I am looking to possibly add a new toy to the fleet and have always kinda wanted a Viper. The only ones I have ever driven was a TT version we did some work on when in TX, and test drove an 01 when we were looking for a car. Wont be new looking to buy new obviously, most seem to be fairly low mileage. Just looking for something fun for weekends ETC. Looking for any input Viper owners have. Anything to look for or avoid. As for year I hear the Gen3 03-06 stuff and up is better but what do I know.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
the 1st gen RT/10s are cheapest and easiest to find . The 1st gen GTS coupes command decent money. Color matters as well . Yellow and Silver seems to be on the lower end where as red or blue tend to be the higher priced one
IMO a decent 1st gen GTS coupe will set you back upper 30s to upper 40s . depending on miles , color and condition . maybe even dip into the $50s if you stay newer model in good color and low miles I saw what looked like nice cars in the upper 30s , But they tend to sell quick so be ready to jump if one pops up you like
I gave some serious thoughts to a Viper GTS coupe instead of old car. But the old car won out in the end
I've owned 3 so far. A 94 R/T10, a 97 GTS Coupe and a 99 ACR GTS.
The early R/T10's can be fun fair weather cars, but the lack of real roll up side windows is a downside to them. If you get a 97 or later R/T10 it has real side windows
The GTS Coupes are a car that you can jump in and drive anywhere any time, they're my favorite.
I love the classic curves of the 1992-2002 Vipers.
The 2003 to about 2010 era Vipers are even better drivers in handling and power, but that body style reminds me of a Honda S2000 on steroids. The side fender cutouts are too Corvette'ish to me (and many others). They cured that in 2011, styling is waaay better.
I've thought about one. 98 GTS would be very nice. That said, just for grins do a youtube search on what they sound like. I have only found one that care for as they all sound like Ferraris.
67 Barracuda FB
69 Superbee
"Southern Maryland: If you want a good looking woman, you had better bring her with you"
Just jumping in here because I’m interested in viper info as well. I’d like to find a nice 1996 or 2002 viper GTS coupe. Is there a follow button to click on, I’m not seeing it on my iPad. Thanks!
Re: Any Viper owners here?
[Re: klunick]
#2858382 12/11/2009:20 AM12/11/2009:20 AM
I've thought about one. 98 GTS would be very nice. That said, just for grins do a youtube search on what they sound like. I have only found one that care for as they all sound like Ferraris.
I have a 2017 ACR-E , It's a pretty incredible machine, strangely one my most comfortable vehicles to drive even with the rubber band street legal slicks on it. It seems to be ,the older the car, the more hassle it is to find replacement parts for. If you want to drive it around a lot , I would spring for a gen V car.
The late Gen 1s have the forged internals, earlier did not. Might keep that in mind.
Incorrect.
All 1992 to 1999 Viper engines had forged internals (pistons,crank, etc).
2000 was the first year they used cast hyperutectic (sp) pistons in the engines. That's why those cars have the nickname "cream puffs". They actually run great and are just as fast, but you don't want to add boost or add nitrous them without a piston change.
I've thought about one. 98 GTS would be very nice. That said, just for grins do a youtube search on what they sound like. I have only found one that care for as they all sound like Ferraris.
A V10 will never sound like a V8.
Exactly, it's a V-10. With the right exhaust system they sound great, but they'll never sound like a V-8 does.
Thank you for correcting me, So I got it backwards?
I have a gen 1 assembly line crate motor 405hp? I thought the older had the hypers vs the newer.
Originally Posted by SNK-EYZ
Originally Posted by Mr Potatohead
The late Gen 1s have the forged internals, earlier did not. Might keep that in mind.
Incorrect.
All 1992 to 1999 Viper engines had forged internals (pistons,crank, etc).
2000 was the first year they used cast hyperutectic (sp) pistons in the engines. That's why those cars have the nickname "cream puffs". They actually run great and are just as fast, but you don't want to add boost or add nitrous them without a piston change.
Thank you for correcting me, So I got it backwards?
I have a gen 1 assembly line crate motor 405hp? I thought the older had the hypers vs the newer.
