New to the Community - 1st question

[BlackZee]

Hello all,

My first post here at Drive Viper - I am excited to join. I have learned a lot by reading your posts and hope to continue learning about Viper life.

Location: Northern California - open to purchasing out of state.

History: I have been a Z06 owner since 2010. Have driven and loved the c5 z06 (heads, cams, RPM transmission etc.), and the c6 z06 LeMans Blue (heads, cam, RPM Transmission etc.). Last year I put my name down for a 2015 allocation for the z06/z07 package. Upon tracking my order, dealing with the inconsistencies of Chevy's recent Corvette division, I began to develop a frustration with the entirety of the idea of owning the new z06. In addition, when the performance, drivability, and initial general voice of the first phase of owners came out, I began to really reconsider my decision - regretfully. Consequently, I sold my allocation.

I have always loved vipers, from the very first 95 srt-10's to Gen V's, but never have owned one. In learning more about the Gen V, I have become really compelled to educated myself on possible purchasing a '13 '14 or '15. I would say I only have common knowledge of the market for the vehicle, and I am hoping to gain insight that will lead my buy expedition in a efficient and educated manner. These are some things I've heard/read:

1. "Dealership are having a hard time selling Gen V's"
2. "You shouldn't pay more that $90k for a SRT or mildly suited GT"
3. "Dealers are asking $120k for a '14 srt with 7-8k miles - you can order that new for $80-90k"
4. "If you buy a Gen V, your setting yourself up for loss, resale is horrible"

I am not saying I have believed these things I have heard, as I am very educated in the corvette environment and there is always a right way to buy a car. I hope to gain the same knowledge about the Vipers.

What I am looking for (I am not partial to SRT, GT, or GTS... I would actually prefer SRT, given its weight benefit):

1. Adrenaline Red w/full Sepia interior, Sidewinder wheels, gloss finish, not matte black (including dash, steering wheel, door panels... I wasn't able to build this on the Dodge website but I have seen them in the market - wondering if that interior configuration can be ordered or available on all models, SRT, GT, GTS???).

2. Bullet Silver w/full Sepia Interior Sidewinder wheels, gloss finish, not matte black(including dash, steering wheel, door panels...)

What I have listed is not the end of all ends as far as choices - I am open to other configurations. My main stress point is....


I don't know what I should be paying. (Respective to the car and its packages.)

I apologize if this topic has already been threaded multiple times or has a sticky. I would be glad to be directed to if that is the case.

Nonetheless, I look forward to becoming a part of the community.

[01sapphirebob]

Welcome to forums!

The sepia interior is only available on thr GTS trim level. Its beautiful in person. GLWYS

[BlackZee]

Welcome to forums!

The sepia interior is only available on thr GTS trim level. Its beautiful in person. GLWYS

Thank you Bob!

[Victxv10]

PM member Catwood on here. He has a 2014 red with sepia discounted down to $99K. You will not find a better deal on a car this loaded brand new. MSRP is close to $140K.

http://www.carlburger.com/new/Dodge/2014-Dodge-SRT+Viper-810e148e0a0a006400f609b1074be71c.htm

[XSnake]

www.viperexchange.com

[BlackZee]

Thank you everyone for the quick responses! really helpful :)

[ViperPete]

I'm sure Bill Pemberton will chime in soon.

I feel like I got a great deal on my Viper. I know here in Florida the prices of Vipers are all over the place. I've seen a 2013 SRT with 500 miles ask for $79k and they held firm on that price for months- they still have it I think. Tropical Chevrolet in Largo FL. I've seen a 2013 GTS with 2500 miles sell for 59k (probably wrecked) but who can tell when its 300 miles away? I've seen brand new SRT's sell for full sticker. Dealers down here seem to hold pretty firm on the pricing.

What I did was first:

1. Asked questions like you
2. Listened to the advice of Viper owners
3. Called Bill Pemberton @ Woodhouse Dodge
4. Built a relationship.
5. Bought a car.

I bought my Viper sight unseen from crappy cell-phone pics. That can only happen when there is a lot of trust and a great reputation.

[BlackZee]

PM member Catwood on here. He has a 2014 red with sepia discounted down to $99K. You will not find a better deal on a car this loaded brand new. MSRP is close to $140K.

http://www.carlburger.com/new/Dodge/2014-Dodge-SRT+Viper-810e148e0a0a006400f609b1074be71c.htm

Thank you Victxv10 - is the stripe package from factory painted or vinyl?

[serpent]

Hey op, are you open to purchasing used?

[BlackZee]

I'm sure Bill Pemberton will chime in soon.

