Pull up a chair. You will definitely want to look at a '97 (if it is between that or a '98) for that color combination (blue/white). I would agree with just about everything written above. I would add/modify a few notes:
The Viper can indeed be more expensive to maintain if you don't do a little research first. Many Dodge dealerships charge a lot for an oil change and the non-warranty service for a Viper. $100+ for an oil change is not unheard of. Many owners here change it themselves or buy their own oil at Walmart (often $4.00 a quart cheaper than the dealer) and then take the car to Jiffy Lube. I know a gentleman who takes his GTS-R to Walmart for his oil changes and has never had a problem (not necessarily for me). Many service centers (dealerships and others) see an exotic car pull up and the dollar signs start flashing in their eyes. Check with the local Viper Club members on who they recommend for quality service at a reasonable price. Oh, and most service places have no problem if you hang out and watch the work get done. It is usually pretty interesting!
Not all parts are created, or priced, equally. For a sure fit, many go with Mopar Performance parts for brake pads, etc. These can be expensive, as they are in the Viper catalogue. You can often find less expensive parts with similar and sometimes even better quality. Example would be the airbox clips: I think the Mopar Viper part is around $19 a pop, while the exact same clip for the Chevy Blazer(?) is under $1.00. Check with folks like
Woodhouse Dodge and
PartsRack for both Mopar and aftermarket parts. On brake pads - I believe both are authorized dealers for
Great Brakes and their EBC pads - an entire set of which can be had for less than $200, front and rear combined.
Driving the Viper is an entirely new experience, even when coming from a Vette. While I owned a few older versions of the Vette (big '60's fan), I have ridden in a few newer ones. Prepare yourself for what is largely a street-legal race car. Sure, it has air conditioning, power windows and a stereo, but that is about it. No ABS. No traction control. No active handling/suspension. If you don't use caution, it WILL bite you back. Accelerate on a turn and you will invariably find yourself watching the world go by in circles - it can spin out pretty easily due to the massive torque. Save the "go pedal" for straight lines until you have taken driving schools, preferably with an emphasis on high performance cars such as the Viper. In Colorado, it is not going to be a daily driver. Snow is generally impassable in the Viper. Cold roads or those with a lot of sand on them can also severely test the adhesion of this car. The temperature controls in the Viper are generally cold or hot, as the car was not designed with this as a center point. Don't let anybody fool you - the seats are VERY comfortable for most, even on long trips. If you are new to a six-speed, you need to be VERY, VERY careful not to downshift by accident. During acceleration, a shift from 3rd to 2nd instead of 3rd to 4th can happen and be pretty scary. Learn to shift it well and confidently. Oh, and the pedals are slightly offset to the left. Make sure you know where the brake pedal is so that you don't hit the accelerator instead.
OK, did all that scare you off just a bit? Good! Now for the GREAT stuff about owning a Viper that makes it all worthwhile: The car is a dream to drive once you get the hang of it. It has very precise steering and will go where you want it to. Like acceleration? The Viper is the car for you. This car will pin you back in your seat like no other - one writer referred to it as a "velvet sledgehammer". Take it to a drag strip and have a ball. Learn to drive it at an autocross or a full road course and you will find a whole new addiction. Your adrenaline levels will hit an all-time high and it will take days to wipe the grin off your face. Enjoy a little attention? Better get used to a <u>LOT</u>. Vettes are gorgeous, but not uncommon by any means. The Viper is pretty rare just about everywhere you go. Read these boards regularly so that you can learn the answers to the questions you will be asked almost every time you get gas, stop at a light, etc. Some owners don't like the spotlight, others get a kick out of it. Count on being an "instant celebrity" just about everywhere you go, especially with teens of both genders.
The BEST part of Viper ownership? The Viper Club of America. The VCA connects you with thousands of owners that you can relate to (and a couple you can't
). It gives you a place to turn to with questions, comments, and maybe even a complaint. Even better, it gives you access to some incredible activities with your Viper: Drag racing, road racing (on a track), autocross, short cruises, long cruises, wine tours, food outings, parties, and much, much more. Oh, and you usually get protected parking to boot! Of course, the ULTIMATE benefit of the VCA are the Viper Owner Invitationals (VOI). These national gatherings are a four day party with every venue available for you and your Viper. Want to race? No problem. Buy nifty accessories from all the major suppliers? They are all there. Talk to the experts from Dodge and Viper Headquarters? You bet. Take a cruise with 400+ Vipers around the more scenic parts of the area? Absolutely. Spend the evening enjoying expensive dinners, live music and comedy from nationally recognized entertainers, and plenty of fun socializing with DC brass and fellow Viper owners? Of course! Once you attend one, you won't dare miss another.
On a final note, when you purchase your Viper, do it right. It is hard to "take it back" if you aren't happy with it. Find one where they will allow you to ride in it, and drive it if you are comfortable (and they are as well).
Look for one with a WARRANTY. Many Vipers have extended warranties lasting as long as 7 years. Your '97 may still have three years left of full warranty coverage. Will you need it? Probably not. Most Vipers are trouble-free for a long, long time. Nonetheless, you don't want to find that the Viper you just bought was 20 miles away from dropping a valve. Viper engines are not cheap to replace or rebuild. Not at all. To that end, I would highly recommend you contact one of the dealers that advertise on this website. Many owners here have had absolutely WONDERFUL experiences with
Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse Dodge , whether they were located in San Diego or New York. Woodhouse will personally deliver your Viper to your door anywhere in the US and are very fair with their prices (most are surprised at just how fair they are). There is a reason they are one of the largest (if not the largest) dealerships in the US for both new and used Vipers. Of course, I am hopelessly biased since I bought my GTS from Bill and have counted he and Bob Woodhouse as friends ever since. Try him at (800) 889-1893 and see if he doesn't have your car or know where to find it.
Good luck, and be sure to keep us posted on your quest!
Chris, the long-winded guy
Then ask some more specific questions.
