Hot Tip...Buy the Gen V Collectible while you can still afford to

[Bruce H.]

I'm convinced that the convertible is about to be announced for 2015, probably just before or during the shut-down, and that there have already been a few built recently in preparation for that announcement. This will be a delight for those fortunate enough to afford it, and a game-changer for the success of the Viper brand. I'd love to hear Ralph say of the Viper..."the reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated"!

The Viper uniquely offers:

Staggering performance

Stunning Looks that are to die for

Uniquely Engaging Driving Experience

Manual Gearbox, and a throttle the driver actually "blips"

Exclusivity like no other

America's Only Exotic

Successful Racing History

Current Production Car Lap Record holder at Laguna Seca

Massive 8.4L V10

Massive Tires and Contact Patch

Carbon Fiber Body Panels and fittings

Attitude

Ralph Gilles and Team

on and on and on....feel free to add to this list

The spectacular Gen V's are headed for collector car status as surely as the other icons that did. I have a feeling that there are going to be a lot of car enthusiasts kicking themselves for not picking up a Gen V while they were such a bargain. Prices have temporarily fallen, coupes are selling, inventory is dropping, selection is dwindling, spring is coming, the car is spectacular, Motortrend are still idiots, the haters and trolls are too...but you don't have to be!

Bruce

 

[JAY]

Those going to VOI in Detroit this year , may get a glimpse

 

[DingDong]

Bruce,

While I think the rumors of the Viper's end of life is VERY real - I think you're right about collector status. I believe we have something special that may be comparable to the Ford GT in the coming years! Mine isn't going ANYWHERE! I think this was a great buy at $25K off of MSRP and will ultimately appreciate.

 

[ViperSmith]

Eh.

Mine surely won't be collectable in such a scenario because I am putting on miles.

It is a fun car, just enjoy it

 

[DMan]

Meh, collectables are for lambo, jag, and F-car guys.

The viper is a drivers car, a real drivers car. I've never understood the garage queen viper thing, I see ACRs out there with nearly no mis that guys polish or something, such a friggin waste to me.


The viper is the ******* bunny turned ****-star turned girlfriend, you don't put a chastity belt on that, you !$#%* the hec out of I all you can, and it loves it.


Please let a vert come out, now, It's so over due.

Sorry is I poked anybody on the garage queen thing, I just don't think the viper is a garage car IMHO, seems like a sin to let it sit, but we all have our own thoughts on that.

 

[swexlin]

If I could afford to, I would hav a TA in my garage right now. Unfortunately, I can't, so I'll have to stick with my 2003 for now.

 

[Bruce H.]

Sometimes great Sports and GT cars go away, and become highly collectible not long after. Supra TT and RX7 are just two. I saw some production numbers on the MkIV Supra recently, and they were quite low like the Gen V. The Supra TT was compared to the then current Ferrari and Porsche 911 Turbo, compared favorably, but predictably was knocked because after all it was just a Toyota. It was expensive compared to many other performance cars, and despite dropping it's price by thousands in its last years it became a fatality of poor sales. Edmond`s predicted its demise and urged people to buy the car because it was really, really good. Then they took it to Willow Springs for one last go. The last Gen RX7 died a couple of years earlier, and both were victims of a changing market place that favored other types of vehicles like SUVs.

I don't know how strong the sports car market is now, and not any more concerned about that than the daily ups and downs of the stock market. It just doesn't affect me. There`s some spectacular Sports/GT cars available to buy these day, and the Gen V is definitely one of them. They don't need to be garage queens to be collectible, but ones that are well-cared for will obviously be worth more. I bought my '94 Supra TT in '99 with almost 60k miles on it, and used it extensively on tracks for years. It's still in great shape with original paint and body, has almost 90k miles on it, the envy of all who see it, and it's worth more than what I paid for it.

