On the hunt in Wisconsin - Need Insight!

[gramboda]

My quest to realize a teenage dream of someday owning a Viper has reached fever-pitch thanks to recent buy-in from my wife. I am now finding myself obsessively searching Ebay, CraigsList and every other "cars-for-sale" website to seek out every Viper for sale in the 50 states. I'm watching endless YouTube videos for reviews, insights and everything in between.

My goal is to find the best example of a 96-02 GTS that I can afford. $40K being just out of my budget so ideally high 20s to mid 30s. I would love a 96 (or 97) blue and white GTS with less than 30K miles. However, for my budget, I realize this may put me at the top or even over. I am very willing to "compromise" on a red GTS as far up as 2002. I would like to stay less than 30K miles

I am open to shipping but ideally I would like to find a local specimen. My research has underneathed an 01 red GTS in Green Bay (private party), only 30 miles away! There are other potential candidates in Chicago at dealerships. There is also a B/W GTS in lower MI which is at $40K and a ways away. I found the 01 GTS from Green Bay on CL. No pics, just a description....weird. I sent an email and I am "patiently" waiting to hear back so I can go take a look.

My question for the group concerns mechanical inspections. Does anyone know of Viper specialists in WI AND Chicago that I can count on for a quality inspection prior to purchase? We dont see a lot of Vipers around here (NE WI) so I am concerned that simply taking it to the Dodge dealership my not yield the most inclusive inspection.

I really appreciate any insight the group can provide!

[witz323]

Rick at Dodge City in Brookfield is an EXCELLENT Viper Tech with at least 15 years of experience. The Viper Tech at 5 Corners in Grafton is also superb. He worked on my gen3 for 5-6 years. I can't recall his name off the top of my head, but if you ask Rick Wagner, the SA, he will know for sure.

Good luck with your search!

[dmerkle]

Private message sent

[SnakeOyl]

Hi,

Contact Cory at 608 849 9878. Collectors Choice Ltd the parent Company of Viper Parts USA. We are just north of Madison. Cory has been in the Viper business since 1995.

[Bugman Jeff]

We dont see a lot of Vipers around here (NE WI)...

Slightly off topic, but funny you should mention that. Though we don't see many actually out and about on the road, the largest Viper salvage yard in the world, Don Scharf Automotive, is in Eagle River, WI of all places.

[dave6666]

Just curious. What from a true technical standpoint are you expecting from your mileage requirement?

Not so much at this forum as this is more poser here but at other sites there are frequent threads about people buying cars that were "checked out" etc and on the way home you develop an issue that results in an engine tear down. On your brand new to you low miles car.

My point is, these cars are very durable. But I can also trash one just backing it out of the driveway.

So if you're not going to be one of the "my car is 72 virgins pure because it only has xx,xxx miles on it" buyers, then don't be afraid of higher miles. Which may get you more car for your coin. Or a car for less coin.

[gramboda]

Just curious. What from a true technical standpoint are you expecting from your mileage requirement?

Not so much at this forum as this is more poser here but at other sites there are frequent threads about people buying cars that were "checked out" etc and on the way home you develop an issue that results in an engine tear down. On your brand new to you low miles car.

My point is, these cars are very durable. But I can also trash one just backing it out of the driveway.

So if you're not going to be one of the "my car is 72 virgins pure because it only has xx,xxx miles on it" buyers, then don't be afraid of higher miles. Which may get you more car for your coin. Or a car for less coin.

I guess my point was that I don't have unrealistic expectations of finding a 6,000 mile cream puff within my budget. 30K miles seems to be about when the folks who bought the cream puffs are selling their cars. Also, generally speaking, I feel that one can use the mileage of a car to gauge the condition of the paint, interior etc. I understand this isn't always the case. I am sure there are 70K mile Vipers out there that are pristine and I would be happy to consider purchasing one. Conversely, I've seen some jacked up low mileage Vipers on Ebay, too. It's really a case by case evaluation. If I had to boil it down, my goal is to find a Viper with the best condition interior and exterior I can afford. I am a detailer by hobby and I know I can work with less than perfect paint. Still, I'm not really looking for a project car. My purpose for getting it "checked out" is to have someone with more mechanical expertise than me put it up on a lift and give it a once over. I don't know that I would be able to identify a leaking head gasket in the parking lot of Buffalo Wild Wings. I have a tendency for buyers remorse and to make emotional decisions with my man-parts. I just want to do my due diligence so I can be content with this purchase.

