[sshorty]

Here is the situation. Looking to buy a new or used viper.

Looking to buy a new viper at a discounted rate if possible. Otherwise we have been looking at used ones. What do we look for?

Found a '93 $25k but it has some scratches and paint chips, also the rims need to be straightened and the windshield is cracked.

Found a '94 in Red, but don't want red, in mint condition with '96 wheels and everything is perfect. They want $28k.

Both cars run great and don't burn any oil or coolant. What are the main things to look for when buying a used viper? Do any of you know of anyone selling a used non-red viper in great shape?

Also, is it common for the interior plastics to be cracked? The center console on both have wear and look as though they have been taken out and put back in, maybe from doing the clutch? I'm not sure, this is my first viper buying experiance.

What years are the best to look for? What years have problems and what are the common problems?

 

[gthomas]

Just make a Money Order and go for an '04. You'll have no worries on the car. And get the extended warranty.

 

[tito]

The biggest problem with GEN I's is they blow head gaskets. Thats a pretty big deal and unless the car is under warranty, YOU will have to pay for parts and labor.


Honestly, keep saving your money and buy a Gen II (96 or newer GTS; or 97 and newer RT/10)

Good luck with your purchase and take your time finding the right car. :twocents:

 

[nohsreg2000]

Take a look at my Viper.

The previous owners are here and the Viper tech who works on it (and previous owner) is here. My car is known in the Viper community

http://www.viperalley.com/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/232458/page/11/view/collapsed/sb/5/o//fpart/1

Buy a quality car with a great history. You get what you pay for. The head work the two cars you are looking at(probably need) is worth the difference alone.

Feel free to PM me with any questions you have.

What is your location??

 

[socalrebell]

If you can afford it I go for a used '01/'02 abs is a major plus. There is a classified section here and a huge classified at www.viperclub.org you can pick up a decent '01 for the mid 50K range.

 

[sshorty]

Well here is the thoery/reason behind this purchase. It's black with HRE wheels, it has minor cosmetic problems that would cost under a couple grand to fix, and the interior is in decent shape, decent enough that to fix would only be a few of our own hours of labor.


The guy buying it is my best friend, and he is looking to just buy it, do the minor work to it, drive it for the summer, and sell it in the fall. If the car is in excellent shape, it should be able to be reasold for at least $24,000 or so, don't you think?

So it looks like he is pretty set on this car, so now the ? is what do I look for? How do I go about checking out the car. Is it worth doing a compression test? If so, what's the best/proper way to do it? Where is the MPI fuse in the car? What tools do I need to remove the spark plugs, as the car is over an hour away and I don't wanna leave tools behind that I may need. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks again, and so far you all in the Viper community have been very nice and friendly, moreso than some other car commmunities.

 

[V10 MOJO]

both good prices if you want a gen1

 

[ABADASP]

Try and get a local Viper tech to inspect the car for you. The seller should not mind if you take it to a local dealer.

 

[99RT10&GTS]

24K for wrecked Viper is a great price. How many miles are on the 93 and 94?

 

[sshorty]

The Viper isn't wrecked, its just been driven and is more than fixable for only approx 3 grand to make it close to mint. My questions are:

What's the proper way to do a compression test on a Viper? Where is the MPI fuse, or all the fuses for that matter?

What's the best way to check if the head gasket is going?

What are some other things to check that aren't visually apparant?

thanks for your help
mike

 

[Chuck 98 RT10]

If you can afford it I go for a used '01/'02 abs is a major plus.

ABS is for pussies. Which is particularly true in SoCal's case.

 

[sshorty]

Bueller, anyone, anyone Bueller? Come on guys, I'm going to look at this car tomorrow at noon, someone has to know how to do the things I asked....where is the fuse box on the car? along with the ?'s above. Do you guys also know where to get a Shop Manual besides Dodge?

 

[Chuck 98 RT10]

My 98 has a fuse box under the dash above the clutch peddle, another fuse box in the trunk next to the amp, and relays under the hood drivers side. GenI has relays on the opposite side, not sure about the other GenI locations.

Shop manuals are $60 from Dodge if you are a VCA member. Otherwise try ebay.

Look for fluid leaking from the head gaskets. Ask them if the gaskets have been replaced and who did them.

Typical scratches are: under fascia, side exhaust tips, curb rash on wheels.

Personally I would take Tito's advice, but any year Viper is a great year.

 

[sshorty]

Thank you very much for your informative and honest response, hopefully I will have enough information to do a compression test and check out other potential problem areas on the car. Do any of you know what normal compression would be in doing a compression test. I don't mean the compression ratio, but an actual compression test.

For instance, on a DSM (turbo eclipse, talon, laser or galant vr-4), normal compression would be 155psi or so accross all four cyliders with the stock 7.8:1 compression, on a motor with 9:1 compression it should be about 185-190 accross the board, do you know what it should be in a stock viper? I do know, that all cylinders should have the same # within 5 or 10 psi, but what is the # it should have?

Thanks again