I just wish I had bought it new and had been the one to enjoy it for the first 60k miles. After 20 years and 90,000 miles it value has only dropped about $25k from new. I think the Gen V at today's prices also represent a terrific long-term value. I think it's natural for a prospective buyer to be concerned with the mood of a market, news of disappointing sales, predictions of this or that...but it's also true that none of that will affect a buyer's enjoyment of the car, and long after the news changes and memories of launch nightmares fade, the Gen V will remain an iconic performer that'll be cherishes for generations, and quite likely represent the pinnacle of performance for the Viper brand.

Buy...Drive...Enjoy!

 

[ViperJohn]

Meh, collectables are for lambo, jag, and F-car guys.

The viper is the ******* bunny turned ****-star turned girlfriend, you don't put a chastity belt on that, you !$#%* the hec out of I all you can, and it loves it.

Dave....thanks for the laugh....

 

[FinalEd357]

Great post! My Gen 5 arrives tomorrow as I say goodbye to my Gen 2 ACR. I can't wait to get behind the wheel.

 

[Bobpantax]

The base MSRP of the base 1997 GTS coupe was $69,300. It had far less content and no where near the fit and finish of a Gen V.

Using an inflation adjuster application, $69,300 is $98,537.49 in 2014 dollars.

You can now buy the base SRT model for $95,000.00 or so through any of the capable and knowledgable dealers that support the VCA and many others. It seems to me that the people who post about price either have not done their research or are knowingly acting to hurt the Gen V on behalf of another brand. The Gen V not only has a massive amount of carbon fiber in it but its doors are foamed aircraft aluminum. Those components alone are quite costly.

The car is a screaming bargain.

 

[Bobpantax]

Not a VOI. That is in Septemeber in Texas at COTA. I do not think the "Homecoming" plans have been finalized. SRT was only in the preliminary stages of thinking about that event at the time it was announced.

With the recent news regarding the plant closure from mid April to mid June, things could change. If there is a model year change over, my guess is that the plant may open in June for a short period of time and then close back down again in July for the model year change over.

Those going to VOI in Detroit this year , may get a glimpse

 

[kdaviper]

the Viper is the Ernest Hemmingway of American supercars:
Rugged masculine looks,
No-nonsense performance,
Reported dead, when it is in fact still alive.

The Corvette is more F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

[Bruce H.]

Congrats! Exciting times!

Great post! My Gen 5 arrives tomorrow as I say goodbye to my Gen 2 ACR. I can't wait to get behind the wheel.

 

[Bruce H.]

Well, this was timely... http://autos.ca.msn.com/editors-picks/most-exciting-new-cars-of-2014-1#image=7

 

[Viper X]

After driving the Gen 5 a bit and watching as it beat the F-16 Jet in a 3000 foot drag race at Luke Air Force Base a couple of weekends ago, I and others at the race will begin shopping for Gen 5 Vipers too. This car is extremely strong, the trans slick, the gearing just right and it really surprised all of us who drove the car. It pulls like a Gen 2 with a supercharger, handles and rides great and looks great too. It is much more car that we expected, much more.

FYI, it took a bunch to impress Greg, John and I as we have over 350,000 miles of seat time in various Vipers, incuding a couple of high hp monsters. We've run drags, road races, high speed road races and 1/2 mile drags in Vipers. Go drive one if you can, then take it home.

View the in car video here: http://youtu.be/-1RYhNW2FEA

Dan

 

[ferraritoviper]

The base MSRP of the base 1997 GTS coupe was $69,300. It had far less content and no where near the fit and finish of a Gen V.

Using an inflation adjuster application, $69,300 is $98,537.49 in 2014 dollars.

You can now buy the base SRT model for $95,000.00 or so through any of the capable and knowledgable dealers that support the VCA and many others. It seems to me that the people who post about price either have not done their research or are knowingly acting to hurt the Gen V on behalf of another brand. The Gen V not only has a massive amount of carbon fiber in it but its doors are foamed aircraft aluminum. Those components alone are quite costly.

The car is a screaming bargain.

And that $98k will be $300k in only ten years Bob, if one applys the adjusted cost for obamacare, just announced in news today (

 

[Bruce H.]