I feel like I got a great deal on my Viper. I know here in Florida the prices of Vipers are all over the place. I've seen a 2013 SRT with 500 miles ask for $79k and they held firm on that price for months- they still have it I think. Tropical Chevrolet in Largo FL. I've seen a 2013 GTS with 2500 miles sell for 59k (probably wrecked) but who can tell when its 300 miles away? I've seen brand new SRT's sell for full sticker. Dealers down here seem to hold pretty firm on the pricing.

What I did was first:

1. Asked questions like you
2. Listened to the advice of Viper owners
3. Called Bill Pemberton @ Woodhouse Dodge
4. Built a relationship.
5. Bought a car.

I bought my Viper sight unseen from crappy cell-phone pics. That can only happen when there is a lot of trust and a great reputation.

Awesome insight ViperPete! thank you - I will continue as suggested!

[01sapphirebob]

Thank you Victxv10 - is the stripe package from factory painted or vinyl?

Stripes are painted on and are uner the clear coat.

[timberwolf]

Welcome to forums!

The sepia interior is only available on thr GTS trim level. Its beautiful in person. GLWYS

I have a GT with the seats in Sepia leather and alcantara and the rest of the car is black with sepia piping and I love it.


I just went through the process, and have owned 3 Z06s, but wanted something this go-around that I could keep. I don't really care about immediate resell, but I can tell you for a fact that you aren't going to see a slew of 8.4L V10, 6sp manual supercars emerging from automakers in the future. That fact alone could make the car highly desirable to perhaps a smaller group of future collectors. All I know is that coming from a dual clutch transmission car, I finally feel connected again. That's a rare feeling in cars these days.

Beware of cars that have been sitting in some showrooms for multiple reasons. Although many Vipers sit in showrooms, many aren't roped off, so zippers and handbags, and interior wear and tear can happen easily. The soft Corsa rubber is prone to flat spotting as I learned recently as well.

I too was going to get an SRT, but couldn't find one in the right color and with the options I wanted. I always try to buy the newest car I can afford, as a rule of thumb.
When shopping, the bigger Stop Tech brake rotors and adjustable suspension were key, and more important than the SRT 6 louver hood for example. The carbon fiber interior and stereo were also key to me over say a TA. The result is, I may have paid a premium but I now have no remorse, and enjoy the car every time I walk around it, sit in it or drive it!! It also helps to work with one of the larger Viper dealers out there like Viper Exchange or Woodhouse, where they have great financing, available mods and just tons of knowledge on the platform. An example of why: Either of those dealers can install parts like carbon aero, lowering caps and Venom controller, headers and more and wrap that into your financing!

Ultimaelty, finding the perfect car be tough, especially since the price drop. Personally I figured no stripes was best for me, because I could always add vinyl stripes later, and swap colors as desired.

I recommend you make a list of what is a priority to you, down to the least important thing, then shop around. Either one of the dealers above is awesome and can probably clarify stuff for you.

Lastly. Be prepared. This car is way more aggressive than a C5 Z or a C6 Z. It's just more of everything. My Vettes I could drive around all day with the cushy seats and quiet ride. This car although evolved from former generations, still is droney, has road noise and just stiffer than the Vettes I've had. After a few hours of driving, I'm ready to park the car and relax. But that's what I wanted. I wanted something a bit extreme to spice life up a bit. And boy does the Viper do that. The attention is also something you can't prepare for.

Best of luck in your search!

Greg

[BlackZee]

Hey op, are you open to purchasing used?

Hey serpent, yes I am opened to purchasing used :)

[darbgnik]

It seems to me, that if you really want adrenaline red with the sepia interior, the link above is really as close as you are going to get to it for a great price, that is still new(if you like stripes). The sepia interior only comes on the GTS as mentioned.

The GT and GTS both have the dual mode suspension, which some people say is a must, so that puts you out of the SRT market. I bought a 15 SRT a couple weeks ago, knowing full well that the few left over 14 GTS cars were definitely a better bargain, with their price reductions, but I had to have the SRT hood(6 vents) and didn't want to wait to custom order. I can say that the SRT doesn't ride bad at all, and the biggest surprise was that the road noise on the new Vipers is less than my Gallardo, a big plus.

The GTS interior is a nice place to spend time, but surprisingly, the SRT interior doesn't feel cheap at all, and compares really well. I also found that if your on the larger side of average, the SRT seats seem to have more room in them, with the GTS seats hugging tighter around you waist. I bought mine with the track pack, which saves another 60 pounds from the already lighter SRT model. Ralph Gilles told Jay Leno that the SR is the faster car(doubtful by much), but whose to say for sure, as only the GTS models and TA's ever get tested by magazines etc.

But it does sound like you haven't got your mind completely made up, so this should still be a fun experience for you.

