Opinions requested

[Fiorano]

I have been looking for a viper for a while, but the price of the 2002s have been out of my reach. I have always been skeptical about buying a used performance car and I have no idea how an owner may have treated it. I came close to buying a Z06, great car, but vettes are all too common. The viper is a classic and the new one isn't anything special to me in the 'looks' department...too generic.

There is one somewhat close to me selling for $46.5K. The price may be right in my range. However, I don't really know what to look for to judge whether I getting a 'bad' viper. It is a 97 GTS with 15K miles. Here is the link:
http://www.dealerslot.com/dealerslotdetails.asp?id=8397&R=1&offset=24&di=gasolinealley


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Tom Welch]

Sounds like an OK car at a decent price. By the look of the surrounding cars and the dealer location, I'd say its a vehicle that he has floorplanned that doesn't fit his market segment.

There are a few things to look for when purchasing a used Viper. Check the archives of this site as many threads have discussed them.

The final decision is up to you. 15k miles is not high in my book, but if you are looking for a true collector car, then it has 14k miles too many. The 97GTS has a very strong engine with the best camshaft profile of any year Viper.

My suggestion, offer him $ 39k even though it could be a very good buy at 45K in good condition. You can always pay the asking price.

Tom

 

[Biff Brown]

I also live in Alexandria/Fairfax, give me a call at 703-960-6682...I'd be happy to help you.....Biff

 

[Vreracing]

As long as the car has not been modified significantly or in an accident it should hold up pretty well. Since the manufactures have to warranty these vehicles they are usually designed at least for the first three years to hold up under the stress of hard driving.

My Viper has 23K miles on it and though I have pushed it, this is only when the clutch was fully engaged and the engine is warmed up.

If you ride with a lot of enthusiast drivers you get a feeling for which one of them is smooth and which one is not.

The smoother drivers put very little stress on a car, and even if the car has been driven hard by them the wear is not excessive.

Other drivers, I know most of you have riden with them, just are so clumsy and awkward, they put inordinate amounts of stress on the vehicle.

I agree that if you're looking for a car in excellent condition that you're going to eventually resell lower mileage is going to be an advantage.

Much of the aging of a car also occurs just in time. Cars are made of physical materials which will wear out with time and exposure to the elements.

 

[Jason-Middle Tennessee]

This looks like the same car thats in the new Dupont Registry for ONLY $42,500!!!!

You must be registered for see images

GTS For Only $42,500 Here Better do some more research!! My two cents

Dupont's GTS Listings Here

 

[chickenwarrior]

That 97 price is not much off for what I want for my 2000 RT/10. $49,000 BUT it is a Salvage Title.....too scary for most I know. Here are some pics of it wrecked and fixed. No I am not a dealer, I just have the pictures of the Viper on the website of where I worked on it...

CW

 

[NJVIPER]

Fiorano..look no further than your own Viper forum backyard!!!

Seriously, take a look at our VCA classified.
I just looked and there is an individual (from the Virgina area) whose price "seems" a little bit higher than what you are looking at. That is until you read further to see his sale includes an extended warranty. In the long run, these warranties are invaluable because they help ease the sting of costly repairs.

I just acquired my Viper almost 1-1/2 months ago, so my personal experiences:

- Run a CARFAX to make sure the car is not a mess ($20.00)

- Go to the Better Business Bureau website www.bbb.com and run a check on this dealership. Also try to find out from other people, who have bought cars from this dealership, how reputable they are. Especially when it comes to resolving problems.

- Have the car taken to an reputable and authorized Dodge dealership and have an "experienced" Viper technician do a total evaluation of the vehicle. Ran me about $130.00.

- I bought it from a private individual and drafted a "very" detailed bill of sale. One of the conditions of sale was that the seller would pay for the evaluation by a reputable and authorized Dodge dealership. If everything checked out with the Viper (aka as originally represented by the seller) then the buyer would immediately reiumburse the seller for the evaluation. Otherwise, you walk away free and clear. This may seem petty, but these evaluations can add up very quickly.

- If another Viper member could take a look at the car with you and/or for you all the better also.

- READ the contract of sale TWICE!!! If for any reason, something on the contract looks out of place, ask them to explain in more detail and write it that way on the contract. If it still seems unclear, tell the dealership you would like to have an attorney review the contract prior to your signing. Any agreements made before the contract is signed need to be clearly spelled out (i.e. - what will be done by who, when, etc.) and then initialed and dated by "both" you and the dealership. If they hit you with a common line like "Don't you trust me/us, we are an established dealership with a long standing reputation". Respond with "It is not a question of trust, but good business practice!".

If they resist...don't walk away, but run like you stole something!!!!

Hope this helps....pay forward folks!!!

Good Luck!
Tim (NJVIPER)

"Fool me once...shame on you.....Fool me twice...shame on me!!!!"
(Scotty of Star Trek)