Help with buying a Viper

[lochnessmonster]

You bring up some very good points! He loves manuals and it is becoming harder and harder to find. He is 65 and getting in and out is an issue. We have been unable to locate one, nearest one is about 200 miles away besides the one mentioned. I asked about service because we were looking into a GTR but service was way to expensive for his taste so it is something to consider. I have yet to see the trunk of one but I will be in Memphis tomorrow to take a look at one at a dealer and be able to answer some of the questions that you asked. I really appreciate the response!

I wouldn't be surprised for one second that one or more of the members in the VOA would gladly let you guys check their car out, and maybe even take your father for a spin. I doubt they'd let him drive it, but who knows. You might want to query the guys here and see what you can arrange.

[Enzo101]

Raw can mean different things to different people. For example, raw to me is how the car rides. A hopped and solid suspension race car is a raw car. The power, idle, gas mileage, interior features or lack there of, etc. might be raw to another individual.

So if raw to your Dad means how the car rides and a GT350 would qualify as raw, then I would make the following suggestion. Pick up a used GTS model car (13/14). Some can be had in low 70s with low miles. Then put on the Viper Exchange shock package so you can use the center console to change settings or a MCS suspension system dialed down on the softest settings. Plan on a new set of Pirelli tires and that will make the car ride like a boulevard cruiser. It just takes the harshness out of the car. As sound also contributes to a driving experience, find one with a stock exhaust and a 18 speaker stereo upgrade because then it gets the additional sound deadner from the factory. The only other potential dial in for comfort or less rawness is to consider to have the seats redone by Venzano. Some complain about the bottoms and backs not having enough padding. Venzano can fix that. I rode in one with the Venzano fix and it was very, noticeable in a good way.

Most Vipers owners like to brag about their rawness Viper, but the GEN V is a pussy cat in rawness factor compared to a GEN I. Hope it helps! It sounds like your Dad has already been attracted to the Viper based upon your comments but the cost new is what has held him back. In the end, if that is the case, you can get a GT-350 for him but remember he will still want a Viper. The Viper owners and Viper family contribute to 1/2 of the enjoyment of the car, when you look at the overall ownership experience. Being born a Blue Oval boy and owning a ton of Mustangs over the years, I eventually worked up to a Viper. Truth be told, I don't even look twice at a Mustang now. I still have a place in my heart for them (and own a few collector Saleens) but owning a Viper and interacting with the Viper passionate owners, is a whole other experience entirely. I think your Dad will value that experience beyond the car itself.

I totally agree with your statement about rawness. Ride and sound are the two main factors. Getting him a GT350 is out of the question. It took 6 months to get mine and a lot of hair pulling out from dealers saying they want X amount over. Honestly, he could have cared less about the new Viper. He was working at the time and didn't have a need for one but now it's a different story. Plus, with them not selling as well as expected you can get great deals on new ones or very low mile ones. It's hard to say no to $60,000 off sticker price for what is basically a new car. I'll have to do some research into the modifications you suggested. I love the Viper family atmosphere. I personally have not owned a Viper but talking to a few people that do they all seem to be the most wonderful type of car enthusiast. Not so much with some Corvette and Shelby owners I've met. Thank you for your help!

[Enzo101]

I wouldn't be surprised for one second that one or more of the members in the VOA would gladly let you guys check their car out, and maybe even take your father for a spin. I doubt they'd let him drive it, but who knows. You might want to query the guys here and see what you can arrange.

I would very much appreciate that! Being new on the forum I realize there are some trust issues but if there are any members that would be so gracious as to meet my father and I and get a ride I would very much appreciate it. And heck we can go for a nice long cruise......if they can keep up hahahaha!

[Terminator02]

Hey OP, why would the car appreciate over time when you want to get the car at 50% value and it's not even old yet? Clearly your 350 GT is not 50% value because the community that supports that car really helps keep values up... Even on terminators. Only here do people bash the car and the values so much and penny pinch for every dime. Classic 96 blue and white are 20 years old and not even at sticker for non driven ones. No this likely won't appreciate but it's only the communities problem. The car is hand built and the best bang for for the buck in the Super car world but lately it's a lot of people who can't afford the cars that buy them and downplay their worth. It's easily worth much more than its given credit for. Sorry for the rant, it's not your fault but it's amazing how a new person comes here and already knows to negotiate for half price on a car 5x superior to the 350 Mustang and they go over sticker.

