As someone who has never owned a Viper, but is in line for a Gen V - here are my opinions which ViperJon has hit on.
It is a beautiful car, no doubt. I think the Gen II was what got me to "fall in love" with cars as a teenager. I drooled over them, I wanted one, badly. But hey, in 1998 I was 16! I've often pondered getting one, but never carried through.
I think the issue is, that the crowd that would be attracted to the Gen II in the used market (me) can afford the new Gen V. While the Gen II is still a beautiful beast, it simply doesn't have the modern creature comforts that you find in the market segment new Vipers compete with. Like it or not, most people don't find the Dodge Neon interior appealing.
There are a lot of vehicles, new and used, in that $50k
market segment that are more appealing. It is simply a difficult segment to try and sell a 16 year old car in. $50k is a lot of cheddar for something that old.Plus, those who still have nostalgia for the Gen II, who may have had an original one in 1996, I'd assume can afford the Gen V now as well too.
But, a beautiful car - I hope the thread starter can get something for it that makes him happy.
lol....its interesting to see how many different opinions there are and how everyone sees the same item.
The 96..not 97 or 98...is what started the ball rolling for the Viper...in my opinion and seems like SRT's as well, as Ralph did state the 2013 car was designed around the 96..thus the limited edition blue and whites for 2013....anyway...this car was never built and does not and willnot ever be looked at as a creature comfort car even if they have added all the hoopla to it in 2013, most arguments still veered aside form all the comfort of the 2013 and still focused on the Hp and performance aspect of the car. Buyers of teh 2013 model are not buying this car for its creature comforts. If SRT was hoping that the comforts was what was going to make them rich and sell alot of these cars, they are in for a big surprise,but,they are too smart for that and know that the Viper buyer and enthusiast such as you and me and most on this site,are looking for the performance aspect as I said earlier. The 1992 Viper got its recongnition from the performance aspect, the raw uncompromised power it had over any other car in the world at that time. Corvettes best produced 375 Hp (ZR1).
The 1996 GTS took that 1992-1995 car, to another dimension. MORE HP and More Performance. Exactly what everyone was looking for and exactly what it delivered at that time. Once again crowned king of the road..not the Vette or any other car once again. The Blue and white could only be ordered if you owned a viper beofre and got a coupon from Dodge at that time that you could bring to the dealer to order you one. Thats was special !
To answer some of the other posters questions : The weatherstriping was upgraded in 97...big deal!..the wheels on the 97 did become forged but were offered as an option (extra $) for the polished version,whereas the 96 ws standard. The dash in both cars is teh same...no difference from what i know. The color is also different, the blue 96 is more lighter and metalic than the 97...if you order 96 paint for your 97...it will not match. The 97's were just a way that dodge saw a money grab as there was so much demand for the 96 Blue and whites that they charged for certain options in 97 and brought out another roughly 500 97 cars in that color combo. Thus why the low production numbers for the 97. Admitingly the 97 wheels do hold better when pushed to higher limits. But, there wouldnt be too many people out ther putting 700hp on the motor and not putting different wheels on the car at that time. Who would keep 97 17" wheels on a built up car anyway,,,I have not seen too many yet. Most opt for 18" ccw or OZ's for racing and others like me opt for the looks and go for 20 inch set ups. So the wheels being "better" was irrelevant in my opinion.
Vipersmith: you say that there are much more appealing cars at 50k....name a few..if so,...than a viper lover your not. When Viper is truly in your blood..there is no compromise. Especialy at 50K maybe at 150k...you might opt for a GT40 but that is even out of reach as tehy go for over 170K. You also stated that someone who is in the market for a Gen2 could afford a new one...lol...ya ok...I have 50K to spend but could go 130 if need be...lol..comon thats silly...when your in the market for a 50K car..than that is what you can afford. If not...then your one cause for the landslide in the USA(buying something you cant realy afford).
Example....you buy a Gen 2 car for say 40K, put another 10- 50 thousand in upgrading the motor ( NA,supercharged,twin turbo), interior , wheels,suspension,etc and for under 100000, you have a car that has the creature comforts (that you like),and the performance that teh new 2013 couldnt compete with and...you have the classic Gen2 body style that the new car in my opinion does not compete with ..yet. I have done some mild mods on my car including the daytona package from autoform and when i drive up to lambos ferraris vettes and the like that have the "creature comforts", they don't hold a candle to this car. Not just in my opinion , but the crowds or passerbys that are looking and comparing....and..to top it all off...I spent half if not more than half of what they did. Bang for your buck is what they call it.
The old classic BB cars of the late 60's and early 70's such as the mustangs,vettes,cudas,challengers,and especialy the AC Cobra ( whichis what this car was commemorating), did not have any creature comforts and fetch big dollars. The first year and Icons of those cars, such as the superbees and Cobras and certain color combos of those cars, fetch even more money. This is all to say if money is what your after in this investment. I say no,,,youll never make this car an investment. The argument here is that wether this car is to be respected as were certain classics of those times. I say yes!! Too bad many of you don't see teh forest through the trees...yet...but you will as time goes on. SRT did and has ( 2013 Limited Edition Blue and Whites).
