>>>WIldman- I know about "driving" the NSX. THe viper yes is less refined, but is also maybe even more "driven" than ours. You pay more attention to it overall in corners, torque, power and so on. That is what I think "driving" is, not just get in the car put it in 1st and go.
Most of the road racing track events are dominated by Vipers, unfortunately not as many NSX's show up usually.
Yo, fiveinch, Bro!
I'm honestly not sure exactly what you're putting across there, but wouldn't presume to disagree. "Torque, power, corners" are certainly in my "fun to drive" vocabulary as well, so I think we're in agreement. I'm sure an afternoon in a Viper would indeed be fun, just not something I'd want to drive all the time.
They're both fun cars, but fun-to-drive is highly relative. I've had fun with big Detroit iron bolted in front of me too. The Viper was designed with very different design priorities and objectives than the NSX, and it certainly has a place in this world. However most of us who have purchased and drive NSXs have had our standards, our vantage points permanently modified. For many of us now, for a car to impress us with its "fun to drive" qualities, it has to provide surgically precise response, intimate feedback, superb balance and "nimbleness", impeccable ergonomics, the feel of exceptional quality, etc., etc., AND be quick. For us, we're just not likely to be impressed when a car comes along that offers just gobs of one particular thing or another, while falling short in other important (to us) areas. Once we found out we could "have it all" in one well-rounded package, cars that offer tons of one particular quality just come up a little short. Once you've had a beautifully balanced package, it's just hard to love anything that lacks that. I'm not talking fun to drive for an afternoon here, I'm talking fun that I want to buy and enjoy every day. If BHP and lb.ft. were my primary measuring stick, I'd probably be in a Viper now.
I'm absolutely not putting down the Viper. I think it's a real milestone design for an American automaker, and all credit is due to Chrysler for producing it. Yes, you can also build a great race car from one, and it has established an enviable record on the race track. I'm very happy it was produced, and I'm very happy for anyone for whom the Viper is their "dream car" and who drives one and enjoys it. Driving a car that delivers your particular "fun to drive" qualities is what it's all about.
But back to the original point: I'm simply saying that I completely understand why cmarsh90 would make the comments he did, and I think there are good and undeniable reasons for his impressions. You can read similar comments in most any professional review of the car, so I'm not surprised to hear those comments from him. The fact is that the car does fall short of the NSX in a number of areas, and for most NSX owners, those areas have become important criteria for driving enjoyment.
I guess what I'm saying is that if you're saying you were surprised at his comments, then I would have to say I'm surprised that you feel that way. They made perfect sense to me.
I hope you're driving your dream car man, and if you're not, I hope you trade. I'm driving my dream car, and I love to see others who are fortunate enough to do the same; whatever that car is. But for most of us who own an NSX, the Viper is probably not going to become our dream car. If it were, we'd probably be driving one. I think I'd really enjoy blasting around in a Viper for an afternoon, but I'm also sure I'd be happy to drive home in my NSX at the end of the day. I think that's what cmarsh90 was trying to say (please correct me if I'm wrong). Like I said: we're just spoiled.
- Richard
Gotta love it! 