- - - Updated - - -

Funny! I'm originally from Minocqua and did business with Scharf in the past. I had no idea!

[99RT10]

I have a BW 97 GTS for sale. Higher mileage but good shape with interior upgrades. PM me

[ViperRT98]

My quest to realize a teenage dream of someday owning a Viper has reached fever-pitch thanks to recent buy-in from my wife. I am now finding myself obsessively searching Ebay, CraigsList and every other "cars-for-sale" website to seek out every Viper for sale in the 50 states. I'm watching endless YouTube videos for reviews, insights and everything in between.

My goal is to find the best example of a 96-02 GTS that I can afford. $40K being just out of my budget so ideally high 20s to mid 30s. I would love a 96 (or 97) blue and white GTS with less than 30K miles. However, for my budget, I realize this may put me at the top or even over. I am very willing to "compromise" on a red GTS as far up as 2002. I would like to stay less than 30K miles

I am open to shipping but ideally I would like to find a local specimen. My research has underneathed an 01 red GTS in Green Bay (private party), only 30 miles away! There are other potential candidates in Chicago at dealerships. There is also a B/W GTS in lower MI which is at $40K and a ways away. I found the 01 GTS from Green Bay on CL. No pics, just a description....weird. I sent an email and I am "patiently" waiting to hear back so I can go take a look.

My question for the group concerns mechanical inspections. Does anyone know of Viper specialists in WI AND Chicago that I can count on for a quality inspection prior to purchase? We dont see a lot of Vipers around here (NE WI) so I am concerned that simply taking it to the Dodge dealership my not yield the most inclusive inspection.

I really appreciate any insight the group can provide!

I could have sworn I wrote this... Other than the fact I purchased my Viper without even seeing it in person nor had anyone checking it out. Like Dave 6666 said we are buying a used Viper so Anything can happen but the cars are very dependable.

The Blue and White GTS will be hard to find in your price range and mileage you want. The winter is coming so you may be able to find one if you will 2-3 more months.. I know I should have done that myself. I searched for 1.5 years and got the okay from my wife and did not want to risk her changing her mind. But after buying it I also have buyers remorse..... lol

[Vprbite]

Just curious. What from a true technical standpoint are you expecting from your mileage requirement?

Not so much at this forum as this is more poser here but at other sites there are frequent threads about people buying cars that were "checked out" etc and on the way home you develop an issue that results in an engine tear down. On your brand new to you low miles car.

My point is, these cars are very durable. But I can also trash one just backing it out of the driveway.

So if you're not going to be one of the "my car is 72 virgins pure because it only has xx,xxx miles on it" buyers, then don't be afraid of higher miles. Which may get you more car for your coin. Or a car for less coin.

This forum is full of posers. Probably best that you leave so no ones sees you here, lest they think you're one of us. Though, you didn't officially join. You just registered as an enthousiast so you can make backhanded comments without helping support the very forum that allows you to do it. Clever idea. I bet you're the first to think of that.

Dave, I'm the first to say you have good technical knowledge of these cars. Is there there a reason you can't share that without taking an unprovoked shot at us as you so often do? Can't you make fun of us plenty over on the alley? The OP is clearly excited at the thought of soon getting a viper and has asked a couple of questions. I believe those can be answered without bagging on the very forum on which he asked them. Please define a poser too. Many of us would like to know so that we can be the real thing. Since this is a poser forum, I'm sure you have had enough of the people who post a lot like those big phonies Mark Jorgensen and Dan Cragin...poking their poser nose into real viper owner business. Those guys aren't even from Texas, so they outta just leave you real Viper owners alone, right? And the people on here who own ACR-X's...I hear many of them just use them as paper weights. They don't even drive on the streets with them or go to RSI. So annoying.

