Viper Techs versus The Jedi

[10BamBam01]

Just got my first Viper a week ago. I see this term ... Viper Tech ... all over around here like it's some form of Jedi art to work on one of these. I'm always skeptical of this kind of stuff. Is this a special certification from Dodge or is this just some term someone proudly bestows upon themselves?

If it's a certified thingy from Dodge, does anyone know what it takes to become certified? I work in Information Technology I know alot of certified this and certified thats that don't know ratt sh*$ from Rice Krispies. I also know about terms such as "Viper Tech" that are simply designed to make one feel more important simply because I have to have someone with a special title do the work. In the end, they don't amount to squat either. However, if this car is that specialized that it takes a Jedi to work on it and there's some sort of Viper Jedi school and all that then I can respect that.

So, my questions are such:

1. Is this a special certification from Dodge or is this just some term someone proudly bestows upon themselves?

2. When do I need to use a Viper Tech versus a good old boy that is smart, generally experienced, humble, not afraid to ask questions, and honest.

Thanks for the help.

Bam Bam

 

[CitySnake]

1. Is this a special certification from Dodge?

Yes. There's actually one for each Generation of Vipers as far as I'm aware.

2. When do I need to use a Viper Tech versus a good old boy that is smart, generally experienced, humble, not afraid to ask questions, and honest.

You need to find a Viper Tech that is all those. They are out there, but certainly not everywhere.

 

[01sapphirebob]

A viper tech is someone at the dodge dealership that was trained by chrysler to work on vipers @ the dealership. This tech (also know as an SRT Tech now) is the only person who is allowed to touch your car when it comes in for service. Not that you need to be a "jedi" to work on one but for some that dosen't know a lot about cars they know they can take their viper to a dealership and have the piece of mind that the porter isn't gonna take the thing and wrap it around a tree (even though this had happened)

 

[Warfang]

There are Viper Techs... but only one Viper Wizard. You should see the certification for THAT title!

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

Congrats on your first Viper.

 

[v10nut]

I would never take even a new ACR into a dealership to have the oil changed here in Socal. "Viper tech" may be a special cert but all the ones I have used here seem to be almost ********. Find a good Viper tuner in your area and use them unless you need some huge high dollar repair. In that case have the dealership put on the parts, have it towed to a tuner and inspected. I have rarely taken my car in to a dealership and had it come out fixed or even in decent shape. There are a couple of dealers back east that seem to have a good reputation but talk to the local viper owners to find out who you can trust.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Believe that dealerships with certified Viper Techs have access to specialized Viper Tools for alignments and specialized repairs.

While most mechanics can work on Vipers, it is best to have at least one specialist that works on a larger volume of Vipers to keep his skill sets up.

Most Viper Techs have a special interest in working on these cars, and is willing to dedicate himself to keep up to date on their specialized needs.

If you have a choice of bringing your car to a dealership with a Viper Tech, or one that has none, most will chose the one with the Viper Tech.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

You are correct that the training is needed for the "title" But true Viper techs are people that actually see cars. There are very few actual Viper Techs out there trust me. We have 2 dedicated Viper techs and run over 400 of them a year through my shop from routine maintenance to full S/C builds and suspension tuning. $100 - $30K.

That my Friend is a Viper DEALERSHIP!

Enjoy the new toy!

 

[10BamBam01]

Went to a local Dodge dealership to have my car inspected. I asked the "service consultant" who the person is that was going to be working on my car and if he is a certified Viper technician. She said yes, he is and he's very good. I told her that if he needed to drive the car that I would need to go along. I didn't want anyone taking the car off the lot without me in it.

So, the tech comes and gets me later to go for a ride. He says he needs to check to make sure the cruise control works and stuff like that. He then told me how the dealership owner got one when they first came out and he got to drive it. He said the back end fishtailed a lot and the steering was too tight, meaning he punched it and couldn't handle it. He said he hadn't driven one since.

To me, I would think that one of the qualifying factors for being a Viper Tech would be to actually like the cars you're working on and actually have some experience with them. At the very least I would think they would teach you that the car doesn't have cruise control!

So, it's as I suspected, and many of you have commented. Being a certified Viper Tech doesn't mean diddly unless you've actually had some experience to go along with the "education".

 

[DLTARNU]

Do yourself a favor and find a board-recommended Viper tech to work on your car. Many of the best ones do not work at dealerships.

My personal encounter with a 'certified Viper tech' at my local Dodge dealership ended with him asking me how to open the hood. I thanked him for the effort, took my keys and drove out of there. Since then, Doug Levin, who does not work for a dealership, but is still one of the most well regarded Viper techs on the planet, has done everything from oil changes to engine mods.

Of course, I was lucky enough to live near a tuner who knows these cars inside and out. I don't know who the closest trustworthy tuner is near Cedar Rapids, but someone here will supply a name, I'm sure.

 

[Joseph Dell]

If you are remotely a mechanically-inclined person, spend the $80 or whatever it is for a shop manual and do as much work yourself as you can. The car isn't that hard to work on and you might even get some satisfaction in servicing it yourself versus paying some kid who didn't go to college 125/hr to learn on YOUR car.

