[LiquidSnake]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and I'm currently in the market for a new car. I've heavily considered a Viper and just wanted to ask a few questions about it.

These are typical newb questions so please don't flame. I've always heard that Vipers spend most of their time in the shop. Is this true or are people exaggerating the reliability of the car? I can understand if one does many mods to it but stock?

Also, how susceptible to mods is the car? Obviously I've seen plenty of modified Vipers with tire melting #'s but at what cost? I owned a 97 TT Supra which was very inexpensive to modify for BIG #'s.

Last question is kind of like the first question but how is it as a daily driver?

Thanks for any input. Nice site you have here and awesome car!

 

[TOM B]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and I'm currently in the market for a new car. I've heavily considered a Viper and just wanted to ask a few questions about it.

These are typical newb questions so please don't flame. I've always heard that Vipers spend most of their time in the shop. Is this true or are people exaggerating the reliability of the car? I can understand if one does many mods to it but stock?

Also, how susceptible to mods is the car? Obviously I've seen plenty of modified Vipers with tire melting #'s but at what cost? I owned a 97 TT Supra which was very inexpensive to modify for BIG #'s.

Last question is kind of like the first question but how is it as a daily driver?

Thanks for any input. Nice site you have here and awesome car!

O.K. let's start fromt the top, I am a Dodge service manager and we handle alot of vipers, but not for breakdown reasons. Vipers are very resiliant cars and do not require a crap load of maintenance or repairs. The only time we see them in for any legth of time is during the winter months when they aren't driven. My customers vipers and those of most on this site spend most of their time on the road or at the track doing things that would destroy most cars, so answer to question A is no.

Question B, are who asking how well mods work on the cars, the easy answer is yes, but to find the whole truth, browse the forums here and especially the one that says something like "The Chad goes 8.74 sec in the 1/4".

Question C, the cost depends on how fast you want to go and who you deal with, reputable or otherwise. I didn't think mods to supras were cheap, considering how much a single turbo and and AEM would cost.

Question D, if you live where it doesn't snow, no problem, just think before you drive, most vipers are not primary drivers.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Emanon]

are who asking how well mods work on the cars

Engrish? Even I can structure a sentence better then that... :smiles:

 

[TOM B]

Engrish? Even I can structure a sentence better then that... :smiles:

You my fine furry friend are still in college, whilst I have been out of school for far too long to worry about what type of sentance structure I use when replying to a newb in the viper discussion forum, my concern was strictly information and clarity, not proper sentance etiquette, you are lucky I didn't use a run-on sentance like this one to make my point known, rather I at leats used paragraphs, whilst you sir must just poke fun at my apparent lack of structure, so take your college education and your hoity-toidy-ness and just bite me pal, and if that's not enough, well than I don't know. :hiFU:

 

[Emanon]

I was tryig to clarify what "are who asking how well mods work on the cars" meant? I dont get it?

are who?

:snicker: you said hoity-toidy..... :lol:

 

[CS]

Vipers are bulletproof reliable, provided you change the oil regularly and keep up with routine maintainence. Seriously, the C&D picture of the GTS that caught fire during testing was one of the biggest FUBARS that could have happened to cast the car in a poor light as far as reliablity is concerned. No bullshit, they run really well, even under the harshest conditions.

As far as making big power for cheap, well, you can't. It's not like upping the boost and fuel and pushing out 600+ RWHP. Mods for these cars are on the expensive side, although you can get a Roe bolt-on blower kit for ~9K installed and put down 600ish. It all depends on where you want to go.

The thing to remember, in your case, is that the Viper is a totally different driving experience. The car is just a beast as far as torque goes, so the 440+ on a stock Viper is going to feel really freakin' fast. All that power is available from damn near off-idle, too. Feels way different then a turbo-spool, for sure.

The Viper is also about total-package performance; you get a big-assed motor that will still get 20 mpg on the highway, a very stiff, well-handling chassis, and world-famous looks. Don't be fooled by anyone that tells you that the Viper is poor-handling. That's absolutely disputable-by-facts bullshit; it's just not easy to drive at the 10/10ths limit.

Some guys use their cars as a daily, and it will depend on what daily driver you are coming from as to how acceptable the car is for you on your commute. If you're used to a luxury car, the heavy clutch, cheap-feeling turn-stalks and interior appointments, and the fact you really have to focus to drive this car are going to bother you. If you can live with those type of things, use it as a daily. It doesn't need thirty-thousand dollar, engine out services every xxK miles like a Ferrari does. But, it is more of a toy than a commuter and for overall practicality, drop 5-10 grand, get a used, older car with some character, and drive that everyday. Save the Viper for weekends, going to parties, etc. But that's just my opinion.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

BTW - If it seems like I think the Viper is a simply amazing, perfect car, well I don't. It has faults and weaknesess just like any other, but for what that car does, it does it better than any other car under 100K and better than some over.

 

[TOM B]

It's very simple, Mr. supposedly in college man, he asked how susceptible are the cars to mods and I was trying to determine if he meant how well they take to the mods or whether they are hard on the cars. Mr. hoity-toidy. There, I said it again, and if you bother me more I shall say NEE!

