GTS reliability

[bad viper]

HOW RELIABLE??? You have to be kidding!! I drove my 96 GTS
for 73,000 trouble-free miles!!!
This car was heavily modified (TNT 555 package) plus nitrous from
2500 miles on!! 123-15 lb bottles of nitrous through the motor
never a problem. Buy one don't even concern yourself with reliability!! These cars are built!! Mine was"bullet-proof"!!!!!!!!!

 

[Vic]

Wayne, is that a Photo Shop special?

Looks real "bad"! Great job.

As far as reliability goes, I have heard about problems with earlier GTS's. But I think Dodge ironed out some issues by the later ones, 2000, 2001, +02. Dont get an early 2000 with sintered cylinder sleeves, they burn oil, unless it was broken in VERY carefully. (This according to Dan Cragin, Viper tuner extrodinaire, if I heard him right)

But I guess Waynes' was an earlier GTS, so you will also find those who swear by their GTS, no matter what the year.

But if I were you, I'd get a new(er) one, if you can.

 

[King GTS]

I don't consider the BMW a Sports Car by any stretch! I'd buy the Viper if I were in your shoes, and if a Sports Car was something I wanted. If you test drive a BMW & by chance get to test drive a Viper, then you'd know what I'm talkin about. I usually buy Mercedes but have quite a few friends with BMW's. It's a nice car - but it's NO Viper. The Viper is 100% reliable. I've always had GTS's and I've NEVER ha dany type of engine damage/problem/ or concerns. IMO, stay with anything from 1998 and up. If you don't plan on drivin it in a flood or soemthing, you'll be 100% A OK. Just my .02

 

[Martin D]

There are not really any durability issues with the earlier GenII's. Look for a car with low miles and take care of. There may be some upgrades with the newer models such as fan, Nuetral gear rattle, and exhaust manifolds, but certainly not mecanical things that were a problem.

I have had less go wrong with my Viper than my wife did with here BMW 528. PLUS, I just clicked past 39,000 miles. - 10,000 miles with 650 horsepower.

Regards,

 

[bad viper]

Guess I sould said in plain English "I HAD A 96 GTS #979
I NEVER HAD EVEN ONE PROBLEM IN 73,000 MILES!!!!!!!!"

 

[MaxedGTS]

Forget the BMW. Get a viper with low miles. An everyday driver would not be older than a 96 GTS. I have a modified DLM SC car and have had no bad issues other than the ac leaking. Don't forget the newer cars 1999 and up have 18" wheels and 2001s have ABS.

Max

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">1996 GTS - Owned since new, 8.5k miles today.

Oil Leak - Rear main seal replaced
A/C Quit - A/C evaporator replaced
Windshield Leak - repaired
Alarm inoperative - Alarm module replaced

That's it. May seem like a lot given the mileage, but the car is coming up on 6 years old. Not perfect, but so far happy with the reliability. Seeing what other Viper owners experience, I don't see 1996 as a troubled year. Perhaps different problems, but not more overall.

On the plus side, it's blue and has the cam of choice.

More important to chose a well taken care of car with an extended warranty then worry about the year.</FONT f>

 

[Guibo]

Having driven neither an E46 M3 nor Viper, I can't comment on which would make the better daily driver. The M3 offers outstanding performance and utility, and the reviews have been very positive. If you're a stickler for luxury and amenities and need seating for 4, the choice is pretty obvious. It's an everyday, do (nearly) everything type of car.

But "100% solid?" Do yourself a huge favor and go to to the Roadfly forums and read about the 17 (so far) M3 engines that have expired. And the endless differential clunking problems, which BMW at first failed to address.

 

[bad viper]

Vic
That is photshop comp coupe rendition courtesy of Craig 201 from Canada.
It will most likely be the scheme on my incoming Comp coupe.

 

[dadsvpr]

a new m3 is a pricey proposition. they are in the realm of new vipers these days. while i agree the vipers seem rock solid i would have to say its like comparing apples to oranges. the bmw m3 is a sports car just differnet from a viper. from a practical perspective i would say the bmw is more so. rear seat for extra stuff or people, latest up to date engineering and safety, most likely extended maintenance schedule.

an m3 is a nice car, i'd probably want to take real good care of one but not as much as my viper. an m3 doesn't stick out so is more stealthy, this is important. search for previous posts about people who get tired of the attention the viper **always** draws.

while i'd like to be able to use my viper as a daily driver i really have too much repsect for it to do so. an M3 on the otherhand is a natural in this category. i think there are some incredible deals on last generation (e36) m3 coupes and converts. needless to say i'd stay away from the sedans or automatics.

my $.02

Jason