Question on price of GTS

[cobramadness]

For the past two years or so I have been checking out the prices on Vipers on Autotrader.com and such. I have always been able to find my dream car, the 96 b/w GTS for ~$40k.

I have noticed a recent increase in the price of Vipers, the same car is now going for $50-55k.

Great, right when I am in the position that I am able to buy my snake. Anyways, I want to know if this is a temporary thing. What has caused the recent value increase in the Viper? Is it just that it is Spring, will the price drop again during the winter?

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[syclone1157]

The 96' b/w is also my dream car and just like you I too noticed the increase in price. In the past three years I always noticed a small premium in order to buy one in the spring versus the winter. It was not until last year that the premium not only stayed but grew. I am not sure what caused it but it sure seemed like the price increase coincided with the introduction of the new coupe which is also in B/W. I am happy to say that just 12 hours ago I purchased my dream car, Unfortunately I paid about 5k more than I would have had I bought it one year ago. In my opinion the increase is not only here to stay but will continue to rise. Believe me even at 55k it is worth every penny!

 

[PDCjonny]

Every passing day there are less and less Gen 1's and 2's in existance. Everyone pretty much acknowledges they are destined to be collectable as they are truly classic cars and were made in such limited numbers. Probably only half left of the original production of any given year, so many have been wrecked. IMO prices have to become steady and slowly rise.

 

[zen garage]

A wise man once told me, the best time to plant a tree was last year. The second best time is today.
Dont wait any longer to buy your dream. Find a way to buy it today, because it will be much higer priced tomorrow. I belive the GTS has stopped depreciating and will only become more valuable in the future.

That stupid tree analogy that my father told me when I was a kid is true to most aspects of life. I made an offer on a small property 2 years ago 50k below what the seller wanted. Yesterday he informed me he now has a contract for 200k more than he originally was asking for the property two years ago.

 

[Magicboy2]

Simple economics. The '02 and before Vipers are extremely popular "modern classics", and the demand for them is still quite strong. However, supply for them is only going to go one way- down.

Strong demand + constricting supply = Higher Prices.

 

[BlueGTS]

I have also noticed the rise in price of the B/W lately. I personally believe that they will hold there value better than any other large volume Viper color. As I see it the reason is supply and demand, as I believe more than 2k people want them and that was all that were made. They are not rare at all, but I believe the supply is less than the demand.

With that said, I think the prices will go down as winter draws near. Beyond that, I think they will continue to drop in price as all larger volume Viper colors will. The car is not an investment and I would not be surprised if you bought a B/W today for 53k and sold it in 2 years for 43k.

 

[Toby]

My 2 cents....

96-99 GTS demand is up for many reasons so prices will naturally follow the trend. I sold my 96 B/W GTS almost 2 years ago for less than what I could sell it for today.

Sure there are deals out there but to find a clean "no stories" example is next to impossible.

Expect to pay 50K+ (worth every penny) for a low miles clean 96-99 GTS.

Find a higher miles example(above 20K)and you can get one in the mid 40's if it's clean.

00-02 prices are still coming down but not by much.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

We are seeing this as Dealers also. The price went down for quite awhile, but in the last 6 months all Gen IIs are on the rise ( sorry Toby , but 2000-2002s are up quite a bit too). This seems , from our perspective, to be due to supply issues as much as demand, in the sense that there are getting to be fewer and fewer quality cars. The guides are so far off to be totally useless, but then a few only use Auction prices to access the value of Vipers. I would tell you not to wait, as prices have definitely leveled off months back and there is a small rise occurring as we speak.

 

[Toby]

Mr. P,

Good to hear those years are doing well.

It does seem though 00-02 prices are down overall from this time last year where 96-99 are steady to increasing. I sold my 01 ACR with 1K miles last fall for 63K. Are you getting those kind of prices today?

 

[Viper Fever]

My 2 cents worth---
The GTS viper is one of the best deals hp and looks
on the market. Classic car prices are at a all time high
and yet you can buy a gts that was close to 80,000 dollars
for 45 to 65 thousand dollars.The blue and white Gts is the
viper icon ,and only a little over two thousand were made.
I've seen this before in the shelby market that these cars are quietly being bought up with out to much fan fare until one day 55,000 was a steal of a deal.
Throw logic out the window because there are
few cars that make you weak in your knees as you stare in awe at these beautiful blue and white GTS. As the premium
Vipers are being bought up the others will start to be
restored and restoring vipers is not going to be cheap.
Its not if but when and you are seeing the first part of the process.

 

[96GTS232]

I ENTERED MY 96'GTS IN A LOCAL SHOW WITH AROUND 300 MINT CONDITION CLASSIC MUSCLE CARS. THE RESULT. I HAD MORE PEOPLE FROM 5-80 YRS OLD IN AWE OF MY CAR THAN ANY OTHER CAR IN ATTENDANCE. THE DESIGN OF THE GTS IS TIMELESS. I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE,THERE AREN'T MANY EARLY GTS'S THAT WEREN'T WRECKED,RACED,HEAVILY MODIFIED OR JUST PLAIN ABUSED. I KNOW, IT TOOK ME A YEAR TO FIND THE ONE I HAVE. CHECK THE CLASSIFIEDS ON 96'S, THE TREND IS STARTING ALREADY.

 

[Dakota Viper Collector]

I like to hear that GTSs are going up in value! I have a fleet of them and hope it turns into a good investment rather than just a fun one.

