Is anybody buying Vipers?

[Stray Cat]

OK,

And the question was, are Vipers Selling right ?

Stand in front of a mirror and say 10 times " I own a Vette". Turn around and say 10 times "I own a Viper". Or you can say you Drive, race, polish.... whatever.

See which one brings the biggest smile to you face and buy that one. If it's a Viper, post back here so we know that people are indeed buying Vipers.

Crap, I'm about ready to call Bill Pemberton and buy one just to say ; "Hell yes, they are selling like hot cakes !"

John

 

[Venomiss]

The answer is yes, people are buying Vipers. If you really don't like them or appreciate them you are entitled to do so. Just don't be rude while doing so. Last time I checked this was a Viper site. While it's good to have a difference of opinion, you can do it with some class and brevity.

Many on this site own all kinds of sports cars, not just Vipers. Vette, Lambo's, you name it.


Vipers are great track cars. Vipers will appreciate. No question. No rude answers.

No More

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Line up on a road course with a Z06 and and it disapperars and the Viper owner may as well been driving a bicycle.

Complete baloney. On a 1.5 mile average track maybe a couple of seconds a lap stock-to-stock. Throw on some sticky tires, or just try harder and difference is vapor.

 

[PDCjonny]

Don't feed the troll. He's not "looking to buy" a Viper, he wants to talk trash about them so he can feel better about himself when he (maybe) can finally afford some old beatup used Vette. He can get together with the old man down the street and talk "performance", he's got a Vette too.

 

[TulsaTom]

Sometimes the "performance" you seek resides in the drivers seat...not under the hood! I never had any stock corvette beat my stock 1998 GTS on the track

 

[CFRA7]

Where does a Lamborghini Diablo fit into this equation ....as compared to the Viper and C6? Can a Viper out run today´s latest Lamborghini Diablo?

Not in top speed but the driver's of Diablo's are too afraid of hurting their cars to drive fast. I've been running track events for 13 years and have never seen a fast Lambo. We have a Ferrari 430 Challenge car that gets beat by street cars all the time. It does have the best brakes I've ever experenced!

 

[CFRA7]

Complete baloney. On a 1.5 mile average track maybe a couple of seconds a lap stock-to-stock. Throw on some sticky tires, or just try harder and difference is vapor.

My response was in response to the comment I quoted.

 

[CFRA7]

Complete baloney. On a 1.5 mile average track maybe a couple of seconds a lap stock-to-stock. Throw on some sticky tires, or just try harder and difference is vapor.

Where does one find a 1.5 mile track? Do you even know what you are talking about? The shortest track I'm aware of is 2.3 miles (Laguna Seca).

 

[CFRA7]

Don't feed the troll. He's not "looking to buy" a Viper, he wants to talk trash about them so he can feel better about himself when he (maybe) can finally afford some old beatup used Vette. He can get together with the old man down the street and talk "performance", he's got a Vette too.

I'm not trashing the Viper. I'm only saying that for less than $60K, the Z06 is a better perfomance car and a better street car. The Viper attracts more attention. If you want to reference an article that says something differnt, please do so.

I spend more mony racing my Formula Mazda than a Viper payment. However, I'm only willing to risk a $50K on the track. We all have a limit of how much moeny we are willing to walk away from. If your is greater, then that's fine. Mine is a $50K for a track car.

 

[repiv]

I'm not trashing the Viper. I'm only saying that for less than $60K, the Z06 is a better perfomance car and a better street car. The Viper attracts more attention. If you want to reference an article that says something differnt, please do so.

I spend more mony racing my Formula Mazda than a Viper payment. However, I'm only willing to risk a $50K on the track. We all have a limit of how much moeny we are willing to walk away from. If your is greater, then that's fine. Mine is a $50K for a track car.

then go to the z06 forum

 

[CFRA7]

then go to the z06 forum

Can't someone choose a Viper knowing that it isn't the fastest car? Isn't that OK? If I had $100K + to spend I would buy a Ferrari 360. Perhaps I should go to the Ferrari Fourm. If I had $150K to spend I would buy a Ford GT. Perhaps I should go to the Ford GT Forum. I only said that if I was to spend over $55K on a car, I would probally buy a Z06 as opposed to a Viper because it's faster around a race track. That's not an insult. That doesn't make the Viper a bad car. It's just a better choice for my intended purpose. I would pick a Ferrari over a Z06 even though it costs more and is slower.


ON A NOTE TO EVERYONE:
Earlier I said that the 2006 Viper and the 2007 base Corvette both ran a 3:03 when tested at VIR's long course. The Viper ran a 3:01. It's 2 seconds a lap faster than the 2007 base Corvette. I didn't mean to quote bad data and for that I appologise. I try to be accurate in my statements and looked up the article today. I would expect the 2007 base Corvette to be a little slower than a Gen II Viper. The 2008 base Corvette a little faster. However, faster or slower, I wouldn't be interested in a base Corvette even though they sell new for less than $55K. For under $55K, the Viper is still my first choice.

