Need Opinion on 97 GTS I am Thinking About - was a rental

[MadMaxx]

Those little things decrease the value alot in my opinion. I would venture to say 36K or so, simply because of the trans work and the fact that the interior has problems. Rentals are used and abused, most of the time VERY hard so they tend to develope engine troubles later. May only have 15K on the clock, but it's probably been run the equivilant of 40K.


Now, if your planning to track, then go for it...

I need a track car, so lemme know if you pass on it

MadMaxx

 

[SteveBCloud9]

Because I rent a Viper myself, I may be a little bias.... Just because it was a rental car, doen't mean that it was abuse 100% of the time. Sure, there are people who do abuse it but more times than not, it's used for weddings and other functions not assocciated with "taking it to the limit" I would venture to guess that some owners on this board abuse their very own cars more than a rental car.
It all comes down to asking the right questions when you purchase it. Oil consumption, what's been replaced, wear, etc. I have almost 30k on mine now (Bought at 9,300 miles) and still have the OEM clutch and trans in her. The Viper is a very durable vehicle.

 

[MadMaxx]

I know that with the cars we rent, these mofos RUN them!

I still am interested in your rental semi-franchise deal, I really need to call you sometime eh?

MadMaxx

 

[slaughterj]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RFC:
4. How easy and how much to have a passenger airbag cut-off switch installed - this is a must.
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As an fyi, these switches are already in all 98+ vipers, so between your need for that and the questionable nature of a rental, you might want to go with a 98+ instead.

 

[King GTS]

2. YES

 

[MichaelP]

RFC you have mail.

I forgot to mention my sister had the air bag turnoff switch added and it cost about $1800. This was on an older Ford about a year ago.

 

[MES]

*Transmission had to be rebuilt because of bad second gear by current owner (about 2K ago). Clutch was replaced at that time but still feels like it engages near the stop (adjustment?)

- Don't think it needs adjustment nor do I think it can be adjusted. Mine starts to release about mid way to the top then fully engages (very quickly) within 1-2" from the top. This was with both a stock clutch and a new clutch.


*Rear speakers don't work.

- They are not the best anyway, might as well upgrade


Four questions:

1. What might this car be worth. How much does being a rental come into effect?
A. IMHO a rental will lower the resale value but your also getting it for less than normal (i.e. no real loss to you) you pay less, you re-sell for less. I would say the value is low-mid 40's $42-45K seems fair.

2. Should I just stay away from this car having been a rental?
A. Well if your looking at the rental then $$ weighs in on your decision. There are plenty of "Garage Queens" sitting around but probably for more $$

3. Can I easily still get a DC extended warranty on the car for a period of a couple of years?
A. No Idea.

4. How easy and how much to have a passenger airbag cut-off switch installed - this is a must.
A. Again no idea but I bet it would not be too hard if you know what you are doing. Find the wire that activates it, snip it, splice to a switch of some kind, then wire the computer so it thinks the bag is still activated, so you don't get the air bag trouble light, DIY maybe $50

 

[MichaelP]

To give you an idea here is a 97 GTS BUT it is red. It has 17K miles says it is perfect inside and out. Asking price is $45,800
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=95647545&dealer_id=776117&certified=n&max_price=50000&start_year=1996&end_year=1998&address=34668&search_type=used&make=DODG E&model=VIPER&min_price=10000&distance=any&advcd_on=n&advanced=n&first_record=1&=&color=&car_year=1997&ac_afflt=none

 

[Henry Cone]

Bob, Dodge did offer a kit to install a passenger side cut off switch for the air bag. It was available for 96+ coupes and 97+ RT/10's that did not come from the factory with the switch. If it is still available I do not believe that it was very expensive..

 

[Kurt 97 GTS]

RFC,

I think I sent you an e-mail asking you to call me. I just bought a red 97 GTS and would be happy to share some information with you!!

P.S. At the price you indicated, I'd avoid this car too!! Let's talk.

 

[Nsane1]

Have to agree with Mr. Clark. As a frequent auto renter (as I'm sure you are too), I have learned to NEVER buy a car that was once a rental, and this is normal cars I'm talking about.

Yeah vipers are a heck more bulletproof than a taurus, but still you've seen extreme wear already in its replacement parts, who knows what else is hosed.

On the other hand, I HOPE 97 blue GTS' don't routinely go for low 40s, so you might be saving enough dollars to offset this. If they do routinely go for low 40s, don't tell me, I don't wanna know.

Yes, if its still under warranty, you can get a dodge warranty for up to 10 years I think I saw on the "warranty group buy" thread. My 97 has an extended til 04 I think, and then you can do another 4 on top of that.

But yeah, definately talk to Kurt, he's gonna know all the scoop, but he's slighted towards red, so take his advice with a grain of salt.

 

[Kurt 97 GTS]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nsane1:
Have to agree with Mr. Clark. As a frequent auto renter (as I'm sure you are too), I have learned to NEVER buy a car that was once a rental, and this is normal cars I'm talking about.

Yeah vipers are a heck more bulletproof than a taurus, but still you've seen extreme wear already in its replacement parts, who knows what else is hosed.

On the other hand, I HOPE 97 blue GTS' don't routinely go for low 40s, so you might be saving enough dollars to offset this. If they do routinely go for low 40s, don't tell me, I don't wanna know.

Yes, if its still under warranty, you can get a dodge warranty for up to 10 years I think I saw on the "warranty group buy" thread. My 97 has an extended til 04 I think, and then you can do another 4 on top of that.

But yeah, definately talk to Kurt, he's gonna know all the scoop, but he's slighted towards red, so take his advice with a grain of salt.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Slighted towards red??!! I'll take that as a compliment!!

Hey Greg, it's just the blue/white 97's that are in the 30's or low 40's!!