"Days of Our Lives" star Hogestyn gives his Viper a Perfect 10

Quick Stats:Drake Hogestyn
Actor on NBC's "Days of Our Lives"
Daily driver: 1988 Chevy Silverado
(Drake's rating for this car: 8 on a scale of 1 to 10)
Other cars in his collection:2003 Dodge Viper(Rating: 10)
1961 Chevy Corvette(Rating: 9)
Favorite road trip: Driving to Mexico from Los Angeles
Car he learned to drive in: 1965 Corvair
First car bought: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle

For more than two decades, Drake Hogestyn has been loved by fans around the world as John Black on "Days of Our Lives." But clocking in 90-hour work weeks on NBC's popular soap opera means whatever time the car enthusiast has is precious.

So Hogestyn maximizes his commute time by factoring in his 2003 Dodge Viper. "I drive the Viper when I know I'm coming in early and I'll be able to go home when there's a seam in the traffic or later. It doesn't do her justice, the car, to drive in stop-and-go traffic. The car isn't designed for that. It's designed to run."

Hogestyn beefed up the Viper by going to DC Performance in Culver City, California, and getting a 600-hp package fitted, which includes TNT headers, a Borla exhaust, and updated intake.

"A combination of the TNT header system and Borla exhaust puts out a note that's so beautiful, all the way through the gears, especially about 3000 rpm. It's almost a European sound that's very interesting," Hogestyn says. "When you have the top down and decide to get aggressive, the notes that come out of there are just, for a guy, of course, spine shattering, it's beautiful."

Hogestyn likes that his Viper has gray calipers while the 2004 and later Vipers have red ones. He gives it a perfect 10. "The fun factor, the thrill factor in the Viper are unmatched. The car teaches me the fine line between stupidity and guts."

"This particular year, the real aficionados of Vipers don't like this car," Hogestyn says. "First of all, it's a ragtop, and it's not really good for racing because of the aerodynamics. But most Viper people like the bubble top because it's for your helmet, to sit inside. I like the lines on it, especially when that top is down. It's so sexy, so pretty. The lines on it are amazing. You don't see many of them around."