New Member: Thinking about an 02 GTS

[98PaceCar]

Hi everybody,

I'm a long time Viper fan, but up until now I hadn't really had an opportunity to buy one. My current stable has an 02 Camaro SS with 475hp, a 98 Indy Pace Corvette, and an 01 Dokota R/T for a daily. I've found a 2002 GTS with 11k miles at a local dealer that I'm considering very strongly. Would have to get rid of the Camaro to do it, but that's no biggie (it's a fun car, but not as fun as a Viper!).

Having never driven a Viper and only knowing a little bit about them, I have some questions. First, I see a LOT of cars for sale at or under the 10k mile mark. Is there a particular reason for this? Is it that there is a big maintenance item due then that forces people to unload the car rather than spend the money or something like that? Is 11k miles considered high or is that a reasonable place for the car to be? My cars are all driven; my truck is over 83k and my vette is somewhere just shy of 75k. How will the Viper handle being somewhere between a weekend car and a daily? Maybe driving 30 or 40 miles a day, 2 or 3 days a week. I'm not terribly concerned about cabin heat, ride quality, or anything like that. More interested in how the car itself will handle it, mechanically.

Most importantly though, is there anything specific I should check on a GTS before I make the deal? I've checked out all of the 'normal' items one would check when buying a used car, but this is far from a normal car. I believe the car I'm looking at has a Corsa exhaust and I *think* a shortened shifter, but I'm not positive on either. It could have more mods than that, but I honestly wouldn't recognize them at this point.

I appreciate any advice you guys can offer. Hopefully I'll be joining your ranks for real soon!

Thanks!
98PaceCar

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I bought my 96' Viper with 51k on it in April, 2005. I now have 69,500 on it. No major problems to report. Parts are expensive (aka Viper tax), but these cars are really simple to work on. You could probably do most jobs yourself assuming you have a basic understanding of cars. The reason you see a lot of low mileage cars is a lot of guys try to save them as an investment (bad idea IMO), and then either give up on it as investment and sell (for investment purposes, plan to keep it at least 20-30 years) or some people need some quick $$ and sell the Viper long before they planned.

 

[98PaceCar]

I bought my 96' Viper with 51k on it in April, 2005. I now have 69,500 on it. No major problems to report. Parts are expensive (aka Viper tax), but these cars are really simple to work on. You could probably do most jobs yourself assuming you have a basic understanding of cars. The reason you see a lot of low mileage cars is a lot of guys try to save them as an investment (bad idea IMO), and then either give up on it as investment and sell (for investment purposes, plan to keep it at least 20-30 years) or some people need some quick $$ and sell the Viper long before they planned.

That makes sense. I guess it's more likely that people that want a 'status' car would buy a limited car, like a Viper. The one I'm looking at was previously leased to a dentist, so I'm sure that's why he had it.

I've heard reference to the costs of parts on several sites now, but how high are common maint items. I know that an oil change can easily be over $100 to have it done and probably close to $60 if you do it yourself (11 quarts of Mobil 1, correct?). Tires I've gotten a handle on and they don't scare me too much. Higher than I'm used to, but not that much. Is there anything in particular that might be a usual wear item on a Viper that wouldn't be expected on a more normal car?

I won't be taking it to the track every weekend (maybe once or twice a year)and I don't really play ******* the street anymore, but I'm not going to putt putt around and baby the car all the time either. I want a good fast car that I can enjoy driving around. Something with the grunt of my Camaro, but without all the large cam small block drivability issues. Well, that and something that you don't pass 30 times a day!

 

[OKViper]

Mileage is usually low since these are weekend cars for a lot of us. My 99 has under 12K miles, but I drive it any chance I get.
These cars are great, but be prepared to turn into a Rockstar when you drive it - something that you have never experienced in your camaro or vette...

Good luck.

 

[BJ MOTORS]

98 PaceCar the reality is that most people purchase their cars for weekend drives. I have 16 Vipers in stock and I think two have over 10K miles. I usually get a feel that most folks love thier cars but are like most and are to busy and don't have the time or some have children and that alone can be very time consuming. Good Luck with your purchase and If can help answer any questions feel free to call me or visit my web site. Congrats you will enjoy the car.

 

[agentf1]

Since I am a prospective buyer I will answer your question about the mileage. For some reason most buyers, me included want a car with under 10,000 miles. For some reason after they get above 10k they are less desirable and no longer demand top dollar and become very hard to get rid of. For this reson I am looking for one with between 4 and 6k on it and plan on driving 1 or 2k a year and keeping it under 10k. I am hoping people's perceptions change and this number starts to go up as time goes on. I would think it would have to. If not, I will just have to make a decision to say screw resale value and continue to drive and rack up miles or make it a garage ornament which does not sound like fun. I am keping my Z06 as a driver so it should be pretty easy for me to keep the miles pretty low.

