veto on the viper purchase

[wastntim]

1200 on Thursday, just as I was about to board a plane for Vegas for a friends bachelor party, I had finally struck a deal to buy my first viper, after months of looking. I was elated but decided to have the car inspected. The inspection turns out to have been worth it. One of the cylinders was leaking almost half of its compression. No deal. Seller was going to have the issue fixed, but I was nervous about buying a car with this kind of issue, especially since it had less than 10k miles.

Did I make the right decision?

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

What year? If it was covered under warranty, you could have gotten a Arrow Racing Motor built for you, on Dodge's dime. Viper is the only car that I know of, that a rebuilt motor under warranty is a very good thing !!

Jon

 

[CitySnake]

I can't imagine that the seller wasn't aware of that problem. It would be noticeable in the car's performance.

That being the case, I wouldn't trust the seller AT ALL. Who knows what else he/she was hiding.

You'll come across other less questionable deals.

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

I can't imagine that the seller wasn't aware of that problem. It would be noticeable in the car's performance.

That being the case, I wouldn't trust the seller AT ALL. Who knows what else he/she was hiding.

You'll come across other less questionable deals.

Agree somewhat. I was down on 2 cyclinders on my car, after Paxton popped my motor, but after I changed the spark plugs you couldnt tell. So I was 2 cyclinders down, and the car still felt strong as hell. 50% loss in 1 of 10 is 22.5hp missing. Can you feel that? Not easily in my book.

Now again, dont know the guy, dont know the car, so could be a scam. But I wouldnt assume anyone would know that one cyclinder was down 50%.. hard to tell.

Jon

 

[wastntim]

The car was an 01 and was supposedly under warranty. Although, I am not terribly knowledgable about engine mechanics, I was nervous about having the engine rebuilt. What do you think?

 

[wastntim]

The mechanic said that he could not tell about the motor without the compression check. He said only a viper expert might be able to tell.

 

[Casey]

If it was under warranty, have a new motor put in via Arrow and buy it!

I am not sure, but you might even get additional coverage on the motor after Arrow rebuilds it!

 

[wastntim]

Who or what is Arrow?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Who or what is Arrow?

They are the company that do the Viper engine warranty issues

 

[wastntim]

Should this issue decrease the amount I was going to pay for the car?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

This is why every Viper should be throughly inspected before you buy one. Before I bought my 96', I found a 94' at a exotic car dealership in FL. I called them and said I'd buy it if it got a clean bill of health from a Viper tech. They said it was "perfect", but took it to a Dodge dealership on their dime. I talked to the service manager the next day and his tech found over $10k worth of problems!! When I called the exotic dealership back and said I was no longer interested, they tried to convince me Dodge was lying and the car was fine

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

Should this issue decrease the amount I was going to pay for the car?

Actually the cars value would go up a bit to true viper enthusiasts, if it was already DONE. The problem is, before it is done, its going to take roughly 2-3 months for the rebuild and reinstall. So yes, if its pre-fixed, then negotiate a much lower price, and then go get the engine rebuilt, and then once complete you have a car worth more then it was, and it only cost you 3 months max of down time, and since winter will soon be upon us, its not a bad time of the year to get this done

Jon

PS. If you are not interested, please forward the lead to me, giving me contact information, and negotiated price thus far, and any other relevant details. Thanks.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Should this issue decrease the amount I was going to pay for the car?

Actually the cars value would go up a bit to true viper enthusiasts, if it was already DONE. The problem is, before it is done, its going to take roughly 2-3 months for the rebuild and reinstall. So yes, if its pre-fixed, then negotiate a much lower price, and then go get the engine rebuilt, and then once complete you have a car worth more then it was, and it only cost you 3 months max of down time, and since winter will soon be upon us, its not a bad time of the year to get this done

Jon

PS. If you are not interested, please forward the lead to me, giving me contact information, and negotiated price thus far, and any other relevant details. Thanks.

*****!

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

Ask if the warranty is transferrable. Then you could negotiate a low offer for the Viper saying it has problems that will take time to fix. Then once you own it have it fixed under warranty for free. Rebuilt Arrow engines are rumored to run stronger than stock. Won't lower value.

 

[wastntim]

Thanks for the advice all. I have to see if the seller will budge. I'm not sure if he's going to try to sell it as is.

 

[Ron]

While an Arrow rebuild is certainly a very well built engine, I seriously doubt it would increase the value of a previously unmolested low mileage, well running, stock Viper.

Even if it was completely transparent, (Same block VIN, heads and date codes, etc.) is the typical Viper Tech going to be able to remove and reinstall exactly like the factory did on the production line? No scratches, no missing fasteners, no twisted wiring harnesses, etc?

 

[FinalEd357]

good luck on your search.

 

[PatentLaw]

I agree with Ron here. Good luck on the search. Some interesting cars are coming up for sale. You should be able to make a good deal. And thanks for proving a point about low mileage cars....there are no guarantees with those either.

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

While an Arrow rebuild is certainly a very well built engine, I seriously doubt it would increase the value of a previously unmolested low mileage, well running, stock Viper.

Even if it was completely transparent, (Same block VIN, heads and date codes, etc.) is the typical Viper Tech going to be able to remove and reinstall exactly like the factory did on the production line? No scratches, no missing fasteners, no twisted wiring harnesses, etc?

Well, I guess you might be right.. except for a simple fact, I know otherwise.

I sold my 2002 ACR with 59,000+ miles for $52,000 less then a year ago, it had the Arrow motor and when dynoed it came back 20 rwhp and 25 rwtq more then my original motor from the factory. The new owner was very happy to hear the motor had been built under warranty by arrow and therefore made the car more valuable then an identical one without an arrow motor. Sorry, but I for one would jump all over a well done Arrow motor vs a stock one.


Jon

 

[Ron]

Exactly the reason cars come in different colors.