[BRACR]

Hellcat. Multiple colors.....even plum crazy with carbon fiber stripes!

[Enzo101]

Hey OP, why would the car appreciate over time when you want to get the car at 50% value and it's not even old yet? Clearly your 350 GT is not 50% value because the community that supports that car really helps keep values up... Even on terminators. Only here do people bash the car and the values so much and penny pinch for every dime. Classic 96 blue and white are 20 years old and not even at sticker for non driven ones. No this likely won't appreciate but it's only the communities problem. The car is hand built and the best bang for for the buck in the Super car world but lately it's a lot of people who can't afford the cars that buy them and downplay their worth. It's easily worth much more than its given credit for. Sorry for the rant, it's not your fault but it's amazing how a new person comes here and already knows to negotiate for half price on a car 5x superior to the 350 Mustang and they go over sticker.

I'm not claiming anything at all. I've been paying attention to the Viper market recently and have found some incredible deals with some Vipers. Half of sticker for a 2013 "used" Viper is just a starting point. I payed sticker for my 350 because I felt that's what it is worth and it was a car I desperately wanted and I have not been disappointed. I honestly could care less if the 350 or the Viper appreciate overtime. Cars, for me, are not investments but something to get from point A-B.......in a timely mater. I agree that for the money it is the best car you can get. My dad is not one of those people that cannot afford the vehicle, thankfully through years of hard work, he is able to purchase a car like a Viper and not think twice. However, just because he can does not mean he should. I want him to be happy with the purchase and came here to get info from actual owners instead of reading reviews from car magazines. Also, just because I am new to the forum does not mean I have not done my research. Validating it through owners is the best way to get answers to questions I am unsure of.

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Hellcat. Multiple colors.....even plum crazy with carbon fiber stripes!

When did they come out with carbon fiber stripes!? Is that new for 2016?

[ViperSmith]

They are Vinyl

[Terminator02]

I'm not claiming anything at all. I've been paying attention to the Viper market recently and have found some incredible deals with some Vipers. Half of sticker for a 2013 "used" Viper is just a starting point. I payed sticker for my 350 because I felt that's what it is worth and it was a car I desperately wanted and I have not been disappointed. I honestly could care less if the 350 or the Viper appreciate overtime. Cars, for me, are not investments but something to get from point A-B.......in a timely mater. I agree that for the money it is the best car you can get. My dad is not one of those people that cannot afford the vehicle, thankfully through years of hard work, he is able to purchase a car like a Viper and not think twice. However, just because he can does not mean he should. I want him to be happy with the purchase and came here to get info from actual owners instead of reading reviews from car magazines. Also, just because I am new to the forum does not mean I have not done my research. Validating it through owners is the best way to get answers to questions I am unsure of.

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When did they come out with carbon fiber stripes!? Is that new for 2016?

Respectfully, you are missing my point. It wasn't an attack on you. But how can one ask a question on car appreciation whilst also going for a vehicle that sells with a heavy discount. We can't read the future but can definitely go off the present and as you pointed out, the cars sell quite cheap. So it likely won't appreciate any faster than the 96 bw manual v10 with the classic and timeless lines. I'm glad I didn't collect a 96 because 20 years is a long time and they haven't appreciated to MSRP with 50 miles of them.

Again, appreciation speculation and negotiating heavy discounts on a car people aren't buying are counterintuitive thoughts. My response has nothing to do with you doing anything wrong nor was I questioning paying sticker on a stang. They are sticker because they have a community that backs the value of their vehicles better than ours. I'm knocking people on this forum not you. I've been a viper member on various forums for over 12 years and I have never seen a group try so hard to devalue another members car. So I was not surprised you already knew how to approach pricing because you are a PERFECT example of why prices are low. You research the forum as any smart Internet person would do and see this price talk and then value based on what you read. I always said we the community are negatively impacting pricing.

And we wonder why people who pay for the Viper a steal of a deal cry when they go to sell it. Well it's because every post is someone bragging about why the car is worth X Y OR Z.

To your topic. Your father won't like the Viper. Plain and simple. It's riding position, it's more raw than the stang, is all hood and bumpy (I have the GT) . Hellcat is an outstanding option. I really think that he would love.

