Advice on a Gen II GTS

[scuderia47]

Hello,

I am a new member and looking for a Gen II GTS (I am not particular about the year/color/specs, but would like a decent drivers car).

Among others, I found this car: 2000 GTS, ~25,000 miles

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...=[DODGE[VIPER[]][]]&listingId=399098787&Log=0

I am trying to figure out why it is priced on the lower end of the market before I make the trek to check out the car.

Downsides I can see:

1. Color (which I don't mind and apparently was only available for the 2000 MY)
2. Two tone interior (not really my taste but that can be changed)
3. Gen III wheels (which I think look decent)
4. The seller states it "hasn't been driven in a year" (likely the most relevant reason for the the lower price)

If it checks out mechanically on a PPI it seems like a good deal, but I would truly appreciate the advice and knowledge of members on the forum.

On a side note, other leads on Gen II GTS would be appreciated!

Thank you very much for your input!

Bill

 

[Iamchris]

Hi Bill,

I was just in your shoes and looking for a GTS so I will comment on what I know.

The first thing I would do is check your local area for GTS cars and make a point of looking at anything local, regardless of color, miles, ect... Check them out and see what you like. This will also give you a chance to determine what the typical problems are and leave you in a better position to judge the car you do want to offer on. Don't make an offer on anything until you have seen some cars. There will be pressure... just say you are looking and will get back to them.

As for the low price, I personally found that every car that was priced low had a story. I did not find one nice car with reasonable miles under 35K. My initial thoughts are that he does not mention it having a clean title or history, which can either be that he forgot to add that, or it doesn't have a clean history. The second thing is, he doesn't state anything about excellent condition, once again... it could be, or not.
I just personally found that almost always there was a reason it was not stated.

 

[Iamchris]

Oh, one more thing... put a few posts up on various forums. Let people know you are a buyer, your location, budget and what is important to you in the deal... I got my best responses like this.

 

[redtanrt10]

That listing has over 13,000 views, I would say it sold a long time ago and the add was never removed.

 

[plumcrazy]

2000 is an odd year. It doesnt have forged internals and no ABS. the car has gen3 wheels on it which some might not like ? its had interior work for sure at the least, might be something to look further into. as well as the ugly dash pieces. the color is great IMO.

 

[luc]

2000 is an odd year. It doesnt have forged internals and no ABS. the car has gen3 wheels on it which some might not like ? its had interior work for sure at the least, might be something to look further into. as well as the ugly dash pieces. the color is great IMO.

....and was the fastest Gen2 year

 

[steve e]

1999 was the fastest.

 

[Free2go]

96-99 are the best Gen II's. I'd get a 96 or a 99 ACR.

 

[luc]

from an old thread:

03-15-2007

#29​

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse

VCA Member
Midwest
Supporting Vendor
Join DateJul 2000LocationBlair,Nebraska,USAPosts5,084
​

[h=2]

Re: Are 2000\'s really the fastest?[/h]

Sorry, Rogue, but you are falling for the hype that was perpetuated by the Forged Piston crowd. Folks have completely forgotten what happened back in 2000, due to all the silliness about the cast pistons.

In 1999 many Viper owners were concerned with the rumors of a PCM change and the issue that the 99 was the heaviest Viper built. This was real enough during part of the year, that folks were ordering or trying to find 1998 Vipers from us. Like so many rumors, it became almost fact for quite awhile, and later with interest in Supercharging the 99 gained a resurgence as it appeared to be the way to go for this mod. Folks completely forgot about said disparagement and frankly began trashing on the new hypereutetic cast aluminum pistons ( same process used on Porsche Twin Turbos and ZO6s ). This was new and unknown , so like many things in life it was perceived as not as good, because it was not understood. If you took a trip to Conner Ave. in late 1999 you were told right up front about the new motor and the gain in horsepower over the prior models. Workers all wanted you to know about the motor, and that you would not find the increase in print, but it was definitely up. By the end of the year (1999) the Plant suddenly was silent about any increases, and this even went over to Viper Days.

I was assisting Skip Thomas with the rules Matrix and we were charging an extra point for all 2000 models, as we knew there was a gain. Dodge came out weeks later and Mr. Thomas was required to not discuss this and to change the matrix back to where all Gen IIs were equal.Six years later this is probably fine to talk about as the personnel that requested this change are no longer around.

To sum it up, Vipers are hand built cars and year to year some ran better than others, and the funny thing is perceptions often become truth ( reality ) after years of banter. We have forgotten that in 2000 a red RT10 ran the fastest bone stock time of any Viper ( at that time ) with an 11.7 run at Englishtown.

The true fact about what the fastest Viper made has more basis in " Yellow is Fastest, " or " Black with Silver Stripes is fastest, " than many of the assorted theories we have all bandied about on the Forum these many years. The absolute truth is they are all fast, all the years are good, and the beast lives a life of it's own.

Coming from someone who has had forged pistons, cast pistons, etc. I found they all were great on the track and street, and frankly the best Snake out there is the one in your garage.

Respectfully,
Bill Pemberton​

 

[steve e]

Hog wash, also in 2000 they used a milder cam. But in real world testing you are pulling hairs. Like what Bill said whats in your garage is the best.

 

[ZYellow01RT]

Here we go again.

 

[TWISTED METAL]

I just bought a 98 gts and so far I love it....I looked for months and waited till I found the right car with the right owner history, so my advice is be patient and u wont be disappointed when u pull the trigger. Lastly from my research on these cars that ad was well under market value and prolly had some hidden issues.
I would also say to be in a better price range u might have to deal with more miles but from what I have read over months of research is cars that just sit in a garage dont always age welll...like I said if ur patient and find the right car with good owner/ owners cars that get driven regularly are solid and from my exp. With my car, its very dependabke and have no issues. There are quite a few vipers out on the road with 100k miles or more and still going strong.

 

[2001-V10 Power Nut]

Hows the search going, anything new in your garage yet?

 

[scuderia47]

Thank you for the advice everyone.

Didn't pull the trigger on that car but there are several others that I'm going to check out soon. I'm hoping to have one in my garage in a month....I can't wait!