I'm having the hardest time deciding on what to w/my car situation

oufan2929

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I haven't given buying a '06 coupe much thought until recently w/seeing the prices shoot down. I'd love to have one but can't decide if it's worth the extra money. I've got my '03 car w/9k miles on it and it's perfect. It's setup nicely as well w/an autoform roll bar, quaiffe rearend, and exhuast among other things(nav, mgw). So now I'm torn whether to sell it and spend around $11k more to get a coupe which is 3 years newer and most likely less mileage, but bone stock(w/the idea of modding it down the road), or keep my car and put a paxton on it. I realize it's kind of stupid for me to ask this question because everything is opinion based, but I figured some of you may have sound advice. I road race probably 6 or 7 times a year just fyi. I'm not the typical "money is no object" viper owner, just a younger guy that can't live w/out one! I love any viper, but I think the coupes are definitely the best looking!...Thanks--Andy
 

murci

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Do what I did...a rear end conversion & throw in the hardtop & paxton...then you'll have the best of both worlds. Sorry...I know that didn't help. But the coupe is beautiful. Good luck...can't go wrong either way.
 
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oufan2929

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Do what I did...a rear end conversion & throw in the hardtop & paxton...then you'll have the best of both worlds. Sorry...I know that didn't help. But the coupe is beautiful. Good luck...can't go wrong either way.

is that your black w/silver stripes car on lemke's site? If so, I'm the one that called you a couple months ago asking about it. Are you in houston? I wouldn't be opposed to using some flyer miles to come down to take a look at your hard top, because that's an option no doubt...
 

kman

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I have an 06 coupe,other than yours being a convertible we have about the same car. I want a vert sometimes, a coupe other days. The grass is always greener.........Wouldn't it be nice to have both! That being said, keep your car and buy an 08 in a year or two for far less than what you would pay for it today. I wouldn't spend the money on the mods, the numbers on the 08 with a few bolt-ons are sick and tuners haven't even begun to play with it yet. IMHO
 

Nader

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They are virtually the same car. Why bother. Put the money in your current car.
 

Nine Ball

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Your car has low miles on it, I wouldn't think it was worth spending another 11K to end up with the same car and a roof. Put some nice wheels on the vert, and the Paxton. That will cure any boredom.
 

AFL in NJ

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My philosophy is that your '03 is the same generation as an '06.....save your money and buy an '08 or '09 ACR, then mod the hell out of it.....just my $0.02. Besides, you know your '03 from all the work you did on it, you love and respect it....who else will as much as you?

Regards,
Aaron
 

DodgeViper01

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Since you own a 2003 AND it has mods, I would keep your car and add the Supercharger. Your 2003 has done most of it's depreciation already and you are not going to loose much more. Going with a 2006, especially with the 2008s out, you are going to loose more money in the long run not to mention the money you would loose in the mods in your 2003. If you still like your car, keep it and supercharge it. Like others have said, if a Coupe is something you really want, add the hardtop.
 

ROCKET62

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First piece of advice - DRIVE MORE! 9k miles in 5 years? For me, going ******* is the only way I would ever go for my sports car. I did add a hardtop to my '93 Viper and loved it and the look. Funny thing was after the initial fun and use - it hardly was ever on. As others have stated, you've already taken the vast majority of depreciation on your 03, you have some great mods done, and you know everything about it.

As Murci did, you could always add just the coupe rear end and a hardtop and have the BEST of both worlds. Jeff Lemke has a great stand-alone hardtop and is great to work with. If you decide you want to keep the convertible, you could invest the cash in a paxton, or since you do some road racing - upgrade the heads, cam, and exhaust.

BTW - coupes work best with ugly Viper owners :D.
 
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oufan2929

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Well, my decision is not set in stone, but you guys have made some valid points. I definitely appreciate it! I think I'm leaning towards keeping this car and then maybe get an '08 or '09 in a couple of years to compliment the convertible...And I just got off the phone w/my i-forged dealer rep, and he said my wheels are done and should ship this week!!! So pics will be up soon once I get the eibachs and i-forged wheels put on!! Thanks guys--Andy
 

DodgeViper01

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Well, my decision is not set in stone, but you guys have made some valid points. I definitely appreciate it! I think I'm leaning towards keeping this car and then maybe get an '08 or '09 in a couple of years to compliment the convertible...And I just got off the phone w/my i-forged dealer rep, and he said my wheels are done and should ship this week!!! So pics will be up soon once I get the eibachs and i-forged wheels put on!! Thanks guys--Andy

Sounds like a good idea. What I-Forged Wheels did you go with?
 

SweetRed04

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I haven't given buying a '06 coupe much thought until recently w/seeing the prices shoot down. I'd love to have one but can't decide if it's worth the extra money. I've got my '03 car w/9k miles on it and it's perfect. It's setup nicely as well w/an autoform roll bar, quaiffe rearend, and exhuast among other things(nav, mgw). So now I'm torn whether to sell it and spend around $11k more to get a coupe which is 3 years newer and most likely less mileage, but bone stock(w/the idea of modding it down the road), or keep my car and put a paxton on it. I realize it's kind of stupid for me to ask this question because everything is opinion based, but I figured some of you may have sound advice. I road race probably 6 or 7 times a year just fyi. I'm not the typical "money is no object" viper owner, just a younger guy that can't live w/out one! I love any viper, but I think the coupes are definitely the best looking!...Thanks--Andy


The key is that you think the coupe is better looking.

Drive what you like most.

Me, I enjoy convertibles, and have never bought any hard roof car (new or used) for myself costing more than $16,000. I wouldn't consider any high dollar coupe. The only POSSIBLE exception would be if I hit the lottery, in which case a Ford GT would find its way amongst my convertibles ('61 Corvette, '68 Impala, '69 Corvette (Black), '69 Corvette (red - OK, really my son's but it is registered to me to reduce the insurance costs!), and the '04 Viper).

I DID buy my Viper new......
 

2002_Viper_GTS_ACR

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I'm pretty sure the quote is..

"If you CANT be with THE ONE YOU LOVE, then..... love the one your with."

In that case, get a coupe, because for the cash, you CAN be with the one you love....

And honestly.. isnt that always the way it is.....Money gets the honey... (ok kidding..) lol..

Jon
 

dragon rider

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Like the others have said. Keep the 03 and in a few year get an ACR. You seem to be the collector/ investment type of viper owner b/c your 03 has so few miles on it. The ACR will def. be the car for you if your looking to collect.
 

Burntrubber

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My philosophy is that your '03 is the same generation as an '06.....save your money and buy an '08 or '09 ACR, then mod the hell out of it.....just my $0.02. Besides, you know your '03 from all the work you did on it, you love and respect it....who else will as much as you?

Regards,
Aaron

ditto on this one! unless you have another color prefrence (copperhead/blue FE)
 

black mamba1

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I really dont get it...the 03 and 06 are practically the same. The 03 is a little faster due to tuning changes in the 06. If u want a hard top, call Jeff Lemke, but keep your 03. You have some excellent mods in it now. The 06's are slower off the lot (see rag times) but the 03's can have had some issues you can fix for very little money. Keep the 03!
 

alpha85

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You will enjoy that vert in the summer. Besides with the roll bar you have the best of both worlds. I am thinking of adding one to my vert.
 
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