[Enzo101]

They are Vinyl

I figured that lol. Cool option though! Thanks for letting me know!

[Enzo101]

Respectfully, you are missing my point. It wasn't an attack on you. But how can one ask a question on car appreciation whilst also going for a vehicle that sells with a heavy discount. We can't read the future but can definitely go off the present and as you pointed out, the cars sell quite cheap. So it likely won't appreciate any faster than the 96 bw manual v10 with the classic and timeless lines. I'm glad I didn't collect a 96 because 20 years is a long time and they haven't appreciated to MSRP with 50 miles of them.

Again, appreciation speculation and negotiating heavy discounts on a car people aren't buying are counterintuitive thoughts. My response has nothing to do with you doing anything wrong nor was I questioning paying sticker on a stang. They are sticker because they have a community that backs the value of their vehicles better than ours. I'm knocking people on this forum not you. I've been a viper member on various forums for over 12 years and I have never seen a group try so hard to devalue another members car. So I was not surprised you already knew how to approach pricing because you are a PERFECT example of why prices are low. You research the forum as any smart Internet person would do and see this price talk and then value based on what you read. I always said we the community are negatively impacting pricing.

And we wonder why people who pay for the Viper a steal of a deal cry when they go to sell it. Well it's because every post is someone bragging about why the car is worth X Y OR Z.

To your topic. Your father won't like the Viper. Plain and simple. It's riding position, it's more raw than the stang, is all hood and bumpy (I have the GT) . Hellcat is an outstanding option. I really think that he would love.

I think I did misinterpret what you were saying and did not mean to come off with a negative view towards you or your opinion. Normally I would not have asked but since it has the word "Edition in it I figured I would ask. I've been amazed at how "cheap" the Viper sells for, even a 2016 model on a dealer lot. I, along with people like myself, do not mean to devalue the Viper. I just want the best deal possible on a truly astonishing vehicle. A main reason the Viper is even being considered is the upcoming regulations on vehicles. Unfortunately, cars like the Viper are not meant for this world much longer, mainly the engine and inability to put side curtain airbags on it. That's why I got the 350, thinking it is one of if not the last N/A big V8 Mustangs to be produced. I see that with the Viper and think it would be a great time to buy such a vehicle. I think in a way he will like the Viper mainly because of what he expects from a vehicle. You expect a Challenger to have good power and ride like a couch, you expect a Rolls to drive like you a separate from the outside world and make you feel drowned in opulence, you expect a Viper to be hardcore and 'Murican as F***. We drove a late model Gen 4 with the ACR areo package. He loved it but they wanted a stupid amount of money for it. I think $100,000ish and it had heavy mileage. And he would prefer to have some of the new safety features that are available on the Gen V. Anyway I do appreciate the help!

[swexlin]

If he drove a Gen4 ACR and liked it, then he may indeed like the Gen 5.

[lochnessmonster]

Two words: backup camera. I wouldn't own this car without it. I believe it is only available on the GTS, but I could be mistaken.

[ClayR]

Two words: backup camera. I wouldn't own this car without it. I believe it is only available on the GTS, but I could be mistaken.

It's in the GT as well. I know because I'm driving one now.

[TheKosherStogie]

Two words: backup camera. I wouldn't own this car without it. I believe it is only available on the GTS, but I could be mistaken.

my TA has it ...

[swexlin]

Don't have one on the Viper, but now that I've experienced it on the Ram, I really am seriously considering having one retrofitted on the Viper.

[Enzo101]

Two words: backup camera. I wouldn't own this car without it. I believe it is only available on the GTS, but I could be mistaken.

For sure!

[darbgnik]

Two words: backup camera. I wouldn't own this car without it. I believe it is only available on the GTS, but I could be mistaken.

All 2015s and up have it.

[evomind]

I think some owners kinda "shoot the messenger" with this stuff.
You cant fault a guy for seeking out a good deal and negotiating strongly on the price of a car.
Any car.
Most buyers have walked into the show half way through the movie and the market for used Vipers is what it is. They have always depreciated very heavily the first few years and then hold steady. True for every Viper gen.
The "community" of owners for a certain car hardly set the market. Many factors determine resale price.
Aside from all the nuances of limited production vehicles, generally speaking owners do not set the market, buyers do.

