Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

[Gerald Levin]

Well as some of you may know, I've been looking for a low mi. 96 Blue/White GTS for a while. I have a purchase agreement with a car dealership outside of Detroit, Mi located in Dearborn. I'm flying to Detroit this Friday, and would like someone to check this car out for me either tomorrow (Wed) or Thur. I have been told the car is flawless and has been very well maintained. Need someone to check it out and confirm this for me. Carfax has already been run and its clean. Appreciate any help from someone in the area that is familiar with vipers and knows what to look for.
Thanks, Gerald Levin
317-722-9320

 

[SylvanSRT]

Which dealer are you buying the car from? If you wanted another dealer to look at car Dick Scott does a lot of service on vipers, and have always been very attentive to all my needs. Addtionally the Service Manager (Rod Harris) has owned Vipers in the past. Their phone # is 734-451-3535.. hope this helps if i can help w/ anything ill c what i can do.

 

[genXgts]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

Hey Gerald, I'm 20 minutes from Dearborn and have a hectic week finishing off my exhaust install but would be willing to squeeze in a view sometime.

What is your timeline, someone to check it out preflight and then bail if the car is junk? Or you would feel more comfy with a Viper owner to look the car over with you?

If your flying in on Friday perhaps we could arrange something for that day, heck the car is 15 minutes from the airport (metro not city), maybe even pick you up there (maybe even in my GTS who knows).

Let me know what your ideal is and go from there.
Tell some more about the who is selling the car and info on them.

Ryan

 

[Motor City Mad Man]

I work in Dearborn. Maybe I could stop by and see it tommorrow or Thursday. I'll try. I definitely know what to look for in a used Viper now. Just wish I had known that before I bought mine. The only Dodge dealer I see listed in Dearborn is Joe Ricci. Is that where it is?

Mine was raced, not sure if it was just a weekend warrior type thing or not, but I have not had any major problems with it. The brake calipers were brownish orange, the caliper Viper letters had turned brown all of which indicated track use-I thought they just came from the factory that way (silly me). Found out after I owned it and realized the seats tilted forward that there were holes cut behind the seats for a 5 point harness, my plastic gas cap and the housing it secures into was missing which led me to think it was taken off for quick re-fueling(thought the outside metal gas door was the actual gas cap for a few weeks because there was no threaded housing to screw the actual plastic cap onto), had some performance parts installed that most likely are use for track racing, had cutouts for brake cooling ducts in my front fascia, had rub marks worn through on the rear wheel wells most likely from using drag slicks. I didn't know what to look for and just took it for a road test and gave it a good looking over (or so I thought). I was just so excited that I was actually buying one and didn't really know what to look for that I didn't notice a lot of things. I guess they are built to handle any abuse though. Have owned mine for 4 years and like I said no real problems.

 

[Gerald Levin]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

For those in the area, this is David Farber's 96 Blue/White. I believe he is an owner of a pharmaceutical firm and is a fanatic about his cars. If anyone knows this car or individual, I'm appreciate any info.

Ryan, If you could possibly check this car out for me either Wed (tomorrow) or Thurs that would be greatly appreciated. I see you have a Blue/White and I would be eternally indebted to you for looking at the car. The car is located at Superior Nissan, 15101 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI. (313) 846-0040. You can call to verify the car is in prior to your visit. I believe Brian 248-866-8744 is the owner of Superior Nissan and took this car in on trade for another exotic car. This car was described to me as being flawless (which is impossible), but just looking to make sure I'm not in for any surprises.

Sylvan, I have a viper inspection already scheduled for 11:30 am Friday with Dick Scott's viper mechanic. I appreciate the above info and will also be talking to Rod Harris about this when I'm at Scott's. Of course this sale is contingent on what Ryan and/or the viper mechanic find. Ryan, if the car is a dog, you will save me a trip and 2 hours with the Viper mechanic on Friday. If they say the car is sold, tell them you are inspecting it for the buyers Gerald Levin/Kelli Danz. Feel free to call me at 317-722-9320 or email me at [email protected].

Thanks again, really appreciate it, Gerald Levin

 

[Gerald Levin]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

Sean, Just saw your posting after I gave the above info. I'll leave it up to you and Ryan as to who will check the car out as both of you are very capable of checking this car out. I'm sure the dealership would have no problem letting either or both of you looking at this for me. Really appreciate the help, thanks,
Gerald Levin
317-722-9320
[email protected]

 

[Joseph Houss]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

Jim Bielenda, midwest Zone Director, should be able to help!

Jim?

 

[Big Medicine]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

Gerald,

Forgive the unsolicited opinion here.....

You might be better off driving to D Town; it's only 4 hours & the time wasted on driving to the airport, parking, pre-flight cavity checks, and the mandatory 30-40 minutes "prior to boarding" clause by the airlines would be better spent driving towards your destination. I usually allow two hours for the activities listed above (notwithstanding airport delays), so an extra 2 hours up & then on the return is worth being on my own schedule instead of the airlines'. Flexibility.

All that being said, there may be reasons why you prefer to fly, maybe I'm a special case, I'm weird. Just thought I'd offer something no one asked for.

Anyway.....I wish you luck on the dilligence & purchase; if you decide to get it maybe I'll see you around town.

 

[kickinasp]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

Sounds like you have it worked out.. Rod is a member of MCVO and they have the facility to inspect the car (obviously). If you need any additional assistance let me or Rob know. Farber is also an MCVO member. I have seen the car, but have not "looked" at it as one would do in purchasing it. Either way...your in great hands with Dick Scott and Rod Harris.

 

[BlueGTS]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

I would second the driving idea. I drove 8 hours one-way into Ohio from NJ and 8 hours back all in the same way. Saw the car, signed the paperwork and had it shipped back. I have found that no ones eye is as critical as the perspective owner’s.

 

[genXgts]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

Go get that thing Gerald!

 

[Richard K]

Re: Detroil area Viper Guru needed to preinspect a 96

Gerald, as above, Rod at Dick Scott is a great guy and will do a good job for you. I picked up my Jeep there this morning, and there was a '96 GTS in the service area... plate was "PIZAZZ" or something like that.

Good Luck and enjoy the new ride!