Gettig the Itch - Need Help

[Vampyre]

Greetings All...
I am a new user without a Viper, I am looking to Buy my First Viper, I currently Have a C5 Corvette and a Porsche Boxster.
I am looking to trade these two cars in on a Viper, and Wanted some info if possible.

I am looking at a 2000 RT/10 with 16K miles. Anything to look out for on a 2000 Model?

I also like the Viper GTS, What is the differance between the two cars, I know one is a coupe and one is a targa, but besides that? Any toys on the GTS that the RT/10 is missing or vise-versa.

I see the trunk space on the GTS is close to the Vette. How is the RT/10, can you take a suitcase along for a day trip? Remove the spare tire and get AAA?


which car has better resale value

I am torn between the two right now, I would like to drive a GTS, I have driven the 2000 RT/10 and it was a very nice car, but I noticed it tracked all over the road. Is this due to very wide tires, is there anyway to lessen this?
The tread and wheels seems good with no shake at 80Mph.

I would like to use the car as a DD in the summer, I own 4 cars now so I do not need to drive this all the time, but like my Vette and Boxster, I drive them all the time in the summer and take day trips with them, in the winter they are stored in my garage.

How is the viper for a DD in the summer? How is it on long road trips over 4 hours in the car? What is the gas mileage like in 6th gear on the highway.

Any C5 owners here that when from a Loaded Vette to the Viper?

Thanks for all your help. I have been bitten by the snake!!!

Home page..
http://home.rochester.rr.com/vampyres/

 

[MichaelP]

Others here can give more info but I would suggest leaving the tire in the trunk. It actually is there to provide safety in a rear end collision.

I see you are in Rochester. I just bought a place near Penn Yan on a side road down to Seneca Lake. I will be up there in about 2 weeks. I have a 2000 RT/10 so if you want to have a look no problem, just let me know. It might be a nice day trip for you down to Seneca Lake and I can let you drive my car and maybe you could bring the boxter or the Vette so we could trade cars for a little ride

BTW did you go to the Porche get together in Geneva last week? I drove by when I was up there and it was pretty much over with only about 3 cars left.

Mike

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Buy one...or two. You'll be able to sell them if you don't like them.

 

[Vampyre]

Thanks for the offer to test drive cars, I would like to but I havew no idea what I'll be doing in two weeks!

I did get to drive the RT/10 today and I liked it LOTS!!!. I just have a hard time chooseing between the RT/10 and GTS.

 

[Vampyre]

Buy one...or two. You'll be able to sell them if you don't like them.

Yeah if I had the money I wouldn't have a problem doing that. But the Wife only allows so much money a month to be spent on toys.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Sell the wife.

 

[MichaelP]

I just reread your post.

Yes pulling all over the road on certain roads like route 104 out in Wayne county is because of the extra wide tires. I do not know of any way to reduce it.

Car tracks VERY nice up to 145, I haven't been faster.

RT/10 is fine for daily driver. I just wish the hard top would fit in the trunk. I see now there is a place making after market hard tops which will fit in the trunk.

I drive mine up from ORlando to NY every summer and back down in the fall. For driving it is GREAT. For a passenger it probably isn't as good.

Chuck, just 2 posts up has put ALOT of miles and has done ALOT of racing on his GTS and on his RT/10 so he is a good one to help you decide which to get.

 

[KenH]

Welcome, I'll try to answer some of your questions.

Limited number of early 2000 cars had excessive oil consumption problems. Most have been fixed under recall. You can tell if they may be affected by the build date.

GTS vs. RT/10 differences are minor other than just the body style. No significant differences in performance or options on the newer models. Luggage space is better on the GTS due to the rear hatch.

Resell value is anyones guess. GTS is probably a little better right now since there is no coupe currently available new, but that could change at any point. I'd get whichever one you like the looks of better.

Vipers do track all over the road due to the wide aggressive tires. I am not aware of anything that can be done to improve it, but you do get use to it.

Most owners see around 20mpg on the open highway in 6th which isn't bad. Around town 9-12mpg is common.

 

[Toby]

My ACR is for sale.

http://www.abpsuites.com/new_page_1.htm

 

[Vampyre]

thanks to all for posting so quickly, I would like to know if there is any differance in the suspension on the GTS vs RT/10. I like to looks of both cars and the problem is , I like the targa on the RT/10 but I like the trunk of the GTS. Arrg!.