Seriously, please take the pointless name calling and other shots across the bow to the alley. We don't want it here. I would say you can avoid all of this and just behave like a nice person, but it seems you are not particularly inclined to do that.

[Camfab]

Here is my two cents. Buying a used Viper for most is a really exciting proposition. Do yourself a favor, especially if your one of those people that gets buyers remorse (I do and I NEVER for one second had it buying my car), take your time looking for the right car. Make it an adventure looking at cars across the country. You'll potentially meet some great people and you'll get a much better and realistic understanding of what your budget will get you. Trust me on this, it's going top cost you a bit more than you think, but the extra money you spend now will be money in the bank later. "Small issues" like molding, window trim, carpeting etc.... are not small on a Viper. Lots of stuff is rapidly becoming obsolete and a few individuals have monopolized the market. Even tire choices are rapidly disappearing as manufacturers are no longer willing to produce the rear tires. The best money you could ever spend is going to Snake Oyl and getting some valuable insight from them. Take a look at their website and look carefully at their prices, you might be getting into a semi exotic car for cheap, but you wont be paying Vette prices for anything on a Viper. Just saying............

If you have any specific questions you can always use the PM feature.

[Vprbite]

I agree that it pretty much always costs a bit more than what you planned. Just kinda how it works. Especially when spending 4 grand more gets you the exact car you wanted, or low mileage, etc. Howver I tnink buying from a trusted dealer can cost you a smidge more short term but save you in the long run. It will save you Travelling around the country and the dealers on here that everyone knows and trusts only sell perfect stuff. It will be hard to say no to your first viper when you see it in front of you all pretty and waiting to be bought. It could blind you to some mechanical problems.

So remember that. Nothing wrong with having a budget. Nothing at all, just know that trying to stretch that budget and get the most car you can for it may make you overlook some important things that could cause you trouble. Also, don't forget to budget for maintenence. Luckily these cars are pretty cheap to maintain,mall things considered, but they like to have their fluids changed often on them. And replacing parts gets expensive fast. Really, there is no so isubstitute for a good, thorough PPI by a well known Viper tech.

[B4 You]

Private message sent to Gramboda.

[gramboda]

Private message sent to Gramboda.

Reply sent to B4 You!

[Roller]

My quest to realize a teenage dream of someday owning a Viper has reached fever-pitch thanks to recent buy-in from my wife. I am now finding myself obsessively searching Ebay, CraigsList and every other "cars-for-sale" website to seek out every Viper for sale in the 50 states. I'm watching endless YouTube videos for reviews, insights and everything in between.

My goal is to find the best example of a 96-02 GTS that I can afford. $40K being just out of my budget so ideally high 20s to mid 30s. I would love a 96 (or 97) blue and white GTS with less than 30K miles. However, for my budget, I realize this may put me at the top or even over. I am very willing to "compromise" on a red GTS as far up as 2002. I would like to stay less than 30K miles

I am open to shipping but ideally I would like to find a local specimen. My research has underneathed an 01 red GTS in Green Bay (private party), only 30 miles away! There are other potential candidates in Chicago at dealerships. There is also a B/W GTS in lower MI which is at $40K and a ways away. I found the 01 GTS from Green Bay on CL. No pics, just a description....weird. I sent an email and I am "patiently" waiting to hear back so I can go take a look.

My question for the group concerns mechanical inspections. Does anyone know of Viper specialists in WI AND Chicago that I can count on for a quality inspection prior to purchase? We dont see a lot of Vipers around here (NE WI) so I am concerned that simply taking it to the Dodge dealership my not yield the most inclusive inspection.

I really appreciate any insight the group can provide!

I have a '96 blue and white GTS that I am considering selling. 25000 miles, located in Wisconsin, 30 miles NW of Milwaukee.

Frank

[gramboda]

I have a '96 blue and white GTS that I am considering selling. 25000 miles, located in Wisconsin, 30 miles NW of Milwaukee.

Frank

Hey Roller, Can you send me a PM with the details should you decide to sell?

Thanks!