Really though. I like picked up a 01/02 because of the ABS. It's much cheaper to install new pistions and a fat cam, than to install ABS. Also, If you going to build the motor your going to toss a nice set of stock forged pistions if you get a 96-99. I'm 5'5 and 170lbs and I fit just fine. It's as if the car was made just for me.
Or you can think of it the other way and you could have a 99 and upgrade the brakes.
I just went through this and bought a black/silver with Cognac interior (1 of 26) and wanted that coveted 99 model. It will hold up well in the future.
Reminds me of a midyear Corvette I once had (1966 roadster) the sought after cars were '67 and '65's for no real reason yet the '66 and especially '64's were the "stepchildren" ('63's were in there own world!)
So, once certain years are highlighted, they will always be more sought after...
What would be a good mileage to look for. I realize high mileage cars are few and far between. But for instance would you consider a car over 30k or would you just go find a 20k car instead.
Steve Ricketts
Last edited by 281cammer : September 8th, 2006 at 02:20 PM.
Reason: space missing
What would be a good mileage to look for. I realize high mileage cars are few and far between. But for instance would you consider a car over 30kor would you just go find a 20k car instead.
Steve Ricketts
The car I bought had under 15K on it so that was a big selling point to me. I would feel very comfortable with a higher mileage car that had 1 or 2 owners and good documentation. To me anything over 40K-50K miles was more than I wanted but there are a lot of documented cases of 100K plus mile Vipers that make me very comfortable with them mechanically speaking. Since mine is not going to be an every day driver and I plan to keep it for eternity, one of two things were important to me:
Low mileage
1-2 owners with good documentation
In the end I got a low mileage car with a few owners but I was comforable with the car
Low mileage is not necessarily indicative of anything. I bought my '98 two years ago. It only had 9K and one owner who bought it from a dealer. So I figured I was buying a trouble free car. Wrong.
Within a year, I had to have the tranny rebuilt and new clutch and flywheel put in. The previous owner apparently didn't have a clue how to drive a manual tranny and smoked them both. Plus I had the power steering pulley bust, and an oil leak from the timing chain cover. The last two could have happened to any car, but the tranny and clutch were ruined by the previous owner. Best of all, with the '98 I could not get an extended warranty from Dodge so all the repairs were out of pocket. I would URGE you to get a car that has some kind of warranty left, the repairs are costly on Vipers.
Only positive on repairs for me I work for Crown Automotive and they own 2 Dodge dealers which I get all parts & labor at 10% over cost.
Steve Ricketts
Even though I have a '98, I would go with the '99 as the best year. One of the biggest improvements I wish I had was the inside trunk release, as stupid as it sounds it is a pain in the ass not to have. I locked my keys in the trunk once, oh that was fun trying to squeeze into the back and reach them down in the well.
Thanks guys. One other question I forgot to ask. I'm 6 foot 4 and 225lbs. Am I going to fit in one of these? How's the headroom?
Also, were there any recalls or know issues I should know to ask a prospective seller?
I'm 6'6" and 245-250 and i fit fine in both srt and gts, without a lowering kit. To be honest i think a bigger guy is better suited for a viper as you want a snug fit in race car. The other cool thing is your arm rest on the console and shifting is almost like the flick of the wrist.
Low mileage is not necessarily indicative of anything. I bought my '98 two years ago. It only had 9K and one owner who bought it from a dealer. So I figured I was buying a trouble free car. Wrong.
Within a year, I had to have the tranny rebuilt and new clutch and flywheel put in. The previous owner apparently didn't have a clue how to drive a manual tranny and smoked them both. Plus I had the power steering pulley bust, and an oil leak from the timing chain cover. The last two could have happened to any car, but the tranny and clutch were ruined by the previous owner. Best of all, with the '98 I could not get an extended warranty from Dodge so all the repairs were out of pocket. I would URGE you to get a car that has some kind of warranty left, the repairs are costly on Vipers.
I bought the extended warranty on my 2000 GTS with 9100 miles and got a new Arrow motor, a tranny and some O2 sensors-lol. Think I got my $2,400 or so for my warranty worth? That would have KILLED ME to buy that stuff, so the warranty issue is key to me also. I wish I have the 01/02 for the ABS to be honest, but the 96-99 with forged is great too. Both will cost a lot of loot (all relative, but to me it IS a lot of loot) to upgrade and time. Mine is daily driven and I just hit 30K miles and it seems extremely driveable and I went from a lightly modified 96 Vette to the Viper as my beater. Now I am a compulsive SOB so it is blown and some other stuff but that is another story.....
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I am responsible, live within my means, give to charity, save money, so where the fuck is my bailout? FUCK THESE IDIOTS KILLING THE USA PRINTING MONEY!
430... GT....430....GT......430.......GT...
) I know I fit in the 430.........
, 708(the "big cam") was 96-99, BUT by the specs, the 98-99 cams had .001 more lift, which is not even noticeable.
FUCK THESE IDIOTS KILLING THE USA PRINTING MONEY! 