Advice welcome

[Gsalvatork]

Hello Friends, I am a viper newbie over here and I was looking to get some advice from the Almighty folks on the board. I just put a deposit down on a 2001 RT 10 that looks to be in great shape with 32,000 miles and I am paying 41 000 even. I typically dwell in the motorcycle world (I’ve been a racer for 15 years), and the vintage Mustang market. Right now the vintage car market is absolutely bonkers so I put some money down on a different type of classic.

The car has a clear title, and has a Carfax that is pretty clean. It does show two accidents in the past both recorded as minor accidents not moderate and obviously not major.

The seller seems to be a good guy I spoken to him on the phone a few times so I’d appreciate discretion I don’t want him thinking I don’t trust him or anything by posting this but I’m a fan of the old saying “trust but verify“ I appreciate you guys and thank you.

1) i’m supposed to be picking up the car next Friday so I would appreciate if you guys take a look at the video and some of the pictures I posted to see if I missed anything.


Walk around https://photos.app.goo.gl/DhAJgKdzstjbk9vC8

Link of sale :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1490844011152477/permalink/3065604963676366/?sale_post_id=3065604963676366

2) When I get there next Friday I intend to plug-in Code reader to see if the car throws any codes. Is there anything I should know about any specific codes, is there any place I should be looking out for known issues on these types of cars? Is there a specific parts on the frame that I need to look at to see if there is some serious frame damage? Etc

[Fatboy 18]

Check for cracked upper and lower control arms at the bushing area where they attach to the frame.

[Fatboy 18]

Thread here
https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/28720-A-serious-Warning-Check-your-A-arms

[AviP]

1. Check for frame damage in the area of the control arms and crossbars. Kinks or lines that are not straight would be suspect.
2. Check the tires for uneven wear which could be a sign of alignment issues related to crashed cars but also unrelated alignment issues.
3. Oil leaks or stains at the engine, oil, transmission.
4. A compression test would be the best way to check the engine but since it is invasive, it depends on the seller.
5. Brake fluid color is a telltale sign of how well maintained the car is. Darker means less maintenance over the past 20 years.
6. Check the headlights for damage. There does not seem to be any replacement parts available.
7. Check the windshield for damage. This is another hard to find part.
8. Check that the hood and bumper and headlights seem to line up reasonably, especially in a twice damaged car.
9. Check the control arms as FatBoy18 stated.
10. Check the OBDII codes before and after a good spirited drive.
11. Ideally, take it to a local mechanic, jack it up and examine it from the underside.
12. The usual check on paint, body, wheels, etc for damage. Tires less than 4/32" should be replaced.
13. Check the weatherstrip on the doors. The doors are known to sag and abrade the weatherstrip.
14. Check the inside of the wheels for caliper leaks. This is a hard to clean area and shows signs of problems.
15. Check the date codes and tread depth on each tire. Date codes are in an oblong box (wwyy) format ww=week, yy=year. Tread depth <= 4/32nd implies new tires.
16. Check the rocker panels on both sides for blistering or heat damage from the exhausts.
17. Ask for all records. The thicker the pile, the better.

If I think of anything else, I'll add to the list. Good luck!

[mitchdob]

I always thought this was a useful doc. Hope the link url works:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9R_LIpWlNXhLV9nYVZ6bml1TG8/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-Xj74Kxe9vF1KyjGjAgADcg

[My98RT10]

-> "Fix the cigarette lighter"

[Bill Pemberton]

I would ask to see the title, because they can tell you there were minor incidents with the Viper, but it is not uncommon for that to cause said title to be branded. If it says branded or salvage you might as well run away, because the value just plummeted.