Spend the Money on a Gen 5 or Spend it on My Gen 2

[slitherv10]

Dilemma: I want more HP plus the extra amenities doesn't hurt.

Is it worth it?

Solutions:

1. Spend 20K on my 96 GTS and do a Heads and Cam Package along with Brake Upgrade and Suspension. Baer, Brembo 6 piston and for suspension thinking Moton or Penske.

2. Sell the car and add @40K more for a Gen 5.

[99RT10]

3: Keep the 96, get the Gen V. :D

[Scott_in_fl]

Is the '96 GTS all stock, low miles, great condition? If so, do not touch it. Keep it that way for yourself, or sell it.

Modding your cars is really just short-term gratification. Fun when you get them, but then you get used to them and need more. And then 5 years later you're wondering why you ever started down that path.

Men seem to have this problem with many other things that we lust for at times... seems great at first, knocks your socks off when you finally get to enjoy it those first few times, and then you realize that maybe it wasn't so great :)

[serpent]

Is the '96 GTS all stock, low miles, great condition? If so, do not touch it. Keep it that way for yourself, or sell it.

Modding your cars is short-term gratification. Fun when you get them, but then you get used to them and need more. And then 5 years later you're wondering why you ever started down that path. Men have this problem with many other things that we lust for at times... seems great at first, and then you realize that maybe it wasn't so great :)
Might be awhile till see price increase. The highest a Gen II sold for was a GTS-R @ BJ, that had like 1400 miles and it was only $69k. That is a long time to sit for virtually no appreciation. Sorry, not trying to make this a value thread!

Heres a glimpse of what they're selling for (no this isn't the be all end all list on pricing, LOL):
https://bringatrailer.com/dodge/viper/

Scroll down, mostly Gen II cars.

[GTSilver]

Dilemma: I want more HP plus the extra amenities doesn't hurt.

Is it worth it?

Solutions:

1. Spend 20K on my 96 GTS and do a Heads and Cam Package along with Brake Upgrade and Suspension. Baer, Brembo 6 piston and for suspension thinking Moton or Penske.

2. Sell the car and add @40K more for a Gen 5.

I'm interested in getting a gen 2, if you ever decide to sell please pm or list it here in the forums. Good luck with either choice you make.

Yousif

[texasram]

A gen 5 pretty much comes out the box with the performance you plan packing into the gen 2, if you get one with the track pack.

[v10viperbox]

Me being me. If you are 6'0 or taller then absolutely get the Gen V.

If your Gen II is stock I would really think about leaving it that way. They are right about mod's being a bottomless money pit and they do decrease the reliability of the car and the collect ability.

[ACRSNK]

What are the details on your Gen II?

[Steve M]

Modding an older car to perform similarly to a more modern version that is already what you want (or close enough) is generally a losing proposition. You might get it to make similar numbers power-wise, but it will probably not have as nice of street manners, and you will always have to deal with the low rent interior and the rattles that come along with an older car. You will likely also blow your proposed budget - the extra power of a Gen 5 car is certainly nice, but there are some other things like the clutch and the smoother shifting TR-6060 transmission that have a big impact on the overall driving experience. Neither of those things are cheap.

I've been in your situation before, although I was looking to mod a different platform. Once I totaled up how much money I had already spent chasing my tail trying to get it "just right", it still ended up not being what I wanted. The good news is that I ended up with a Viper, and at the time I bought it, the car was perfect - I actually told my wife I'd never even need to mod it. That lasted a little while, and my signature line has been growing steadily ever since. Heh.

[slitherv10]

3: Keep the 96, get the Gen V. :D

Right. I wish I could. Sold one of my Vipers. my Hayabusa and now down to one. Its not a matter of collecting , its a matter of not enjoying them as i would like to. Just too busy at work.


Is the '96 GTS all stock, low miles, great condition? If so, do not touch it. Keep it that way for yourself, or sell it.

Modding your cars is really just short-term gratification. Fun when you get them, but then you get used to them and need more. And then 5 years later you're wondering why you ever started down that path.

Men seem to have this problem with many other things that we lust for at times... seems great at first, knocks your socks off when you finally get to enjoy it those first few times, and then you realize that maybe it wasn't so great :)

Its got quite a few mods already I do have all the original parts for it but Its not stock. Sold my stock 96 a few years ago as it was hard to look at it in the garage and I kept driving this one. Bought a 2008 vert but it wasn't for me and sold that one last year


What are the details on your Gen II?

Has every conceivable option you could ad without tampering with the motor. Motor is all stock.