There is no maintenance due at 10k or no reason they can't go over 100k.

 

[98PaceCar]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'm glad to know that there is nothing major I need to worry about. I had asked the dealership to get the maintenance records on the car I'm looking at as well as information on extended warranties. If everything comes back ok, I may be driving a new toy by the end of the week!

 

[DodgeViper01]

That makes sense. I guess it's more likely that people that want a 'status' car would buy a limited car, like a Viper. The one I'm looking at was previously leased to a dentist, so I'm sure that's why he had it.

I've heard reference to the costs of parts on several sites now, but how high are common maint items. I know that an oil change can easily be over $100 to have it done and probably close to $60 if you do it yourself (11 quarts of Mobil 1, correct?). Tires I've gotten a handle on and they don't scare me too much. Higher than I'm used to, but not that much. Is there anything in particular that might be a usual wear item on a Viper that wouldn't be expected on a more normal car?

I won't be taking it to the track every weekend (maybe once or twice a year)and I don't really play ******* the street anymore, but I'm not going to putt putt around and baby the car all the time either. I want a good fast car that I can enjoy driving around. Something with the grunt of my Camaro, but without all the large cam small block drivability issues. Well, that and something that you don't pass 30 times a day!

Where are you from?

 

[98PaceCar]

North Texas, just outside of Dallas.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Nice. At least you can drive the car more than us in the East. What color were you thinking about?

 

[98PaceCar]

Yea, I hate the traffic around here, but it is nice to be able to drive it pretty much all year round. Maybe a few days of bad weather here and there, but enough good days to not have to store it.

Pretty much open on color. The one I'm actively pursuing now is graphite, but I'm open to anything other than red and black. I love the blue with white and the white with blue even more. Maybe yellow, but I'm kind of torn on that.

I do specifically want a GTS though. I like the RT/10, but the GTS just has something that grabs me. Not real sure about the newer body style. I honestly haven't been able to see one up close so I'm not considering them right now.

 

[JonB]

..... current stable has an 02 Camaro SS with 475hp, a 98 Indy Pace Corvette, and an 01 Dokota R/T for a daily. I've found a 2002 GTS with 11k miles at a local dealer that I'm considering very strongly. Would have to get rid of the Camaro to do it............ How will the Viper handle being somewhere between a weekend car and a daily? Maybe driving 30 or 40 miles a day, 2 or 3 days a week. I'm not terribly concerned about cabin heat, ride quality, or anything like that. More interested in how the car itself will handle it, mechanically.

Most importantly though, is there anything specific I should check on a GTS before I make the deal? I've checked out all of the 'normal' items one would check when buying a used car.. but this is far from a normal car....

98PaceCar

Right off, you sound like a "WORTHY" Viper owner, esp your 'not terribly concerned' comments above! Good luck.

The Viper Buyer Guide is worth the $25....we can send you one. Bernie above is a good source of truthful info on used Vipers.... I have none to sell, but invite your call as well: Im a PACE CAR ******, with a Dakota RT mule (Pace Truck!)and Vette pace cars in my past!

 

[DodgeViper01]

Yea, I hate the traffic around here, but it is nice to be able to drive it pretty much all year round. Maybe a few days of bad weather here and there, but enough good days to not have to store it.

Pretty much open on color. The one I'm actively pursuing now is graphite, but I'm open to anything other than red and black. I love the blue with white and the white with blue even more. Maybe yellow, but I'm kind of torn on that.

I do specifically want a GTS though. I like the RT/10, but the GTS just has something that grabs me. Not real sure about the newer body style. I honestly haven't been able to see one up close so I'm not considering them right now.

For 2002 there were only three colors: Graphite, Red, or Yellow.

In 2001 you have Sapphire Blue, Red, or Yellow.

I stated those two only as they are the only years with ABS on the GEN IIs.

 

[01 RT SNAKE]

I bought my 01 RT/10 in August '06 with 13,900 miles and it surely did not scare me. That's only 2100 miles a year. I replaced every fluid, the spark plug wires and spark plugs and it's pretty much been trouble free. I've already put 2200 miles on the car in 6 months and it's a weekend driver.

The only thing that does scare me is if something "major" goes wrong because I know it's going to cost big bucks.

Oh and the comment about being a "rock star" is soooo true. I have people taking videos and pictures of my car everywhere I go. Every stop light someone wants to race or give you a thumbs up. In 7 years of owning my 2000 SS Camaro I had only a handful of compliments.

Mike
2001 Yellow RT/10