 

[BigCarrot]

Vipers are great! Here is a good one! http://www.viperalley.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=421&sort=2&cat=2&page=1

 

[LiquidSnake]

Hehe, very nice. I remember when the Steel Grey ACR's came out I almost wet myself. Ahhhhhh tough decisions to make. I'm still doing research and deciding on what's going to be best for me. If I had the money to make the Viper a second car it'd be a no brainer. But I have my eye on a few cars so I'm doing a little soul searching.

 

[Toby]

Vipers are great! Here is a good one! http://www.viperalley.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=421&sort=2&cat=2&page=1

you are such a slut!



and to the newbie....do a search. Vipers handle mods VERY well.

 

[Tie]

LiquidSnake,

Vipers are a great car and they just do not break or require a specialist to do simple maintenece. It is very easy to work on if you have any mechanical experience. Plugs, Filters, Oil and Brake changes are simple and easy.

You can find lemons that were abused and ragged out just like anything else but on the whole it's a worry free car (at least mine has been for the years I have owned it) and good ones are all over the place.

I would be more scared of owning a turbo supra than my Viper.

Forgot to mention that parts for modding are expensive but expensive is a subjective term. A good example of expensive would be headers which start at $1895.00 and go up from there.
Mod parts are pricey because there are less than 14,000 '92 thru '02 vipers built and nobody can sell enough parts to get enough profit after R&D costs to make it worth while.

Find a Viper you are intrested in and ask this board or another if a close by member would help you check out the car before you buy. I've seen many guys do it for people such as yourself as we are a close knit community that absolutely love our cars.

 

[Tanked]

I bought a viper this summer an 01 ACR. I love this car. I drive it EVERY chance I get. I did drive the car in the race once. What a dumb mistake that was. I got about three blocks from my house and turned around. This car HATES the rain. I was taking off in 2nd gear...and still spinning the tires. It was all I could do to keep that ass planted.

Reliable, From what I can tell, I've put this car though as much hell as I can. I have yet to bust a single part...except for the need for a new set of rear tires.

Cheap to mod....HELL NO! A damn shift knob for this thing is $75. Think I'm kidding, goto www.mgwltd.com I love that gas cap but $400 is just a little much. If you take your time, you can find good deals on things people have pulled off due to upgrade or sell of the car. For exsample there is a cat-back exhust system for sale for $600. The cheapest way, is to buy the car modified. I would say 99% of viper owners would not do a cheap shitty hack job on the mods.

Handling. Yea, these things handle VERY well. Most sit a 1g on the skid-pad. Any idiot that says they can't is a fucking liar and doesn't know how to deal with THROTTLE OVER STEER. A viper can throttle over-steer faster then you can plant your foot onto floor.

Daily Driver....I would but I have a company car. This car rides just as good as my DSM or Neon did after they where modified. It is a little tight on the inside but livable IMOP. I would upgrade the stock radio though...I think it sucks.


The biggest thing to remember about the Viper is that it is a RACE CAR tamed for the street. If you get a ACR just add a rollcage and some race slicks and go destory most anything at the track. Vipers where never ment to be a drag car, although they have the balls to do it. A Viper longs the track.

 

[OCTANE11]

I bought mine and was thinking of making it a daily driver, but it's too nice. I want to drive it every day, but I can't fathom leaving it alone in a lonely parking lot where any kid can walk up to it and f**k with it to impress his friends. :sancho:I ended up getting a clean 95 suv for dirt cheap, just to drive to work and grocery store. If you can, get a second car. If you can't, then just be careful where you leave it. Also depends on how far you drive and if you're sitting in traffic all day. Good Luck.

You won't be dissappointed... :drive:

 

[LiquidSnake]

All great responses. Thanks for all the input. I will let everyone know if/when I get one. I might wait until I can make it a second car but we'll see. The wife isn't too keen on the idea of a Viper as a daily. Mostly because she hates it when I modify my cars

 

[TOM B]

All great responses. Thanks for all the input. I will let everyone know if/when I get one. I might wait until I can make it a second car but we'll see. The wife isn't too keen on the idea of a Viper as a daily . Mostly because she hates it when I modify my cars

O.K. now you blew it, wives are not even in the equation, you have to make the hard decision on your own. Wives, and women in general, suck the life out of us and we need something to re-energize us, that's the viper. :thumb:

 

[vipergts2000]

Hehe, very nice. I remember when the Steel Grey ACR's came out I almost wet myself. Ahhhhhh tough decisions to make. I'm still doing research and deciding on what's going to be best for me. If I had the money to make the Viper a second car it'd be a no brainer. But I have my eye on a few cars so I'm doing a little soul searching.

If you cant afford a Daily Driver you are going to have problems buying upgrades!!!! Just buy some 85 honda to roll around. You dont have to have a 50k Escalade as a DD....

 

[V10 MOJO]

3 easy questions;

the car is NEVER in the shop unless youre modifying it or you broke it or you wrecked it.

the mods cost a shitload...its a viper and almost everyone is out to bend you over and fuck you on cost. stick with the recommended and endorsed tuners of this site and youll be fine

the car drives excellent as a daily driver, i personally have only 45k on my car, race it constantly and drive it cross country. all with no problems and complete comfort

enjoy your new viper

 

[Evil]

Isn't "liquid snake" Drano? or is it Liquid Plummer??