Thank you all for your input. Sounds like I will miss some creature comforts but over all still a great car! I even see a lot of people that have more than one Vipers. That tells me a lot.
Tornado hit it on the head perfectly. I loved that car since I first saw it as a kid and never stopped wanting one. Sure I like the new ones. But every time I see Gen I it just rubs me the right way!
Thanks again to all. I will post pic's when I find my car!
From what you wrote it sounds like you are thinking a lot like I was thinking 3 years ago. I loved the Gen 1 RT/10. I loved it from the first time I saw one as a kid, and that is the one I bought. I loved it for about 6 months, and then I had to get a GTS. When I first purchased my Gen 1 I didn't even like the looks of the GTS (Crazy I know), but after going to a few Viper gatherings, and seeing the GTS up close, I soon fell in love with it. The "not having windows thing" IS A BIG DEAL!!!!! The plastic piece of craps that fit in there suck. Not just the stock ones suck, all the aftermarket ones suck too. I told myself that I liked the rawness of it, but truth be told those windows, and aftermarket tops SUCK!!!! They squeak, there hard to put on, when you don't have it with you is usually when you need it the most. Another big deal is the fit and finish. Gen 1's are really slapped together. When they made the Gen 2's, they got there stuff together and built a much better car.
The ONLY REAL reason to buy a Gen1 is to save some cash, but if I were you, I'd save up a little longer and get the Gen 2. In the long run the Gen 2 is going to be what you really want, and you'll end up selling the Gen 1 for the Gen 2. I know from expeirence.
Both cars will get a ton of attention, but the Gen 2 is way more comfortable, and will benefit the driver.
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Originally Posted by Minivan Man
GTS came with traction control, cruise control , power seats and cup holders. RT-10 did not.
Um, mine is a 2000 and last time I checked mine doesn't have any of these things
I drive mine pretty much daily and I like the GTS, but if it was a weekend only car and I wan't going to get more than 600 HP, I would SERIOUSLY consider an RT10. I bought mine after getting on the Alley, so listen up and know there are a lot of intelligent folks on here and there is lots to learn. Good luck shopping, but I would respectfully suggest to read and talk with owners before buying so you buy the right car the first time. Gary
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Now that the prices of virtually everything are going up and up and now that thousands of people are losing their jobs everyday as the US goverment still hands out 10,000+ checks to those people just getting off the boat, I think I will take a boat ride and get in line, I sure could use the money to pay for the gas in my Viper and GTO!
Last edited by BAD68GTO : August 13th, 2007 at 01:19 AM.
Bad 68, he was being sarcastic. Chrysler said that the Viper will NEVER come with Cruise or cup holders, ever. Not a preppy car.
I wouldn't buy a Gen I because they have no outisde door handles or window glass. I hate thieves and can't imagine driving a car without being able to leave it alone once in awhile and with all the thieves these days I'd have to empty the car to go into a store. I also can't imagine driving in all that wind, especially over 100mph.
The front control arms and wheel hubs are from the Dakota pu. and the engine is called a "Heavywieght" with only 400hp. The 1st Gens sound bad, but aftermarket exhaust can help there. The tires were terrible and borderline dangerous in the rain. Some of the Gen 1's didn't come with a/c and I can't imagine driving my car in the summer without a/c.
On the other hand the 2nd Generation GTS has a CD of only .31 as compared to the RT's .39 ) I'd guess about 4 mph slower, the rear of the car (to me) looks 100% better with the "whale tail spoiler". Also the stereo in the GTS has subwoofers at the back of the car and sounds awesome. It also has a glovebox - sort of. the rotating alram system of the Gen 2 is pretty high tech with a rotating code (not sure what the Gen 1 has). The GTS is also more desirable for resale, worth more, and much more collectable and should hold it's value longer than the more common RT's an RT/10's. Of course it'll cost you more to buy now.
The Gen 1's were made from 02-96 although there was a lot less made, and the GTS was built from 96-02.
