Help! Finally buying my Viper

[Azrael]

Hi Guys,

I've started several threads on here and hopefully this will be the last one before i'm a Viper owner On my way to the US in under 2 weeks to buy myself my dream car and go on a cross country USA road trip

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121019080889#ht_1013wt_1167 - This is the car i'm currently looking at, does anyone know a good reputable Viper tech in Miami that i can get to check this car over before i commit to buy it? Just contacted the seller to make sure he would be willing to take it down to have it inspected (waiting to hear back). Rocking up to buy the car only to discover its a lemon will totally kill this trip lol.

Also does anyone know a good viper tech in the LA/California area? The backup vipers i've been looking at are available in that area and once again i'd want the car inspected before purchasing.

Any advice about the whole purchasing process would be greatly appreciated. Obviously never done anything like this in America so looking to you guys for big brotherly advice.

Cheers everyone

 

[Venomiss]

Run a carfax first.
Contact the VCA South Florida region directly and ask if they are familiar with this Viper.
http://www.viperclubsfl.org/

Doug Levin Motorsports is in Miami-send him an email. He may know this Viper.

Ask the Viper owner if he is a current VCA member?

Tech in Southern California to try is Dan Cragin.
VCA SoCal also has a website that might be helpful for you.

http://socalviper.com/

 

[Azrael]

Venomiss you truly are a legend. Thanks for your help regarding all my questions since i've joined

Gonna send some emails now

 

[Venomiss]

Nope.
Just a VCA member that hopes you will join the club.

Forgot to mention that
David Ivler is the VCA South Florida President and Lance Kouchi is the VCA Southern California President.

Make sure the Viper has fresh rubber on it no matter what you end up purchasing. If the Viper doesn't have fresh tires then arrange in advance before you drive it.

 

[happy56]

If you get up into the Indianapolis area we will try and show you some treats

 

[LifeIsGood]

I took a look at the pictures of the '97 in Florida. The engine looks completely stock, the exhaust tips look stock and it has a stock ride height. It's not immaculate...there are scratches on the dash (stereo close-up picture), maybe scratches on the top of the driver's side sill (engine picture), there's a film of some sort right behind the brake booster (engine picture), the front edge of the windshield cowl seems to be roughed up (engine pictures), the outer bolster of the drivers seat seems to have been damaged and then poorly repaired (driver seat picture), and there's at least one rusted screw in the door trim piece that runs vertically behind the drivers seat (driver seat picture).

I'm not saying that it's a bad viper, just wanted to point out a few things that I saw. Good luck!

 

[HSSSSSS]

Check the rust. Miramar is on the coast. Cars from along the ocean are subject to salt issues similar to driving in Canada in winter. I noticed some rust on the bolt heads on the pics of the motor. Good idea to put it on a hoist and check it out. You may buy the car anyhow as it is a gorgeous and extremely well kept car. Just may be able to barter down a little more. As Venomiss says, run a carfax. Got my first Viper from Bluffton, SC and it had quite a little rust underneath. Bought it anyhow, but for a bit less.

 

[Azrael]

Guys thanks for the input, you guys have a eye for detail that i lack! Was so excited last night i could hardly sleep. Will definitely have to get someone who inspects the car to have a good search to make sure there isnt any/to much rust on the vehicle.

Sent emails to the South Florida VCA and Doug Levin (through his website) last night, just got a reply from the VCA guy (named Ivan) stating that he knew the viper and the owner and said the owner was Doug Levin? lol havent heard back from my enquiry on the Doug Levin site yet, but having said that the ebay seller replied to my message with the name of Enrique (maybe works with Doug?). Dunno, may have to do some more digging and see whats going on there. :-/

Venomiss - the seller states that the tires on the vehicle are 70% tread, also has the originals which are at about 85% apparently. Do i still want new ones or will i be ok to do some driving on those tires before i replace them? (was going to replace them just before shipping the vehicle back home simply cause its so much cheaper there)

Also another question - You noticed that he car is stock and the seller confirms this saying only the air filter has been replaced, i know the 97 viper's have some recommended upgrades, are they essential? or are they mainly performance based? or are they because the stock parts are prone to breaking down.

Cheers

 

[LifeIsGood]

Ask the seller for the DOT date codes from all 4 tires, this will tell you how old they are...which is more important sometimes than how much tread they have.

Read this thread...

How old are Tires

 

[Venomiss]

Read up on the thread Life is Good posted.

If you are planning on driving cross country from Florida to California then get new tires put on in Florida.
Don't take the chance if you don't have to.
If you have any problems with the tires or ride on your way to the West coast you would still have time to stop in to a tech in LA.

With the weather this time of year you would want to take the southern route to avoid snow.
Eddie Martin at Bill Luke Dodge in Phoenix is another name you might keep handy just in case. Put these contact names and number in your Viper glove box.

