New Viper Owner Questions

[SLP]

The car has had r28/29 recall completed resulting in an engine replacement with a warranty for 5 more years. I have a few questions:

Mechanical/Maintenance Questions:
1) There is a significant rattle present in both door panels. It seems to come from the upper most rearward area of the door panel (near where your shoulder is). The rattle goes away if I put slight pressure on that area. There is also a minor rattle coming from the center dash area that I have not yet been able to locate. Any recommendations for what I should do to solve this?

2) Since it is a 2013, I assume it has the 1" plastic stops under the seat that can be removed to gain more seat lowering range. What is the best way to locate and remove these plastic pieces?

3) Since it is a GTS with laguna black interior, it has white accent stitching. What is the best way to clean the white accent stitching? Some of it, mainly on the steering wheel has turned brown from the previous owner/s. I have thought about either a) steam cleaning it or b) using Adam's interior upholstery cleaner and dabbing it with a saturated microfiber cloth.

4) What is the best way to clean/condition the laguna leather interior? I have used Leatherique on previous leather interiors. Has anyone used that product and could report on it's efficacy?

5) What mileage/time range is it recommended to replace the timing chain/waterpump etc? I didn't see it in the owners manual's maintenance interval section. I have replaced timing chains in my previous cars at around 100K or 10 years.

Ownership Experience Questions:
6) Is it a bad idea to drive this car to work? I live in a very low SES area and get quite the varied reactions from coworkers. All of my coworkers make <50K per year whereas I make significantly more (through other revenue streams - owning a business and independently contracting my specialized skills). My philosophy is that I bought the car for myself and I should not care what other people think, I just ty not to flaunt anything and downplay the car. I am not worried about parking it, I am concerned about gaining the wrong type of attention.

7) How do you handle the "how much do you make?" and "how much did the car cost?" questions from strangers/coworkers? I have just been saying that it doesn't matter.

Thanks everyone in advance. I really appreciate the community on these forums and I am excited to learn this car.

[One Viper Bite]

Welcome and congratulations...I bought my first Viper at the age of 23. It was a 2013 GTS with 10,000 miles on it as well. I drove that car every single day, 50 miles round trip to and from work in Los Angeles traffic and I loved every single second of it. Unfortunately that car had a rough history prior to me acquiring it and it turned out to be a nightmare towards the end of my ownership.

I am now 25 and I have a 2017 1 of 1 GTC. I've learned a lot in a short amount of time. So here is my advice from someone who's had a similar path as you:

1. The plastic clips that hold the door panels are notoriously fragile in these cars. The dealer will replace them if your car is still under warranty (check the in service date of your car) for the bumper to bumber as the extended warranty you received for the engine replacement is only for powertrain AFAIK.

2. The Search functionality is your best friend - use it. But here is a thread that shows you what the spacers look like and how to locate them https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/1215-GenV-Seat-Lowering-Kit

3/4. The best investment you can make when it comes to interior is paying for a proper detailing from a professional. They have the tools and expertise to return your used Viper back to factory condition without damaging the leather, stitching etc. Then it will be very easy for you to maintain with at home products. I recommend Chemical Guys.

5. The timing chain never really needs to get replaced on these cars unless you're running boost, really beating on the engine, or racking up a ton of miles. I'd say rule of thumb on these cars or any high performance vehicle is to check the belts, timing chain, etc every 10,000 miles. I don't expect you'll need to worry about the timing chain until at least 60,000 miles on these cars if not more.

6/7. Are you planning on driving it occasionally to work or every single day? My advice would be to not tell anyone at work about the car unless they see it and ask. And when people ask "how much do you make" or "how much did it cost" just tell them "I'm just really passionate about cars and I choose to spend my money on them the same way people spend their money on other things!" That's my go to answer and people usually either understand or don't ask me those questions again. "It doesn't matter" I think comes off as negative and kind of like "none of your business.."

Congratulations and enjoy the car. Vipers are truly one of kind. Respect it. Learn from it. Ask the community for help - there is a wealth of knowledge and so many life-long Viper owners that are available to help and share wisdom.

P.S. Make sure you check that oil level often and keep it at a safe level.

[swexlin]

Everything Brian said is spot on. Timing chains are good for "life of car" in most modern vehicles. I wouldn't even give it a thought.

