Gen 2 Owner thinking about a Gen 1

[C-Note]

I have had my 98 GTS for some time, I am now thinking about buying a Gen 1 car.

I was wondering from those of you that have had both what I could expect in taking a step back to a Gen 1.

Any advise into what a first gen car would be like would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I don't have a GenI but I've tracked them and they are a thrill to say the least.

But I'm guessing you're not gonna do much tracking in it and if you are keeping your GTS then you shouldn't have any problems with a GenI for your second Viper. The biggest pain is the lack of real windows which is no big deal if you have a GTS for the rainy days. I wouldn't go too crazy modifying a GenI exhaust either. Maybe a little but too much and it can get annoying for carrying on a conversation with a passenger being that the outlet is right next to your ear.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Chuck hit it, unless it is going to be 96 Rt/10(Gen 1.5). Then mod the he!! out of it

 

[C-Note]

Thanks guys!
Hows the handling compared to my GTS?

 

[xlrashn]

I would look at a 95 over a 92,93, or 94. The biggest deciding factor for me was the presence of the hood pad/liner with the Sneaky Pete logo embossed in it. 95's are the only year of the Gen 1 cars that came with a pad/liner. I just don't like the unfinished look of the underside of the hood without the pad. Just my .02

 

[2snakes4us]

Speaking from one who has both...Go for it!
I enjoy driving my Gen 1 RT over my Gen 2 GTS. Its Raw and fun. the Gen 1 still has enough power to get you in trouble so why have more power unless your going to race the car.

 

[C-Note]

Thanks guys!
I may have found a good deal on a black 94.

Nobody has anything bad to say?

 

[martyb]

C-Note,

Not sure of your price range, but I have been toying with the idea of selling my Gen 1 and moving to a GTS. My car has a Roe/Heads/Cam, about 645rwhp. It is a blast, much more raw than a Gen 2.

martyb

 

[C-Note]

Thanks martyb, but I think I may have found a 17,000 mile car for mid 20's less than 100 miles from my house.

I will be keeping my GTS, I just want to add to the collection

 

[jasontiff]

I don't have a basis for comparison, but the only "downsides" to my car are the things I knew getting into it. No windows, no exterior door handles, top that flies off at 100, laughable AC (unless the top is on...and hasn't flown off), no ABS, no airbags...all of which you can easily play off as having a "man's car" without all the fruity (read: safety) stuff on a Gen. II!

Repeat after me: "I'm a man's man...I don't need no stinking windows!"

I have a cat delete and aftermarket mufflers and yeah; conversation requires yelling even when you're cruising, which can be good or bad. Wife yelling at you? Goose it a little. "Sorry, honey...we'll have to pick this up a little later! I can't hear you!"

Live the dream; I want a second in my garage too. My wife just has to decide between a blue/white, FE or Bumblebee. Decisions, decisions...

 

[99 R/T 10]

I would make sure to check the head gaskets. If they haven't been updated, there will be problems down the road.

 

[TexasPettey]

Thoughts from someone who always thinks about changing out my Gen1 for a Gen2. I would suggest that the bigger question is RT vs GTS, not Gen1 vs Gen2.

Downsides of a Gen1:

- Many replacement parts are harder to get and more expensive
- Rattles/noises/etc. may be an issue if the car wasn't cared for well
- Fix/Seal of the windows will never be as good
- Upgrades/Mods tend to be more expensive

Positives of a Gen1:

- You'll be a man's man for driving one (who needs ABS/Airbags/Windows)

- Chicks dig side pipes

- DIY work is pretty simple. There's not much complexity to the car.

- Gen1 cars love boost (lower compression ratio)

- Entry price will be much lower than a Gen2 with equivalent miles

- Gen2/3 guys always hate getting outrun by a Gen1

 

[C-Note]

Thanks you guys are great!

The car has 17k on it and the man that owns it is the second owner. I have asked him about the head gaskets and he does not know if they have been fixed.

Can anyone tell me about how many miles the head gasket problem starts coming out in these cars?

By the way my AC ***** (black car) and I dont have ABS either

 

[99 R/T 10]

Thanks you guys are great!

The car has 17k on it and the man that owns it is the second owner. I have asked him about the head gaskets and he does not know if they have been fixed.

Can anyone tell me about how many miles the head gasket problem starts coming out in these cars?

