Areas of SRT to inspect during purchase

[madchemist]

I'm looking to purchase my first Viper, a 2005 or 2006 SRT/10 and was wondering if anyone here could advise me on things to look for on the car before buying it (e.g. any known trouble spots this car has, areas of the car to inspect closely, noises to pay attention to during test drive, etc.). Appreciate any input.

 

[MoparMap]

The biggest gen 3 issues tend to be the power steering line where it exits the pump and the oil cooler lines. The power steering line tends to fail the quick connect fitting at the pump over time and the oil cooler lines just like to weep at the crimps. Both are fairly easy to fix though, so I wouldn't consider them "walk away" kind of things, more just something to keep an eye on. Otherwise I would just be looking for general wear and tear and maintenance. They are generally speaking built very well and will last a long time with simple maintenance. Neglect is rough on any car.

 

[RandyM]

You really need to see it on a rack to check for leaking seals, oil and coolant lines, shocks. Take a bright flashlight. Check the windows and doors work well, and the deck lid latch. AC is working.

 

[Dan-o]

Inspect carefully for previous crash damage.

 

[madchemist]

Inspect carefully for previous crash damage.

Interesting you mention this because there'es a 2005 Viper for sale that had a total loss accident in 2005 when the vehicle had 1,000 miles on (CarFax says front end damage, deemed total loss by insurance). It was repaired and driven since, now has about 15,000 miles on it. It seems to be priced accordingly for a vehicle with an accident vs a "clean" Viper. In my mind I'm thinking it must have been repaired well because it's been on the road since the early accident but maybe it's one of those vehicles to just avoid altogether. It isn't nearby me so I can't inspect it though.

 

[Steve-Indy]

"It isn't nearby me so I can't inspect it though."

This seems to be a fairly common mindset. But, considering the price one is likely to pay for a Viper, airfare sounds cheap.

Best of luck in your quest.

 

[viperbob]

Interesting you mention this because there'es a 2005 Viper for sale that had a total loss accident in 2005 when the vehicle had 1,000 miles on (CarFax says front end damage, deemed total loss by insurance). It was repaired and driven since, now has about 15,000 miles on it. It seems to be priced accordingly for a vehicle with an accident vs a "clean" Viper. In my mind I'm thinking it must have been repaired well because it's been on the road since the early accident but maybe it's one of those vehicles to just avoid altogether. It isn't nearby me so I can't inspect it though.

Link to it? I may have talked the seller when I was considering a Gen 3.

 

[madchemist]

Link to it? I may have talked the seller when I was considering a Gen 3.

https://www.vhchryslerplymouth.com/inventory/used-2005-dodge-viper-srt10-rwd-2d-convertible-1b3jz65z55v500204/?utm_source=cars.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cars.com_deeplink

Hopefully that link works

 

[MoparMap]

The Viper is designed in such a way that it can be repaired somewhat more easily than a lot of other high performance cars. The frame was kept all steel for that reason. While I can understand any rebuild making some people uneasy, with the right shop doing the work I wouldn't necessarily discount a car from my list without seeing it in person to see how the work was done. Could be a great way to get a bargain on a car that's just as good as one that never had any damage.

 

[Stray Cat]

I can give you all kinds of recent experience. I purchased one sight unseen. Had it inspected by a Dealer. Got to me with one bald tire, and a set of destroyed Spider gears among other things. Obviously had been sitting for some time. All is well now, but not after about $5,000 worth of work. These things can take a bunch of abuse and be resurrected quite well from what I can tell.

Be sure that the rear end is in good shape. There are all kinds of posts on this site that discuss the weakness of a stock rear end on Gen III's . Even to the extent that they locked up for no reason. But replacing with a Wavetrac etc. seems to be the best option. I went with a completely rebuilt original with 3.55 gears. Was not cheap. Wavetrac's were out of production for my car at the time and that was a MESS. There is one other option , a company out of England I believe but that is not cheap as well. I would make darn sure that the rear end is solid.

LOVE the car.

John

 

[MoparMap]

You can direct swap a gen 4 rear into a gen 3 as well. I did that with mine after I thought I was hearing some slight whining after an incident I had. Might be cheaper than a rebuilt depending on how you rebuild it at least.

 

[BoremViper97]

"It isn't nearby me so I can't inspect it though."

This seems to be a fairly common mindset. But, considering the price one is likely to pay for a Viper, airfare sounds cheap.

Best of luck in your quest.

I flew from florida to northern indiana in November to inspect the one i bought.

 

[Siciliano15]

Id say to look for the vin tag on the block to make sure it matches but its in such a ******* spot that even with the car on the lift and even if you get a mechanics mirror theres no way to read it its too close to the frame of the car to look at.