HELP! Near Future Viper Buyer Needs Some Information

[LACOUNTRYHICK]

Hi all! I have been contemplating buying a Viper for some time now. I have owned several Corvettes (C5 and a C6) but have always liked the Viper. I have a few questions hopefully you can help me out with.

First, I drove a Generation 1-2 and really didn't care for it. Not to offend anyone but it really didn't handle well. It did however have explosive speed in a straight line. This made me pretty much settle on buying a generation 3-4. Did I give the first generations a fair shot or is anything I missed? Is the the 3-4 generations that much more refined and will I be happier with that rather than the first two?

Second, I have a financing question for those who didn't pay for their Vipers outright. Did you have trouble financing a vehicle that old or is there certain finance companies that are easier to work with for these older super cars?

Thanks for the advice!

[Sybil TF]

This should be good...

[Fatboy 18]

The only reason I can think of for the Viper you drove not handling well would be old tires! There are loads of Vipers out there running around on old Tires

Sorry But I run rings around C5s in my Gen II on the UK Top Gear Track.

[Vprbite]

First generation was very raw. All vipers are drivers cars. But more so the first generation. Try a GTS. I loved my 02. And a lot of people are still driving them and racing them to great success. If you are not someone who needs a convertible ( I don't, I'm a coupe guy) you will find the coupes more civil. Less wind noise, etc.

I did move to a gen III because my 02 was sadly wrecked (whole lotta back story there and it's off topic so no need to get into it here.) And I decided to change to a gen III because I thought I would miss my first one too much if I got in another one. So, I love them both equally. But they are different. The gen III is more refined. And of course the gen V much more so. But Im not sure I could call the gen III better. It's different and a matter of preference. The gen IV gives you a power bump over the Gen III and is more modable now than it was with some tuning options opening up. I believe the gen III is still easier for forced induction though of you want to go that route. The gen IV has drive by wire instead of a throttle cable and some people don't care for that. Other people say it's fine. So probably a matter of preference. If you are a convertible type person, the gen III/IV will have a tighter fitting top than the RT10. Also gen III goes back to side pipes. Gen II has rear exhaust. I personally love gen II GTS cars and never get tired of looking at them. When I had mine in 09 and 2010, people would ask if it was brand new. I believe that car will always be a head turner. I hope to have another someday.

As far as financing, many banks will finance cars that are 10 yrs old provided you qualify for the loan. I have been very happy wirh pentagon federal and was able to finance at 1.49% which is why I financed it instead of buying it outright. If you have a credit union you are already a member of, perhaps try them first. But there are options for that. I don't know about financing a 98 compared to an 06. 10 years vs 16 years old is something the banks may seem differently. But there should be options.

[Cargirl]

Try: https://www.jjbest.com/auto-finance/...98200205755374

I have never tried them but they sure send me enough emails, I bought mine outright. All Vipers are great and all are different. I understand what you mean, the early models were a bit rough for me but the new ones are too refined for my taste. My Gen III is just a perfect balance and it reminds me of the 60's Cobra's, just car and driver and little else. Good luck with your search!

[Vprbite]

This should be good...

I hear ya. I tried to be objective (ish) and just give some bullet points. OP obviously asked a mouthful. And you could ask 100 people and get 100 different answers. I tried to just give the key points and hopefully they can make the choice that is right for them.

[LifeIsGood]

First, I drove a Generation 1-2 and really didn't care for it.

Which was it, a GEN I or a GEN II? There's numerous differences between them.

Is the the 3-4 generations that much more refined and will I be happier with that rather than the first two?

Each generation is bit more refined than the previous.

It doesn't really sound like you're a GEN I or II kind of guy. If you're interested in computers doing your driving, braking and handling and prefer paddle shifters over real shifting, then you'd probably be happier in a more recent generation of viper. (as info, no vipers have paddle shifters...thank GOD!)

[Vprbite]

That's true. There are numerous differences between gen I and II, LIG, good point. In fact, one could argue the biggest jump was from gen I to II. Hell, the gen I didn't gave windows or door handles. gen II had auto windows, door handles, door locks, tops that didn't leak.

Also, the specific car that OP drove could make a difference. I mean, if it was poorly maintained and trans and clutch fluid were bad as well as hard tires, it would be a completely different car than one that was well maintained with good rubber on it.

[Viper Girl]

I went from a Gen I to a Gen III. Loved the rawness of the Gen I but things like A/C, door locks, windows and a top that doesn't leak were really important to me.

Also so I liked the power adjustable pedals in the III. The difference from Gen III to Gen V is insanely good!

[ViperRT98]

Unlike the Corvette community the newer the better does not apply here...

