New Member....Thought I Would Introduce Myself

[Gene]

Welcome. Good luck with the search and hope all goes well.

Thanks.

I bought my '98 Silver GTS a year this December, don't let the weather hold you back from buying. The winter is a good time to buy because it is off season and we'll have less people trying to buy the same Viper. Also, ABS would be nice to have, but look for a nice Viper more so than just the brakes. I have driven my non-ABS in heavy rain many times with no problems, you just have to take it easy. Viper are also easy to work on, in fact easier than most cars. I don't concern myself with car warranties, it's easy money for dealers and rarely needed.

Here is a nice Viper for sale at a dealer in Berlin, NJ, about 40 minutes outside of Philly. I pass it going to work every day. A little pricey.

'99 Silver w/blue ACR for sale in S. Jersey $59K

Thanks for the link, that car is gorgeous. May have to go check it out.

I am only concerned about the warranty incase a major item needs to be replaced....the cost to buy the part(s) is what scares me, not installing it.

So you are not too far from me then if you pass that Viper every day. Maybe in the future when I get my Viper we can set up a get together.....I have set up numerous car meets in the past 2 years or so. I always get over 30 cars to show up.

Thanks again for the link.

 

[Gene]

. Btw, any local Viper owners? I'm in Kennett Square, PA right off of Route 1....about 5 minutes from Longwood Gardens. Any get togethers or anything like that go on in this area. -Gene

Welcome Gene!

Sure there are locals and active too. I live in Lancaster which is just a stonethrow away from your city.
We have about 5-8 Vipers active in Lancaster-Harrisburg area, you'll never get a dull momement with us....

Lauri

I was just in Lancaster on Saturday after I went and test drove the Viper, girlfriend wanted to go to the outlets.

I am pretty sure I met you awhile back....atleast a good year ago. I went to a dyno day at Xotic on Route 41. I talked to a guy with a red RT/10 Viper....said the stripes were just recently added, they are vinyl if I remember correctly. I also remember him having an accent. That was you, correct?

Thanks for the welcome. Hopefully I can join you guys sometime in the near future.

 

[Gene]

Also, some ACR have no A/C, including the '99 above. I recommend the A/C option.

Yup, something I look for in every ACR I check out. I want one with A/C for sure, especially after hearing how hot the interiors get. I've also heard that going with a catless exhaust will help with the heat problem, any truth to that?

Also, can A/C be added to a ACR if it doesn't have it. How much would that cost?

Thanks.

 

[Gene]

Welcome. I second that the best deals are found now before winter and prices go up in the spring.

I don't have ABS and have had to make an emergency stop. An old lady turned left without looking right in front of me. I was doing 35-40 and still did not hit her. I was left shaky but impressed by the braking abillity.

I avoid rain as it is a car most enjoyed in perfect weather. Good luck.

Thanks for the welcome. Glad you were able to stop in time.

Seems for every person who says go with ABS, there is another person right behind saying it really isn't an issue, lol. Am I being to paranoid about this issue? If I did't care about the ABS thing, then I obviously would have a wider range of choices when looking for a GTS. My only 100%, have to have no questions about it requirements are.....that it has to be a GTS, and it has to have the black interior. I'm still open about the ABS thing and I don't have an exterior color that I absolutely need. Although my favorite is the steel gray with stripes.

 

[venms96]

Hey Gene,

Lauri is in bed, he's gettin old. Just to answer your question, YES, that was his Red/White car at the DYNO, off of Rt. 41 that day. He has the only car like that around. Great custom touches, and fast too. Don't hold the accent against him.....like I do !

Go to bed dude.

1996 GTS - Stock

 

[venms96]

AND - get rid of that Cobra and step up to the big leagues !! 450hp, handles like a go-cart and NO ABS !!

1996 GTS - Stock

 

[Gene]

Welcome Gene, can always use another Pennsylvania Viper owner. Like RedEnuf said, we have a great bunch of Viper owners 1-1.5 hrs. from you. Might seem a little far, until you hang out with a bunch of Vipers at one time, then you'll see it was worth the drive. We could always meet you halfway too. You're only thinking of it now, make it happen.

As far as ABS and what you're thinking, enough has been said really. Some great posts about this topic. But you are limiting yourself to two years of Vipers, 01-02 you said. There are a lot of great Gen II GTS and RT cars out there you are forgetting about by narrowing your search for 01-02. Unless you are going to be driving like a madman on Rt.1 or back roads in PA. (which are great roads to drive on), I personally don't think you need ABS. The non ABS cars have brakes that are more than adequate, even at high speeds. Moreover, if ACELLR8 doesn't need ABS, you definitely won't.

Get off the fence. If you want/need any advice about a particular car, feel free to email me or anyone here. I wouldn't get too hung up on ABS, I'd be worrying more about the actual car you are buying, history, $$$, condition, style, and........color. Which, by the way, they are all cool colors.

1996 GTS - Stock ( shut down for winter )

Trust me, if you knew me you would know that a 1-1.5 hour drive is NOTHING. I drive like there is no tomorrow, lol. I've driven 2 hours before to hang out for less than that. I can be in Lancaster in one hour, nothing at all to me. My girlfriend is amazed at how much I really like to drive.

I read your post about the ABS thing after I posted about it again. You mentioned that I shouldn't get too hung up on it. I wish I wouldn't, like I said in the other post, it would open up alot more options for me if I just didn't have a preference about ABS. For example, I love the 99 silver with blue stripes.

And btw, I've been known to drive like a mad man on Route 1 and the back roads of PA, lol. I just moved out here a few months ago, I used to live about 35 minutes north on Route 1, where there is so much congestion. The roads out here are incredible.

