Let s Talk Public Reactions

[04BlackSRT10]

This is a fun kind of thread that I've seen on other forums, and I thought it would be good to start one on this forum as well. What are some of the best reactions you've gotten from the public when you drive your Viper? I have at least one person talk to me about the car almost every time I go anywhere in it. When I had my '98 GTS, I literally had a girl stalk me once, putting notes (the final one with her number) under my windshield wiper when my car was parked in the downtown parking garage next to where I used to live. A few days later, she came up on me in the garage while I was working on the car and asked me if I wanted to hang out. This was crazy to me because I've always had sports cars, but it's always been 99.9% men that are drawn to them, so to have a woman be so into it proves how special Vipers really are.

[Cost4133]

i think my favorite experience with the car is when i had my 98 GTS at a car show on Marthas Vineyard. I dont think the island had ever seen a viper before.

Anyway my license plate is VPR DAVE, Had a little kid (about 6-7) running around looking for "viper dave" Asking big groups of people "are you Viper Dave?" He finally finds me and gushes over how much he likes the car. His parents were so apologetic. That little boy was over the moon when i let him sit in the car...

I remember being that little kid

[13COBRA]

I'm typically the only Viper at the track...kids come up wondering what it is, older people ask me if it has a V8 or V10 haha

[04BlackSRT10]

I'm typically the only Viper at the track...kids come up wondering what it is, older people ask me if it has a V8 or V10 haha

I'm amazed at the number of people who think Viper's have V12s. "That's a V12, right?" I even got into a literal argument with a guy one time who was adamant that Dodge did indeed make a V12 version of the Viper. Hilarious.

[13COBRA]

I'm amazed at the number of people who think Viper's have V12s. "That's a V12, right?" I even got into a literal argument with a guy one time who was adamant that Dodge did indeed make a V12 version of the Viper. Hilarious.

I've never heard that...but get the V8 one often.

[Hoonin88]

I'll never forget the first weekend owning my '98 GTS, road tripping back up to Indy from southern IN and catching a "car show" when I got back. Car was pretty dirty from the trip and all these cell phone cameras come out and I'm basically escorted to park right next to a Ford GT. Been to plenty of car events in past mustangs but never experienced the public crowd wanting to get footage of them creeping by. Or invited to park next to a Ford GT for that matter. Plenty of other public reactions but this one sticks out atm

[GTS Dean]

I've dealt with those reactions since 1993. It's funny though - my car was down from 2016-2020. When my new engine got finished and I left the shop rolling to the carwash, then the gas station for its first fill-up, we became the absolute center of attention. Pictures from cars stopped at the light, thumbs up, big smiles, crowds surrounding the car when parked. I had almost completely forgotten how these cars stir peoples' emotions and brighten their days.

[04BlackSRT10]

I've dealt with those reactions since 1993. It's funny though - my car was down from 2016-2020. When my new engine got finished and I left the shop rolling to the carwash, then the gas station for its first fill-up, we became the absolute center of attention. Pictures from cars stopped at the light, thumbs up, big smiles, crowds surrounding the car when parked. I had almost completely forgotten how these cars stir peoples' emotions and brighten their days.

Especially when it's a beautiful B/W GTS. I'd love to have another Gen 2. I'm not sure I'll be able to afford one again, to be honest. I blows my mind that I only paid $35,500 for my solid red GTS back in 2017. Even then I knew those prices would never return.

[Fatman2006]

I had the question, "Did this one come with the all-wheel steering option?"

[ellowviper]

I just turned 60 so I'm starting to think the days of owning a GEN-II chick magnet might be behind me...well I have those thoughts until I go for a drive and then change my mind....

[Rare Snake]

This is a bit refreshing to read. Lately I have been balancing that fence on whether or not I should sell the car. I've got so many great stories and experiences and these cars draw attention like I have never seen in my life. You can't go anywhere without smiles, cameras, and thumbs up on the way by. Gas stations always become Q&A sessions, and the real Viper fans even used to get to sit in it on many occasions. I have met so many incredible people because of these cars (Hello MN folks!). But somewhere along the line, I became too aware of all the negative attention it can bring too, and I have a hell of a time shaking that crap off. I used to just laugh it off, but I'm now at the point where I'm taking the bait from some of the idiots who have something stupid to say when I'm out with the car. "Must be nice" used to get a smile and a polite thank you. It's my least favorite phrase now, and the answer is usually "Damn right it is." I just can't deal with negative people anymore. I read a story once about a guy who bought an orange Superbird, and he hid it behind his house where it rotted for years. He couldn't take the attention it got and didn't even want to drive it anymore! I feel that now too, and I completely understand it. It can be exhausting some days. So to make a short story long, I'm still debating turning in my Man Card and selling the car to someone more deserving who can handle the heat. This is a more difficult decision than even buying one in the first place... or a second one... or the third one...

