Heya guys, Ive never posted in the viper forum [because I dont have a Viper.. go figure lol] Anyways. I was wondering what advice you guys have on someone looking to purchase a Viper [1996 GTS is the car in mind right now. Ones for sale just down the road from me] I wondered if anyone could tell me anything about reliability / cost of maintnance [a lot Im guessing?] / if I could work on it myself [Im really good with cars] or if it requires special tools, etc. Also what should I look for that generally goes wrong with these cars before buying one? Also Ive read a few posts on here about people destroying them, which kind of scares the hell out of me.. is it that these people or stupid or that the car is uncontrolable? Granted I am only 20 but I have been driving for half my life. My dad used to build race-cars, and I got a lot of practice in there.. so I would say I'm a pretty good driver, easily better than anyone I know my age and well enough for most people's parents to comment on my skill. Would you guys pretty much recommend that I just stay away from a Viper or do you think if I drove it not like an idiot I'd be ok? Right now I have a Z28 Camaro and so far no problems with that [other than the ocasional speeding ticket =P] Also one more question is how easily do the engines respond to modifications?

 

Your normal maintenance type stuff will not be any more expensive than any other car, well other than you buy 10 plugs, wires, and a little more oil. This does not include brakes, pads are expensive compared to a car like a Camaro.

Tires are a little more expensive.

The larger expenses happens when you have a problem and need a part that is unique to the Viper.

Performance/visual upgrades are also more expensive. Programmers, exhaust, intakes, S/C, shifters, wheels, flor mats, you name it. For example you can relate to this owning a Ram. A complete exhaust system from my SRT Ram was $2700 in parts,I did the labor(long tube headers, mids and cat back). It is no different on the Viper, headers are costly as well as the parts behind it. But one of the best things you can do is put high flows or remove the CATs all togehter. It not only increases power nicely but reduces heat in the side sills.

The car is reliable. GEN II GTS's really do not have any "bad" issues that happen. Of course a lot of that will have to do with how much you drive it and how you drive it.

As for costs, for a GEN II depending on miles expect to pay high 30s up to low 50s for a low mile mint car. Also, in 96 the Blue/White cars tend to get a little extra $ over a comparable car in a different color.

As for tools the only thing that comes to mind is ajack. The car is low. I had a Firebird, which was also low, but nothing like this car. My jacks did not work.I used a 2x4 screwed to a 2x6 that I drive ontoso I can get my jack under the car. Or you can buy a low profile jack. I think I have a pic of what I do in the oil change DIY section.

 

man why you want to spend so much money on ugly car? plus vipers so slow i beat 3 of them so far and my car cost waaaayyy less so whos laughing now? plus viper pushrods are weak and 350s are crappy motors you dont want a viper man!!

 

right.. because we all know that AMC eagle's / lebarons are sexy cars.[:'(]
Im sure you beat three of them.
First of all.. if I have the money to buy the car because I like it, whats the problem?
Secondly, vipers dont have 350's. Idiot.
I assume you know nothing about the Viper engine at all so I am going to disregard pretty much everything that you've said.


As for 94rt10ohio's post, thanks a lot man. I figured that viper-specific parts would cost a lot. Thanks a lot for your opinion. If anyone else has any info on the cars/ what to look at when buying / etc that would be great