I may be hitting up your e-mail. Wouldn't mind getting to know some Viper owners.

Thanks for your post and insight.

 

[Gene]

Hey Gene,

Lauri is in bed, he's gettin old. Just to answer your question, YES, that was his Red/White car at the DYNO, off of Rt. 41 that day. He has the only car like that around. Great custom touches, and fast too. Don't hold the accent against him.....like I do !

Go to bed dude.


AND - get rid of that Cobra and step up to the big leagues !! 450hp, handles like a go-cart and NO ABS !!

1996 GTS - Stock

Haha, I knew it was him.

I already have over 450 rwhp. Don't have the go cart handling though, or the looks.

And its too early for bed.

 

[Gene]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome, I appreciate it.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

I would not worry about the ABS either. It's nice if it's on the car you find that you like. But ultimately you should make your choice based on THE DEAL. Many of these cars have the optional 100k 7 year warranty, AND it is transferable. I would be a lot more concerned about that and PRICE, AND the color I wanted. And really, after being on this site for over 5 years I don't think I have EVER read a post where the middle floor pedal got a driver in trouble. The right pedal for sure, cold weather, cold tires, getting on it if you are coming around a corner, the right pedal will put you off the road. The left pedal, the clutch, lot's of missed shifts are possible in this car, if you don't get the left pedal back down on the floor you are going of the road backwards again. The middle pedal, the brakes, the only worry about ABS is if you are going to track the car, and I don't mean the drag strip. ABS does have an advantage on a road course according to some. Otherwise you should not be concerned. And check out both Woodhouse and Roanoke, they both advertise here. Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse, John Gastman at Roanoke. They have a nice selection of used cars also. Do a search for their names, you will be impressed.

 

[Gene]

I would not worry about the ABS either. It's nice if it's on the car you find that you like. But ultimately you should make your choice based on THE DEAL. Many of these cars have the optional 100k 7 year warranty, AND it is transferable. I would be a lot more concerned about that and PRICE, AND the color I wanted. And really, after being on this site for over 5 years I don't think I have EVER read a post where the middle floor pedal got a driver in trouble. The right pedal for sure, cold weather, cold tires, getting on it if you are coming around a corner, the right pedal will put you off the road. The left pedal, the clutch, lot's of missed shifts are possible in this car, if you don't get the left pedal back down on the floor you are going of the road backwards again. The middle pedal, the brakes, the only worry about ABS is if you are going to track the car, and I don't mean the drag strip. ABS does have an advantage on a road course according to some. Otherwise you should not be concerned. And check out both Woodhouse and Roanoke, they both advertise here. Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse, John Gastman at Roanoke. They have a nice selection of used cars also. Do a search for their names, you will be impressed.

Question about the warranty, how many times is it transferrable? I thought I read that it can only be transferred one time.

Interesting way of looking at the ABS thing....the gas pedal causes more trouble than the brakes. I always hear Vipers are very easy to lose control of if you are not careful. I have no intentions of tracking the car. You guys are convincing me more and more not to worry about the ABS issue.

I have heard of both Woodhouse an Roanoke. I will definitely check them out....I have read nothing but good things about Bill Pemberton.

Thanks alot for your post. I appreciate the insight into the ABS issue.

 

[venms96]

Well said Leo.

Now, all Gene has to do is say," OK,OK, I'll find the car I want and not worry about ABS anymore" !!

Do you have a clearer picture now Gene ? I think you got it by now. If you find the car you want, and it has ABS, great. If it doesn't, don't worry about it.

1996 GTS - Stock

 

[Gene]

Btw, if anyone is interested, here is a link to see some pics of my Cobra along with many other nice cars. Notice all of the Viper pics.

Check it out......

http://community.webshots.com/user/vipergts281

 

[Gene]

Well said Leo.

Now, all Gene has to do is say," OK,OK, I'll find the car I want and not worry about ABS anymore" !!

Do you have a clearer picture now Gene ? I think you got it by now. If you find the car you want, and it has ABS, great. If it doesn't, don't worry about it.

1996 GTS - Stock

OK, OK, I'll find the car I want and not worry about ABS anymore.

Yup, I definitely have a clearer picture now.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Dave T (BADVENM)]

I bought my '03 Cobra from Bill P then sold it back a few months later when my dream '01 Viper came in (a lady leased it and put 146 mile on it.) Anyway, down came the Woodhouse trailer with the Viper and away went the Cobra. Wish I had the Cobra and the Viper now...looking to find another '01 GTS Sapphire/silver stripe.

I was in a similar situation...wishing I had a Viper. Finally said what the hell, ya only live once.

Good luck on your Viper...what mods does your Cobra have? I had a dark shadow grey.

Its a buyers market...good prices for all (except the seller).

 

[Gene]

I bought my '03 Cobra from Bill P then sold it back a few months later when my dream '01 Viper came in (a lady leased it and put 146 mile on it.) Anyway, down came the Woodhouse trailer with the Viper and away went the Cobra. Wish I had the Cobra and the Viper now...looking to find another '01 GTS Sapphire/silver stripe.

I was in a similar situation...wishing I had a Viper. Finally said what the hell, ya only live once.

Good luck on your Viper...what mods does your Cobra have? I had a dark shadow grey.

Its a buyers market...good prices for all (except the seller).

I have a 2.8 pulley, catback, intake and tune. Put down 455 rwhp and 470 rwtq....82 degrees out and a bit rich. Was going to port the blower but figured I'm done spending money on the car since I don't plan on having it too much longer. Wouldn't mind keeping it along with the Viper, but I would probably wouldn't drive it much so whats the point.

Always loved the Dark Shadow Grey Cobra's, they look great.