Inaccuracies abound in this thread , and though I hesitate to go into this, there is a point where some things need to be addressed to help all of us as Viper owners. A couple of areas need to be really viewed and they are ;
1. Seasonal Sales --- hogwash, frankly , as consumers hurt themselves guessing their cars will sell better if they wait for Spring. Then they are surprised that everyone else waited to sell their specialty car in Spring also - now they try to sell in a fairly market. Best months of the year for our sales --- January, February and March.
2. Prices of the cars based on what someone else bought one for. Just a price tells us nothing , as there is an unbelievable difference in what one person thinks is in great shape and the next. In the last twelve years the cruelest pricing analysis is often with all the supposed guides. With so few Vipers actually sold, it can vary from too high a valuation to way too low ---knowing which one is way out of kilter is sometimes great to assist with accident claims, though.
3. The economy is all the problem. Not really, since the market for Gen IIs dropped over 4 years ago. Many folks grew up wanting the current body style of the Viper ( essentially a 8 year old design), and that is what they save to purchase. This is the true nature of many cars, and it is usually years before real value eclipses perceived value -- use the Mid Year Vettes for examples, as they plummeted when the new " Mako Shark" looking Vettes came out , yet years later became the hottest ticket ever. Many feel this will happen to the Gen II Vipers, it just hasn't happened yet.
4. Banks ---- this is, in my estimation, the single biggest problem out there. Many places will not finance an older car without alot down, and then the terms are often fairly short. When a lending institution wants 10K down , a consumer with good credit often looks to an even newer model, as he/she can make the same monthly payment and it will have a lower loan rate and longer term.
5. Extended Service Contracts --- this car is still eligible ( through a selling Dodge Dealer ) , but it also becomes a limiting factor to individuals when buying an older Viper, knowing an engine failure could cost close to half of the car's worth.
6. It takes approximately 2 months or more to sell a Viper-- ask your large Dealers. Normally sellers ( often on this board ) start dropping their price after little happens in a couple of weeks. That just starts the " Vulture Trend," where actual buyers just sit waiting for further uncontrolled panic to overcome the seller --- this highlights the car, the prices drop to a point where not only does the seller get foolishly irrational, it taints the vehicle to make some folks believe it may be damaged goods. The end result is even Dealers stay away from buying the car, as it has had too much publicity, and it in turn devalues all of our cars since it appears they are selling for a song. Truth is that even with a rolling economy Vipers have sold at around a 2-3 month selling cycle at best.
Lastly each car has it's strengths and weaknesses and they need to be viewed by the seller..........
Let's use this car as an example;
Strengths --
1. Very popular color ( this is it's biggest advantage)
2. 2 sets of rims and new PS2 tires
3. Very good condition and reported to be properly serviced
Weaknesses --
1. Higher mileage. We all know the cars will go forever, but this is a perceived issue with Vipers , that long ago became a reality.
2. Tape stripes -- concern often by buyers if removing will leave a difference in paint from sun exposure
3. Lack of long term financing
All in all , we do ourselves the biggest disservice by trying to judge what a Viper is worth with only a modicum of true knowledge and when individuals with very little experience add their input , it again ,in my opinion , brings down the marque as a whole.
This thread, alone, has swings of values in the 20s to the 50s, and that in a nutshell is why it can be counterproductive.
Respectfully Submitted ,
Bill Pemberton
