Prospective Gen V Viper owner

[camoman4]

Hello everyone,
My name is Josh. I have been cross shopping the SRT Viper with several European models for a while. I don’t know a lot about the Viper but I hear it’s a great car! I have owned C7 corvettes and the maintenance costs were great compared to the BMW models I have owned. Can anyone tell me how the Gen V Viper is as far as maintenance costs? Thank you for your time!

[IHOP]

The costs can vary based on what model you choose but honestly they would be somewhat similar to your Corvette. However with a Viper when you take it in for service or warranty work you will be taking it to a "Viper Tech". This is someone who only works on Vipers at a Dodge Dealer, it is a great way to care for your Viper. There is a group of absolutely incredible Technicians around the country who work on these cars. Typically one or two in your state depending on where you live. What state do you live in? There is a sticky post at the top of this forum that shows Viper friendly dealers around the country. This will give you an idea of what dealer or dealers close to you who would be best to care for a Viper. This can effect the maintenance costs by making sure you have a great tech taking care of your car. What do you plan to do with the car, just street driving, any drag racing or road course track days? How many miles a year do you drive? With a little more info we can give you a better idea of costs.

[ForTehNguyen]

its like servicing any other car, change oil, nothing fancy. Wouldnt be much different than the corvette

[SRT_BluByU]

i daily drive my Vioer.. maint. is very similar to your old corvettes

[camoman4]

Thank you for all the information everyone!! I live in central MN and we do have several Dodge dealers in the area. I would assume at least one of them has a Viper Tech. I do not plan to do any drag racing or track driving at all. This will strictly be a weekend warrior for me.
Thanks again!!

[parabs]

Thank you for all the information everyone!! I live in central MN and we do have several Dodge dealers in the area. I would assume at least one of them has a Viper Tech. I do not plan to do any drag racing or track driving at all. This will strictly be a weekend warrior for me.
Thanks again!!

1st, Don’t assume anything with Dodge. Make some calls, some dodge dealers don’t even know a Viper Tech is a real thing.
2nd, you’re not far from nth moto. That’s a positive.

[IHOP]

Thank you for all the information everyone!! I live in central MN and we do have several Dodge dealers in the area. I would assume at least one of them has a Viper Tech. I do not plan to do any drag racing or track driving at all. This will strictly be a weekend warrior for me.
Thanks again!!

As long as you make some calls and find a recommended Viper Tech maintenance will be pretty standard for you. You will love the Viper compared to the Vette though, not that I'm biased or anything!

[camoman4]

Thanks again for all the information everyone. I will update you in the coming weeks on how the search goes.

[parabs]

What model(s) are you looking at? I’d strongly suggest a TA group car with a nice interior and a 6 vent hood.

[Bruce H.]

Just be aware that the Viper is substantially more exotic than the Corvette, which almost by definition means it is a lot less suitable for most people. Not as good outward visibility, harder to get in and out of, not as roomy, not as much luggage space, no auto tranny, no rev matched shifting on manual, no convertible, no Cadillac ride quality mode, not as many nanny assists, no cooled seats, not as many dealers for servicing, and it's not as well suited for daily driving just like most other exotics. But for those times when you want a truly unique, special and engaging driving experience the car is absolutely priceless...and that feeling never wears off! It's an end of an era car and will be highly regarded forever.

The car is extremely robust and maintenance is actually quite reasonable and normal. Buy one with a warranty if possible, which is a good idea on any modern car with infotainment and computer systems that can be expensive to replace.

My '14 has been outstanding for street and track use, and for long road trips in it lasting up to 13 days in length. Wouldn't want to try that in most other exotics!

Good luck with choosing among your many options!

Bruce

[SRT_BluByU]

i donno bruce... i find daily driving my viper to be no problem at all... its actually great! not much more trouble than my old z06

[IHOP]

Just be aware that the Viper is substantially more exotic than the Corvette, which almost by definition means it is a lot less suitable for most people. Not as good outward visibility, harder to get in and out of, not as roomy, not as much luggage space, no auto tranny, no rev matched shifting on manual, no convertible, no Cadillac ride quality mode, not as many nanny assists, no cooled seats, not as many dealers for servicing, and it's not as well suited for daily driving just like most other exotics. But for those times when you want a truly unique, special and engaging driving experience the car is absolutely priceless...and that feeling never wears off! It's an end of an era car and will be highly regarded forever.


