Things to look for when picking up my 04...

[Jstyle]

Hey guys as I am sure you all noticed I am new to the Viper world. I am looking at an 04 at the moment so I might just be joining the Viper crowd very shortly. I come from a long Vette history and I am finally in a place where I can actually pull the trigger on picking up a Viper.

Anyways, I am looking at an 04 Black mamba at the moment. I was wondering what I should be looking for? Is there any pointers or things I can look for when looking at the car? Common problems, issues, TSB's, just little weird Viper issues that owners know about?

I heard about the cabin heat issues is it really that bad? I am gonna ask another quest and don't kick me... Does the car have cup holders?

Thanks guys

[vettetr]

Jeez, Invasion of the AE's!! Dude, your "cupholder" comment gave you away...

[bigdawg500]

Has one cup holder.....between your legs! The cabin heat is not as bad a everybody cries about. Turn on the ac to the floor on the lowest setting and there's a nice cool breeze

[rblong]

"cupholder" your asking about a %$^ cup holder? If a cup holder has anything to do with your decision you need to go back to a vette!

Besides that look for brake wear, rubber in fender wells etc to see how hard it had been run/tracked.

[mjorgensen]

Look at the underside for clues as to the condition and use from the previous owner, (off road excursions?). Condition of the nose and side sills of the car, $500 for nose repaint and about $700 to redo the sills if needed.

We look for seat bolster wear and any interior scratches or scuffs.

The wheels are also a common damage area from curbs, cost to repair a wheel is about $150 ea.

Take a look at the door seals on the body, tears and creases will cause wind noise and the seals are VERY expensive if not covered by a warranty.

Rock chips or cracks in the windshield, replacements are about $750 installed.

The condition of the clutch and brake fluids along with the diff fluid will point to maintenance that the car has gotten on a regular basis. If they are all dark and dirty chances are the owner did not properly maintain the car in general.

[Jstyle]

Cool thanks for the feedback... Sorry about the cupholder question seriously my bad I knew I would get a storm from that question. So are there any common issues other then the brakes wearing down quickly. I am just looking for symptoms of future issues. An example was my vette was notorius for burning oil from bad GM piston rings... Thanks for the feedback guys.

[viper spray]

Listen to the rear end for noise and make sure it shifts and goes into gear properly , there were some 04s with issues.