List:

-Complete Autoform GTSR Package including, roof scoop, hood vent, cowl vent, Rear 4 fin Diffuser, Canards, Complete front GTSR Facia with fogs and underside splitter and GTSR Rear wing with custom Sneaky Pete Aluminum di-cut wing ends.

-19/20 setup Hennesey 3 Piece Wheels with New Super Sport Tires all around

-Speed calibrator

-Alan Eagle 945's Coil Overs all around

-Drilled/slotted rotors

-Belanger Headers with Borla Exhaust (sounds incredible)

-Mopar Performance Computer

-Vipair cold air intake

-K&N filters

-GTSR Performance wires

-6500K headlight set up (Bluish color)

-3M all around. 3/4 hood, Mirrors, Side sills, Roof front, Wing, rear lower bumper

-MGW complete brushed aluminum package: Shifter knob,turn signal lever, heater controls, oil cap, dip stick,

-Chrome sneaky pete gas cap

-Short shifter

-Stereo/amp upgrade with Bluetooth

-Carbon fibre dipped and clear coated Cowl, center console,entrance sills, Hennessey wheels, door handle covers, computer cover

-Triple core original rad

-New rear window struts

-GTSR top of the line floor mats

-Clear white side markers

-New wiper motor

Has a few miles on it (50K miles) as I do drive it but 80% of the drives are on the Highway on Saturday and Sunday mornings before 9am. No traffic and open road.

Not one scratch on the car as i had it professionally water sanded and gone over and polished last year.

Have never put less than 93 Octane in it and changed the oil with Mobil 0/40 every year.

Have both fobs and also sneaky pete uncut keys along with all the original parts that came off in boxes.

You asked so I listed......

[99RT10]

Modding an older car to perform similarly to a more modern version that is already what you want (or close enough) is generally a losing proposition. You might get it to make similar numbers power-wise, but it will probably not have as nice of street manners, and you will always have to deal with the low rent interior and the rattles that come along with an older car. You will likely also blow your proposed budget - the extra power of a Gen 5 car is certainly nice, but there are some other things like the clutch and the smoother shifting TR-6060 transmission that have a big impact on the overall driving experience. Neither of those things are cheap.

Heh.

Low rent? :t0135: We, in the Gen 1/2 community, call the rattles "character" :D

[Steve M]

Low rent? :O We, in the Gen 1/2 community, call the rattles "character" :D

I guess my Gen 4 has some character too then :)

[99RT10]

I guess my Gen 4 has some character too then :)


Mine does....... :D

[ForTehNguyen]

V for Victory

[Bruce H.]

Since buying the Gen V I've sold 2 collectible sports cars from the 90's that I had loved forever and said I'd never sell. There's a lot to be said for newer, especially if you plan to put miles on them, and maybe the Gen V has enough of the Gen II vibe to make you as happy with it as I am with mine. Best car ever, and after a long list of beauties. Good luck Tommy!

[cubeman]

Sell Gen II, get Gen V.

[Scott_in_fl]

^^^ This, now that we know more about the Gen 2.

[Mopar Boy]

The experience is different. Depends what you want....

The gen 5 is a bit more refined. It has nannies. It has less raw feel.....

I love those things about my Gen 2. Comparing that to the new car, I would say for long term driving, the gen 5 is the way to go. If not driving for more than 2 hours, stay Gen 2.

Robert

[ViperJames]

I had the same dilemma spent a ton of money on my 2000GTS and was either going to put another 20K into it or buy a Gen V..... I sold my car and bought the Gen V. I could not possibly be happier with the choice. I even look at times online and consider what I could buy for Gen V money and there is nothing out there I would even consider.

[ACRSNK]

Get the Gen V. You will be happy if you do.

[slitherv10]

Since buying the Gen V I've sold 2 collectible sports cars from the 90's that I had loved forever and said I'd never sell. There's a lot to be said for newer, especially if you plan to put miles on them, and maybe the Gen V has enough of the Gen II vibe to make you as happy with it as I am with mine. Best car ever, and after a long list of beauties. Good luck Tommy!

ThanKs for the insight Bruce. It helps to see most on here have sold cars that were special to them or they thought was enough car for them, yet, own a Gen V now and wouldn't trade it for another. Seems there a lot more car once driven then most of us ever imagined. Great to see you still plugging away here on the forums Bruce. Have not been part of the club for a few years now as work has taken a toll on me in the last 3-4 years. Drove the Viper twice last year.
Maybe I'll sell and not get nothing for the moment and see what the car manufactures come out with in the next couple of years and then decide if the Viper is still the car for me. Its hard to let go though. I've gotten rid of all 3 of the Vipers and still today wish I would have kept them all. I would hate for it to happen again but this time with nothing left. It ill be hard to convince the wife with nothing in the stable to start adding again.

