New daily driver :)

[72hemi]

So I wasn't going to sell my Z06 and replace it as my daily driver, but a deal too good to pass up crossed my path and I had to strike. So I am back driving a Mopar as my daily driver (I know many of you will think I am nuts to use this as a daily driver, but I love it!) I bought a 2001 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe ACR. It is Sapphire Blue and 1 of only 77 produced in this color. It needs a little cosmetic care, but mechanically it is in amazing condition. New tires, new brake pads, new front rotors, new serpentine belt, new idler and tensioner pulleys, the list continues. I have all of the service records since the car was new and have talked with the original owner a lot about the car. Here are some pictures I shot last Friday.

[Super Blue 72]

Holy crapola!  That's your daily driver?!?!   

That's just a little nicer than my Honda Accord... 

Very cool, must be a pleasure driving to work everyday!!! 

[72hemi]

Yeah I will be using the Viper as my daily driver. I figure I have a 3 mile commute to work, we get less than 11 inches of rain a year, more than 300 days of sunshine a year and you only live once. Plus the Viper has always been my dream car. Oh and no matter how bad of a day I have at work (not that I have many bad days at work, but when they happen) when I get to the parking lot and see the Viper I can't help but smile

[lemming303]

That's awesome! I'm definitely jealous...

[Cuda54]

That would make a good doner car to take the motor out of for any year Cuda or challanger. Then sell the rest as parts. That Viper motor would make any car fly! NICE RIDE!!

[usraptr]

Congrats!!   That's one beautiful and mean looking ride!          But as a fellow C6 owner, I think I would have held onto the Z06.     Just kidding, enjoy your new ride!! 

[IMNCARN82]

That's my kind of daily driver!!! and one of my favorite colors of 'em!!

[Road_Runner]

I think we share a lot of the same thoughts (mental abnormalities) concerning daily drivers.  The two cars I'm considering for that role when I pay off the truck are a z06 or Viper GTS.  They only other car I'd consider is a new SRT8 or the rumored new Cuda, but both would cost as much & maybe more than a lightly used Viper or Vette.  I plan on keeping the truck to handle bad weather days or just bad destinations, but like you I'd like to drive something really fun while I'm alive & young enough to enjoy it.  I would be very interested in your honest opinion about these two cars and how they compare on the street.  Congrats, nice score.

Jim

[72hemi]

Thanks guys. As far as a comparison between the Viper and the Z06, the Viper gets worse gas mileage, is less comfortable (ACR Viper has adjustable coil over race shocks installed) and has less creature comforts. The Z06 also had more interior room and more trunk room, but the Viper does have a full size spare where the Z06 doesn't have anything. That being said the Viper is just straight up bad azz! I loved the Z06, but at the end of the day it wasn't a Viper. The Z06 however was a better daily driver from a comfort and fuel economy stand point. But with my involvement already with the Viper Club of America and the Viper being my dream car, the choice to sell the Z06 was a no brainer for me. Oh and by the way everywhere I go it seems people are getting their picture taken with my Viper, where that never happened with the Z06.

['Cuda Hunter]

That is an Awesome car !!   

Got any engine pics ?? 

[brads70]

Wow must be quite difficult having to suffer with that for a daily driver?
I too am jealous! Congrats!     Love the colour!

[72hemi]

I don't have any under hood pictures yet, because I want to clean up the engine compartment some more. Oh one other note in the comparison of the Viper to the Z06 as a daily driver; anyone considering buying a Viper at all must drive one before they buy one. This car is definitely not for everyone. It will kick you in the junk and not apologize for it, especially the ACR. I am one of those sick folks that enjoy the pain 

[AARCUDADEN]

I can't beleive you would drive that old bucket of rusty bolts as a daily driver  Seriously nice Viper 

[drewcrane]

How is it in the snow and ice.........or do you even get that where you live?

[72hemi]

Snow? Ice? What are these things that you speak of?  The weather here in Silicon Valley is pretty mild.