

Thanks!
I was just trying to find my order from, but couldn't. I believe it was ordered from SafetySign.com

[Kurt]

Very nice, congratulations! We have an active group and hope to see you join us at a few events next year. Spring can't come soon enough!

[pMak26]

Congrats! Did you pick this up from North NJ? Sawyer Lyons dealership?

[jpmst3]

Very nice, congratulations! We have an active group and hope to see you join us at a few events next year. Spring can't come soon enough!

Thanks!

Yes, if there is something in a reasonable radius, I would love to attend. I hear there is a PA/WV group out there.

[jpmst3]

Congrats! Did you pick this up from North NJ? Sawyer Lyons dealership?

Thanks!

No, I got this from Louisville, KY. I highly recommend Rolling Stock Specialty Auto Sales there. I think they still have a Gen 2 there as well. Cary is a true professional and great to deal with. I cannot speak more highly of anyone. The best experience I have ever had with a dealer. :dude3:

https://rollingstockauto.com/vdp/18020312/Used-2002-Dodge-Viper-RT10-for-sale-in-Louisville-KY-40223

[pMak26]

Nice, there was a twin, similar super low mileage one f/s there.

Enjoy it!

[StrokerAce]

Congrats! PA boy most of my life. :) Awesome car, congrats and enjoy. Snow out there today (I'm hunting) so I'm sure that feeling of waiting till spring will be burning a hole in you. Haha

[jpmst3]

Congrats! PA boy most of my life. :) Awesome car, congrats and enjoy. Snow out there today (I'm hunting) so I'm sure that feeling of waiting till spring will be burning a hole in you. Haha

Thanks! That's a fine looking machine your have there!

I wish I could say that I like the winter, cold and snow. But, I really hate it....family keeps me here.
I never got into the hunting scene, probably because my dad never did. Most of my buddies are out there too.

Good luck with your hunting! I have not gotten any pix yet, so I guess everyone is still on the hunt.

I guess I am stuck waiting for spring. :hog:

[StrokerAce]

Thanks! That's a fine looking machine your have there!

I wish I could say that I like the winter, cold and snow. But, I really hate it....family keeps me here.
I never got into the hunting scene, probably because my dad never did. Most of my buddies are out there too.

Good luck with your hunting! I have not gotten any pix yet, so I guess everyone is still on the hunt.

I guess I am stuck waiting for spring. :hog:

Not sure how old you are but I took 32 years of the PA cold and one day quit my job and moved. I had it and said no more snow. That was almost 8 years ago. Almost all of my family is in PA (Potter/Tioga) so I come back around this time of year every year.

Thanks! I still think the Gen III/IV cars are the meanest looking though. Any thoughts of light mods? To me the Gen III are the least appreciated and the best bang for the buck and from what I've seen quite mod friendly. Again, awesome machine. Enjoy it. If you find you walk out to the garage just to look at it and smile you are not alone and it means you bought the right car.

[jpmst3]

Not sure how old you are but I took 32 years of the PA cold and one day quit my job and moved. I had it and said no more snow. That was almost 8 years ago. Almost all of my family is in PA (Potter/Tioga) so I come back around this time of year every year.

Thanks! I still think the Gen III/IV cars are the meanest looking though. Any thoughts of light mods? To me the Gen III are the least appreciated and the best bang for the buck and from what I've seen quite mod friendly. Again, awesome machine. Enjoy it. If you find you walk out to the garage just to look at it and smile you are not alone and it means you bought the right car.

Welcome back to PA!

I am in my early '50s and have been here my entire life. I am in south-western PA, closer to the 'Burgh, Somerset County. I have family in Lancaster as well. Several of my friends really enjoy trips to Potter County. I like the scenery and natural resources in this part of the country as well as all of the seasons, except WINTER! Although, the last couple of winters have been pretty tolerable, I have to admit.
Central Florida is definitely night and day from the northeast. At least you can enjoy your vehicles year round!

As far as the car goes...I have installed a shorter shifter, backup camera, and window tint. I will HyperDip the wheels black and install a clear bra on the front. Other than that, I will probably keep things as stock as possible with no permanent mods. It did pain me quite a bit to drill a tiny hole above the license plate for the camera wire, albeit nearly invisible.
I will continue to monitor the cats to make sure they aren't disintegrating. If they do, I will probably go with high flow cats. We don't have emissions testing here but I would like to be in compliance for resale (if that day ever comes). Other than that, and maybe checking plug wires and routine maintenance.

I am pretty much done driving like a wild man. I have had my fair share of accidents and been a passenger in a few too, even been life-flighted once, motorcycle accident. Now, I can watch YouTube and see people crash their prized vehicles and let that be the deterrent. Don't get me wrong I like an occasional romp, but nothing like I used to do.
My ambitions are to simply cruise and enjoy the sunshine and a little V10 music with the top down. My search for another convertible made me consider a Viper...and I got tired of the dozen or more Mustang convertibles I went through. Was about to buy a new supercharged Coyote, but thought, I want something different. Voila!

