quote:I am now debating between a Pantera and a used Viper - I know, apples and oranges.
I have always thought the two cars were conceptual cousins separated by a couple of decades.
Now, realize my experience with Vipers consists of looking at them, but both cars are high horsepower, a bit unrefined, not for the masses and carry a bad-boy image.
That said, BUY A PANTERA!
Unless you are in a huge rush, you should start educating yourself and reading all the archives at the two forums listed in my signature below AND also reading all the information at Pantera Place and BanzaiRunnerPantera.
Most every problem these cars can present has already been experienced, and solved, by someone else. And likewise, most upgrades and improvements have already been accomplished by others. If you read all this info, you will know what you like/dislike and be able to buy YOUR car accordingly.
But if you ARE in a huge rush, I fear you will not wind up buying the car you truly want. These cars have a way of giving you The Fever once you start looking at them, enticing you with their Siren Song of "buy me---NOW".
The Vegas gathering is in April, followed - hopefully, if it isn't canceled - by the Monterey, CA Concorso in August. You also have the Pocono event closer to you, June?
Any of these event are great learning schools. I went to two Vegas ('01 and '02) events and Concorso 2002 gathering ideas, advice and knowledge in my 18 month search for 2511. Lots of folks thought I was just a tire-kicker, but no one has thought I didn't wind up buying a top notch car. I easily could have bought earlier candidates, but I fought off the Siren Song until MY car came to me.
Almost without exception, all of us here and at the POCA forum are more than willing to offer advice, join you in inspecting cars, or even inspect one close to us and send you a report. We LOVE these cars, and want your purchase to be done wisely and with full knowledge of what you are getting. You may still have many weekends spent dialing-in this item, or upgrading that item, or wondering WTF is wrong this time...
But once you hit a rural twisty turnie piece of blacktop early in the morning, and start running up/down those gears and hear that Cleveland symphony sing out from behind you, you will KNOW you are the owner of the most seductive, most rewarding exotic car anyone can possess.
Welcome to the De Tomaso Family.
Remember, every day brings you closer to finding YOUR Pantera.
Larry