06 Ram SRT-10 RC or 2nd Gen Viper?

[Persicutor]

definitely buy the viper:rock: much more fun than a truck, and gets better gas mileage.

 

[94rt10ohio]

If your budget is 35K and you want a SRT Ram or GEN II Viper then it makes the decision easier. SRT Ram. It will be very hard to find a GEN II Viper for 35K, and most likely there will be issues with it or a salvage title. GEN II's run from upper 30s into the low 50s for a mint car. The 96 B/W also tends to pull a little extra $.

Where as 35K can buy you a almost flawless SRT Ram.

The other thing to consider. After you buy, whether it is the car or truck you will get the itch to make it better. You could pickup a VERY NICE SRT Ram for 30K and have 5K to help that itch.

One more word of advise. Sounds like you are bidding on EBay. Never buy a Viper from EBay wihtout checking it out in person or having someone check it out. Usually members on sites like these can help with that.

 

[Dave T(BADVENM)]

I could come down a bit from my 40K, perhaps we could meet half way. You'll be getting quite the truck for your budget. ViperTruck2933, Broke, UDLUZ and Joe Donovan from PBJ can verify its condition.

I had the second fastest time when I raced with the Viper guys a few weeks ago at Bandimere. The only Viper that was faster then me was a Hennessey 650.

 

[Eric]

If your budget is 35K and you want a SRT Ram or GEN II Viper then it makes the decision easier. SRT Ram. It will be very hard to find a GEN II Viper for 35K, and most likely there will be issues with it or a salvage title. GEN II's run from upper 30s into the low 50s for a mint car. The 96 B/W also tends to pull a little extra $.

Where as 35K can buy you a almost flawless SRT Ram.

The other thing to consider. After you buy, whether it is the car or truck you will get the itch to make it better. You could pickup a VERY NICE SRT Ram for 30K and have 5K to help that itch.

One more word of advise. Sounds like you are bidding on EBay. Never buy a Viper from EBay wihtout checking it out in person or having someone check it out. Usually members on sites like these can help with that.

Very good advice, thank you!

The '96 I bid on was a one owner car, clean carfax, talked with the owner before I bid, etc. It had 61k miles and went for $37,101. I don't mind the mileage since I will drive it also, so I am not looking for a low mileage investment piece.

Since you have a genI, would you recommend it compared to a genII? Thanks!

 

[94rt10ohio]

Very good advice, thank you!

The '96 I bid on was a one owner car, clean carfax, talked with the owner before I bid, etc. It had 61k miles and went for $37,101. I don't mind the mileage since I will drive it also, so I am not looking for a low mileage investment piece.

Since you have a genI, would you recommend it compared to a genII? Thanks!

Not if you plan to drive it alot and get stuck in rain. The top and side curtains do not seal well, or so I am told. They have not been on my car since it was delivered over two years ago.

 

[Prof]

If a truck is what you want...here is one that is like new...very few miles...and already set to go with the quickest...

http://www.vtcoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11585

 

[Eric]

Not if you plan to drive it alot and get stuck in rain. The top and side curtains do not seal well, or so I am told. They have not been on my car since it was delivered over two years ago.

Thanks!

I have decided to consider a 97-99 (99 preferred) RT/10 Viper as well, probably in silver. I would really rather have the forged internals if I want to up the power in the future.....

 

[Get Bit]

I agree with the others about the budget, I would not sell my 99 for less than 50K as it is also 1 of 22 with Silver and Blue stipes, 9K miles, etc. If you're limit is 35K get the truck as your going to be looking for a hi mileage / possible salvage title viper ( if your set on a 99) to stay in your budget.

 

[Eric]

I agree with the others about the budget, I would not sell my 99 for less than 50K as it is also 1 of 22 with Silver and Blue stipes, 9K miles, etc. If you're limit is 35K get the truck as your going to be looking for a hi mileage / possible salvage title viper ( if your set on a 99) to stay in your budget.

I am curious, what is considered high mileage on a Viper?