[Red Snake]

I must be different than most on this. I have a Roe Gen II on 10 lbs of boost and I am quite happy with it, the way it sits. I have no desire to trade it for a newer model, and it's current power level is quite sufficient. I don't feel any uncontrolled urges to spend more on it, or upgrade it further. It is dead nuts reliable. No unexpected costs or breakages, other than routine items for the cars age.

To each his own.

[serpent]

I dont think there is any 20 year old car that exists that I would take over my Gen V.
Maybe a McLaren F1 or a '00+ Diablo. LOL

I would test drive a Gen V first OP, then from there decide.

[cubeman]

I dont think there is any 20 year old car that exists that I would take over my Gen V.
Maybe a McLaren F1 or a '00+ Diablo. LOL

I would test drive a Gen V first OP, then from there decide.

Might as well buy a Gen V then, once you test drive there's no going back ;)

[Terminator02]

Slither my advice is a tad different. I do not see logic regarding stock vs modded when deciding to upgrade or not when you are looking for performance as you would keep a gen 2 only for zillion year collector status.

Seems you are far from stock and know specifically what you would do. So here is an issue I had coming right from a Gen 2 ACR full exhaust to a stock 2015 GT. I knew it was more powerful but did not feel that way. The low end gen 2 torque, the noisey super uninsulated interior and aggressive custom exhaust on my gen 2 ACR left me feeling a bit of buyers remoarse. Plus it is hard to get iver gen 2 styling

If you want power for purpose get the gen 5. Plus every other metric is better, brakes, suspension etc. If it is a driving experience overall, you MAY find you will need to invest in mods anyway. Stock was for me waay too quiet. Also there is a pretty good (motortrend?) Article and Youtube video of a yellow 13 SRT against a 96 fully modded 660+hp gen 2 around the track and with other benchmarks. Even with more power, the Gen 2 will come up short to a stock 13 which is why from a purely performance argument a gen 5 is a no brainer. Other factors muddy it a bit. GL

[ViperJon]

Might as well buy a Gen V then, once you test drive there's no going back ;)

I just had to sit in it and I was sold. Kit car interior versus world class interior.

[Scott_in_fl]

It ill be hard to convince the wife with nothing in the stable to start adding again.

^^^ Do not underestimate the gravity of this consideration here :)

[serpent]

I just had to sit in it and I was sold. Kit car interior versus world class interior.
My first test drive was when I bought the car! No regerts! LOL

[Snakebit10]

I don't know about the rest of you but I would love to see some pics of that Gen II beast. From the list you provided it sounds like its a nice build.

Wish you the best on choosing what's right for you.

[Bruce H.]

ThanKs for the insight Bruce. It helps to see most on here have sold cars that were special to them or they thought was enough car for them, yet, own a Gen V now and wouldn't trade it for another. Seems there a lot more car once driven then most of us ever imagined. Great to see you still plugging away here on the forums Bruce. Have not been part of the club for a few years now as work has taken a toll on me in the last 3-4 years. Drove the Viper twice last year.
Maybe I'll sell and not get nothing for the moment and see what the car manufactures come out with in the next couple of years and then decide if the Viper is still the car for me. Its hard to let go though. I've gotten rid of all 3 of the Vipers and still today wish I would have kept them all. I would hate for it to happen again but this time with nothing left. It ill be hard to convince the wife with nothing in the stable to start adding again.
Hmmm, maybe you're in a stage where you don't really need or maybe even want a toy. Timing and priorities is everything. Question, if you had a Gen V last year would you have driven and enjoyed it more frequently. If the answer is no then it makes you wonder if just hanging on to your beauty makes more sense for down the road. Less of an investment sitting there, not depreciating, less need to justify, and less guilt if you don't use it...so long as you don't sink more into it in mods. If you think just changing things up a bit would help with your passion then I tend to think investing in the last model might make better financial sense from a resale value standpoint.

Not sure which Gen V model would appeal to you. I naturally follow TA prices, which have steadily been going up locally, with several having sold for more than I paid new for mine. The fellow that bought Gary's K's used '14 orange TA could sell it today for minimum $30k more than he paid for it, and more likely $40K more. He doesn't drive it much either but surely enjoys watching its value increase, and it turned out to make pretty good financial sense regardless! Hard to predict future values but I think if you buy the right Gen V, and we're all a bit lucky, it may not be the worst place to park a wad of surplus cash:)

And there will always be exciting new cars coming down the line, and good used values to be had...if the wife signs off! Decisions, decisions.

