Good news for future Viper Values

[Mike 01 GTS]

Fellow Viper Owners, I'm a Ford Dealer in Kansas City MO. Many of my Viper friends have been asking me about the present market conditions. In the Midwest market, used cars values are making a return. Although it is still early, cars that lost $2000 dollars in value in a week have made up about $1000 of that loss this week. What does this have to do with Vipers? The Viper being a high end market automobile has suffered not only by the tragic 9/11 events but by the economy, and the season all at once. With this in mind the High End Market will react a little slower than than the normal used car market. November 26th Automotive News reported that the 2002 Viper had a substantial price increase. The base GTS went up $3000 to a MSRP of $79000 with no stripes or about $82000 with stripes. The RT/10 went up $5500 to $78500 or $81500 with stripes. This means that there will be a huge price difference between the 01 and 02 Vipers. The trend has always been as the new vehicle gets more expensive the older models or Gen I and Gen II cars will increase in value also. Bottom line is, if Automotive News has its facts right when the spring season comes back so will the Values that have been an issue with many owners. I understand not all Viper owners are worried about the investment aspect of these cars, but I also realize not many Viper owners got where they are in life by not paying attention to markets and trends. Sorry this was so long but I thought it was worth sharing. Happy Holidays and drive safe!!!

 

[Joseph Houss]

There was NO price increase between the '01 and '02.

 

[Mike 01 GTS]

I wonder if Bill Pemberton saw the same thing I read. Bill if you're out there, check out Automotive News (Sept 26th edition, page 42) I wonder why they would publish this. They usually are very accurate about thier subjects!

 

[Janni]

If I remember correctly, there have been a couple price increases that came out AFTER the model year change - another $3K change (in 2001 I believe, because there were cheaper 2001s and more expensive 2001's...)

Automotive News is usually spot on....

My guess is that its correct, and that the low to mid $80Ks for the 2003 will look less drastic with 2002 price increases....

My $.02

 

[jimandela]

It would make sense. Last year for that model type.
And agreeing with Janni it does make the 2003 price look not so bad.
Also a lot of folks don't care for the new style of the 2003 and will want the "older" style.

 

[safireviper]

I've seen the sticker prices live on 2002's -- No change. Once a car salesman always a car salesman I guess.

 

[dblankenbaker]

It is very common for automakers to have minimal price increases between model years, and then bigger increases throughout the year.

http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=37312

 

[Y2K5SRT]

I would guess that this is indeed a mid-year price increase. I know that this happens for a fact: My 2000 GTS has stripes priced at $2,000 even - right on the window sticker. Later that same model year the sticker price went up to $2,500 for the stripes. In 2001, stripes are stickered at $3,000. So, if they can raise the price of painted stripes in the middle of a model year by $500 alone, $3,000 on the overall vehicle price seems very accurate.

So Mike, does this mean you are going to wait to sell your incredible Winged Warrior on the Viper Classifieds until spring?

Chris

 

[gtsviper]

I remember reading that the 03 front end redesign with separate hood and fenders would save about $10,000 from the 1 piece hood design on Gen I and II cars. Recognizing that development costs must be recovered, we hope that DC remembers to credit the cost savings when establishing the cost of the 03.

 

[safireviper]

Let's see. Country in a recession and a war -- Yeah, that sounds about right for the German Bosses at Chrysler to raise prices. I'm sure it's justified by their reckoning.

 

[Mike 01 GTS]

The Kansas City Star reported this weekend that the Viper was getting the price increase that Automotive News reported. The Dealers are not aware of this at this time but it seems strange that the press is all reporting on this. Stay Tuned