Dan,

It's interesting that you and other Viper fanatics would be so surprised by how much you were impressed with the car. I'd have assumed that you might have already had very high expectations, and would be happy to have them met. Is it possible that a lot of the Viper faithful have seriously under-estimated the car, and given exposure to it might have a different opinion?

And if so, how do you get the word out?

Bruce

After driving the Gen 5 a bit and watching as it beat the F-16 Jet in a 3000 foot drag race at Luke Air Force Base a couple of weekends ago, I and others at the race will begin shopping for Gen 5 Vipers too. This car is extremely strong, the trans slick, the gearing just right and it really surprised all of us who drove the car. It pulls like a Gen 2 with a supercharger, handles and rides great and looks great too. It is much more car that we expected, much more.

FYI, it took a bunch to impress Greg, John and I as we have over 350,000 miles of seat time in various Vipers, incuding a couple of high hp monsters. We've run drags, road races, high speed road races and 1/2 mile drags in Vipers. Go drive one if you can, then take it home.

View the in car video here: http://youtu.be/-1RYhNW2FEA

Dan

 

[Viper X]

Dan,

It's interesting that you and other Viper fanatics would be so surprised by how much you were impressed with the car. I'd have assumed that you might have already had very high expectations, and would be happy to have them met. Is it possible that a lot of the Viper faithful have seriously under-estimated the car, and given exposure to it might have a different opinion?

And if so, how do you get the word out?

Bruce

Bruce,

Good comments and question. In my personal case, which may not represent most, I've been so busy with other "stuff", mostly personal things like relocating from CA to TX, business stuff with all of the new laws and regs to comply with (thanks Obama and Moonbeam) and that little volunteer job I inherited in the VCA that I haven't had the time to really drive a Gen 5, so didn't know what I was missing.

I had that opportunity in AZ a few weekends ago and really enjoyed the car. My expectations were high and was pleased that the car surpassed them. My only gripe would be that I don't fit well in the car (too tall), so will have to lower the seat, which I've had to do in all 5 Vipers that I've owned, so no big deal. Jon B can likely fix me up there.

Also, there have been quite a few Gen 5 "ride and drives" set up that I heard about after the fact, so I missed them; likely due to my move and address change as I'd always try to make these even if I weren't in the market. Who among us doesn't like checking out new Vipers? Not sure if I could have driven the car like I'd want to at those things anyway.....

But, you make an excellent point, the Gen 5 car, IMHO, is an incredible performer. This, coming from a guy who has over 50K track miles on multiple Vipers including a modded to hell Gen 2 ACR and a modded Gen 4 ACR and has 50K miles on an 1100 hp / 1000 lb/ft Gen 3 on the open roads with a few drag passes and open road races thrown in for fun!

IMHO, all of us Viper guys, no matter what club we do or don't belong to, if any, really need to get the word out on the Gen 5 Viper. As we all know, the "rags" have never liked the Viper and seem to love bashing it while they heap praises on all Corvettes and Porsches, etc. - not sure why.

As Bob said above, the car is a screaming bargin. I just wrote my president's column for the next issue of the VCA magazine which will go to all current and former VCA members and am promoting the car in it; but we all need to pitch in and help as much as we can.

We'll be producing another "in car" video from the Luke AFB event shortly where National VP Greg Crouse beats the Jet in a 3000 foot drag race too. FYI, we won both of our drag races in the OE Viper against the F-16 Jet. This is the main reason we went to AZ, hoping to beat the Jet in a drag race and promote the car. Take a look at the first in car video and turn the sound up. If you like it, and you will, send it to everyone you know. Getting the Gen 5 favorable exposure can't hurt sales and should help them.

Maybe we can get the plant back open sooner than later, get the vert on line or the new ACR (if it's coming) and maybe we can help get the SRT guys back to Le Mans. This would all be great.

Now, which one of my current Vipers do I sell? ...... or do I add another one to the stable (wife is already against this idea)?

Dan

 

[Free2go]

Holy moly moly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOOs8MaR1YM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Bruce H.]

