Be very careful trying to buy Vipers guys.

[2000acr]

Is that the one in North Bend WA? You beat me to it :-( Great buy

Yes sir- I'll PM you any other good cars if I see them.

[Atari_Prime]

Yes sir- I'll PM you any other good cars if I see them.

A few thoughts...

1) Likely gonna need shocks, many ACRs do.

2) Something looks odd about the passenger side airbag in pictures. Maybe just a bad pic, maybe discolored due to being out in the sun, maybe it went off?

3) Where's the lighter plug?

4) 38k, pretty high miles for an ACR or most Vipers. Should get the clutch checked out, it will likely need to be replaced soon if it hasn't been already.

5) Kinda looks like the front bumper has been painted. The protectors aren't visible in the photo. Normally an easy indicator that its had some repair.

Very pretty car. If its been maintained well, looks like you probably got a good price.

[2000acr]

A few thoughts...

1) Likely gonna need shocks, many ACRs do. -Addressed.

2) Something looks odd about the passenger side airbag in pictures. Maybe just a bad pic, maybe discolored due to being out in the sun, maybe it went off? - In person looks fine.

3) Where's the lighter plug? I have it.

4) 38k, pretty high miles for an ACR or most Vipers. Should get the clutch checked out, it will likely need to be replaced soon if it hasn't been already. - Holds completely as of now. If it becomes an issue, I'll put a new on in.

5) Kinda looks like the front bumper has been painted. The protectors aren't visible in the photo. Normally an easy indicator that its had some repair. -Only the underside few inches have been painted. I looked closely at this.

Very pretty car. If its been maintained well, looks like you probably got a good price.

I have all the maintenance records. Thanks

[Bill Pemberton]

If you are in Phoenix just go see Eddie Martin ( Viper Tech ) at Airpark in Scottsdale. He has been working on Snakes since the 90s. Clutches last forever in Vipers , often it just needs clutch fluid replaced --enjoy.

[Black Adder]

Please do, looking for 2001-2 GTS or ACR

[Dajerseyviper]

I dealt with the same BS when looking to buy mine...Was ready to drive out to PA and buy a car and the guy tells me he had taken a "DEPOSIT" on it..Then tried to get me to get into a bidding war..lol Well Guess who called me 2 weeks later when the "deposit" couldnt com up with the rest of the $$$$$...He wound up holding onto the car for over a year after that..lol

[Vprbite]

We will always disagree on this topic... However it can give a first time buyer more piece of mind buying through certain dealerships....

However just because a Viper is at one of these Dealership does not mean it will be trouble free, it just means that they have looked over it and to their best of knowledge it is as advertised....

I may never say my Viper... But if I do it will be sold with confidence that it is what it is advertising for.... If it has issues it will be noted but not all people will be honest.... If I take a deposit on my car and the e deal fell through I will give back money their no reason for any person to keep it... Only low life individuals will do this IMO....

Like everyone has said we need to really inspect the car and make sure it is what it is advertising for... Parts are hard to come by so buying the right Viper is difficult and it took me some time to find mine....

By no means do I think buying a car from one of our big dealers is a guarantee or magically trouble free. Just that you know that it has been well looked over, repairs or updates done, and they aren't hiding anything.

For the most part, buying from a member here is similar. It's when you buy from some random dealer that bought it at auction where you have no idea about the car and a PPI will be ultra important. I got my last one from a member here and it was great. And anyone who buys from me would get the same treatment. Being around vehicles like I have, I learned that shady dealers with bad reputations don't only have bad cars. Sometimes they have good ones. It really comes down to the car. When you are looking at cars across the country, are new to the community, etc. a well respected dealer can save you time and money in the buying process and the heartache of finding out that there was frame repair or whatever else that wasn't disclosed.

My $.02

[Hathoway]

Just got mine from an Inifiniti dealership in Houston after it had been sitting for a week or two. They said it was an older gentleman who couldn't get into it anymore that painfully traded it in. Car seems to be in good shape, although I'm not knowledgeable as far as Vipers are concerned. For a '99 it seems babied, at least from the mileage. So far so good, hopefully they weren't hiding anything. I had no one to look over it with Viper knowledge.

[Dajerseyviper]

Just got mine from an Inifiniti dealership in Houston after it had been sitting for a week or two. They said it was an older gentleman who couldn't get into it anymore that painfully traded it in. Car seems to be in good shape, although I'm not knowledgeable as far as Vipers are concerned. For a '99 it seems babied, at least from the mileage. So far so good, hopefully they weren't hiding anything. I had no one to look over it with Viper knowledge.

Ever notice how its always the same story at the dealerships..lol. The old "Elderly gentleman who couldnt drive it anymore." i would love for them to say just once, "some 20 something meth addict owned it"...lol

[Vprbite]

A bunch were confiscated from a drug dealer by the DEA a couple years ago. Not sure what happened to those cars though. You can find video of the confiscation on the web.