With Vipers it is a lot about Preference, some like the 1st generation styling and some prefer the 5th generation Styling.. it's all about preference... I have friends that have each generation of the Viper. They each have their generation for certain reasons. I like all Vipers... I purchased a Gen 2 because it's always been one of my dream cars since I was a kid. I purchased it for it being very Raw... That was a selling point for me.. I also had come from owning a Corvette...

[Cargirl]

[/quote] Unlike the Corvette community the newer the better does not apply here...

With Vipers it is a lot about Preference, some like the 1st generation styling and some prefer the 5th generation Styling.. it's all about preference... I have friends that have each generation of the Viper. They each have their generation for certain reasons. I like all Vipers... I purchased a Gen 2 because it's always been one of my dream cars since I was a kid. I purchased it for it being very Raw... That was a selling point for me.. I also had come from owning a Corvette...[/QUOTE]

[Vprbite]

I went from a Gen I to a Gen III. Loved the rawness of the Gen I but things like A/C, door locks, windows and a top that doesn't leak were really important to me.

Also so I liked the power adjustable pedals in the III. The difference from Gen III to Gen V is insanely good!

Power adjustable pedals are nice. Though my 02 had the manual adjustable which were just fine. You had to turn a knob instead of a window style switch. But if you are short legged, get one with adjustable pedals.

[LACOUNTRYHICK]

Thanks for all of the information. It did help.

[darbgnik]

As mentioned above, the jump from Gen 1 to Gen 2 was a jump. Gen 2 to Gen 2 a skip. And baby steps from Gen 3 to 4 to 5.


Judging from what you've written, a Gen 3/4 would be your preference. And if you don't want to mod the hell out of it, see if you can swing a Gen 4(2008-2010). They look essentially the same as a Gen 3, but there are very worthwhile upgrades that make it an even better drivers car:
TR6060 transmission, up from T56
rear differential is much better
600 HP motor that loves headers and exhaust for great gains


These are all from memory, so forgive me if I made any mistakes.

[Coloviper]

Not sure of your experiences but I started in a GEN III Coupe which was a great car...hey it was brand new, but I will say it had good fit and finish and was a very sharp car. Tracked it at VOI11 in SLC and it performed amazing. I hated the ride with the factory shocks and run flats however. Bounced like a rabbit down the road from new. Some tough medical times hit me out of the blue and sold the car after 7 years.

Now I own an older GEN 1.5 96 RT/10. Had factory tires on it when I bought it 3 years ago but hey it was 16.5 years old when I bought it. So I added MCS Stage One coil overs / shocks and factory 99-02 ACR BBS rims with new Michelin PS2 tires. TOTALLY transformed the car. Rides awesome on and off the track. Tracked it at High Plains Raceway here in Colorado and truthfully, it felt more stable and responsive than my factory 06' Coupe. Then again the 96' RT/10 has the GEN II suspension with GEN I drivetrain. But would a GEN I with mod suspension, rims and tires perform as well. I believe it would.

At NVE1 in Detroit, I was able to do a ride around the big oval at Chelsea Proving Ground in an 02' GTS and a 14' GTS. Being 100% honest, I felt just as stable and at ease in the 02' GTS. Hey at least as stable as the 14' and the 02' was 12 years older. It impressed the hell out if me and both hit 155 mph on that track. I like the seats in the GEN I/II better as well.

Now saying all this, I have the 96' and will always have it as I wanted an older Cobra looking open air roadster, non airbag, non roof, simple as can be car that I can work on and teach my son about in the future. Drive anywhere, track, just enjoy kinda car. Now for total enjoyment, it would be a GEN V hands down. Best Viper made to date.

I would not shy away from a great GEN I if you find one. If you want the best ride possible, be prepared to change the tires at a minimum, maybe change the rims to 18s and maybe change the coil overs/shocks to a "quality product". Don't cheap out on the shocks. Get what you pay for.

Hope it helps in the end, but it comes down to your styling passion and your budget. All Viper GENs are great and appealing. Get what speaks to you however to not buy a GEN I because it does not handle? You have to be honest as a driver, maybe it is not the car. Saying that, maybe a GEN I is exactly what you need. Happy hunting and hope you find a good one!

[MalingatorGTS]

I would have to agree on which Gen individual car you drive. I drove two other Gen2 GTS cars before I bought mine and they were all very different from each other. Not crazy, but you could tell a difference.

Although I would LOVE a new ACR, something about a raw Gen2 just did it for me. You can smell exhaust , gas, motor..not in a bad way, in an analog way which reminds you of race cars and not an early 90s Honda.

FWIW, during a closed set video shoot the other week, I took a buddy for a thrill ride in my car. He has a heavily modified GTR. While I know off the line his computer awd will get me, he was shocked! He kept saying how much more solid, race feeling, faster, overall more impressive the Viper was then his new GTR. Not bad for an old 97.

I think you need to drive individual cars and when it's the right one it will speak to you. When it does, buy it! Best if luck and welcome to the Viper world!