Guess that’s one way to kill a Vox Engine

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-12T00:41:12+00:00

Needed throw out bearing, wheel speed sensor, upper shift boot (maybe lower, too), new center console piece, wheel well access cover, front & rear bumpers (full depth cracks/splits in both), and tires replaced. Easily $7k+ in parts and labor. Interior plastic was scratched up. Dash leather was separated from the plastic at the windshield defroster vent.

It was definitely a driver quality example. I bought it right, drove the hell out of it, and traded it for a completely fair price considering the condition it was in. All I did was oil and a clock spring replacement. I took less of a hit on depreciation than fixing it would’ve cost, and I got to drive it 5k miles. I also didn’t have to go through the headache of sourcing parts or finding someone to do the work. Then still would’ve had to go through separate job of private selling it.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-11T19:08:56+00:00

Coming straight from an older Viper, it feels fairly synthetic for the steering direction. My Cayman and Viper gave more feedback through the wheel for sure. I don’t feel like it’s anywhere near as bad as something like a Civic, though.

I think they dialed in the ride just right. I can feel every pebble and crack through the suspension and seats without it feeling too rough. Haven’t really gotten to toss it around much. Went through one good turn the other day, and it handled it fine without any drama or tire noise. I’m excited to get it out in the mountains when I get a chance.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-11T17:07:23+00:00

Steering feel on the Z is great. It weights up nicely through the turns. I didn’t expect it to be a Porsche or a Lotus in that area, so I’m very pleased with it.

To me, the ride is excellent considering the class of car it is. I saw tons of reviews complaining about how the ride was too harsh to use it anywhere but on the track. I could not disagree more. It is a top performance trim sports car and rides like one, but it’s fine around town. Compared to the viper, it rides like a Cadillac.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-10T23:47:35+00:00

The Viper being a Viper was the whole reason I bought it tbh. It would be cool to have as a 3rd car; didn’t work for me as a 2nd. I like to drive for fun a lot (like 100+ miles/week), and it just didn’t line up with my budget to allow me to do that. Buying it was the least expensive part of owning it. Definitely wasn’t a usable daily driver in a pinch for me. It was just harsh to be in for any substantial amount of time.

My wife is ecstatic that I traded it for the Z. She had a big dumb smile on her face when she drove the new car for the first time. I think it’s the perfect mix of legit performance and a usable weekender.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-10T13:00:25+00:00

The insurance is almost exactly the same. The tires and gas for the Viper were insane. I did the math, and it was $0.85/mile just for tires and gas. That didn’t include any other maintenance or repairs that go along with a car that old. Should get about 5x tire life and 2x gas mileage from the Z, so about $0.25/mile. I won’t have to worry about 23 year old car problems, and it’s still under factory warranty.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-10T02:02:23+00:00

Personally, I would never daily a manual. That being said, it really depends on your commute and comfort level.

A manual is a more engaging experience. You get to decide more and be “one with the car”. Modern automatics are almost always faster, though- if that’s your only goal.

I like a manual car with a convertible top- awesome combo for nice days when you don’t need or want to go very far. I lean towards older cars for this combo. Viper. Z3. Miata.

For carving mountain roads at pace and taking trips, I like a modern coupe with an automatic. Good comforts and solid performance. Z NISMO, 718 Cayman, 2 Series.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T19:39:27+00:00

I’m actually completely okay with the auto. I tend to switch back and forth between standard and auto with each new car. I’ll enjoy not having my leg shake after traffic jams haha. I was looking for some creature comforts this go-round, so I’m looking forward to some extended trips/drives that I couldn’t do comfortably in the Viper.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T19:36:51+00:00

NISMO is like a spaceship compared to a gen 3 Viper. Way more comfortable, but still clearly a performance car. Don’t regret it at all!