 

[PDCjonny]

Thanks for the deep thoughts, of which no one here gives a shiiit.
This is a Viper forum.
Move along.

 

[PS78]

if i won an enzo...... i would sell it and buy a viper and a race team to go to the circuits of europe/america to have a REAL fun time. i don't know how long ago it was when i first saw a viper and how long after that it was that i discovered i may realistically be able to actually own one. every other car i have seen on the web, on the street and on the track doesn't come close. to me i guess it's the extreme uniqueness of the look; the image of supremity, the curves and the fact that not many ordinary people know about it - that its image and presense just makes you stand and admire and wonder what it is. remember following 2 of the UKs quickest vipers back from an event on the London circular M25 motorway and just thinking NO other car seems so monstrously alien in amongst the normal highway traffic!
in answer to your topic question: yes; after saving every penny for years, i'll be over soon

vipers aren't the quickest (space shuttles are). pointless comparing stock v stock (vette etc); half the fun with these basic big engine cars is the stock is just the start - the big blank canvas to start building on (if 450hp ain't enough!)

 

[FATHERFORD]

I joined the forum in the quest of knowledge for buying a Viper by the end of the year. I have been a die hard mustang enthusiast(currently 3 fox bodies) and now deciding to "upgrade" my garage.

Looking forward to joining the viper community.

 

[Boxer12]

Way to go you guys, get on board with one ASAP. The Viper Nation is calling!

 

[DEADEYE]

Can't someone choose a Viper knowing that it isn't the fastest car? Isn't that OK? If I had $100K + to spend I would buy a Ferrari 360. Perhaps I should go to the Ferrari Fourm. If I had $150K to spend I would buy a Ford GT. Perhaps I should go to the Ford GT Forum. I only said that if I was to spend over $55K on a car, I would probally buy a Z06 as opposed to a Viper because it's faster around a race track. That's not an insult. That doesn't make the Viper a bad car. It's just a better choice for my intended purpose. I would pick a Ferrari over a Z06 even though it costs more and is slower.


ON A NOTE TO EVERYONE:
Earlier I said that the 2006 Viper and the 2007 base Corvette both ran a 3:03 when tested at VIR's long course. The Viper ran a 3:01. It's 2 seconds a lap faster than the 2007 base Corvette. I didn't mean to quote bad data and for that I appologise. I try to be accurate in my statements and looked up the article today. I would expect the 2007 base Corvette to be a little slower than a Gen II Viper. The 2008 base Corvette a little faster. However, faster or slower, I wouldn't be interested in a base Corvette even though they sell new for less than $55K. For under $55K, the Viper is still my first choice.

You are a different animal than a typical Viper fan. Earlier you stated that you plan on owning either a Vette, Viper or Porche next. This tells me that you don't have a true passion for any particular car. You're in it for a wham bam thank you ma'am kinda thing. We love our cars mostly for the intangibles they offer that no other car can offer at its price. Performance can be bought (make no mistake...the Viper has higher potential) but the Viper has a soul a reputation and an attitude about it thats almost alive.

I used to own a '01 Z06. It was the star of the Vette world until '02. The C5 Z was a star until the '06 Z hit. It will replay over and over. My GTS is still a star and I don't see it ever being eclipsed because it has a soul.

 

[PDCjonny]

Spot on, Deadeye.
If you can't see the difference between a Viper, Vette or Porsche when you factor in all the variables...the Viper is NOT for you. You'll be complaining about the heat. or gas mileage or some other nonsense. NO car has the whole package like the Viper.

 

[Finally got it !]

I have owned all three modern American muscle cars. The Viper is in a class by itself. Head to the track, beat on it. Out on the street, beat on it. Sit in your garage looking at it beautiful lines while beating it....
Cannot wait for my 08.


As for the Z06. The car has alot of short comings that current owners will not talk about until they sell it. This small thread on the CORVETTE FORUM sums it up.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1743731
My car 06 Z06 went tthe same route and I sold it back to GM.


My Ford GT.. Well lets just say it will never go up for sale..

 

[dans69ss]

I've been fortunate to have own many nice musclecars, old and new. Just sold both my '70 Cudas to buy a Viper and new Shelby GT500. Whiles I am no expert on Vipers, to date, the 2001 RT/10 I just purchased from this website IS by FAR the most exciting car I have driven and owned! Looks great, drives great. For the $ and all things considered, I like the Viper.

 

[Compensating]

screw you viper guys...

look what I just bought.... GTS What?????

You must be registered for see images

Wait... here's a good deal on a Zo6.... I bet its in Florida too!!!

You must be registered for see images

 

[agentf1]

screw you viper guys...

look what I just bought.... GTS What?????

You must be registered for see images

Wait... here's a good deal on a Zo6.... I bet its in Florida too!!!

You must be registered for see images

All I see is a red X. So what did you buy?

 

[PatentLaw]

He got that smokin deal on the Vette.

 

[Casey]

I would rather be passed by a $70k vette at the track, than be driving along giving the "vette wave "to the MILLION of them on the road! j/k

I just couldn't pass that up!

