Reply to "Pantera as compared to others"

Wow, thanks that is exactly the kind of feedback I had hope for.
LF TP 2511 : I will be there. I let myself take two weeks off a year and the 2008 Las Vegas event seems tailored to my needs. Enough time before to learn what questions I need to address then a wealth of experience to draw on.

Cowboy From Hell : Possibly you have found my problem with the two previous tries, the vette and viper, I did look at it from a logical perspective but they never elicited that long term thrill I was hoping for, so possibly I should have let my emotions run a little closer to the top instead of trying to make the 'smart' descision.

Deeb : Thank you, you are the guy I was looking for. I get what you are saying about the "feel" of going fast. The viper always felt like it was going faster even at the same speed. I can't describe it but i think I understand your meaning.

DeTom : "Viper is fast, but not comfortable and will not hold enough luggage. The Corvette is fast and comfortable, but again, not enough luggage. The Pantera is the only mid-engine car ever made that actualy held a significant amount of luggage. It was fast and comfortable. It is the only mid-emgined car in history built to be a true GT car. Unfortunetly for you, it is now a thirty something year old car and would require too much of your time and money to fullfil this fantasy of grand touring."

I got ya. I had not thought of the luggage aspect but that makes a lot of sense. I wish I was well off enough to be a grand tour type but the sad truth is I am far from it, today ... maybe not forever, but I like the idea of having short fantasies as well. No kids so when we take off, we can get away with a two seater but the thought of real luggage room opens up some possibilities. I guess I just wanted to know, if a guy with my abilities (slim but a few)could take it on a week long trip as long as I had kept it up in the previous times. Our best trip the woman and I took last year was in my only (so far) forever car, a 1961 Studebaker Hawk my dad bought new. It is not as easy on the mind as a trip in a new car but the pleasure I derived was much greater.

Pantera Doug : "You can catagorize a Pantera, but you really can't.
It is anything but practical. It is anything but mainstream. It is anything but suttle.

It is made for the Gucci loafer set but you drive it wearing your sneakers.

It is made to run with the best from anywhere and embarass them with the big honkin' Detroit water irrigation power plant. And it does.

It is an anti-social, anti-green peace, screw you it's the way I like it...vehicle, and it is."

Everything you said is what I thought Panteras were about. Probably this is why I am attracted in the 1st place

RT66_Pantera: don't buy super cars for comfort, technical gadgets, etc.
Too compare a Pantera with any of the above mentioned cars is impossible. They are not in the same league. As mentioned above - "GRAND TOURING" defines it.
Anybody can buy a "Viper" or a Z06 or ?.
There a a few (Here on the boards and some that are not" that truly understand what a pantera is all about.
To me, (being unconventional) is what it's about. Owning a Pantera is like building the perfect women. There are some you want to date and others you gotta keep. To me the Pantera has the lines of Pam Anderson and Jenna Jameson combined - Now add a few of your own custom mods and you see where im going.
I wouldn't trade my pantera for any other cars I could think of.
As far as people that own them - Like no other groups.They are totally dedicated - will help each other out - Have parties etc. GREAT PEOPLE

You are another one I was looking for, your having had both gives me an idea of your take on long term. Thanks
One last thing, I', glad I am not the only one who doesn't worry a whole lot about the radio. My better half is always after me to upgrade the stereo. My response has always been " but isn't the motor alone music enough?"

Thanks again to you all. I did not address item by item All the things that were answered for me so far but rest assured, I appreciate the help and information. I will be lurking and you might have to overlook the occasional ignorant question but I promise to only ask after careful searching and consideration.