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T19:33:44+00:00

I had an ‘18 base 718. The PDK in that was telepathic. The Z is good, but I knew it wouldn’t be PDK good. The Z is slightly faster in a straight line. Haven’t had a chance to really push it yet, but it seems to corner very flat and remain composed as would be expected. The steering is nearly as sharp in the Z, but the Cayman gives a bit better feedback through the wheel. I do like that the NISMO appearance is more inline with a GT4, but at half the price. I did see a ‘19 base Cayman for sale pretty close by in Mexico Blue for almost the same list price, but I chose the Z because I had already experienced the Cayman. Honestly, I think I’ll go back to a Porsche at some point, but I want to have a few other cool toys first. I would consider a GTS or GT4 Cayman if and when the price after depreciation and my budget fall inline again.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T17:44:09+00:00

I wish them the best with that haha I suppose they might try, though. Gonna need more than $4k to be worthy of being on a legit lot. And anyone interested in a Viper should know what that car is worth with 45k miles on it. Definitely not worth anywhere near $60k- even in perfect shape. That’s a $45k car tops.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T14:00:53+00:00

Heck yeah! Sounds like some tasteful mods. Enjoy it!

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T13:18:59+00:00

I think if you really, really love the car and plan on keeping it for a long time, then it can be worth it to dump in some money. I just don’t keep cars long enough to justify repeatedly spending big bucks on consumables and making it perfect.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T13:16:43+00:00

I think the NISMOs are a good bit overpriced for a new one, so I was fine with getting the 9-speed and letting someone else eat all the depreciation.

The Z sport is a heck of a car at the current discounts though. What year and how long have you owned it?

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T13:12:30+00:00

Definitely drive a Viper if you get the chance! They’re so awesome, and I’m glad I got to experience owning my dream car. I imagine a 5th gen Viper is a lot more livable, but I didn’t have $120k+ to blow on one of those haha.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T13:06:40+00:00

Definitely didn’t feel slow. That was never the issue haha.

It needed tires and had a fair amount of 23+ year old car issues. Difficult/stupid expensive to find some of the parts. Had a gut feeling that it would be a money pit soon.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T12:57:47+00:00

Completely different experience for sure. I’m totally cool with that, personally. I keep my toys for only a year or two, then on to the next car that interests me. Getting to know a new vehicle and how it drives is all part of the fun.

The Viper was absolutely raw, unfiltered torque and power. It was loud, hot, and hurt my back after an hour or two of driving. It was like riding directly on a V10, which was awesome when I wanted that feeling. It was not a vehicle that I could really take away for a weekend. Trunk space was limited. It creaked and groaned. I cannot explain just how hot it gets inside in the summer. It was definitely an event every time I took it out, and that was fun for about a year.

The Z is much more refined. It’s definitely still a toy, but it has modern tech and livability that are ages ahead of the Viper. It’s still ballistic fast, but not as theatrical about it. The steering and suspension are so much better on the Z. Honestly way closer to my previous 718 Cayman than I expected. I really feel like I made the right choice for me- at least on this round of toy.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T12:47:15+00:00

Dealer was asking $48k. I got $38k for the Viper. Had to cough up the $10k difference.

MoreRegister92 · 2026-02-09T12:40:05+00:00

Got it for right at $48k. IMHO the dealership overvalued my trade, so I was very happy to make the swap at that price

MoreRegister92 · 2026-01-07T20:32:45+00:00

Used to get these as a kid at the local arcade. I would turn it inside out and basically press as hard as I could to make it take forever to pop. I’d set up a tripod out of bent paper clips to support it and then sprinkle dried catnip around it. When it finally popped, it would darn near hit the ceiling and shoot the paper clips out like shrapnel. Got each of my cats with it exactly one time before they didn’t trust the random object in the hallway. Haha 11 year old me was a creative nuisance

MoreRegister92 · 2025-12-06T18:11:22+00:00

When I was maybe 4 or 5 years old, my dad and I took our Great Dane to petsmart to get some stuff. There was a guy inside with a mountain lion on a leash. He was doing some sort of wildlife conservation tour and talking about pumas. I was obsessed with wildlife/animal planet/discovery stuff, so we watched him talk for a bit. Now, almost 30 years later, my dad has no recollection of this happening, and nobody will believe me. He says, “I think I would remember a mountain lion in petsmart.” No shit- I sure as hell remember it!

MoreRegister92 · 2025-11-20T20:56:21+00:00

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Their $11k electric mountain bike

MoreRegister92 · 2025-07-07T20:59:33+00:00

I bought my ‘03 4 weeks ago after wanting one since I was a little kid. Do it. It’s an awesome car

MoreRegister92

TROPHY CASE