Having ACTUALLY rebuilt a Viper (and loving every minute of it) it would help to have a lot more information going into it to help decide if it's worth from a pure financial perspective. Also, everyone has different levels of tolerance as to how perfect the repair has to be which will directly impact what your total cost is going to be. If you are a perfectionist - I would say that generally speaking, you can find an un-wrecked Viper for a cost close to what it is going to cost you as what it takes to repair to perfect. The rear trunk tub for example might be repairable - and when repaired, based on the pics, might not even be visible when covered by the trunk carpet. It also can be replaced and while there are a lot of nuts and bolts holding it in place - it's not rocket science.
As far as this Viper goes, that price did look very attractive. It's amazing how much they can doll up a wreck to hide some of major issues. I thought I read somewhere that they had to replace the rear knuckle, so one would have to assume that corner took a pretty good hit. Madninja - $25k for a frame repair - you're kidding right
. Based on the design of the Viper frame -, if you get into a wreck involving the front, front underside, or rear, there is going to be some "frame" damage - and for the most part, this frame damage will not affect the main frame area between the wheels. For example the rear frame horns that the bumper attaches to are incredibly weak. Between the wheels the Viper frame has a ton of reinforcements, but for and aft, not so much. With the rear bumper removed, you could literally bend the horns with some strong elbow grease and the front lower frame horns do little for frame stiffness but rather only provide support the radiator. Fatboy - agreed this is a 190mph car, but have you taken a really close look at some of the frame welds on the Viper? My frame did have some work to it, and it runs straight and true - and yes I have had it up to 170 (on a closed, private track of course
).
My rebuild was a bit unique in that I wanted to go the Street Serpent route with a custom color. I once started to add up the receipts to see how I did financially and stopped about half way through as it was not looking good - but the experience rebuilding it with my son was priceless.
Good luck with your decision.
ROCKET