Even though you have a replaced engine, check the oil level regularly. That is the NUMBER ONE piece of advice I can give. Some of these cars use oil. I detail my own vehicles, after the initial professional one. Go to Autogeek.com for all the detailing information you'll ever need. I like Adam's Leather Conditioner on the interior of my Viper and truck.

I had the passenger door panel rattle, and the panel even separated. It's the clips, they are cheap.

I have driven my car to work, all my co-workers know about my car hobby. I don't normally, simply due to horrendous rush hour traffic, and getting dings in the parking lot. Commuting here in suburban Philadelphia is tough on vehicles!

[ForTehNguyen]

edmunds long term viper had a door rattle like you described, its worth a shot:
https://www.edmunds.com/dodge/viper/2015/long-term-road-test/2015-dodge-viper-gt-insanity-inducing-door-rattle-field-repair.html

I used chemical guys leather cleaner and conditioner, has a nice mild leathery smell to it with a slight shine

[Scott_in_fl]

Congrats on a beautiful car. I had a Gen III in the exact same color combo and it always put a smile on my face to see it in the garage. Although I did get tired of keeping the black clean and vowed not to do that again -- hence my preference for blue this time around :)

I don't get the "how much was it" question much any more, but when I do I take two different approaches depending on the age of the person asking. If it's little kids (which it usually is), I tell them $25. It evokes the best reactions ever --- "twenty-five bucks!!!!???, that's all??? Maybe I can buy one someday!" If it's anyone old enough to know better, then I tell them that you can find good used Vipers anywhere from $40k on up, and that it really depends on what year you get and which model you like.

If they keep prying and ask how much mine was, I'll tell them that it was more than $40k. And if they keep prying I may eventually tell them the real price, but this is South Florida and nobody is going to be surprised by those numbers or think there is something wrong with you for spending so much on a car.

[swexlin]

I simply say, I don't discuss finances with anyone. Period. If the person asking doesn't like it....too bad.

[Vipes]

Nice GTS, congrats and welcome!! My response to the how much question really depends on who it's coming from and how they ask it. If a car guy walks up and ask how much do these run. I just tell them the msrp starts at $85k and I don't find that as an out of line question at all. I've never had anyone ask flat out how much I make, I think most people have the common sense to know that is just plain rude. I've had a few ask what I do and I don't find this question crossing the line. It's usually asked by somebody younger who probably isn't happy with their job/income and is looking for ideas. If you have a nosy coworker asking how you can afford the car why not just tell them you own a business without getting into personal details/numbers. If not they are going to assume your parents bought it for you, you're dealing drugs or you bought some bitcoin in 2013.

[texasram]

Im in the same boat as you with #6, NEVER would i drive mine to work because of those same reasons

[SLP]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input.

I found door panel removal instructions here:
https://moparonlineparts.com/docs/82213535.pdf

I am awaiting my repair manual CD which should ship out to me soon. Nonetheless, I'll take off my door panels and look around for broken clips then try to procure them and replace as necessary.

I found out how to clean the white stitching on an auto detailing forum and this seems to be a generally recommended procedure:

Leather stitching is usually cotton and nylon mix, nylon is attacked by solvents, they melt it and weaken the threads. An oil-based product will attract abrasive dirt / grit and permeated the leather via the stitching, the oil will soften the leather, and the abrasive dirt plus friction may cause the leather to tear and / or the stitching to fail. Do not use harsh solvent-based cleaners as this may cause the stitching to fail over time

Stitching is somewhat friable if subjected to excessive abrasion. Bearing this in mind the cleaner and applicator ( a semi-soft toothbrush is ideal) needs to ‘do the work’ without relying on excess friction

a) Clean stitching using a medium / hard horse hair brush, a toothbrush or a sponge, spray and work the aqueous (water- based) cleaner into a foam or use; don't spray on the wheel, spray on the brush, constantly rinse the brush in clean water, remove cleaner by rinsing with clean water.

b) Use an aqueous (water- based) foaming cleaner; Leather Masters™ Foam Cleaner, shake aerosol thoroughly and then lightly rub surface and immediately wipe with a terry towel to remove excess moisture. You may need to repeat this process.
Once the stitching and the seating surfaces are clean apply Leather Masters™ Leather Protection this will help to keep the stitching clean and inhibit the ingress of dirt and soil

[chris_lee]

I'm running into some interesting comments driving it to work.. "Wow... I didn't know you had money like that". A few people have been a little rude about it. I've found the best answer for anything price related is to tell them it was the same price as a new stingray corvette. There must be 20 of those in our parking garage so I've had better responses with that. I never even mention the actual price. Just, that it's the same as a vette. 75% of them don't even know what a vette costs anyway.