The 96 B&W I was bidding on went to $37K, and these 2 99 RT/10's are right under $40k buy it now. I am flexible on $35k to get what I want.....
Opinions on these two?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-Dodge-Viper-V10-Modified-Very-Fast-Lowered-Reserve_W0QQitemZ320128152156QQihZ011QQcategoryZ6209QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-DODGE-VIPER-RT-10-CONVERTIBLE-8-0L-V10_W0QQitemZ150133701411QQihZ005QQcategoryZ6209QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[94rt10ohio]

There is no written rule on what is high milage, but I look at it as under 17-20K on a GEN I or early GEN II and 12-15K on a late GEN II to be "typical" milage.

The one you mentioned earlier at 60K is VERY HIGH milage on a Viper. Not that the car will fall apart, just not many in that range.

 

[94rt10ohio]

Oh if you are going to get silver have them show pics of the side sills near the cats. The heat tends to "yellow" the silver. Also, the side sills tend to have rust issues. While Viper owners seem lik the do not want to say rust as it is aluminum, effectivly, it is.

 

[Eric]

Oh if you are going to get silver have them show pics of the side sills near the cats. The heat tends to "yellow" the silver. Also, the side sills tend to have rust issues. While Viper owners seems do not want to say rust as it is aluminum, effectivly, it is.

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

Since you seem very knowledgeable, what Viper would you suggest I buy near my budget? Thanks!

 

[94rt10ohio]

GEN I, but you will have the isues of the top/side curtains and of course lack of being about to lock it. Yes, they have locks, but the side curtains have zippers to get into the car to open the door.

You can pickup a nice GEN I with 12-20K on it for 30-34K.

On a GEN I you will want to make sure the head gaskets have been replaced. Factory gaskets had issues and it will cost you about 800-1000 for the gaskets alone, no that does not include labor.

 

[RedSrt007]

http://www.vtcoa.com/forums/showpost.php?p=254509&postcount=12

 

[BurntRubber]

Well, I had decided on a Gen II Viper and bid on a 1996 Blue with White Stripe GTS. I ended up losing with 2 seconds left in the auction. So I am back to square one. My problem is my budget is 35k or so for a Viper, and it is hard to find one that cheap for a Gen II GTS. So I guess I will keep watchin and keep my options open for the future. Here is my list of current candidates (subject to change)......

- 1996 or 1997 Blue with White Stripe Viper GTS
- 2000 Steel Gray Viper GTS
- 2002 Graphite Gray Viper GTS
- 2006 Mineral Gray Ram SRT-10 RC

Stay away from the 96 B&W's...there mine.

 

[Eric]

Stay away from the 96 B&W's...there mine.

C'mon man, you've got one SRT something and I have zero, share the joy with others!!!!

 

[BurntRubber]

C'mon man, you've got one SRT something and I have zero, share the joy with others!!!!

After driving a few Vipers I would say if it were a dailt driver go with the Ram SRT10

 

[Eric]

After driving a few Vipers I would say if it were a dailt driver go with the Ram SRT10

Nope, I've got my truck in my avatar as a daily driver. The Viper will be for nice days only, apparently you are not suppose to drive them in the rain..... LOL! :rofl: :vroam:

 

[BurntRubber]

Nope, I've got my truck in my avatar as a daily driver. The Viper will be for nice days only, apparently you are not suppose to drive them in the rain..... LOL! :rofl: :vroam:

then Viper it is!!! and remember stay away from the B&W's... you can find some deals on Red GTS's for 97.

 

[Eric]

Stay away from the 96 B&W's...there mine.

OK, I took your "advice".....

My wonderful fiance decided to buy me a Viper yesterday since she knew I would never do it (I have to pay for most of it however)!!!! Here are the specs......

1999 Dodge Viper
17,300 miles
1.1 owners (the guy I am buying it from had it for the last 4 months and it is too much car for him, other than that 1 owner)
Silver
19" iForged Black wheels
Full exhaust system
Other various performance bits

Yesterday was our 1 year anniversary, so she wanted to make it special.....

Thanks everyone for your help, this is the exact car I wanted (99 GTS with all the mods I want already on the car, I was listening to your advice!!!!)

I'm very happy, now I gotta get it shipped here!