Anyway, again thanks for the help, I know I will own one soon, it is just finding the right one.

is 16K miles on a 2000 RT/10 high miles? asking is 54K, but I know I can do better.

Now one last important question... Modding, I have modded my C5 and aftermarket parts are cheap to very expensive.

How is the aftermarket parts for the Viper? Anyone doing an intake kit? What about chip re-programming or computer tuning? Can you gain access to the computer and adjust engine parameters?

thanks again!

 

[Wild Bill]

On the tracking problem mine did the same thing until I put new tires on her. You might check the age of the tires, new ones made a world of difference.

I would recommend a RT/10 but I may be just a little biased.

Luggage problem....hmmmmm....you could always mail it to you destination and it would be waiting for you.

Get one! You'll never regret it

B

 

[MichaelP]

To give you an idea I got my 2000 RT/10 2.5 years ago with 12K miles on it for less than the one you are looking at.

 

[Vampyre]

To give you an idea I got my 2000 RT/10 2.5 years ago with 12K miles on it for less than the one you are looking at.

Thanks!!! a tons for your help, I was thinking that it was a bit high, that is why I said I think could do better. I guess I should do allot better.

 

[LW VIPER]

I owned a 99 C5 Corvette convertible. I have owned three 911S, and recently did a drive with a buddy where we switched off between his boxster and my 96 RT/10 on the same road. I was going to sell my Viper to purchase a Ferrari TR512/ Testarossa, and decided to keep the Viper. Here are my observations:

1. The C5 Vette has a huge advantage over the RT/10 in so far as you have your roof with you, and can put it up in 15 seconds if you park in bad areas, or if rain appears suddenly. (Also windows in my case, but that won't be a problem for you.)

2. If you are using it as a daily driver, and you want to have a cup of coffee, or let your mind wander, the C5 is more foregiving. I find the RT/10 requires that I pay attention to my driving.

3. The suspension on the C5 is more compliant, which creates a softer feel, if you like that, unless you go with the Z51 Vette suspension.

4. The Boxster is so far down on both horsepower and torque, that I don't put it in the running with either the Vette or the Viper. The 911 would be closer, but still not there. And the Turbo is twice the price, and still requires the Turbo to replace normally aspirated torque in the Viper and Vette.

5. The reason I keep the Viper over a new C6 Vette (405 hp 400 torque vs. 415 hp 488 torque -- yours would be 450 hp 488 torque) is the difference in driver involvement. I have a Mercedes S Class as a daily driver. If I want to be insulated from the road, or if I want to sip coffee, or chat with people, I can take that. Having the Mercedes allows me to focus on a purer, ruder, cruder, more dynamic road experience in my sport car. Having taken the Skip Barber Viper class, I can report that if you feel like pushing your Viper, there is very little on the road that can give you the same acceleration, cornering, and sound.

6. Additionally, if owning a sports car has anything to do with how people react to you, there are very few cars that get as much positive reaction from people of all type that the Viper gets. People that would hate a Ferrari or Porsche driver, just wave and smile to a Dodge owner. People who don't know what it is, think it's a hyper expensive exotic vehicle.

The best way to determine what works for you is to drive one. I don't think I will keep the 96 for a long time, because I park a lot of places on a daily basis that leave me worried about the vehicle, which I wouldn't feel as much with a top that came up, and in my case, windows on the vehicle. On the other hand, when I was coming over Emigrant Gap at 5:30 in the morning, in 40 degree weather, with my Viper jacket on, pushing 100, no top, no windows, I felt like a race car driver, or local hero.

And I'm an old dude, so those feelings are hard to come by

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

is any differance in the suspension on the GTS vs RT/10.

No. Mechanically the GTS and RT/10 are identical (don't anybody bring up 96). Obviously the body of the GTS is a bit stiffer but unless you track hard you will never notice a difference.

 

[Vampyre]

I owned a 99 C5 Corvette convertible. I have owned three 911S, and recently did a drive with a buddy where we switched off between his boxster and my 96 RT/10 on the same road. I was going to sell my Viper to purchase a Ferrari TR512/ Testarossa, and decided to keep the Viper. Here are my observations:
..........

Great post!, this is what I was looking for. I have driven a 2000 RT/10 and was impressed, but I didn't really get into the throttle, as it was a test drive.

My C5 has the Z51 suspension, and I noticed the ride was similar to the 2000 RT/10.

Thanks again for a very insightful post