As a bonus, here are my best lines I've ever heard from Police Officers:

Wow, I caught you speeding, but you could have been going a lot faster, couldn't you? (Gen 1)
Where do you work? Business must be good. (Red Gen 2 GTS)
Are you a drug dealer? (Gen V GTS)
Will it beat my Tahoe?
"Wanna race?" (While sitting at a red light on cruise night in Winnipeg)

[ellowviper]

Police Officer stories...I like it. Here's mine...from a motorcycle cop.
Cop: "DO you know how fast you were going?"
Me: "Well not really, I was sort of concentrating on watching the road."
Cop: "I can't believe you didn't see me"
Me: "I'm trying to tune the engine. Is there a place where I can go and run this car to top speed"
Cop:"You blew by me and were accelerating away from me. I can only ticket you for 80 in a 55 since my system shuts down when I exceed 80 MPH on the bike."
Me: "I was going well over 80, clear road, no traffic, on a toll road I paid to drive on... but OK if that is what you have to do."
Cop: " I can't believe you didn't see me.".....

Seems like the cop was more interested in figuring out why I blew by him. Never saw him and to this day, have no idea where he came from (other than from behind).

[Patentlaw]

True Story,

Back in 2007 or so....was involved in a car drive. NY State. Hundreds of cars. We finally reached the end of our trip and people got out to get a bite to eat. I parked with the Lambo guys. 1 Viper 15 Lambos. Everyone coming up to my car and gushed over it. The invisibility cloak was put on all the other cars. Had a ring around my car. I knew, at that moment, I would never sell the car. Ever.

[LATAMUD]

At a gas station...
Him: That's got the 6 or the 8?
Me: 10
Him: 6 or 8??
Me 10?
Him: V6 or V8?
Me: Veeeeeee Tennnn

[Rare Snake]

At a gas station...
Him: That's got the 6 or the 8?
Me: 10
Him: 6 or 8??
Me 10?
Him: V6 or V8?
Me: Veeeeeee Tennnn

I had a guy actually argue with me about it once. At the end: "pfft, my buddy had the V12, you should have got the 12." It was probably automatic too.

[Fatman2006]

At a gas station...
Him: That's got the 6 or the 8?
Me: 10
Him: 6 or 8??
Me 10?
Him: V6 or V8?
Me: Veeeeeee Tennnn

Same conversation, ending with

Me: V10

Him: Oh that must be one of the limited edition special ones, cause I know they didn't normally make them with the V10.

[Schen]

At a gas station...
Him: That's got the 6 or the 8?
Me: 10
Him: 6 or 8??
Me 10?
Him: V6 or V8?
Me: Veeeeeee Tennnn

Bart,

Tampa or Kuwait?

--RS

[04BlackSRT10]

This is a bit refreshing to read. Lately I have been balancing that fence on whether or not I should sell the car. I've got so many great stories and experiences and these cars draw attention like I have never seen in my life. You can't go anywhere without smiles, cameras, and thumbs up on the way by. Gas stations always become Q&A sessions, and the real Viper fans even used to get to sit in it on many occasions. I have met so many incredible people because of these cars (Hello MN folks!). But somewhere along the line, I became too aware of all the negative attention it can bring too, and I have a hell of a time shaking that crap off. I used to just laugh it off, but I'm now at the point where I'm taking the bait from some of the idiots who have something stupid to say when I'm out with the car. "Must be nice" used to get a smile and a polite thank you. It's my least favorite phrase now, and the answer is usually "Damn right it is." I just can't deal with negative people anymore. I read a story once about a guy who bought an orange Superbird, and he hid it behind his house where it rotted for years. He couldn't take the attention it got and didn't even want to drive it anymore! I feel that now too, and I completely understand it. It can be exhausting some days. So to make a short story long, I'm still debating turning in my Man Card and selling the car to someone more deserving who can handle the heat. This is a more difficult decision than even buying one in the first place... or a second one... or the third one...

As a bonus, here are my best lines I've ever heard from Police Officers:

Wow, I caught you speeding, but you could have been going a lot faster, couldn't you? (Gen 1)
Where do you work? Business must be good. (Red Gen 2 GTS)
Are you a drug dealer? (Gen V GTS)
Will it beat my Tahoe?
"Wanna race?" (While sitting at a red light on cruise night in Winnipeg)

Sorry to hear people have put you on the fence about the car. My favorite thing about the Viper is how I always get to talk to someone when I'm out in the world doing mundane things like grocery shopping. It literally makes life better and more interesting to have a special car. All I can say is that I sold my '98 GTS after only 14 months of ownership and I still regret that decision to this day. I was so happy when I was able to get into another one, and I don't want to ever sell this unless it's for another Viper. There's just nothing like them, especially for the money. I'd say keep the car and don't allow the possibility of regretting the choice to get rid of it. Maybe wrap or paint the car black so it doesn't stand out quite so much? I definitely get way less attention with my black Gen 3 than I got in the red Gen 2. That may be partially due to the fact that it's not as crazy looking as the GTS, but the color probably is a big factor also.