Just because someone completed a course and got a certificate doesn't mean that they are competent or SHOULD be working on vipers...

 

[Madduc]

A certified viper tech that didn't even know how to open the hood?! Jeez!! I would have been out of there too....FAST!

 

[Paul Hawker]

As stated, there is a pecking order of preferred people to work on your car.

First, a Dodge Dealership.
2. 5 Star Dodge Dealership.
3. Certified Viper Tech
4. Certified and Experienced Viper Tech
5. Experienced Viper tech that works at site supporting dealership.
6. ViperTech with a great reputation.
7. Viper Tech with a great reputation backed up and supported by great Dealership
8. Master Viper Tech. Those who have been around know who they are. These guys are dedicated and devoted to providing the absolutely highest level of service to the Viper Nation.

In additon there are a select few independent shops with the reputation, expertise and resources to provide the development and installation of services without the restrictions of Dodge dealerships.

Those of the Viper Nation lucky enough to experience the higher levels of service available are truly blessed.

 

[Viper Wizard]

quote=Paul Hawker
As stated, there is a pecking order of preferred people to work on your car.

A little correction to your pecking order:

First, a Dodge Dealership. If you can find one?
2. 5 Star Dodge Dealership. Dose not mean much anymore!
3. Certified Viper Tech That's a start.
4. Certified and Experienced Viper Tech Getting harder to find!
5. Experienced Viper tech that works at site supporting dealership. Not many left!
6. ViperTech with a great reputation. Not many left at Dealerships!
7. Viper Tech with a great reputation backed up and supported by great Dealership Chrysler closed many of them!
8. Master Viper Tech. Those who have been around know who they are. These guys are dedicated and devoted to providing the absolutely highest level of service to the Viper Nation. Many now re-located to private shops!

In additon there are a select few independent shops with the reputation, expertise and resources to provide the development and installation of services without the restrictions of Dodge dealerships. Yes there are!

Those of the Viper Nation lucky enough to experience the higher levels of service available are truly blessed.
quote


http://www.legalshowtime.com/video/62/The-Fight-to-Save-Tator


http://forums.viperclub.org/general...957-you-might-well-pour-salt-open-wounds.html

Chrysler, your true colors are showing and they are NOT these colors:



Tator's Garage Since 1908!
914-763-3136

 

[Paul Hawker]

As usual...The Wizard Speaks the Truth.

Many of the better Viper Techs have been treated pretty shabby by Dodge.

 

[CitySnake]

Went to a local Dodge dealership to have my car inspected. I asked the "service consultant" who the person is that was going to be working on my car and if he is a certified Viper technician. She said yes, he is and he's very good. I told her that if he needed to drive the car that I would need to go along. I didn't want anyone taking the car off the lot without me in it.

So, the tech comes and gets me later to go for a ride. He says he needs to check to make sure the cruise control works and stuff like that. He then told me how the dealership owner got one when they first came out and he got to drive it. He said the back end fishtailed a lot and the steering was too tight, meaning he punched it and couldn't handle it. He said he hadn't driven one since.

To me, I would think that one of the qualifying factors for being a Viper Tech would be to actually like the cars you're working on and actually have some experience with them. At the very least I would think they would teach you that the car doesn't have cruise control!

So, it's as I suspected, and many of you have commented. Being a certified Viper Tech doesn't mean diddly unless you've actually had some experience to go along with the "education".

First, join the VCA if you haven't already.
Then contact your local region president. Iowa? Would that be the Alex Ristanovic of the Illinois Region? He'll give you a few recommendations, ALL of whom you should call and discuss your needs. As long as you use a tech that fellow VCA members have used and recommend, you will have nothing to fear.

 

[slysnake]

I think your Not far from from Roanoke

 

[CitySnake]

I think your Not far from from Roanoke

John Gastman and Co...

Great folks!

 

[Phun70]

Went to a local Dodge dealership to have my car inspected. I asked the "service consultant" who the person is that was going to be working on my car and if he is a certified Viper technician. She said yes, he is and he's very good. I told her that if he needed to drive the car that I would need to go along. I didn't want anyone taking the car off the lot without me in it.

So, the tech comes and gets me later to go for a ride. He says he needs to check to make sure the cruise control works and stuff like that. He then told me how the dealership owner got one when they first came out and he got to drive it. He said the back end fishtailed a lot and the steering was too tight, meaning he punched it and couldn't handle it. He said he hadn't driven one since.

To me, I would think that one of the qualifying factors for being a Viper Tech would be to actually like the cars you're working on and actually have some experience with them. At the very least I would think they would teach you that the car doesn't have cruise control!

So, it's as I suspected, and many of you have commented. Being a certified Viper Tech doesn't mean diddly unless you've actually had some experience to go along with the "education".

How about a Certified Viper Tech, that also actually OWNS ONE. Come see me in Des Moines---ANYTHING AUTOMOTIVE in CLIVE. We service a number of VIPERS from all stock 93 to current. Including a 1999 with TWIN TURBOS!!! I have a 96 VIPER RT/10 myself. We'd be glad to care for your "BABY" for you.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

I own one also and really not that far, plus we have trailers over that way all the time for new car deliveries so I can generally get you here at least for free.

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