I like the Gen 2s on up. The first gen is just too raw for me. I think they all look pretty damn nice. I think the amazing thing is how the design from ~20 years (or more) does not appear all that dated. Maybe it's just me, but I never look at a Viper and think how old they look. There are just enough lines, curves and edges to make it a classic design. Who doesn't want a hood that is six feet long?!?!? :) I do love side pipes too!

[StrokerAce]

Very nice country out where you are. I used to do day trips and ride all over PA on my motorcycle about 15 years ago. Used to get some guys from your neck of the woods who raced at Beaver Springs, bikes and cars.

Enjoy the car. I'm sure it can scratch whatever itch you have.

[jpmst3]

Very nice country out where you are. I used to do day trips and ride all over PA on my motorcycle about 15 years ago. Used to get some guys from your neck of the woods who raced at Beaver Springs, bikes and cars.

Enjoy the car. I'm sure it can scratch whatever itch you have.

Thanks SA, looking forward to spring, for sure!

[PittsburghRT]

Congrats! I am located near Washington, PA.

[jpmst3]

Congrats! I am located near Washington, PA.

Thanks!

I am just outside Johnstown, a little under a 100 miles from you. I frequent the 'Burgh, but have only been to the Washington area a couple of times.
Hopefully, we can meet up at a PA/WV GtG. I am not sure what is happening these days, but hopefully there is something somewhat local this upcoming year.

[Simms]

Congrats. I'm not far from PittsburghRT.

[jpmst3]

Congrats. I'm not far from PittsburghRT.

Thanks!

Did you guys ever meet up at an event?

[Kurt]

We have a great track weekend not far from you, at PittRace in Wampum. Great opportunity to get your car on track with several other Vipers if you're so inclined. If not, many come just to hang out and watch. Organized by Complete Performance Motorsports and Chin Track Days, in September. Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is also a nice event nearby. Hope to see you join the club and get involved!

[Slithr]

As far as the car goes...I have installed a shorter shifter, backup camera, and window tint.

Welcome to the forums, nice ride, just like the first one I'd bought, loved it! What back-up camera did you go with, apparently wireless isn't an option... yet?

[jpmst3]

Welcome to the forums, nice ride, just like the first one I'd bought, loved it! What back-up camera did you go with, apparently wireless isn't an option... yet?

Thanks!

I went with the Wolfbox 10". It goes over top of the current rearview mirror. So, it is not overly noticeable and includes a a 2.5K front camera too. They are the typical cheap Chinese stuff, but they actually seem to have decent (initial) quality and works well. I will get to run it through its paces in the spring.
There are a few wireless options out there. But, I didn't want a screen mounted somewhere. I want to keep the overall look as stock as possible, sans the ridiculously long shifter. You can choose dual display of front and rear cameras, backup camera comes on automatically, of course. At least with this setup, it is out of the way and there are already wires running into the rearview mirror and a great path in loom already going to the rear of the car and license plate. Easy-peasy install, or at least as far as installing anything in a vehicle goes.

[jpmst3]

We have a great track weekend not far from you, at PittRace in Wampum. Great opportunity to get your car on track with several other Vipers if you're so inclined. If not, many come just to hang out and watch. Organized by Complete Performance Motorsports and Chin Track Days, in September. Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is also a nice event nearby. Hope to see you join the club and get involved!

Sweet! I will keep an eye out for that event! Thanks for the info!

[PittsburghRT]

Thanks!

Did you guys ever meet up at an event?

Many times. We only live a few miles away from each other.

[jpmst3]

Many times. We only live a few miles away from each other.

That's great! Hopefully, I will get a chance to meet up with you guys down the road (pun intended).

[pMak26]

We have a great track weekend not far from you, at PittRace in Wampum. Great opportunity to get your car on track with several other Vipers if you're so inclined. If not, many come just to hang out and watch. Organized by Complete Performance Motorsports and Chin Track Days, in September. Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is also a nice event nearby. Hope to see you join the club and get involved!

I absolutely love that track. I think its easily one of the best tracks in the east. Coincidently that track gave me my first experience with a genV, an ACRE. It was one of the PA/Ohio VOA guys to whom I am forever thankful, super super nice of him to get me completely addicted to these cars lol

[jpmst3]

GenV-ACRE, that would be a sweet machine to take around the track! Lucky man!

[Caldermw]

jpmst3 - welcome to the Viper FAMILY. As many others have posted, this is a tight-knit group and (in my experience) its members are a tremendous asset. They will provide you with knowledge, elbow grease, and lots of camaraderie. I live just north of Pittsburgh and a bunch of us are very active with club events. Shoot me an email and I'll tell you more. mcalder@caringlawyers.com

[jpmst3]

Thanks Mike!
I agree with your member assessment, it sure seems like a great group of people!

Thanks for the warm welcome and contact info!
Joe