On my birthday, I rented a 2006 Dodge Viper "mamba" and drove around Oahu. First time driving this beast and came away with some definite impressions.
1) This is a "man's" car...no doubt about it. Heavy clutch but engages right at the top, making it relatively easy to drive in traffic.
2) Very comfortable seats...drove it virtually the entire day with the top down. However, I would think in this price range, lowering the top would be automated not manual...but overall no big deal.
3) Cabin gets hot. Console gets hot. The reviews had said this but I guess I had to experience it.
4) Sills get hot...not a problem because the wife and I are relatively limber. But if you're carrying a few extra pounds and have trouble swinging the legs around...this could be difficult (Jungle gym entry and exit).
5) At slow speeds the big "meat" tires tend to wander, finding all potholes and uneveness in the road...but with increasing throttle the Viper becomes very purposeful and actually easier to drive.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. So glad that I did not rent the alternative C6 convertible, which would have been more practical but no 6-speed manual and not near as special as the viper.:biggrin
On a different note, drove to Kailua bay and sea kayaked (probably near the Obama's) but we never saw any evidence of them or increased security. Had a "black out" on the whole island of Oahu on the evening of my birthday that lasted 12 hours (longer for other areas of the island outside of Waikiki). The black-out was never fully explained???:bored
1) This is a "man's" car...no doubt about it. Heavy clutch but engages right at the top, making it relatively easy to drive in traffic.
2) Very comfortable seats...drove it virtually the entire day with the top down. However, I would think in this price range, lowering the top would be automated not manual...but overall no big deal.
3) Cabin gets hot. Console gets hot. The reviews had said this but I guess I had to experience it.
4) Sills get hot...not a problem because the wife and I are relatively limber. But if you're carrying a few extra pounds and have trouble swinging the legs around...this could be difficult (Jungle gym entry and exit).
5) At slow speeds the big "meat" tires tend to wander, finding all potholes and uneveness in the road...but with increasing throttle the Viper becomes very purposeful and actually easier to drive.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. So glad that I did not rent the alternative C6 convertible, which would have been more practical but no 6-speed manual and not near as special as the viper.:biggrin
On a different note, drove to Kailua bay and sea kayaked (probably near the Obama's) but we never saw any evidence of them or increased security. Had a "black out" on the whole island of Oahu on the evening of my birthday that lasted 12 hours (longer for other areas of the island outside of Waikiki). The black-out was never fully explained???:bored
