[Performify]

absoludicrous,

Thanks for a much more civil response. Next time consider originally responding as such instead of resorting to calling me an asshat because you disagree with the opinion that I've espoused.

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Performity, how, and why does buying a car you like make you a tool? Then what car should you buy? Something you dislike?

How is buying a Porsche 996 any different than a Viper?

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Buying something doesn't make you anything.

I never said it did. Utah didn't ask if it would magically turn him in to a douchebag. Utah know's he's not a douche.

Utah asked what sort of impression driving a Viper would give off, and if said impression should be a deal killer for buying the car.

My answer to that is that yes, generally speaking in my experience, a very high percentage of people driving a viper that don't track their car are giant tools. Yes, the car has a negative social connetation, and in fact a generally well deserved one.

Its not that buying the car makes you a tool - its that people who generally actually purchase a viper for a street car are your stereotypical midlife crisis suffers. (again exceptioning all those who buy it as a second high-performance car which will see a significant amount of track time, etc). As Mrs. Utah and friend indicated, there's a pretty well-deserved social opinion of people who drive Vipers.

Should that be enough to convince him not to buy the car? I don't care.

Should he buy the car? I'd definately recommend otherwise - not because of the social stigma, but because other than as a track car the viper is a terrible choice. Most of my original response wasn't about the perception - its continuning in this same vein about how he shouldn't really be considering the viper. Yes, it looks good. yes, its got an incredible engine. But they're a pain in the ass to drive. They're completely impractical in every aspect of the word. They're sub-par quality cars in every aspect except the engine and the exterior styling.

Buying a 996 is different, in my book, as the 996 is a significantly superior car. Better engineering. Better design. significantly better quality. More practical and enjoyable in daily drivability - including gas mileage. More likely to retain a significant portion of its value. And yeah, doesn't stick out as "hey look at my autopenis" the same way a Viper does.

As to the rest, i'm drinking a starbucks misto right now. But girly drinks or tanning? I'm not going to hit such an obvious target [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]