[ViperSmith]

I think some owners kinda "shoot the messenger" with this stuff.
You cant fault a guy for seeking out a good deal and negotiating strongly on the price of a car.
Any car.
Most buyers have walked into the show half way through the movie and the market for used Vipers is what it is. They have always depreciated very heavily the first few years and then hold steady. True for every Viper gen.
The "community" of owners for a certain car hardly set the market. Many factors determine resale price.
Aside from all the nuances of limited production vehicles, generally speaking owners do not set the market, buyers do.

Everyone wants the best possible sale price. Yet, get upset when people want the best possible selling price. We've seen in here. People have gotten cars $50k off MSRP then upset when they also get beaten down on price. They then bemoan prices are "garbage."

You can't have it both ways.

[darbgnik]

Everyone wants the best possible sale price. Yet, get upset when people want the best possible selling price. We've seen in here. People have gotten cars $50k off MSRP then upset when they also get beaten down on price. They then bemoan prices are "garbage."

You can't have it both ways.

It's true. You see a guy post about getting his new car for X dollars a year ago, then you see them try to sell it for the same price, plus the full cost of paint protection........... weird.

Don't get me wrong, it's great if you can do that, but don't complain that all of a sudden your car is hard to sell.

[ClayR]

It's true. You see a guy post about getting his new car for X dollars a year ago, then you see them try to sell it for the same price, plus the full cost of paint protection........... weird.

Don't get me wrong, it's great if you can do that, but don't complain that all of a sudden your car is hard to sell.

A car is one of the only items people brag about getting it the cheapest. No one brags about how cheap their house cost. It's weird.

[evomind]

It's true. You see a guy post about getting his new car for X dollars a year ago, then you see them try to sell it for the same price, plus the full cost of paint protection........... weird.

Don't get me wrong, it's great if you can do that, but don't complain that all of a sudden your car is hard to sell.

I think some people get upset when they buy an expensive car brand new, maybe put very few miles on it and then see people buying the same low mile car for 2/3rds the price.
IDK, but thats how it goes. Were on the 5th gen now so there shouldnt be any surprises.

Anyway, if the gt350 is too raw the Viper isnt the car I would recommend.
Maybe a Corvette? Still cool, still kinda fast but easier to live with and he can DD it if he wants.
The Hellcat or something is a good idea or maybe even one of the supercharged Cadillacs?

[Aspirations57]

It's true. You see a guy post about getting his new car for X dollars a year ago, then you see them try to sell it for the same price, plus the full cost of paint protection........... weird.

Don't get me wrong, it's great if you can do that, but don't complain that all of a sudden your car is hard to sell.

You really dont get it drab, ALL 13,14,15...Viper resale will always be hurt from the multiple recalls on ALL Viper models because of POOR quality control on Dodges part! Iam asking full price plus clear-bra but why not? Find a 156.4K GTS with every option like my car. The fact that this Gen. has many issues, most minor and one major, one will make it impossible to get a fair resale unless sold to someone who does not do their homework..My car only calls for R29 but I have absolutely no faith in Dodge that my engine is "safe",lol..

A car is one of the only items people brag about getting it the cheapest. No one brags about how cheap their house cost. It's weird.

I will be the first then, my California home is worth more than double of what we paid for it which was close to 2 mil....You do know there are people who make a living buying homes and selling them,lol, we just got lucky and dont plan to sell but everything has a price.

[Enzo101]

I think some people get upset when they buy an expensive car brand new, maybe put very few miles on it and then see people buying the same low mile car for 2/3rds the price.
IDK, but thats how it goes. Were on the 5th gen now so there shouldnt be any surprises.

Anyway, if the gt350 is too raw the Viper isnt the car I would recommend.
Maybe a Corvette? Still cool, still kinda fast but easier to live with and he can DD it if he wants.
The Hellcat or something is a good idea or maybe even one of the supercharged Cadillacs?

Here's the list I made incase the Viper doesn't work.
Corvette Z06/ maybe wait for the Grand Sport
Hellcat/392
Mercedes AMG GT S
Cadillac CTS V

[evomind]

Here's the list I made incase the Viper doesn't work.
Corvette Z06/ maybe wait for the Grand Sport
Hellcat/392
Mercedes AMG GT S
Cadillac CTS V

He might even like a GTR.