 

[cobramadness]

I understand the whole supply and demand issue. My main concern is if I should wait until this winter to purchase one, or try my best to get one now. I am not familiar with the price difference between spring/winter with the Viper. And I do not know if this current value is expected to stick, and only increase more next year.

I am in the position that I can purchase a $55k car if that's what I want to devote everything into. Which in my case, being the car enthusiast that I am, that's probably the route I will go. Unfortunately being 20 years old, I won't be able to pay it off. I will more than likely finance it 2-5 years. Insurance is a real kicker due to my record, play you pay right?

I've owned 4 Mustangs, 2 GT's, a Cobra, and a Saleen. And 3 bikes. I feel it's time to buy a "keeper", as I did with my current bike.

Here is one that I am currently looking at. I have never seen one this clean. I mean, look at the undercarriage and the suspension.

http://www.ntcsites.com/mopar/1997dodgevipergtsforsale/

Comments guys?

 

[TAXIMAN1]

My 2 cents....

96-99 GTS demand is up for many reasons so prices will naturally follow the trend. I sold my 96 B/W GTS almost 2 years ago for less than what I could sell it for today.

Sure there are deals out there but to find a clean "no stories" example is next to impossible.

Expect to pay 50K+ (worth every penny) for a low miles clean 96-99 GTS.

Find a higher miles example(above 20K)and you can get one in the mid 40's if it's clean.

00-02 prices are still coming down but not by much.

Is it me? Or does this guy ALWAYS change his opinion on Viper values, depending on weather or not he has a viper at the time? And, what year it may be?

Anyway, I have seen the same thing..Bill is right. The 00-02 cars are going up at the same rate than the earlier ones. Also, there will always be a premium for the more desirable color combinations, etc.(i.e 02'FE cars and 96/97 B/W)

 

[cobramadness]

Another question, what year(s) was the black GTS with silver stripes?
Red w/ white?
Red w/ silver?

 

[Inferno]

Another question, what year(s) was the black GTS with silver stripes?
Red w/ white?
Red w/ silver?

The only one I know for sure is the red with white stripes. There are only 360 and they are the final gts's that were made. I know because I just bought one

 

[cobramadness]

Another question, what year(s) was the black GTS with silver stripes?
Red w/ white?
Red w/ silver?

The only one I know for sure is the red with white stripes. There are only 360 and they are the final gts's that were made. I know because I just bought one

So I'm guessing 02 right?

 

[luc]

Black/silver stripes = 1999 and 2000

Luc. 00GTS Black/Stripes

 

[Inferno]

Another question, what year(s) was the black GTS with silver stripes?
Red w/ white?
Red w/ silver?

The only one I know for sure is the red with white stripes. There are only 360 and they are the final gts's that were made. I know because I just bought one

So I'm guessing 02 right?

02 is correct, I don't normally like red cars, but the red with white stripes is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Kurt 97 GTS]

I believe that you will pay more for a similar car during the spring/summer months than you will during the winter. However, depending upon where you live, driving during the winter may not be a possibility. Here in Texas, it's 12 months of driving!!!

 

[PDCjonny]

Well it seems people are asking more for their cars, but I'm not so sure they are getting what their hoping for. I know of one blue/white (16K miles) locally that has been for sale for months, the guy is down to 49K with no takers. Also, AB's friend who has the blue/white is seeking 52K and it's still for sale. I don't think being a blue/white is getting that much more over any other color it all comes down to condition and miles. (and mods).

 

[cobramadness]

Well it seems people are asking more for their cars, but I'm not so sure they are getting what their hoping for. I know of one blue/white (16K miles) locally that has been for sale for months, the guy is down to 49K with no takers. Also, AB's friend who has the blue/white is seeking 52K and it's still for sale. I don't think being a blue/white is getting that much more over any other color it all comes down to condition and miles. (and mods).

Good advice. What do you think is a good offer for the 97 I posted above?

 

[Toby]

My 2 cents....

96-99 GTS demand is up for many reasons so prices will naturally follow the trend. I sold my 96 B/W GTS almost 2 years ago for less than what I could sell it for today.

Sure there are deals out there but to find a clean "no stories" example is next to impossible.

Expect to pay 50K+ (worth every penny) for a low miles clean 96-99 GTS.

Find a higher miles example(above 20K)and you can get one in the mid 40's if it's clean.

00-02 prices are still coming down but not by much.

Is it me? Or does this guy ALWAYS change his opinion on Viper values, depending on weather or not he has a viper at the time? And, what year it may be?

its you.

Next time I post my "2 cents" I will PM you to make sure its accurate in "your world"

 

[S-JC]

Buy it now. An extra 6 months of driving is well worth it!

Actually, once I started looking, it took me a couple of months to find the "right" one. So your summer may be half over before you get it anyway.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

The entire year range of GTSs and RT-10s (Gen IIs )are creeping up in price. The idea that 2000 - 2002s are dropping has no bearing in reality, as 2001s and 2002s with ABS are super hot!! RT-10s with both tops are also doing well, but the downward slide stopped about 6 months ago and stabilized. Prices have now started a slow increase and if you view any of the guides it still appears the cars are way down. They are ( NADA, Kelley, Edmunds ) , in my estimation, not real accurate at this time.The selling price on the 2001 ACR was very good, so you should be pleased. The idea of waiting for Winter probably is not neccessarily valid with the Viper ,as the market has not changed over the Winter months in the past. Our best month for 4 years was January, followed this year with a change to February. If you are looking for a clean Gen II I would begin your search now, as though there seem to be quite a few, they are becoming harder to find the primo examples.