[ViperPete]

I agree wit Timberwolf. I initially wanted a base car because that's what I thought I could only afford. Then I made up my mind that I wanted a GTS and one literally appeared. I wish my car had the better stereo but that is something I can change out pretty easily.

Get the one you want. Don't sacrifice. These cars are too expensive to cut corners.

[BlackZee]

I have a GT with the seats in Sepia leather and alcantara and the rest of the car is black with sepia piping and I love it.


I just went through the process, and have owned 3 Z06s, but wanted something this go-around that I could keep. I don't really care about immediate resell, but I can tell you for a fact that you aren't going to see a slew of 8.4L V10, 6sp manual supercars emerging from automakers in the future. That fact alone could make the car highly desirable to perhaps a smaller group of future collectors. All I know is that coming from a dual clutch transmission car, I finally feel connected again. That's a rare feeling in cars these days.

Beware of cars that have been sitting in some showrooms for multiple reasons. Although many Vipers sit in showrooms, many aren't roped off, so zippers and handbags, and interior wear and tear can happen easily. The soft Corsa rubber is prone to flat spotting as I learned recently as well.

I too was going to get an SRT, but couldn't find one in the right color and with the options I wanted. I always try to buy the newest car I can afford, as a rule of thumb.
When shopping, the bigger Stop Tech brake rotors and adjustable suspension were key, and more important than the SRT 6 louver hood for example. The carbon fiber interior and stereo were also key to me over say a TA. The result is, I may have paid a premium but I now have no remorse, and enjoy the car every time I walk around it, sit in it or drive it!! It also helps to work with one of the larger Viper dealers out there like Viper Exchange or Woodhouse, where they have great financing, available mods and just tons of knowledge on the platform. An example of why: Either of those dealers can install parts like carbon aero, lowering caps and Venom controller, headers and more and wrap that into your financing!

Ultimaelty, finding the perfect car be tough, especially since the price drop. Personally I figured no stripes was best for me, because I could always add vinyl stripes later, and swap colors as desired.

I recommend you make a list of what is a priority to you, down to the least important thing, then shop around. Either one of the dealers above is awesome and can probably clarify stuff for you.

Lastly. Be prepared. This car is way more aggressive than a C5 Z or a C6 Z. It's just more of everything. My Vettes I could drive around all day with the cushy seats and quiet ride. This car although evolved from former generations, still is droney, has road noise and just stiffer than the Vettes I've had. After a few hours of driving, I'm ready to park the car and relax. But that's what I wanted. I wanted something a bit extreme to spice life up a bit. And boy does the Viper do that. The attention is also something you can't prepare for.

Best of luck in your search!

Greg

Greg, Thank you very much for the comprehensive write - up. I definitely do agree I am still in the stage deciding what I want. The insight so far solidified a few of my question ...

[V1P3R]

When you get a moment, give Bill P. a call!

[Rare Snake]

Did I read you may want Billet Silver with sepia interior? Not too many of those around!!

Before I bought the Silver, my only goal was to not buy another red one. I thought a different color would tone down the level of attention and craziness anywhere I went, but I was wrong. People go Viper crazy no matter what color it is. :)

Good luck with finding the right car, you will enjoy it!

Dason

[swexlin]

Welcome, and good luck in your search. I also recommend what others have said: give Bill Pemberton at Woodhouse a call. He can get you fixed up.

[serpent]

BlackZee, if you ever get that Viper, please let me ride shotgun.
I plan to eventually join you one day.

Give me a couple of years :D

[BlackZee]

I really appreciate everyone's responses! super helpful and not to mention makes me want the car even more :D

I will definitely be giving Bill a call !

[Photog1]

John Gastman at Roanoke Motors... give him a call on his cell at 309-303-1464.

[viper_eddie]

Have you considered a TA?

[KB Viper]

I came out of the Vette world myself (ZR1) and am thoroughly impressed with the Viper. The gen v is best in class for paint, styling, interior, handling and power. And since it is all motor if you track it you won't be cut short due to heat soak. The only advice I would give is buying a Viper with the dual mode suspension is a must in my opinion and assuming it's not a TA adding the TA sway bars and TA spec'd alignement. I'm not 100% sure but I believe the SRT doesn't offer the dual mode suspension, only the TA, GT and GTS. Everything is personal preference.

[Herrsss]

While you're shopping be sure to give Bernie Katz at Viper Exchange a call - his number is 804-399-0477. They've got quite an inventory of Vipers in the vault.

[72hemi]

Where in Northern California are you located? You might want to give Paul Normandin a call at Normandin Chrysler. They are the NorCal VOA supporting dealer and are great people to work with. Good luck on your search.