Bruce

[Martyb]

I have a 98 with 63,000 and an 01 with 56,000 miles, I have no rattles in ether on of them, both GTS’s. Guess I’m the lucky one!

[Rare Snake]

I smiled when I saw the title of this thread, as that was my exact dilemma also. I had the Gen 1 and 2, and I was torn on forced induction mods, or trading for a built car. Once I realized I would be in the same range as buying a new one, the Gen V came into view.

I have had the same car for 3 years now, and I only missed my Gen 2 when I saw the new owner had lent it to a buddy who wiped it out right away, I felt like it was somehow my fault.

If you do decide to get into the new style, I strongly believe you will never regret it. Good luck with your decision.

Dason

[Terminator02]

I just had to sit in it and I was sold. Kit car interior versus world class interior.

No brainer assuming money is no issue. Better in almost every way. Ironically I did not mind the interior. Gauge layout was fine, really enjoyed the seats. Still a top entry level exotic imo. I never had a 3rd or 4th Gen Viper so the interior and ride improvements I missed out on so in ways I initially missed the way the ACR "felt" when driving. But...did not take long to adjust lol.

[amilch]

I have a GEN 2 and a Gen 5 TA. Love both cars but my TA is very special. Good Luck

[Fatboy 18]

I would like a Gev V ACR, but the prices are totally out of my pocket, I also know I would likely mod it too into a Daytona or Le mans replica car
But I would not want to ever sell my beautiful Gen II either!

Tough choices SlitherV10

[Fatboy 18]

I tried this on my 2000 GTS back when Dodge announced that they were going to make the GEN 5. I thought I could never afford a new Viper so I wanted to bring my 2000 up to the same level. This is where I started.
Paxton Installed $9,000.00
GEN 3/4 Brakes $4675.00
Headers/Complete exhaust $4225.00
T/D Rocker $1000.00
Custom Radiator $975.00
Clutch/ Pressure Plate $750.00
So about $12,000.00 so far.
Luckily I had already bought new rims before hand because the old one's won't fit over the big brakes.
At this point the car had an overheating issue and needed a tune and no one local. I did some research and shipped the car to a shop in SoCal. After listening to the shop owner I decided to have him build the motor add a real fuel system.
I won't go into too many details but after spending well over $30,000.00 at this shop not including shipping the car down there and back twice as well as driving the car down and back there once. Fly down Twice to pick it up and flying back once when the motor wasn't done right the first time. Motel rooms and little things like how they drilled thru into my fuel tank when instilling a water/meth bottle in the car and don't forget this all took over a year and a half. I ended up with a 750 rwhp and a car that was a blast to drive when it didn't overheat "They never addressed that issue" for a little over 3 months until the crank snot snapped completely off. It mite have had something to do with there crank bolt mod "Drill and tapped the hole deeper" he talked me into when the crank bolt loosens up and wiped out the timing cover and I had to ship the car back down there again to get the motor pulled and fixed. At this point said shop said I was on my own.

I sold the car broke on the inter web for penny on the dollar and bought a 2000 mile 2013 GEN 5 GTS. As fun as the other car was for what little time I could drive it. At the point it had been modded to it was a loud hot rod and not something I would enjoy being in for any length of time. I like to drive my cars the 2000 I had put 40,000 mile on it in three year before I started that mess and the 2013 now has 35,000 mile after three and a half years of ownership.

I just touched on some of the high lights of my journey there were many more that I have been trying to forget. I have a running joke with a good friend on mine that if I would have just given him the 2000 for free before I started with upgrading I would have been money ahead and without a doubt this 100% true.

You sir are on a slippery slope be very very careful of your next move.

Feel free to PM me if you want to know the shops name. He was a site supporter here at one time.

Thank you for the Honest post, this is exactly why I Don't want to get into my engine and start modding, so many "expert" companies out there :rolleyes:

[Angleiron]

Had 2 Gen II's...all of them were fun cars. I did the big brake upgrades, headers, etc. on them and at the time it seemed to satisfy me. Then I decided to go to a Gen IV, and to be completely honest I would not go back to a Gen II because the Gen IV is just a better car even after upgrading the Gen II. Now I have a Gen V (still have the Gen IV...it is a vert), and the Gen V is a better car than the Gen IV...and that is just the way it is as these cars just got better and better.

You cannot compare a Gen II to a Gen V in any possible way.