Viper has exclusivity in that it's a RARE Muscle Car, unmatched looks, Top Notch performance, and the ability to mod it unlike any other streetable car!
Do I need to mention the V-10?!

But back on topic, most have answered the question at hand. But the answer is YES, Vipers are being bought up. Gen IIIs are the super deals right now. But it would seem they have bounced off their lows temporarily, $48-$52K was pretty normal a short time ago. Not sure if they are going for that anymore, but they may be soon enough.
Gen IIs, they aren't being seen as much any more. At least not the low mile ones. Otherwise, you cannot find a better deal on a car than a 20k mile, gen II for $42k or so.

I would think that the coming year, with the '08 coming out, we may see all time lows on the Gen III, at least over the fall/winter months. That would be the time to BUY, and I bet many are waiting for that.

If you can get a decent trade out of your Viper, and save on the Sales Tax, you might be much better off than spending alot of time and effort selling it yourself to gain a couple grand. JMO

So I would either, put it up now at a fair price. Or drive the crap out of it and trade it in wiht the 600hp monster comes out!

 

[lagalaxy13]

Back on topic, I don't think GEN 1'S are selling very well. I've been looking all over online for the past 4 months, and the same cars are still for sale. Some get added but none are going away.

 

[Zan186]

For the most part cars depreciate till about 10 years after they were bought. Then they start to go up in value. Just remember their are only about 11,000 generation II Vipers on the road. Maybe less with the numbers that were wrecked. The car will with 100% certainty be a collector's type car due to its rarity and styling. Look at the Boss 302 Mustang and then look at a Gen II Viper. I would definately hold on to a Gen II unless I had to sell.

 

[MTGTS]

I've been trying to buy a Gen 2 for a couple months. I've had a couple owners that have posted classifieds on this website give me all the details blah, blah, blah and then tell me they don't have enough time to sell me the car.

 

[djacob372]

IMO you should just upgrade your gen 2 to your hp/handling standards. Sure you won't get your $$ back, but it will still be cheaper than selling and buying a gen 3.

The idea that you'll get your $$ back on a gen 3 because you're keeping it stock isn't considering the MUCH higher resale value of the gen 2, in 5 or 6 years both cars will be worth the same.

 

[Boxer12]

I've been trying to buy a Gen 2 for a couple months. I've had a couple owners that have posted classifieds on this website give me all the details blah, blah, blah and then tell me they don't have enough time to sell me the car.

For the record...not ME.

 

[MTGTS]

For the record...not ME.

No, it's the B/W owners

 

[ViperDude]

It's definitely because of the pricing. In my mind, yes the Vipers are classic and rare, and even the older ones with lower miles should be worth ballpark $50K.

However, in the minds of people who are going to be spending ballpark $50K, when they figure out they could practically a brand new one 2003-2005 for somewhere in the high $50K's to low $60K's, they're likely going to buy the newer car.

Even if the difference was $15K in price, when you're already talking that much money, for a car that's a luxury toy, and you're likely financing it, the difference in the payment is peanuts.

The only way the earlier cars will start moving is if there is a huge disparity in the price, then it would be enough for someone thinking about a Viper to say to themselves 'hey, for this much less I might as well check out the older model and see if I like Vipers before I spend double on a newer one'.

If you look at any similar high performance sports car, you'll see that the difference in price, even for low mileage cars, doesn't make sense with the Vipers.

For example, you can buy a 1999 Ferrari 360 coupe with about 5-10K miles for about $110K. Move up 5 years to like a 2004 (last year of the 360 technically) and you're talking $160,000 for the same car, a difference of $50,000 which is a big chunk of change.

Look at a 1999 Viper vs. a 2004 Viper the 1999 is going for $45-$50K and the 2004 is going for $58K - a difference of $8,000 - so who is REALLY going to buy the 5 year older car only to save $8,000 ???

[numbers taken from www.dodgevipersforsale.com as well as www.dupontregistry.com]

And when you start getting into 2004's and beyond some of these cars all have warranty on them, and the warranty can still be extended as long as it's still within the original period, so just having warranty, especially the option to extend, now who is going to want to buy the earlier car?

I mean if you're just dead set on the look of those earlier Vipers then go for it, but the average guy looking to get into a Viper only has to do a little research to realize the best deal is getting the latest model Viper possible.

I don't the think the new cars will effect the Gen III pricing much at first. It would likely take a year. The 2008's will be slow to come, and from the exterior they look very similar. I talked to the dealer (who still doesn't know pricing) but said tht they expected the 2008's to sticker at $100K - if that's the case even $70K for a 2006 is still a heck of a deal! (Especially if it's in a color they're not making in 2008)

I think what the 2008's will really effect is the Gen I and Gen II cars. Since as the pre-2008 Gen III cars rack up some miles and get older in years, the price will go down, and then where will the price of the earlier cars go? They'll have to go down. I couldn't see a situation where 2003-2006's are selling below the Gen II cars? But who knows, maybe that will happen...