[Rare Snake]

Sorry to hear people have put you on the fence about the car. My favorite thing about the Viper is how I always get to talk to someone when I'm out in the world doing mundane things like grocery shopping. It literally makes life better and more interesting to have a special car. All I can say is that I sold my '98 GTS after only 14 months of ownership and I still regret that decision to this day. I was so happy when I was able to get into another one, and I don't want to ever sell this unless it's for another Viper. There's just nothing like them, especially for the money. I'd say keep the car and don't allow the possibility of regretting the choice to get rid of it. Maybe wrap or paint the car black so it doesn't stand out quite so much? I definitely get way less attention with my black Gen 3 than I got in the red Gen 2. That may be partially due to the fact that it's not as crazy looking as the GTS, but the color probably is a big factor also.

Thanks for this. It's neat to hear from someone who stepped out, and then back into one again. Regret is a worry for sure!

[04BlackSRT10]

I sold my '98 because I was used to having more luxurious sports cars, and the Viper was so raw and unrefined I didn't want to drive it a lot after the initial newness wore off. I loved the car, but it was a lot of work to cruise around in compared to my previous BMW Z4. I replaced it with a Maserati, then got a Jaguar F Type R after that. I was very happy with the creature comforts those cars had, and they were certainly amazing cars to drive and cruise in for long distances, but they didn't hold a candle to how cool, unique, and fun to drive a Viper is. I knew I had to get back into one and stay in one. I'm not making twice the mistake of letting the snake go!

[LATAMUD]

Bart,

Tampa or Kuwait?

--RS

Kuwait right now

[Bruce H.]

It's just frequent waves from kids and thumbs-up from on-lookers as you drive by, vehicles pulling up behind and beside you as you're driving to take photos/videos until they disappear again, conversations in gas stations about the car and parents taking pics of kids that we let sit in it, and on-coming owners in Corvettes giving "the wave" as they pass. Lots of attention in "show" type settings surrounded by other gorgeous cars. Mine is black and looks menacing, and seems to get its share of looks even when surrounded by bright colored Vipers. Hard to go wrong on Viper colors!

It's all just a regular, appreciated, and mostly welcome reminder that the Viper is special, and that never gets old. The only concerns are the few times I leave it parked unattended, like overnight at a hotel, and when other drivers get too close taking photos rather than watching where they are going. They seem to like to sit in my blind spot.

[No hemi]

I've Owned vipers for the past 12 years (5 gen3's and 2 gen5's) actually own 1gen3 and 1 gen5 ( both black ) and MY wife drives usually the gen3 and i drive the other one, every time I sell one I'm thinking of getting another car maybe a different platform but the people that own them( most of them) are like another family and I just end up buying another one ,lol, but on the stories Oh soo many:

1.red head in a auto parts store "I leave a six can you take me for a ride" ( 1st gen3)
2.during one of the first TOD events we were heading to a viper owners house in a lake and there are like 10 vipers at the light on the L lane just as the light changes there comes this guy in a old ford truck through the R lane , head out the window looking at the cars yelling "vipers yeah"... then he looks forward and the minivan in front of him is moving slow .. he says OH Sh...t.. right as he crashes into the minivan...
3. I had a guy in a gas station look at my white gen5 and he goes " that's one of the new supras?"
4. I drove one of my gen3 to work one day and had one of the nurses say "thats a CUTE car..( straightpiped gen3)
5. soo many cell pics while on the road , thumbs up etc, me and my wife call it the "vipershow" everytime we're driving them
6. took my gen5 to work last week .. got lunch paid by a nurse I had to take for a short drive .
7. went for a drive with some friends the other day, 7 lambo's,2 Mc larens, and I still liked to look more at my viper
That's why I just keep coming back to them ( vipers).

[blankline9]

this is probably the most frequent discussion i end up in when someone asks me about my viper. i explain to them that all vipers were v10's and all of them were manual transmissions and that they never made a v8 or a v12. it's amazing how many people ask me what kind of car it is and then instantly are experts on a car they couldn't even recognize as a viper....haha. most seem to think that i don't know what i'm talking about when it happens...haha.

[laney487]

I have a 94, the most common reaction is people trying to get up beside me on the highway to get a photo or a thumbs up. Best reactions are usually kids that are car enthusiasts! I always welcome them to sit inside the viper and let their parents get a photo or something!