Originally Posted by SNK-EYZ
Originally Posted by Mr Potatohead
The late Gen 1s have the forged internals, earlier did not. Might keep that in mind.
Incorrect.
All 1992 to 1999 Viper engines had forged internals (pistons,crank, etc).
2000 was the first year they used cast hyperutectic (sp) pistons in the engines. That's why those cars have the nickname "cream puffs". They actually run great and are just as fast, but you don't want to add boost or add nitrous them without a piston change.
Gen 1 engines were rated at 400 hp til 1995, in 1996 they upped it to 415 when they moved the exhaust to rear exit. (engine is exactly the same).
The downfall of the Gen 1 engines is the wet sleeve block design. The cylinder sleeve are directly exposed to the coolant and have a tendency just like the head gaskets to leak (much like the Neons had a head gasket problem). The replacement head gaskets cure the head gasket problem. When the head gaskets start breaking down it allows the cylinder liners to start to move which causes problems.
The Gen 2 (1996 GTS and all model from 87 on) were rated at 450 hp and the engine was then a dry sleeve block design which cured a lot of internal engine cooling system issues.
I've thought about one. 98 GTS would be very nice. That said, just for grins do a youtube search on what they sound like. I have only found one that care for as they all sound like Ferraris.
A V10 will never sound like a V8.
I'm going to de-rail this thread ..lol
Only one place on earth, one time a year do 260 entries take the green flag for 24 hours of racing. The 24 Hours of Nurburgring in Germany is the ultimate test of team, man and Machine. Two Dodge Viper GTS-R race cars took the green flag. The #3 Zakspeed Dodge Viper GTS-R powered by a very unique Exotic Engine Development V8 / 10 engine started from the front row. The #33 team Zakspeed team car started in the twelve position. The # 3 car driven by Peter Zakowski, Sascha Bert, Patrick Huismann, and Hans Peter-Hypertnieder started from the front row and ran in the top three for 15 hours before retiring with a major gearbox failure. The #33 Dodge Viper GTS-R V8 / 10 of Christopher Gerhard, Dirk Riebensahm, Werner Mohr and Peter-Hans Huppertnieder finished in the third position overall, first in Class SP-8. The #33 car finished the 24 hour race traveling at a top speed of 295 KPH and covering 2415 miles. Both cars are powered by an Exotic Engine Development V8 / 10 with JM Striker Cylinder Heads. These engines are 6.2 Liter V8's built within the Dodge Viper GTS-R V-10 architecture. The front two cylinders are not functional. Very unique, very powerfull and very reliable endurance racing engines.
The engine is basically a small block V8 built within the GTS-R V10. The crankshaft is built as a V8 with a shaft only passing through the front two cylinders, Same with the camshaft. No rods, no pistons, valves with springs to plug the holes. There are plugs in the lifter bores. The engine is 6.2 liters (378 cubic inches). It makes near 650 horsepower at 6900 rpm. Engine management is Motec. The engine has JM Striker race heads. These heads are good for an additional 40 horsepower on this engine. We have a little more development planned to improve torque and fuel consumption.
Everybody asks why? In the FIA GT or FFSA GT we have to run two 33.4mm air restrictors on the 8.0 liter V-10. Power falls from 830-850 HP down to a meek 580-620 HP. The rules state that we must use the original cylinder block, but it does say we have to use all ten cylinders.
There are no rocker arms on the front two cylinders (1&2)V10. Peak power is at 6950 rpm, they shift right around 7100."
Good luck in your search. I am not in the market but if I was I would want one in Snakeskin Green even though blue is my favorite color.
1977 Chrysler Cordoba 400-4brl,T-tops,triple blue,one family owned until my purchase,under 11,300 miles as of 10/20/2016 2012 Dodge Durango Crew AWD (wifey) 2020 Ram Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (daughter)
I have a 97 gen 2 Roadster that I got from my neighbor. It has high mileage and needs some cosmetic work. But is a blast to drive. Feels like a 4 wheel motorcycle. It has no ABS etc so you must be carefull. But its a supercar killer for sure. It has a aftermarket exhaust and sounds so evil. I guarantee you if you drive one you want one. You can s mash the gas in any gear and that v10 just rockets it forward. Love it!
