Thinking about a specific GTS what do you think?

[Dirtyace]

Hey guys I am new to the viper community but always wanted one since they came out long ago. I have been looking around at the 2003-2006 but have not found anything in my price range worth it just yet. As it turns out a friend of the family is selling is 97 Blue and White GTS with 16k miles. The car has some aftermarket forged wheels and an exhaust but otherwise stock, it also comes with the stock parts and has been garage kept. I am going to look at it this afternoon so I can give you guys a better idea about he car but I am told it is perfect inside and out.

I have a few questions to you guys here, does this year/model have any specific issues? What is this car worth assuming it has no stories and is mint? Do these cars really get so hot in them that I wont want to drive it?

I should note I have never owned a car with this power but I did daily drive a C5 vette and boosted F150 plus I have many miles of seat time in mustangs/camaros ect. I know they are a handful and are to be respected, but are they really THAT bad for someone with experience? Also no it will not be my DD in case you were wondering.

 

[vettegc]

I would think around $40k. My AC in my 96 b/w seems to keep up fine. Get it checked out by a viper tech and you should be fine.

 

[Zee]

The cabin does get hot...getting some high flow cats will help. I have a 97 RT so it's a lot cooler (literally).

I was intimidated when I bought mine, however, respect it and you will be fine. If you drive like an idiot, it will bite you. There are some great tips on this forum on how to be safe and understanding the limits. Make sure the tires are fresh...check the date codes. Just because there is tread life doesn't mean the tires are good. Tires should be changed every 5 years or so. Good luck, these cars are a blast to drive.

 

[Camfab]

You should do as much reading about this topic as you can, there are a ton of threads about this. The hot deal is completely over blown, and high flow cats completely eliminate that minor nuisance. The fact that you have tons of seat time in Camaros and Mustangs puts you at risk. The car felt slow to me, when I drove it initially. It wasn't until it broke the tires loose in third gear and I found myself going the wrong direction, that after being completely hooked up in first and second gear. That's when I understood what snake bite was. Most Vipers are crashed in the first three months of ownership. Why because you haven't had enough seat time in the car, secondly because just about every ride at that point is someone wanting a ride in the car. You complying by driving like a complete ...... ....... (fill in the blank). Not pointing fingers at you, just poiting out the reallity of ownership. Good Luck, you'll never regret owning a Viper.

 

[Caesar!]

The Best purchase I made..Was my 97 B/W GTS.
Nothing to really worry about..The engine is Incredible and tough!!
Just do the PS pump Bracket and pulley...and PIN the crank with the ROE kit
You will have the ultimate Supercar my friend!!!
Nothing looks or feel like a Viper GTS

 

[Dirtyace]

You should do as much reading about this topic as you can, there are a ton of threads about this. The hot deal is completely over blown, and high flow cats completely eliminate that minor nuisance. The fact that you have tons of seat time in Camaros and Mustangs puts you at risk. The car felt slow to me, when I drove it initially. It wasn't until it broke the tires loose in third gear and I found myself going the wrong direction, that after being completely hooked up in first and second gear. That's when I understood what snake bite was. Most Vipers are crashed in the first three months of ownership. Why because you haven't had enough seat time in the car, secondly because just about every ride at that point is someone wanting a ride in the car. You complying by driving like a complete ...... ....... (fill in the blank). Not pointing fingers at you, just poiting out the reallity of ownership. Good Luck, you'll never regret owning a Viper.

This is very good advice, My C5 with sticky nittos on it would hook up in first but sometimes spin through second and be very unsettling if you did not expect it. I can only imagine doing it in 3rd. I have no plans to drive the car like a (blank) for a while until I learn it well, I have seen to many people wreck lesser cars because they were showing off.....

 

[Doug Supercharged Vipers]

Absolutely a great car! Have it inspected prior to purchase. You'll be surprised how well a 1997 GTS B/W fairs with today's modern cars in performance and reliability. It's not as temperamental as you think- they take a lot of harsh driving and come back for more!

Best wishes,
Doug

 

[Dirtyace]

Well here is the deal, the owner brought the car by last night when I got out of work. It was dark so it was not ideal lighting to see everything, I will be taking it on an extended day drive on saturday.

The good-

Car is Immaculate as far as I can tell. Paint and everything are mint.
Interior is mint as well
New OEM clutch/ Tires
Only garage kept its whole life
New Rack and pinion steering (the old one was leeking) is this common?
Drives really nice motor and trans feel great (only 16k on it)
Comes with stock wheels and tires as well as forged 3 piece 20s
Has corsa exhaust (very loud not sure if it has cats)
Also has K n n intake

The bad-
The car seems to pull a little left (could be anything)
Rear wheel has small curb mark
Original brakes from when new so they squeak but work fine (prob need to be changed)
He is not the original owner (bought it 6 years ago with 6k on it)

Before I make an offer I want to have it looked at and driven by a viper savvy shop as well as run a carfax on it. He is closing on a house in 2 weeks and needs an extra 20k in order to get a lower interest rate. He told me if I buy it before he closes he will take 30k flat for the car. Claims to have paid 50k plus 10k in wheels/tires/exhaust/intake.

So, does anyone know any reputable shops on LI new york? Also what are your thoughts on the negitives, anything else to look for? Should I offer less than 30k and see or is that a fair price? Thanks guys.

 

[viper k]

myself i would jump on that deal !!

 

[Camfab]

Take the car to a guy called Chuck Tator, Tators Garage. He's got to be the most knowledgeable guy out there with regards to overall Viper needs and performance. Not sure how far he is from you, but that's where you have to go! Sounds like a nice car, at a great price, just take it to Tators for piece of mind and a great guy to know once you own a Viper.

 

[agentf1]

Why did it need a clutch already?

My 01 is cool as a cucumber inside even on the hottest days. I do have Randon Tech Cats and Corsa exhaust though.

 

[DrumrBoy]

IMO $30 for a B/W Is a good deal regardless (unless carfax shows salvage title)

 

[Stryker1]

Dirtyace - Did you end up making an offer? (I sent a PM)

 

[dragon rider]

You better buy it before someone else does. I wouldn't have twin to go with my 96 blue white.

 

[mtmclaughlin]

Knowing what you're buying is important. You seem to be doing your research and that is the most important part of this whole thing. All the research I did to find mine was well-worth it (I bought it from a forum member here in September and I couldn't be happier). I don't know much about GTS pricing other than it seems to be higher than RT/10 prices. 30k doesn't seem that high to me.

If you do your own work, these things are great! They're super-easy to work on and things like brakes are not horrible to buy like something on that Corvette ZR1 (if you ever need to replace the brakes on those things...)

When I think of "Viper", I think "red RT/10" (the original) and I think "blue and white GTS" like the one you're talking about. Go for it! You'll be happy you did! (And do lots of burnouts. It's OK, go ahead. You know you want to!)