What year GTS to buy?

[a2zpcwiz]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum so here is a little about myself.
I am 30 years old and I am looking to buy a viper. I currently have a 95 RX-7 with 16,000 miles (pristine) but I miss the torque of the bigger engines (used to own an 03 Z06). Since my car has low miles, now would be the time to sell it to get the most money. So here it is. What year GTS should I buy? I can spend between $50000 and $60000. I know very little about the viper but this is what I know so far:
- 99 was the last year for forged internals
- 01 02 have ABS (although I have seen previous models that say they have ABS)
- 02 is last year for GTS

Please correct me if I am wrong. Also, do you have any input as far as which year would be the best to buy and why. Thank you in advance for your opinion and advice.

 

[Inferno]

I am very new also, but one step ahead of you. I just bought an 02gts FE, last Tues. I absolutely love it. I am coming from an 04 vette, trust me, big difference. You are on the path to making a good choice. I chose the 02 because it's the last of it's kind. This car is even numbered 295 of 360. To some, I am sure it will be a collector. It couldn't hurt being the last year of a model, lot's of time to work out the bugs. IMO you can not go wrong with any year GTS, it is the ultimate Viper.

 

[venomblue550]

get a 97 GTS blue/white, low mileage, they worth $$$$ down the road..

 

[Mighty GTS]

A nice 97 with forged internals....red of course....and low
mileage..27K...ohhh, that's my car. 4 sale.

 

[Casey]

Depends on WHAT COLOR you prefer!

Red--'97, they are STRONG and forged

Blue/White--'96 before a '97

Silver--Well, '98 of course!

Black--'99 also, forged

ABS is GREAT if you use it. But will cost you a bit more to mod.

JMO---the FE are awesoem!

Personally I might get a Saphire Blue/Silver striped ACR. Then you already have the BEST wheels on the market as well!

 

[Bobpantax]

The 1999 year was the best of the best. It has all of the ongoing improvements made before the aquisition by DB and the subsequent changes starting in the 2000 year - cast pistons, tamer cam,etc. I have had mine since I aquired it new in 11/99. It was made in 9/1999. I still smile everytime I get into it. Be careful, THE SURGEON GENERAL HAS DETERMINED THAT DRIVING A VIPER IS ADDICTIVE.

 

[Steve-Indy]

At this point, a GOOD GTS of ANY year should work well !!!

 

[GimmeTheSpeed]

He has opened the flood gates! lol

for that price, get you a SC 96-97 Blue/White!

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

1998 white with blue strips...
Maybe not in that price though..
02 FE
Baz

 

[charlesj]

96/97 blue/white of course.

 

[BJ MOTORS]

I have four for sale:
98 Red 3410 Miles - 54,995
98 Silver 6700 Miles extended warranty - 52,995
2001 Bumble Bee 7yr/100K mile warranty with mods - 56,995.
98 Red 8003 Miles - 50,995.00

Call me I am in Virginia and would be happy for you to take a look or send someone to chekc them out, if they are of interest.

 

[Casey]

I have four for sale:
98 Red 3410 Miles - 54,995
98 Silver 6700 Miles extended warranty - 52,995
2001 Bumble Bee 7yr/100K mile warranty with mods - 56,995.
98 Red 8003 Miles - 50,995.00

Call me I am in Virginia and would be happy for you to take a look or send someone to chekc them out, if they are of interest.

there you go! Stop wasting timej, pick up one of these and get to Vipering!!

 

[GT40DOC]

Try to find a really well taken care of GTS that has the service records,etc. The lower the milage, the better. There are some really "sweet deals"out there if you are willing to spend the time to find them. I have a 97GTS and have ZERO buyers remorse. Start looking and good luck !!!!!

 

[a2zpcwiz]

Thank you for all the advice so far guys.

I am worried about the handling of the viper though. I love the way my RX-7 handles. In fact, it handles better than the Z06 I had. I have read that the viper is hard to drive. I do love the V10 and the look though.
Let me tell you about my driving style: I like to take off hard but not go to fast after (enough tickets allready), I take the corners pretty fast and slide it for a while. If the viper can do that, then it is enough for me. And I don't go to the track so it does not have F1 handling.