I love everything about my Gen 2. It's got a stock bottom end and makes 720rwhp. It sounds great and drives nearly perfect (could use a lot more traction). There's not much color choices in the first Gen, unless you like Red, but the color choices of the GTS and the RT/10 should be able to supply your favorite. Mine's Deep Sapphire Blue and I'm lovin' it.
The Gen 1's are reliable, unless you modify it, because the engines and transmissions (probably the rear axles as well) aren't quite as strong. With many Gen 2's you can buy them with a tranferable warranty and that could make a big difference.
I have a black 95 RT/10 that I might be interested in letting go of. It has 22,700 miles, of which I am responsible for all but 2,400 of them. The car is not stock, so you will have to be ready for a kick in the ass. The engine has been built-out with a Vortec supercharger making around 625hp at the wheel. The car is in average condition, and has the wheels off of a 97' GTS. If you want the stock wheels, I still have them along with the stock tires as well. The car should be worth around $40,000 with all of the modifications, so let me know if you are interested.
As for the rest of the group...it is dissapointing to read someone who speaks poorly of any of the cars across the generations of production. This is the original...not to mention that this car will probably out run most the cars of the guys that are on this post! Good luck.
Nothing wrong with a Gen I. I enjoy driving my Gen I ten times more than the GTS. Stock for Stock the Gen II is a better car but with some modifications and a change of wheels the Gen I can be a bad ass viper.
I don't see ever getting rid of it because it is so much dang fun!! Get what you want. As for the windows, does not bother me at all. If you have ever owned a jeep it is about the same thing. Throw the windows in the trunk or take them out.
I'm still trying figure out who think's the coupe is still so much better looking than the Rt. I have a lowered black Rt on 20's that looks just as good from any angle as any coupe.
I'm still trying figure out who think's the coupe is still so much better looking than the Rt. I have a lowered black Rt on 20's that looks just as good from any angle as any coupe.
Let me help you with this one. I JCASPER89 THINK THE COUPE LOOKS 10 TIMES BETTER THEN THE RT
All Vipers are great! Obviously some prefer different years, colors, etc. We all prefer what we've got, I hope. Whichever you prefer is the one to buy.
This thread has given a lot of info as well as the opinions on differences between Gen1 and GTS's.
Well let me say first that it disappoints me that someone would "bag" on the Viper in general. I fully understand the difference between the generations of cars due to the fact that I have owned 2 of the three generations of cars. Anyway, if it is of interest I have a black 95 RT/10 with 22,700 miles in average condition. It has a set of 97 GTS wheels with Pilots and painted center caps. I still have the original wheels and tires if that matters? The engine has been built, and is home to a Vortec supercharger making around 625 rwhp. It is a bullet from 0 - 80 mph! If this sounds of interest please let me know and we can speak further (jeffgoldman@pdrks.com). I believe that the car is worth around 40K, but let's talk! Good luck!
make sure you find one with the head gaskets changed and the thermostat housing gaskets changed, or factor that into the price its NOT cheap (several 1000's) and NEEDS to be done.
I wouldn't buy a Gen I because they have no outisde door handles or window glass. I hate thieves and can't imagine driving a car without being able to leave it alone once in awhile and with all the thieves these days I'd have to empty the car to go into a store. I also can't imagine driving in all that wind, especially over 100mph.
All that is part of the attraction to the Gen1 RT. There are just some times and places you don't go with them. They were not built for everyone and it takes a special kind of enthusiast to appreciate them. There are quite a few people who just *had* to have a Viper when they were new. An awful lot of them were soon former Viper owners.
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The tires were terrible and borderline dangerous in the rain.
I had a black '93 A/C car that I bought brand new and I thought the tires were fabulous - even in the rain. They were definitely better on a dry racetrack than the much-loved MXX3 Pilots.
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Some of the Gen 1's didn't come with a/c and I can't imagine driving my car in the summer without a/c.
Agreed - strongly.
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I will have a gen1, for the main reason of collecting the first of the breed. It will be worth money one of these days. If it is going to get much use I would go with a gen 2 or 3.
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