 

[LaViper]

If you're traveling West on Interstate 10 thru Louisiana, send me a PM & when & I'll show you some Real Good Southern Food.

 

[Azrael]

Well got in touch with the owner of the vehicle and Doug Levin as well. Both are really nice guys, Doug actually serviced the vehicle in the last month or 2 and was happy to have a chat about it, what he could remember about the vehicle and the small things that need a bit of a touch up (apparently the door seals are a bit saggy but common problem on the Viper). Doug was glad to hear he was recommended from the VCA, said he thought the vehicle was in great condition and a good buy

LifeIsGood & Venomiss - thanks for the advice re: the tires, speaking to Doug Levin and he said thats one of the things he would check on the vehicle for me when i arrange for him to go over the vehicle. Also Venomiss strictly staying along the southern states, never driven in snow and definately dont want my first time to be in my brand new viper

LaViper - Thanks for the invite, havent looked up the finer details of path across the south of the USA but it could well be on the way. Sounds like it could be a interesting meal Will see what i can arrange.

Now for the not so good apparently the vehicle has a "Lien" on it which i understand to be a form of finance, this will complicate me getting the title of the vehicle as the owner says if i pay by chq he will have to wait for it to clear, transfer the money to the credit union, wait for them to release the title and then send it out and then get the title transferred to my name (5-10 working days or longer)... which isnt really keeping in line with my schedule. I'm flying into Miami on the 27th/28th November, was hoping to pick up the car stay a day or 2 and begin my journery which would be problematic (no title... believe that complicates getting rego on the car). The other option he said that may speed it up is transferring the money into his account so he can start the process before i get there but that obviously leaves me extremely exposed financially, if i turn up and his address dosnt exist/car isnt there what can i do? How can i secure my position here? Need to read the finer details about eBay purchase protection but i dont think it covers putting a deposit via ebay/paypal and transferring the rest of the money into the sellers acct.

Anyone got any bright ideas about how to tackle this issue? I'm a little stumped at this time and its a BIG leap of faith to take.

 

[Steve-Indy]

I would politely suggest that you be careful getting too excited about this particular car considering your driving plans, timeline, and the financial situation as you have described it. While everything on the owner's end may be open and honest, it is not a risk-free, simple transaction. You COULD consider meeting at the owner's credit union and involve the manager in the transaction directly...taking the title (and bill of sale) with you after both parties signoff. Feel free to call me.

 

[eucharistos]

listen to steve and see here: http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/658367-Selling-a-Snake-and-need-payment-advice

 

[Cobraken]

It is possible that the credit union could be instructed by seller that you could wire the money to them and they could release the title to you. They would pay off the lien and the rest to the seller

 

[Azrael]

Again thanks for the advice, Steve-Indy i'm currently looking into backup plans incase i cant find a appropriate solution to the problem, eucharistos great thread and worthwhile read, cheers. Cobraken interesting idea but would the seller have to walk in and surrender teh title to them? Also whats to stop him from just requesting the titles back off the credit union and i wont be able to sign anything if i'm there ahead of time?

My current train of thought goes like this:

What do you guys think of this approach:

1) Contact the seller and request a payout figure required for the credit union to remove the Lien.
2) Go into the credit union with the owner and do International funds transfer from my account to a) the credit union to release the Lien and b) rest into the sellers account
3) Get him to sign over the paperwork then and there inside the credit union and then go the DMV as required?

Maybe i can ask the credit union to expedite the releasing of the Lien?

Ideas/suggestions/thoughts?

 

[Cobraken]

You may find that as lien holder, the credit union is holding the title. If seller gives written instructions and leaves the title with the credit union they would be acting as an escrow agent. If you can go with seller to the credit union that is the best solution.

 

[Azrael]

Well the owner came back and said he had received a offer higher than what i we had verbally agreed to. That in combination with the Lien issue and the fact that the Tax i'd have to pay in Florida would bump up the price quite a bit means i've moved on :/ Time to find a backup Viper

These are what i'm currently looking at

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodg...=63&clkid=3574611290398454010#ht_18233wt_1167 - Nice looking car and apparently only 605 miles despite the fact its a 97 car. Amazing if true! Whats peoples thoughts on vehicles of this age that have only done so little miles?

the other

http://www.autohauswest.com/detail-1997-dodge-viper-2dr_gts_coupe-used-9028953.html - Personally think this is a very good looking viper as well

As always your opinions are appreciated

 

[Azrael]

*From now on i think i may stick to dealer vipers, due to my short time frame they would offer the safest/best bet

 

[Cobraken]

#1 I'd be careful of. Usually if it's too good of a deal it starts to smell...