I have noticed that at certain RPMs these cars can really drone and depending on the temp outside and the mood the car is in it just makes different sounds/buzz. Part of the character of the insanity of these cars.
Love the color combo ;-)

[ForTehNguyen]

just tell the guys at work its just a used Dodge


I have noticed that at certain RPMs these cars can really drone and depending on the temp outside and the mood the car is in it just makes different sounds/buzz. Part of the character of the insanity of these cars.
Love the color combo ;-)

stock droned bad at 80 mph in 6th gear for me. Changed to a belanger exhaust, drones at 72 mph but a less annoying frequency, and its nearly quiet 80-85 mph in 6th.

[ViperGeorge]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input.

I found door panel removal instructions here:
https://moparonlineparts.com/docs/82213535.pdf

I am awaiting my repair manual CD which should ship out to me soon. Nonetheless, I'll take off my door panels and look around for broken clips then try to procure them and replace as necessary.

I found out how to clean the white stitching on an auto detailing forum and this seems to be a generally recommended procedure:

my 14 GTS is at the dealer as I write this for the door rattle. Broken clips which they had in stock. There are two types of clips used, a plastic one that breaks, and a metal V shaped clip that can get lost if the panel is ever removed. Check them all.

[SLP]

my 14 GTS is at the dealer as I write this for the door rattle. Broken clips which they had in stock. There are two types of clips used, a plastic one that breaks, and a metal V shaped clip that can get lost if the panel is ever removed. Check them all.

I just got an approximate quote for $125 to diagnose and and labor rate of $135/hr + parts. The dealership said it would take approximately 3 hours of labor. That's $530 to replace some clips behind a door panel which is absurd. I'm going to do it myself after some more research.

[swexlin]

If you have a decent Viper tech, the don't have to "diagnose". Mine knew instantly what it was, and it probably took him a couple minutes. Mine was covered under warranty at the time, but if not, they would have only charge me for the clips most likely. Search around in your area for a dealer with a decent tech. Which are getting harder to find, no doubt.

[eseery]

Great looking Viper! Congrats!

In a similar boat as you, bought my GTS last summer when I was 25. I usually go with the "I found a great deal on it" response. I had the same reservations at first about driving mine everyday, surprisingly those reservations went away fairly quick and now I don't think twice about driving it anywhere.

[Lost me beer]

So. How much do you make?
Just fukn with ya!
Congrats on the new girl. She is gorgeous.
Funny u mention this because shortly after I bought mine, I was sitting at a local hangout and some guy (friend of a friend) asked me how much it was. I told him that I got a pretty good deal. He kept pressing. I told him that it was a number that I was comfortable with and can afford. Then he asks me what year and model it was. I told him. Next he grabs his phone and Googled it. He then tells my friend, "Damn. That guy paid $150,000 for that car!" Pretty sure he thought it was an ACR. Then I try to tell him that I paid nothing near that. He gets on his high horse and starts talking about "its only a Dodge" and how stupid I was to spend that much money on it. How GT500s are so much faster and better, and a Corvette would kill me.
At this point I just chuckled and said whatever. Its my car, and my money.
Now, when true car guys ask me, I actually tell them what I paid. They know a rough number, and I am then just sharing what the market is currently showing. I got no beef in that at all. Of course, I am at middle age, not quarter age!
Good on you for wanting, affording, and pulling the trigger on your dream car. Wish I could have swung it back in '92 as I got out of college, but the planets had much more aligning to do!
Be safe and enjoy it! Its a wild ride.
Troy

[dadeuce]

Congrats. I think I was driving a used Neon featuring copious amounts of duct tape when I was your age :)

Here are 2 threads I found on the door panel thing. There are probably others too ...

https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/17405-Interior-Door-Panel-Separating

https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/18699-Interior-Door-Panel-Removal-Gen-5