Proud new father

[Robertk]

Well it's been almost a month since I decided to purchase my first Viper and because of the purchase from another state and waiting on title it's finally here, 1995 black RT/10 w/ 30k miles... I know not a high dollar or rare Viper but I have always loved and wanted a Gen 1 original Viper... where do I start, I LOVE THIS CAR... I am in my early 50s and been in the automotive industry my whole life teaching classes and seminars in the automotive collision industry and have built and owned many muscle cars from about a half dozen 428 R code 69/70 Mach 1s, a few cobra kit cars, 442s, GSXs a dozen Corvettes (still have a slightly modified C5) and Camaros/Firebirds but for me this is it, there is something special about the Viper, love the feel of this car and with a purchase price of $23,500 frankly I can't understand everyone not wanting one... I don't get it at all with these cars why the prices are so affordable and not selling like crazy and I truly don't think it's gonna be this way forever, I believe there is gonna be a day they are gonna be hard to find and obtain and I'm so glad I picked one up, this car is such a blast to drive... granted I am new and still discovering my car but it was a quick love affair... did I mention I love this car ;-)

[Cuda Cody]

Super happy for ya. Great car! Let's see some photos!! :)

[LifeIsGood]

Your enthusiasm is definitely showing through the keyboard. Congratulations!

[Lemay88]

I was at the same place as you 5 years ago and even after those 5 years, I still get the same smiles per miles everytime I go for a drive.
What a great car
Congrats on your new baby

[Pauler85]

Congrats!!! I have the same car basically and I LOVE IT!!!

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Share Pics please!!

[Bill W]

Congratulations on your new Viper! Black is beautiful. Sounds like a good deal considring the price you paid.

[Fatboy 18]

Great post, I LOVE MY CAR TOO :D

[Ross L]

Congratulations on the car! You got a great deal it sounds like. PICS!

[lmn]

Congratulations Robert, enjoy it!

[Robertk]

thanks all... really appreciate it, couldn't figure out how to add the pics but think I got it... I hope, I added the gen 2 18" wheels right away

[gfviperman]

Miss my 1993 dearly!!

Never put a top on it!!!!

[Robertk]

Miss my 1993 dearly!!

Never put a top on it!!!!

I don't plan to... not for some time anyway, came with the side curtains but no top, gonna purchase a cockpit tonneau cover soon for the Az sun when I do take it out but I believe if I have to put a top on it to take it out I shouldn't be taking it out... I wanted a Gen 1 or 2 RT/10 convertible above all, in fact for me the 95 was first choice, last year of Gen 1, raw driving with no top, windows etc and side pipe exhaust, car does have factory AC but will never use it... this is what I wanted for a long time, have a few other toys for more comfort... this was the pinnacle Viper for me, runs amazing, no issues and clearly something done to the exhaust as it is quite a bit louder and deeper than most ive heard and nice Alpine stereo/cd/amp/speakers upgrade, will be the love of my life.... but dont tell my wife

[GregM]

Great post and awesome ride. You are spot on when you talk about bang for the buck. Enjoy!

[Coloviper]

Awesome and congratulations! Fully understand your feeling and rationale. Outside of the other GEN Vipers I have bought outright and owned/sold in the past. I decided to moved one of the cars in my mini-collection, my 69' Mach 1 directly to a 96' RT/10 Viper. I wanted the 96' RT/10 specifically because to me it was the last of the GEN 1 dinosaurs, but refined a bit more with the Gen 2 suspension and rear exhaust. It is a GEN 1.5. My other cars in my stable are mid-90s Saleens.

Same as you, I feel these Vipers will catch on eventually and we will see prices rise over time. Where, when and how much, who knows but I do feel they will rise. The feeling of driving the older GEN RT/10s are as close as you are going to get as that bridge between an old muscle car and a modern sports car. It feels a void that is absolutely there in the car community. Yes I would like to eventually pick up a GEN V as well (maybe at the expense of my Saleens) but it will not be at the expense of my 96' RT/10. The GEN V is superior in everyway possible, except that specific heartfelt void I described. It is more an emotional and simple response as opposed to superior performance, ride and comfort. GEN V handily wins in all those categories.

Enjoy it, drive it and have fun! In reality, what the hell can you buy for under $35k these days that invokes this kind of response in cockpit and from the sidewalk? The reality is not much. I can see pre-GEN 2 Vipers regularly selling for $40k-$50k in the near future. That is a handsome gain from where you bought it. Now they are not going to be big Barrett Jackson highlight reels but I do not think we are going to lose money. When you think about it, if you can drive it and enjoy it without losing a ton of money, that is a great place to park your cash for a while.

[Racngrn]

Congrats. The 18's look very nice on that car. What Dodge would have chosen were they made at the time! Enjoy it. You guys are soooooo lucky to be able to drive them this time of year! Good luck with it.

