Test driving my first Viper on monday. Looking for a few tips

[widebody2]

I have narrowed things down to an 03+ vert and either red or blue with white stripes. I am going for my first test drive on Monday. What do I need to look for? Are there any common issues that I should be looking for?

I am looking to spend about $47k and I have been seeing mostly 03s and 04s in that price range. Are there any differences between an 03 and an 04? What years are the verts available in blue with white stripes? All I have seen are 06s. Thanks in advance

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Check to see if the 03' was in need of the valvetrain recall and if so who did the repair. The 03' cars came with plain gray brake calipers other than that there are no real differences. While you are driving notice the alignment feel, check tires for odd wear, and any rim damage that would suggest something more. (rims run about $150 ea. for refinishing since they cannot be touched up)

ALWAYS get the cars up in the air and eyeball the frame rails for damage and being straight. If it's bent take a walk! Check wheel bearings for play while in the air (grab top and bottom and push pull). Looking around the underside will give you a good feel for how the car was treated by previous owners so look for leaks, grease, scraping and rubber build up.

The side sills and nose should be free of dents and gouges, paint chips and scratches can be repaired for about $600 nose and $900 for the sills if needed. Check for excessive wear and tear on the seats and carpet, it would amaze you how many people never bought floor mats or even clean the interior.

Under the hood check the brake, clutch and P/S fluids, most dealers or sellers will change the oil if any good at all.

That should get you started.

 

[2001-V10 Power Nut]

take extra underwear and hold on, lol

 

[slysnake]

Don't crash it.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

^^^^ Yea that too I forget about that since I get to drive 450 plus Vipers a year!

 

[ROCKET62]

Makes sure the wheels are pointed straight when getting on the go pedal. Get ready to experience your first Viper smile - so bring the checkbook.

 

[Black Mamba 149]

THese guys aren't kidding about the straight tires, hold on and the like. Even if you have driven another high performance car it is just not the same. I am not sure on the statistics but I have seen A LOT of wrecks within the first few miles of driving one. Hell I think I scared my dealer to death when I floored it and immediately went full on sideways leaving the parking lot. Make sure to do a very close inspection of the rims as well. Road rash on those aren't cheap to fix or replace.

 

[Flexx91]

I have narrowed things down to an 03+ vert and either red or blue with white stripes. I am going for my first test drive on Monday. What do I need to look for? Are there any common issues that I should be looking for?

I am looking to spend about $47k and I have been seeing mostly 03s and 04s in that price range. Are there any differences between an 03 and an 04? What years are the verts available in blue with white stripes? All I have seen are 06s. Thanks in advance

You won't find a blue '03 let alone one with white stripes. Only the '06 and '08 verts came in blue and you will pay at least $58k for an '06. Shouldn't have a problem finding a red '03 in that price range.

 

[RichieSRT10]

Stock Vipers are not really fast. The problem lies in the inexperienced drivers trying to hammer them before they have ability to do so.



2005 Commemorative Edition #075/100

 

[Bobpantax]

Assuming it has stock run craps on it. Do not floor it before the tires are warmed up. Viper bite is real. The rear end can come around very fast. Remember. A viper is a streetable race car not a raceable street car. If you are at all used to nanny tech bailing you out of a driving error, keep in mind that accept for the ABS brakes, there is no nanny tech. Enjoy.

 

[mach4444]

Stock Vipers are not really fast.

only to someone driving a 920 rwhp beast.


you do get used to it, but its still fun....

 

[pteam]

Absolutely do not get in it and floor it. Many vipers are wrecked brand new with less than 10 miles. Just give it a little gas at a time, it could take you a long time to get used to it. Its not a porsche or a corvette. Don't take it lightly.

 

[vip06]

Just be careful and enjoy. I still have the smile and its been 8 weeks since I got mine.

 

[Canyon707]

When I bought mine in 04 I was told by the dealer that most crashes occur very soon after. I drove mine home with white knuckles. Take your time and learn what this car can do. It has it's limitations.
I might suggest taking some performance driving lessons to really explore the possibilities. Good luck.

 

[voi9]

Don't know where you are located, but the black 03' vert in classifieds sounds like a good deal. Nice mods too!

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I picked mine up in North Carolina and stopped to eat around Atlanta. To get back to Interstate, you had to leave the restaurant, go right and make a legal u-turn headed back the opposite way. I made the u-turn and saw some kids on the sidewalk with their jaws dropped. I decided to show off for them. With the car straight, I gunned it in 1st, and snatched second. Backend tried to come around on me but I saved it before doing a 180* in the middle of a busy hwy. Had their been a car in the lane beside me, I would've hit them. I got back to Interstate, never went above 70mph the rest of the way home, heart rate never dropped below 100bpm, and changed my underwear as soon as I got home. Not trying to scare you, but this was in a Gen 1. Gen 3's are stronger and faster so just drive it normally. Don't try to impress anyone...almost cost me my car 3 hours after buying it.

 

[widebody2]

Well I bought it...It is a red 03 vert with 10k miles on it...basically looks like a new car. I was actually not very impressed with the performance but I guess I should have expected that since it is stock and I spent a fortune in mods on my last car. Going fast isn't really why I bought it anyway. I really just like the way it looks I am planning on keeping it stock but we will see if that lasts...hopefully I learned my lesson on the last one

 

[HI-NOS-Viper]

Well I bought it...It is a red 03 vert with 10k miles on it...basically looks like a new car. I was actually not very impressed with the performance but I guess I should have expected that since it is stock and I spent a fortune in mods on my last car. Going fast isn't really why I bought it anyway. I really just like the way it looks I am planning on keeping it stock but we will see if that lasts...hopefully I learned my lesson on the last one

Glad that the deal worked out for you. Take it out and enjoy it. Its just a matter of time before you start modding, its in our blood . Throw some Nitrous on it and that will give you some performance if you are already use to the power. Vipers love the juice. Drive safe and enjoy, and now time to become a VCA Member.

 

[Venomiss]

Glad that the deal worked out for you. Take it out and enjoy it. Its just a matter of time before you start modding, its in our blood . Throw some Nitrous on it and that will give you some performance if you are already use to the power. Vipers love the juice. Drive safe and enjoy, and now time to become a VCA Member.

What he said.
Make sure and send the moderators your information so they can can change you to Viper owner. VIN, address...only they can see it. Lee00blacksilverGTS, CitySnake, or Kcobean are the moderators that can help you.
Congratulations on your new car and hope you join the VCA!