 

[luc]

A GTS is not hard to drive but, due to the torque, you need to use your brain a little more than with other cars.
As for which year,there is no bad or good year,each year has it's + and -

b4 00 they have forged pistons but the inside is nicer in the 99 and up.

The 2000 and up due to their cast pistons and slight revision to the cam were know as "cream puff" but,if i remember correctly some of the highest stock HP came from the 2000.

01 and 02 has ABS, some people feel safer with it,others,like me don't care for it.

bottom line, decide which color you like the most and find the best one in this color and within your budget.

Luc.00GTS Black/Stripes

 

[twinvipers]

I want the RX-7

 

[Inferno]

A GTS is not hard to drive but, due to the torque, you need to use your brain a little more than with other cars.
As for which year,there is no bad or good year,each year has it's + and -

b4 00 they have forged pistons but the inside is nicer in the 99 and up.

The 2000 and up due to their cast pistons and slight revision to the cam were know as "cream puff" but,if i remember correctly some of the highest stock HP came from the 2000.

01 and 02 has ABS, some people feel safer with it,others,like me don't care for it.

bottom line, decide which color you like the most and find the best one in this color and within your budget.

Luc.00GTS Black/Stripes

I hear alot about the forged pistons and cream puff factor. Bottom line, what does this mean? Can a cream puff not take a blower or does it really matter?

 

[fuelman]

Only one to buy, a 2001 Sapphire Blue with Silver Stripes, if you can find one! They only came in that color one year, and with the stripe kit there were only 86 made. Oh, they are faster than other vipers also!!!

 

[hemibeep]

Since you are concerned about the cornering, why don't you try to locate someone with GTS near you and have them show you what it can do. I know it is not the same as a passenger, but at least it's a start.

Also alot of people on here will check out a car for you to make sure you don't get a lemon.

If you are just going to take off hard and then drive easy, any year will be perfect. The later year cars motors are fine unless you are really going for giant mods.

 

[a2zpcwiz]

I want the RX-7

Here is a couple pictures of the RX-7 for those interested.

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[a2zpcwiz]

Since you are concerned about the cornering, why don't you try to locate someone with GTS near you and have them show you what it can do. I know it is not the same as a passenger, but at least it's a start.

Also alot of people on here will check out a car for you to make sure you don't get a lemon.

If you are just going to take off hard and then drive easy, any year will be perfect. The later year cars motors are fine unless you are really going for giant mods.

What do you mean by giant mod? I don't think I would mod the viper at first but I would probably like to bring it up to above 600HP in the future. Would this be considered too much for the stock motor?

 

[Casey]

Giant mods meaning boost! I know Heffner won't touch a Creampuff, unless it includes upgrades to the pistons, etc.

Also they(2000+) don't react the same to exhaust mods when compared to the pre-2000 years. Many see minimal gains of 5hp with a full exhuast, where others gaim closer to 50hp.

Handling in the Viper is truely awesome. As mentioned, getting used to the Torque is what can be dangerous.

 

[ChicagoGTS]

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[NOTV8]

Go with the 2002FE

 

[twinvipers]

Please e-mail with mods and price to [email protected]

auto or 5 speed ?

Thanks,Jeff

 

[JUCD VPR]

I have a 99 RT/10 but I also thing the GTS's are freggin awesome, but I love BOOST so i'd go with a 96-99 you can push alot more boost in a 96-99 compaired to a creampuff unless your going to change the pistons that is.... blue and white's look pimpin, LOL what am I talkin about all vipers are pimpin LOL!

 

[C O D Y]

Try and find one that HASN'T been wrecked. Over 1/3 of all vipers have been wrecked. Have a viper tech or someone qualified look it over real good.

 

[BLWNASP]

As always B/W are great.

From you're driving style my suggestion will be to buy some Khumo's for better traction. It seems like they will better fit your needs when taking corners, and inspire more confidence when driving hard.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

If you drive the Viper like you drive your RX-7, better make sure you buy a GTS with air bags. Also 6 point harnesses would be an asset!
Oh and watch out for second gear! It'll get ya!
Once you get use to what you got, then start thinking mods!
Good luck!

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

non abs...2000 steel grey
abs 2001 sapphire blue....IMO