Bruce

This is all what I love most about the Viper and I feel most Viper owners will agree! But the Gen V is certainly much more refined than the earlier models.

[Bruce H.]

i donno bruce... i find daily driving my viper to be no problem at all... its actually great! not much more trouble than my old z06

That's awesome...and why I said "not as well suited" as opposed to not suited :)


This is all what I love most about the Viper and I feel most Viper owners will agree! But the Gen V is certainly much more refined than the earlier models.

And when you love driving something this much you definitely don't sweat the little stuff...like the journalists complaints about the offset pedals that I still have yet to notice after 4 years! Lmao at the rags :slap:

[IHOP]

That's awesome...and why I said "not as well suited" as opposed to not suited :)



And when you love driving something this much you definitely don't sweat the little stuff...like the journalists complaints about the offset pedals that I still have yet to notice after 4 years! Lmao at the rags :slap:

I love driving it so much I don't even notice the little stuff!

[SRT_BluByU]

That's awesome...and why I said "not as well suited" as opposed to not suited :)



And when you love driving something this much you definitely don't sweat the little stuff...like the journalists complaints about the offset pedals that I still have yet to notice after 4 years! Lmao at the rags :slap:


roger! ;)

[WViper]

I’m interested in the best places to find Vipers for sale. Not sure what realistic prices are for used gen 5 models?

[NT-ACR]

I’m interested in the best places to find Vipers for sale. Not sure what realistic prices are for used gen 5 models?

You don't want to open this can of worms. Lol

[NT-ACR]

I’m interested in the best places to find Vipers for sale. Not sure what realistic prices are for used gen 5 models?

On a serious note though, if you want the widest selection and are willing to pay a bit overmarket, check out Viper Exchange.

http://www.viperexchange.com/used-cars-tx

If you want a fair value and terrific people, I'd try Roanoke and Woodhouse. They might not have a Gen V in stock but could definitely source one for you.

https://www.roanokemotorchryslerdodgejeep.com
https://www.woodhouse.com

Finally, if you're in California, I'd strongly suggest doing business with American Supercars. Marv and his sons are truly fantastic individuals who I'd buy from again sight unseen.

https://americansupercars.com

[SRT_BluByU]

all good choices.. autotrader or the forum classifieds might also be a good start!

[texasram]

Just be aware that the Viper is substantially more exotic than the Corvette, which almost by definition means it is a lot less suitable for most people. Not as good outward visibility, harder to get in and out of, not as roomy, not as much luggage space, no auto tranny, no rev matched shifting on manual, no convertible, no Cadillac ride quality mode, not as many nanny assists, no cooled seats, not as many dealers for servicing, and it's not as well suited for daily driving just like most other exotics. But for those times when you want a truly unique, special and engaging driving experience the car is absolutely priceless...and that feeling never wears off! It's an end of an era car and will be highly regarded forever.

The car is extremely robust and maintenance is actually quite reasonable and normal. Buy one with a warranty if possible, which is a good idea on any modern car with infotainment and computer systems that can be expensive to replace.

My '14 has been outstanding for street and track use, and for long road trips in it lasting up to 13 days in length. Wouldn't want to try that in most other exotics!

Good luck with choosing among your many options!

Bruce
No convertible?

[Bruce H.]

No convertible?

No Gen V convertible...and I'm not making that up ;)

[camoman4]

It is sounding like a wonderful, classic feeling car. I have heard complaints about the heat in the cabin due to the exhaust pipe heat. Does anyone here have issues with that?

[SRT_BluByU]

none... and i daily drive in the deep hot south in 100* bumper to bumper summer traffic.. no problems. a/c works great in these cars.

[WViper]

Thanks for the tips!

[One Viper Bite]

It is sounding like a wonderful, classic feeling car. I have heard complaints about the heat in the cabin due to the exhaust pipe heat. Does anyone here have issues with that?

The heat in the cabin in no worse than in a Z06 or a Huracan on a hot day, especially not in the GTS or GTCs with the upgraded interiors and insulation. If it's hot out, and you have the windows up, of course it's going to get hot. Keep the windows down or the AC on and you will not noticed the heat.

