Sounds to me like you bought a kick asp Viper. It always amazes me how folks start talking about the 2000 to 2002 as not having forged internals ------------------well, hello, neither do the 2003 to 2010s ,yet it seldom ever comes up in a discussion.
If one is unbiased they can rattle off stuff about porous oil pans, steering rack recalls, transmission noise ,water pumps, gaskets, and on and on, but guess the years ---many are for Gen IIs, and Gen Is.
The reality is that Vipers have a very good record over the years, fewer recalls than a Corvette, and some of the perceptions out there are frankly perpetuated by folks who are enamored by the car they own.
The fastest stock Gen II Viper ever run was a red , 2000, RT-10 run at Englishtown, at 11.7, so what does that say. Good PR by the Forged Horseman and others made folks forget that the 99 was rumored to have PCM changes, extra weight , and it was the slowest Viper yet. Today it is a highly sought after year -- we buy based on what we hear, even when it is not always accurate.
What this all boils down to, is every year Viper may have some minor quirk, but it is a piece of machinery, yet the main thing is they are so much better than virtually all their competition. You don't have a **** , you have a ****ttt kickin beast that is fantastic. Only two years of ABS within the 11 year Gen1 and Gen II build timeframe, makes me think you have something quite special!
Enjoy your Snake just like you did your 96.
I have had a 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004,2005,2006 and a 2008. All have been like the first girls I kissed, love them all, but right now the wife/mistress is the 2008 and it is my favorite. Am I fickle, no, I am just a typical owner, and keep that in mind when you ask a broad question ---most will find fault in your lady , cuz they think theirs is cuter,ha,ha.
Bill Pemberton