By the way my AC ***** (black car) and I dont have ABS either

Take the answer on teh headgaskets as: no they have not been fixed. It's a matter of time, but it seems the less miles the car has the more readily they tend to go bad. Some have gotten over 70K miles! No easy answer on this one.

 

[RTTTTed]

The Gen 1s used Dakota control arms so those particular parts may be cheaper?

Headgaskets were $1,000 when I priced them. I'd suggest upgrading before the old ones leave you sitting on the side of the road.

Ted

 

[C-Note]

$1000 just for the gaskets???
Or was that installed?

I would do that kind of work myself anyways....

 

[pteam]

I don't have a basis for comparison, but the only "downsides" to my car are the things I knew getting into it. No windows, no exterior door handles, top that flies off at 100, laughable AC (unless the top is on...and hasn't flown off), no ABS, no airbags...all of which you can easily play off as having a "man's car" without all the fruity (read: safety) stuff on a Gen. II!

Repeat after me: "I'm a man's man...I don't need no stinking windows!"

I have a cat delete and aftermarket mufflers and yeah; conversation requires yelling even when you're cruising, which can be good or bad. Wife yelling at you? Goose it a little. "Sorry, honey...we'll have to pick this up a little later! I can't hear you!"

Live the dream; I want a second in my garage too. My wife just has to decide between a blue/white, FE or Bumblebee. Decisions, decisions...

HAHA very funny post

 

[dansauto]

$1000 is just the headgasket set...not including labor. Gen 1's are a blast!

 

[Rollin4]

I love my Gen1. Was thinking about a Gen3 and found one with a great price, but just couldn't part with the Gen1. Gen1's have their inconviences like windows and a top that is a pain to put together and the dreaded headgaskets. But it's the "Birth of a Legend". No "bells & Whistles" just fun to drive.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Take a look at the plastics. The headlights yellow, the window seals get hard, the little ovals in the door where the window sets in get hazy.

The thing you may not like are the goofy in-the-door seatbelts. Airbag cars have seatbelts on the floor.

Many race tracks give you a hard time because your helmet will stick out over the roll hoop. You'll need to lower the seat, which I would recommend anyway.

Depending on the year, the tires may not interchange with your Gen 2 since Gen 1 is only 17".

I hope you get it and drive it. Can't have just 17K miles on a man's man-car.

 

[V10 PWRD]

From information I have researched and read state the head gasket problem was caught and rectified in the later production year 94's. This isn't to say there won't be a problem but I have started looking at the production number and would go from there to help my decision. That's the only known drawback to a 94 that still has the original gaskets. It's 2 G's I would rather spend on something else other than a gasket set and labor.

 

[2snakes4us]

From information I have researched and read state the head gasket problem was caught and rectified in the later production year 94's. This isn't to say there won't be a problem but I have started looking at the production number and would go from there to help my decision. That's the only known drawback to a 94 that still has the original gaskets. It's 2 G's I would rather spend on something else other than a gasket set and labor.

I have a Late model 94 and it has the better gasket in it. Chuck might know what month they started installing the gasket with the "metal" in it.

 

[TexasPettey]

From information I have researched and read state the head gasket problem was caught and rectified in the later production year 94's. This isn't to say there won't be a problem but I have started looking at the production number and would go from there to help my decision. That's the only known drawback to a 94 that still has the original gaskets. It's 2 G's I would rather spend on something else other than a gasket set and labor.

I don't think that's correct. My '95 had the old style paper gaskets and ended up leaking.

 

[PittsburghRT]

I have a Late model 94 and it has the better gasket in it. Chuck might know what month they started installing the gasket with the "metal" in it.

Never heard that one before. I heard it was all 1992-1996 RT/10's came with the paper gaskets.

 

[PittsburghRT]

$1000 just for the gaskets???
Or was that installed?

I would do that kind of work myself anyways....

The gaskets are over $1000 and come with headgaskets and other upper gaskets.

 

[C-Note]

Wow!

You guys are great!

Thanks for all the inpute, keep it comin

 

[99 R/T 10]

From information I have researched and read state the head gasket problem was caught and rectified in the later production year 94's. This isn't to say there won't be a problem but I have started looking at the production number and would go from there to help my decision. That's the only known drawback to a 94 that still has the original gaskets. It's 2 G's I would rather spend on something else other than a gasket set and labor.

Um, ok.........NO! All Gen I engines willl have issues thru 96 (RTs only). Unless you have the upgraded MLS gaskets that came out in 2004, you will have problems sooner or late. But thanks for playing