Back in OTA 59 I am done with Automatics Paddle Shifts

[TIME]

I am happy to report that I got my OTA #59 back. Just bought it on BaT for $132K.

I had a Ferrari FF in between. I loved the engine and the drive but never made friends with the paddle shift and always left it in auto. It got a little boring for me to drive an "automatic". For that reason, I will no longer have a sports car with an automatic. I truly do not care if a paddle shift car is faster. There is always something faster out there anyway.

I am the original owner of OTA #59. Car is basically a standard unmodified TA, exactly the way I want it.
It is in great condition. I took good care of it and the guy that I sold it to did the same. Unfortunately, the engine went at 8K miles but it was replaced with a complete new engine. I am happy with that.

Need to fix a few minor things and then wait for spring to arrive here in Nevada. I am super excited to get on the road again with a V10 6-speed!

[Bruce H.]

That is just amazing...congratulations!
I hear you on the auto not satisfying your desires, which I feel with my 911 Turbo S....but each has their place.

[VENOM-TA]

Congrats.. I’ve got OTA #8 and was watching that auction closely.. it’s very cool you got it back..

[w12x]

Congrats! I was bidding on that car earlier today too
Most iconic TA config for sure

[w12x]

Congrats.. I’ve got OTA #8 and was watching that auction closely.. it’s very cool you got it back..

I remember seeing your comment under that auction!

[SilveRT8]

Big congrats for getting back your own 'Blast to drive Viper !
Hey Bruce : The auto is why I sold the 911 Turbo S, this and the expiring warranty

[efnfast]

I know the feeling ... automatic/flappy paddle have ruined cars. I will only purchase manuals .... sadly I've bought every manual I want except for a F40, F50 and Carrera GT (just can't bring myself to pay those prices today)

[ACRSNK]

Congrats! So cool that you were able to get your car back. That definitely doesn’t happen too often.

[StrokerAce]

Congratulations.

That is just amazing...congratulations!
I hear you on the auto not satisfying your desires, which I feel with my 911 Turbo S....but each has their place.

The Turbo S is what I have wanted for a few years but I am scared I will make this comment and at this time I have limited space for a car like the Turbo S as that means the old lady would have to park outside and, well, that's not worth it. Haha

[Bruce H.]

The auto is why I sold the 911 Turbo S, this and the expiring warranty

It's my daily driver, and when I decided I couldn't part with the TA I told my wife it was hers to enjoy as much as possible. So the PDK/auto works great for our purposes, and is actually a blast on track as well! Some days I track both!

The Turbo S is what I have wanted for a few years but I am scared I will make this comment and at this time I have limited space for a car like the Turbo S as that means the old lady would have to park outside and, well, that's not worth it. Haha

Since my wife shares the Turbo she gladly gave up her SUV's spot in the garage and is none the wiser to my strategy And in the winter the Turbo goes on the lift above the TA...all problems solved!

[TIME]

Thank you ALL for your comments!!!

Certainly, an automatic has its place. My daily driver is an Audi Q5 diesel with 85K miles. The auto transmission works great and the 430 ft/lb of torque comes in handy when i pull my trailer with motorcycles.

I am very much looking forward to TA-roaming all the mountain roads in my immediate area around Reno, Nevada.
Note: I am so serious about the manual thing that I am on the list to get the controversial GMA T.33. However, that is two years out and the TA will do just fine until then and beyond.

[Snakebit10]

Since my wife shares the Turbo she gladly gave up her SUV's spot in the garage and is none the wiser to my strategy And in the winter the Turbo goes on the lift above the TA...all problems solved!

Forwarding post to Mrs.H

Best of both worlds, having a Turbo S and TA in the stable.

I think the OTA's are probably the most iconic Gen 5 non-ACR Viper. Not knocking the other colors at all, just that that orange just looks extra special on the Viper.

[TIME]

It's my daily driver, and when I decided I couldn't part with the TA I told my wife it was hers to enjoy as much as possible. So the PDK/auto works great for our purposes, and is actually a blast on track as well! Some days I track both!

Since my wife shares the Turbo she gladly gave up her SUV's spot in the garage and is none the wiser to my strategy And in the winter the Turbo goes on the lift above the TA...all problems solved!

Fantastic solution Bruce. You continue to be an inspiration with your Black TA. Thanks!

[Bruce H.]

Thank you, and it's great to have you back!

[Hawk]

Nice buy! Now drive it like you stole it because you did!

[TIME]

Nice buy! Now drive it like you stole it because you did!

I will..!!
Thank you.

[Voice of Reason]

That’s awesome that you were able to buy it back. And at a great price as well. I was surprised it didn’t go for much more considering asking prices for TAs out there.

[serpent]

OP, are you still in the Bay Area? I've seen an OTA in Cottle Rd, San Jose back in 2018. And more recently another OTA in the Fremont area. Probably not same car or owner tho.

[TIME]

OP, are you still in the Bay Area? I've seen an OTA in Cottle Rd, San Jose back in 2018. And more recently another OTA in the Fremont area. Probably not same car or owner tho.

Hi Serpent, I was never in the Bay Area but previous owner most likely is.

[Arizona Vipers]

Congrats! I saw your comments on the auction, pretty cool to get her back!
You need to go drive a 765LT hehe, trust me it's still fun with the automatic

[Mikey]

Congrats! You got a great deal, how cool to get your original car back

[Nine Ball]

Welcome back. Even while I own a few vehicles with flappy paddles, I never use them. It's an automatic, so I just drive those like automatics. Flappy paddles aren't nearly as fulfilling as a clutch pedal and an H-pattern gearbox.

[TIME]

Congrats! I saw your comments on the auction, pretty cool to get her back!
You need to go drive a 765LT hehe, trust me it's still fun with the automatic

Congrats! You got a great deal, how cool to get your original car back

Welcome back. Even while I own a few vehicles with flappy paddles, I never use them. It's an automatic, so I just drive those like automatics. Flappy paddles aren't nearly as fulfilling as a clutch pedal and an H-pattern gearbox.

Thanks guys!

Arizona, no doubt a double turbo V8 McLaren 765 w/paddle is fun - just not for me.
Mike, I hope that your rebuilt engine gets all the power you and a potential new owner expects.
Nine Ball, thanks for chiming in. Exactly, if you leave it in auto (and I did) takes a lot of fun out of driving.

TA 59 is having window motor and a door hinge fixed as we speak. Seller was even able to locate original car-cover.
I.e. I am getting a standard TA with all the original paperwork and the extras it originally came with. I am super happy about that.

[TIME]

All service done and OTA 59 is now home. Normandin Chrysler Dodge Jeep provided outstanding service!!
Had it delivered in an enclosed trailer. However, it snowed heavily when we unloaded it last night so I plowed through the snow into the garage.
I can highly recommend the transport person Stan Gordon (see pic. for info). He was wearing gloves, shoe covers, protective seat cover, and had the car covered inside the enclosed trailer.
I also went ahead and got the Fidelity Platinum extended warranty from Trenton (602) 909-9216 7-years/70K miles, transferable. $3,300/$10 deductible.

I am ready for spring!!

[pony23]

Congrats on getting your baby back. TA’s are great. Have fun with her.

I keep thinking about selling the Viper and getting a Turbo S. I just think I would miss shifting gears. I added TA suspension to my GTS and it is a better driving car on the backroads. I think I would miss it like you did and want to go back.