In your opinion, which is a better deal...

[ant1]

Hi all,
This is my first post. I have always wanted a viper since the 2000s. I am trying to decide which convertible Viper to get. It comes down to these 4:

2003 SRT-10 with 2k miles $58,000
2004 SRT-10 with 21k miles $47,995
2005 SRT-10 with 13k miles $49,300
2008 SRT-10 with 35k miles $54,000

Can anyone chime in about your opinion.

Thanks in advanced for your input.
Anthony

 

[Steve-Indy]

Anthony, glad to hear that your dream car is close to becoming a reality. Aside from mileage, there are many, many other things to consider while entertaining these choices. There are also many different opinions as I am sure you will soon see.

Major areas in my mind involve history, condition, maintenance, inspection results...then color, price, etc.

In the short term, I suggest that you call me to discuss Vipers in General, Gen III's in particular. and your examples. 317 402 9013

In my opinion, it is much better to pay a little more for a good car than to fall prey to s low priced one only to find out that it is a cleverly disguised black hole for money.

Happy hunting !!

 

[George Farris]

Get the Gen IV and never look back.

 

[ant1]

Thanks Steve for your response. Is it ok to call you on the weekend? If so, what time is good for you?

 

[ant1]

Get the Gen IV and never look back.

Thanks George. I very much like to get that 2008, but a little hesitant about the mileage.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Anytime during the day is fine.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Great to speak with you, ant1. Best of luck with your quest...you're goIng to love a Viper !!

 

[MoparMap]

Mileage on these cars is nothing if well maintained. I've got 125,000 miles on mine and if you clean it up I don't think many people would even notice. I would be very wary of a 2003 with only 2000 miles. Think about that for a minute. That's an 18 year old car with only 2000 miles. That's barely even 100 miles a year, which isn't even a single tank of gas. Maybe they started it up and let it run every once in a while to keep seals and fluids fresh, but that just feels like it's asking for trouble. Those other cars are at least more like 1000 miles a year, which is a few tanks and actual use. Sitting around it often harder on a car than actually using it, though I do agree with Steve that it really does have a lot more to do with who owned it and how they took care of it. My car might look good and drive great with 125,000 miles, but that's also because I've taken good care of it to get it there. Someone else may have used and abused one and drove it into the ground until it was worn out by 50,000 miles. I do all of my own work and maintenance though, so a lot of that stuff would never show up on a CarFax or something like that. You'd have to talk with the owner and get an idea of what kind of person they are and how they treated the car. A lot of people are scared of Vipers and might have just had a bad experience and parked it which could be a reason for low miles, but would also mean they probably neglected it to some degree. Compare that to someone who loves the car and drives it all the time, but religiously changes fluids and keeps everything nice and clean.

 

[Kevin M Melisz]

Anthony,

Last year I purchased a 2008 and I believe the Gen4 offers a lot more car than the Gen3 for a little more money.

Like everyone else has stated it really depends on what you are looking for and the quality of the car not mileage.

If you want to have a discussion about my similar experience last year, give me a call anytime. 716 713 4261

Kevin

 

[Sennahnamrecken]

I also bought a Gen IV 2008 SRT 10 with 17K miles last year and am very happy with it. You have to check, if the car has ever been raced and get detailed repair bills. There is also a professional Co. that checks out the car for you for $400.-.
You get a Video, and a detailed report also about the test drive. Check if the clutch has been replaced. Either they don't know to drive cars with clutch anymore or the car has been raced. I got mine checked out last week by a major Dodge dealer (Arrigo W.P.B.) with Viper specialists. They gave my car a clean bill of health. I just had a few minor service items done. Don't settle for earlier years if you don't have to.

 

[nicbolspeter]

It is all about where they have been but if treated right the engines seems bullet proof. I have a salvage 2005 viper with 38k and it gains about 100 miles a month and I also have a 2005 STR10 pickup with 105k miles on it. Both run fine and have no problems with the Calif. smog checks.

 

[ant1]

Hi all,
Thanks for much all your insight. You all are correct, looking at the mileage alone cannot be the sole determination. A part of me wanted to wait for a nice 2008 to come by but the price of a Viper is going up. I am looking at cargurus right now for a 2005 Yellow special edition ( the center console is yellow in color instead of black ) with 11,*** miles on it. They are asking close to $60k. I am going to sleep on it a little and see if they can come down with the price.

Again, I am very appreciative to all that have chimed in.
Steve, it was nice talking to you over the phone the other night. Looking forward to chat with you soon.

Anthony

 

[George Farris]

If you do get a Gen III, dump the run flats if they are still on the car ...

 

[ant1]

From what I understand, major changes from Gen 3 to Gen 4 is the re-work of the electrical system. Mechanically, any major changes?

Also, very little coupe compared to convertible roadster. I want a coupe but might have to settle for a convertible since there are so few hard top coupe out there.

 

[George Farris]

Suspension and transmission reworked. Run flats tossed .. infiltrator with tire sealing goop came in trunk. Transmission shifter better. Engine reworked,also. Especially the cam ... became "cam within a cam" ... allowed for more HP ...

Lots of improvements ...

But a Gem III w/o run flats is still a very nice car ...

 

[MoparMap]

Yeah, biggest difference between gen 3 and 4 is really the whole powertrain. Engine changed and went to coil near plug setup, extra 100 hp, reworked heads, larger displacement, new electronics, etc. Transmission got beefed up and slightly different 6th (and maybe 5th?) gear ratio and the rear end went to a different style locking system. Suspension and frame were left unchanged as far as I'm aware. So in a way you can make a gen 3 as good as a gen 4 with some bolt ons and minor upgrades, but just depends what you are willing to do to it.

 

[02rt10]

Very low miles vehicles is not always best option, unless you don’t plan on driving it.... take in account history, maintenance, your budget..