Dan,

Thanks for your feedback, and those plans sound great. Good luck with your Viper shopping!



Bruce

 

[Free2go]

If the Viper...especially the 2013-2014 Gen V is ever going to increase in value, production MUST END. Ford GT: 2 years of production and done. Now, they have appreciated a 100k ALREADY! Another thing, people like the older cars much better. Would you choose a new Challenger over an old one? Don't think so. In closing, some of you rich old geezers with more money than sense should be stocking up on Gen 1 and 2 Vipers and sitting tight.

 

[Austin]

Bruce,

I think you're right about collector status. I believe we have something special that may be comparable to the Ford GT in the coming years!

LMAO!! Say what!? What are you smoking?

 

[PeterMJ]

I'm convinced that the convertible is about to be announced for 2015, probably just before or during the shut-down, and that there have already been a few built recently in preparation for that announcement. This will be a delight for those fortunate enough to afford it, and a game-changer for the success of the Viper brand. I'd love to hear Ralph say of the Viper..."the reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated"!

The Viper uniquely offers:

Staggering performance

Stunning Looks that are to die for

Uniquely Engaging Driving Experience

Manual Gearbox, and a throttle the driver actually "blips"

Exclusivity like no other

America's Only Exotic

Successful Racing History

Current Production Car Lap Record holder at Laguna Seca

Massive 8.4L V10

Massive Tires and Contact Patch

Carbon Fiber Body Panels and fittings

Attitude

Ralph Gilles and Team

on and on and on....feel free to add to this list

The spectacular Gen V's are headed for collector car status as surely as the other icons that did. I have a feeling that there are going to be a lot of car enthusiasts kicking themselves for not picking up a Gen V while they were such a bargain. Prices have temporarily fallen, coupes are selling, inventory is dropping, selection is dwindling, spring is coming, the car is spectacular, Motortrend are still idiots, the haters and trolls are too...but you don't have to be!

Bruce

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[Nine Ball]

Good review Dan, glad to see you finally got to drive one and experience the car. It is too bad we have so many negative Viper owners here that would rather make the magazine comparisons, complain about pricing when they simply just can't afford the car, and generally bash what they haven't even tried or seen for themselves. You'd think some of the people here were just Corvette trolls, not Viper fans.

 

[DingDong]

Austin,

Tell me why you think I'm smoking something? This is a PHENOMENAL CAR!?! VERY limited production..... ???

 

[Austin]

Austin,

Tell me why you think I'm smoking something? This is a PHENOMENAL CAR!?! VERY limited production..... ???

Totally agree, its a good car, but its no FGT. FGT had low numbers, was only produced for two years, had tons of heritage behind it and EVERYONE wanted/wants an FGT. SRT is having a difficult time selling these "phenomenal cars". Just sayin', the Viper will never be FGT money or collector status; at least not for MANY (15+) years to come. And if you or anyone else believes otherwise, you're living in a fantasy world.

 

[Bruce H.]

Vipers are already collectibles, with large numbers sitting in existing collections now. Current and future values will vary with many factors, and I while I wouldn't buy any as an income earning investment, Vipers are definitely bona-fide collectibles.

 

[Camfab]

Late 60's Camaro's early 70's Chevelles, built hundreds of thousands, they have no collector status...... Right? In the early 70's when gas jumped the first time, people were selling these cars as well as Cudas and the like for penny's on the dollar. To proclaim that you know the future is just foolish. Especially while insulting another guy to get your point across.

 

[Austin]

Late 60's Camaro's early 70's Chevelles, built hundreds of thousands, they have no collector status...... Right? In the early 70's when gas jumped the first time, people were selling these cars as well as Cudas and the like for penny's on the dollar. To proclaim that you know the future is just foolish. Especially while insulting another guy to get your point across.

He said "comparable to FGT in coming years". This reads to me that he meant soon. If he did mean soon, then obviously that is NOT going to happen. Oh, and BTW, I never insulted him.

 

[Camfab]

Where I come from, if somebody says what are you smoking, uh ya, that's an insult.