best year to buy ?

[gto9]

im saving to buy a gts .not for racing just to have some fun cruising the mountains etc.i want a gts .is there a certain year i should target .i really like the blue with white stripes. is here a certain year i should stay away from?

thanks eric

 

[Joseph Houss]

If Blue and White is your preference, there's only two answers:

96 and 97

96 has white stripe through rear license plate area

97 does not

 

[v10kingsnake]

i like the 97 that i have, buddies of mine have 2001/2002's but thet just dont have that cam idle that makes it feel and sound like a viper. sorry for the dis on the creampuffs, but unless you have been in a 1996 or 97 you wouldnt understand it. on the other hand the later models have abs which is nice when your doing 150 down the highway and a deer jumps out. LOL ALL VIPERS ROCK!!!

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

ABS is great in the rain if your stuck in such (2002/2001), you get electric side mirros on the newer ones. Break Bias is much improved on the 01/02's such that you actually replace the fronts and the rear pads at the same time. You get shorty headers vs manifols (96 gts). The dash is "textured" is the later models.

I must say the 96 motor in an 02 would be the perfect combo. All the power, viper idle, great breaks, and most refinement of the Generation.

A 2002 can be converted to 96 motor specs CHEAPER, then a 96 can be upgraded to the refinement of an 02 and the ABS Brakes of an 02.

Ok thats my take, moving on.. I am bias.. I have the "perfect combo."

Jon

 

[ViperJoe]

ALL years are GREAT.......some more so than others! LOL!!

Get to a VCA club event, Viperdays event, or a bunch of Vipers at a ******* event to see and hear about all the differences.

And WHY haven't you bought the "Buying a Used Viper" book yet???!!!!! This should be your FIRST item of business!

 

[ceieio]

They are all great so buy the one you like!

I like my lumpy-cam and the challenge of brake modulation.

 

[Go Fast For Life]

The best year GTS, without question, is 1997, because.... mine is a '97

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[Silver Snake]

96-97 = blue/white
99 = last year with forged internals, also has updated interior parts
01-02 = ABS cars (aka creampuffs)

If you want the blue/white, your choice is easy. Go for the 96-97. If you want ABS, your choice is easy. Go for the 01-02. If you want forged internals anything up to and including 99. I would stay away from the 00 cars, as they have cast pistons and no ABS. Unless you have to have the steel gray (which I must say is one of the best colors for the Viper), then you have to go with the 00.

Personally I like the 99 the best, but it is cheaper to add forged internals to the 01-02 cars. Then you will have the best of everything. You could also throw in the lopey cam at the same time.

Check out the registry to find out what colors were available in what year. That alone might be the decision maker for you.

Good luck!

Mark

 

[PhoenixGTS]

99. Forged internals, but newer interior door handles, interior hatch latch, and no clear fog covers.

 

[Casey]

The best year GTS, without question, is 1997, because.... mine is a '97

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Yeah, but your's isn't any ordinary '97!


All year Vipers are worth owning!!

 

[Jerry Colpitts]

Well i like 1998. what a great year.

 

[Andy 98 RT/10]

I'd say 1998-99

 

[IEATVETS]

Any year is a good year when it is a Viper.

 

[George Murray]

Since only we chosen few can have two turbo minivans, and a supercharged one (yep, it's true), and you must settle for a Viper:

Yellow 01/02 GTS with Connolly interior. That'd be my pick for the best stock combo. But I like my ACR best...since it has the mods I like. ABS would be nice, but the "******" SRT gives me that.

 

[GTS Bruce]

01-02.Stopping is more important than going.More refined(which is good or bad)depending on the owner.Last of the best.(GTS). Bruce

 

[TAXIMAN1]

I went with an 01'. Had to have a Yellow GTS... So there were only 01-02 to chose from..

 

[Casey]

01-02.Stopping is more important than going.More refined(which is good or bad)depending on the owner.Last of the best.(GTS). Bruce

If you aren't GOING, there is NO reason to stop!

 

[C O D Y]

2001 and 2002 and here's why.....

The cast pistons have much tighter tolerances. They came in all stock '00 to '02 gen 2 vipers. (I've found that I don't burn any oil at all on my '02, but I did on both my earlier year GTS's.)

ABS, Stronger frame, Bigger brake calipers, No neutral gear rattle, More intake and exhaust cam lift, bigger (10 quart) oil pan with baffles...... just to mention a few more reasons to save for the 2001's or 2002's

The older non-ABS vipers are still good cars. You can get the frame re-welded, upgrade the small radiator fan, modify the oil pan, change the fill grade weight on the tranny, and pay around $7,000 for ABS and you can pretend you have a 2001 or 2002.

Every year has some advantage over other years, I just feel that the '01 and '02s have the most to offer in stock trim.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Visit us at Santa Row(Northern CA, VCA monthly meeting) the first Tue. of the month. Take a close look at various years and ask the owners questions. You can join us for dinner, just let Maurice([email protected]) know if you are going too join us for dinner. $30.00/person

 

[REDSLED]

Color preference will dictate your purchase.

 

[AG98RT10]

Color preference will dictate your purchase.

Lotta truth to that! I had to have silver.

Other than ABS, I can see few advantages in 01-02s. And braking can be vastly improved over stock without spending 7K for ABS. Probably cheaper than fixing the cream-puff too-smooth idle...
Also easier to find Kumhos for 17 inch wheels...

 

[gto9]

thanks guys

i will show up at santana row to look at the cars.keep a eye out for me ,i drive a srt 10 ram truck (silver ).also were do i buy the (buying a used viper book)and ill buy it today

thanks eric

 

[ROCKET62]

'93 - No Bias what-so-ever .

You don't need no stinkin top or windows in Cali !

 

[Rocket65C]

Wish I'd found this post before I asked the same question-guess I should've lurked a bit longer. Oh, well. I'm definitely starting to get some opinions on the matter. I think maybe I just win the one that's to be raffled-yeah, that's the ticket!(I hope!).

 

[Mazman]

97 RT/10 red or blue with matching interior accents - lumpy cam - lowest production - First GenIIs
Very Nice!
Don't have then newer features and don't miss it either.

 

[safireviper]

Silver with blue stripes. 98 - 99.