[IHOP]

It is sounding like a wonderful, classic feeling car. I have heard complaints about the heat in the cabin due to the exhaust pipe heat. Does anyone here have issues with that?

This is something that was common on the late 90's Gen II models. The Gen V you won't have that issue, you will have the side sills where the exhaust pipes go through do get get hot to the touch with the stock exhaust but that is easily fixed with an aftermarket cutback with high flow cats. The car stock like most other cars has 2 cats on each side which is the major cause of the sills getting warm.

As for where to look for a car, this forum's classifieds, autotrader or cars.com when you find one you are interested in if it's out of state you can ask members here in that state to go look at it for you to start. Some members are more than happy to do that for others, then you would be very smart to have a well respected local Viper Tech to the seller do a PPI (pre purchase inspection) for you. They usually only cost a couple hundred dollars but are priceless when buying a used Viper or any Exotic to make sure there are no major issues and that the car wasn't abused.

Have you decided what model Gen V would fit your needs yet?

[Vegaskid]

I'd also consider what type of driving you'll be doing. ACR is essentially a track car while others are quite comfortable for daily driving.

I drive my ACR all the time and love the car to death

[SRT_BluByU]

id like to add tooihops comments above that there is nothing that NEEDS to be fixed in regards to the side sills for daily driving a viper. they get warm to the touch but not sculding/burning hot.. even with shorts on getting in out it no problem. the execption in my experiance is if your really pushing the car (track days, spirited driving, etc) then its a diffrent story. the main thing you have to watch out for is you dont touch your calf to the exhaust pipe tip wearing shorts. you’ll only do that once with a hot exhaust!

[mak1118]

Sorry to disagree but my '16 gt is hot inside compared to my '16 Z06, a/c doesn't cool the car anywhere near the Z06 does. Also have to service it more often than the Z06 plus if there is not a viper tech in your area you are in trouble so I would check that for sure. I'm 62 so for me the viper is harder to get in and out of but for a younger person not so much probably. Has a blindspot that makes it more difficult to see when trying to back out of a spot in a parking lot so I always back mine in. Z06 is more comfortable but to me the viper is more like a little race car. As far as the side pipes, don't find them to be hot, now my '95 will burn the crap out of your legs if you're not careful. Z06 is much roomier inside so I would agree that to me the Viper is tight inside.... Z06 is easier to see out of. Now all that being said I really love the viper but for me I just love the way it looks. Drives nice, nothing like the older ones plus you can drive for months and not see another one where you will see vettes everywhere. Now these are just my experiences so maybe you won't feel the same way. Btw, I do notice the offset pedals..:)

[mak1118]

One more thing, the paint job imo is much nicer on the Viper than the Z06.

[SRT_BluByU]

you might get that looked at... i daily drive mine down here in the deep south.. 100 plus degrees bumper to bumper traffic stop and go in the middle of the summer and dont have any problems at all.. AC is nice and cold and usually have to end having to turn the ac fan down as i get too cool...

[mak1118]

I did, I'm in Arizona and when it hits 110 here in the summer and it's like that for months not days it cools okay but nothing like the Z06, comparing the two it's just a hotter car inside imo...when I go to open the car I burn my hands on the handle...lol

[mak1118]

Last thing.....If I was younger it would be the Viper for sure in fact I can't stand when every Vette owner thinks I have to wave at him. That to me is the biggest downfall of the Vette for me too darn many of them.... mine is special though..:) I had Vettes when I was in my 20s and 30s but then the Viper came out and that was it for me, found one, bought it and still have it. Still the Viper is the best looking American car out there imo, no question about it, in fact there are only 2 other cars that I've seen that look better to me and they're not American made cars.

[serpent]

It gets hot for sure, if it’s 90F outside, the car will be hot!!! Removing the 2nd set of cats alleviates the heat. It will still get hot no matter what, but not as hot as stock. I’d say it’s at least 40% less heat.

[SRT_BluByU]

serpant - if your car is getting uncontrollably hot inside when its hitting 90 outside something is wrong with it..

mak - 110 is az is no joke in any car!

[Jprince]

My A/C will keep the cabin quite chilled on 100 deg days no problem. I never understand all of the complaints of heat and comfort. I have driven a z06 and I think the viper is much more comfortable.

[Magzx12r]

I have not had any issues with heat inside the car when driving during the summer.