[Robertk]

Awesome and congratulations! Fully understand your feeling and rationale. Outside of the other GEN Vipers I have bought outright and owned/sold in the past. I decided to moved one of the cars in my mini-collection, my 69' Mach 1 directly to a 96' RT/10 Viper. I wanted the 96' RT/10 specifically because to me it was the last of the GEN 1 dinosaurs, but refined a bit more with the Gen 2 suspension and rear exhaust. It is a GEN 1.5. My other cars in my stable are mid-90s Saleens.

Same as you, I feel these Vipers will catch on eventually and we will see prices rise over time. Where, when and how much, who knows but I do feel they will rise. The feeling of driving the older GEN RT/10s are as close as you are going to get as that bridge between an old muscle car and a modern sports car. It feels a void that is absolutely there in the car community. Yes I would like to eventually pick up a GEN V as well (maybe at the expense of my Saleens) but it will not be at the expense of my 96' RT/10. The GEN V is superior in everyway possible, except that specific heartfelt void I described. It is more an emotional and simple response as opposed to superior performance, ride and comfort. GEN V handily wins in all those categories.

Enjoy it, drive it and have fun! In reality, what the hell can you buy for under $35k these days that invokes this kind of response in cockpit and from the sidewalk? The reality is not much. I can see pre-GEN 2 Vipers regularly selling for $40k-$50k in the near future. That is a handsome gain from where you bought it. Now they are not going to be big Barrett Jackson highlight reels but I do not think we are going to lose money. When you think about it, if you can drive it and enjoy it without losing a ton of money, that is a great place to park your cash for a while.
Nice collection and couldn't agree more, I have been so impressed with this car in every way, far exceeded my expectations and frankly I believe after enough time the Gen 1/2 Vipers will be as close as the cobra as it gets in its time, nothing is in this category and with only 5600 gen 1s built and how many are left frankly it may be one of the best purchases of recent time and again I believe they are gonna be hard to come by in about 10-15 years... we all look back at a car we wish we still had or purchased years ago and nothing out there will bring those thoughts years down the road like this, I tell friends now if you have $25-$30k to spend on a toy buy a gen 1 or 2 viper, almost as much fun as driving it is just hanging in the garage tinkering with it... almost

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Great post and awesome ride. You are spot on when you talk about bang for the buck. Enjoy!

Thanks so much

[Robertk]

Congrats. The 18's look very nice on that car. What Dodge would have chosen were they made at the time! Enjoy it. You guys are soooooo lucky to be able to drive them this time of year! Good luck with it.
Thanks so much... I won't be so lucky come July/August though

[SilverACR]

Nice car and welcome to the viper world! I really like that car in black!

[Bill Pemberton]

Topless ----- now you understand the real feeling of freedom, ha! Congrats on the new baby , and consider joining VOA so you can hang out with all your fellow crazy Snakecharmers!

[1BADV10]

Congrats on new toy! my situation, age, and feeling for the RT/10 Viper is similar to yours. I also have many muscle car era toys but there is just something different about a Viper. I've owned my RT/10 for many years now and still sometimes hang out in the shop and just stare at it. The Dodge Viper is a work of art, enjoy it!

[Photog1]

Welcome and Congratulations on your new baby. My first Viper was 94 RT10 black/cognac interior. I also added the same Gen 2 wheels you did when I had mine, I think they look great. Loved that car, it will be an on going love affair, I have now had 6 Vipers and still have 3 of them and plan to keep forever. The next thing you need to do is join the VOA we have regions all across the country so get signed up and start enjoying your regions events. Again Congratulations!!

[Robertk]

Topless ----- now you understand the real feeling of freedom, ha! Congrats on the new baby , and consider joining VOA so you can hang out with all your fellow crazy Snakecharmers!
Thanks and just got home from some travel and gonna join, tried before I had the car and didn't have the Vin # but gonna join now

[Robertk]

Welcome and Congratulations on your new baby. My first Viper was 94 RT10 black/cognac interior. I also added the same Gen 2 wheels you did when I had mine, I think they look great. Loved that car, it will be an on going love affair, I have now had 6 Vipers and still have 3 of them and plan to keep forever. The next thing you need to do is join the VOA we have regions all across the country so get signed up and start enjoying your regions events. Again Congratulations!!

Thanks so much and absolutely gonna join now that I have the car

[TheMadMachinist]

Congratulations and a beautiful looking car I mite add.

GEN 1&2 Vipers just can't beat in the bang for your buck department.

Also let me be the first to welcome you to the club. I believe supporting this club and this web site is money well spent. A lot of really great people on here and the Viper knowledge they bring to bear is priceless.

I'm not referring to myself, just all the other members.lol