[Bill Pemberton]

Hathoway,

9 times out of ten the issues with older Vipers are maintenance. One often purchases a Viper only to find out when the Dealer said he checked the fluids that is all he did - check them , not change them. I would sure ask to contact the past owner ( the older gentleman ), and find out when the brake fluid, clutch fluid , tranny fluid, rear end fluid, coolant an of course oil were last changed. You may find out it has been a very, very long time and that is something that should be done. Also how old are the tires? If 7-8 years old I would personally think of replacing them. Lastly there 99 should have had a steering rack recall, so make sure that has been accomplished and if not you need to make sure you get a Dodge Dealer to perform who has done a lot of them -- so you don't find yourself with a screwed up repair ( unfortunately common). Lastly , I think we have all assumed you did check Autocheck or Carfax prior to your purchase. Enjoy and welcome to the VOA Forum.

[Atari_Prime]

Ever notice how its always the same story at the dealerships..lol. The old "Elderly gentleman who couldnt drive it anymore." i would love for them to say just once, "some 20 something meth addict owned it"...lol

The gentleman I bought mine from was rounding his mid-70s and said it was painful to get in and out as his reason for getting rid of it too. He had a seven car garage with several other slightly higher off the ground options and basically said he didn't drive the Viper anymore due to back pain.

[Bill Pemberton]

The last two 70+ year olds who traded in Vipers to us , decided hard to get in or not, they needed an ACR, ha. In reality, it often is a cause for concern as folks age, but some feel the thrill of the Viper is what keeps them young -- gee I think I could be talking about myself.

[v10enomous]

Every time I sit in my Vipers I feel like my batteries are being recharged...

The last two 70+ year olds who traded in Vipers to us , decided hard to get in or not, they needed an ACR, ha. In reality, it often is a cause for concern as folks age, but some feel the thrill of the Viper is what keeps them young -- gee I think I could be talking about myself.

[Atari_Prime]

The last two 70+ year olds who traded in Vipers to us , decided hard to get in or not, they needed an ACR, ha. In reality, it often is a cause for concern as folks age, but some feel the thrill of the Viper is what keeps them young -- gee I think I could be talking about myself.

I just wish I had somewhere to drive mine. Southern California has way too many people. How a place that only gets 15 inches of rain a year managed to pack this many people into one place I will never understand. I have at least a 45 minute drive to get anywhere that I can properly 'give it the beans'. I am originally from the South where quiet country roads abound. I think if you combine all the southern states, there are still less people than LA and Orange County.

[98RedGTS]

Hathoway,

9 times out of ten the issues with older Vipers are maintenance. One often purchases a Viper only to find out when the Dealer said he checked the fluids that is all he did - check them , not change them. I would sure ask to contact the past owner ( the older gentleman ), and find out when the brake fluid, clutch fluid , tranny fluid, rear end fluid, coolant an of course oil were last changed. You may find out it has been a very, very long time and that is something that should be done. Also how old are the tires? If 7-8 years old I would personally think of replacing them. Lastly there 99 should have had a steering rack recall, so make sure that has been accomplished and if not you need to make sure you get a Dodge Dealer to perform who has done a lot of them -- so you don't find yourself with a screwed up repair ( unfortunately common). Lastly , I think we have all assumed you did check Autocheck or Carfax prior to your purchase. Enjoy and welcome to the VOA Forum.

Or do as I'm doing with mine. Just change it all yourself. Then you know for sure what's in the car and when it was done. I bought mine a couple months ago with the last 10 years of history at the same dealership. I still want the piece of mind knowing everything is fresh. Probably wasting some money here and there but in the long haul hopefully it's worth it.

I'm doing:
- all fluids
- hoses
- thermostat
- belt
- plugs and wires
- filters (still has paper filters right now)

[v10enomous]

The last two 70+ year olds who traded in Vipers to us , decided hard to get in or not, they needed an ACR, ha. In reality, it often is a cause for concern as folks age, but some feel the thrill of the Viper is what keeps them young -- gee I think I could be talking about myself.

How I think I look on the way to cars and coffee

[Bill Pemberton]

I have sent this video to Florida --- you are the next and best hire to kill mosquitos carrying the Zika Virus after that impressive demo!!!

[Camfab]

Its pretty.

Congrats, money well spent. Your much better off spending more now for a great car, than buying a car that needs lots of TLC. People are going to wonder why you have a permanent smile on your face😃

[groundshark]

Or do as I'm doing with mine. Just change it all yourself. Then you know for sure what's in the car and when it was done. I bought mine a couple months ago with the last 10 years of history at the same dealership. I still want the piece of mind knowing everything is fresh. Probably wasting some money here and there but in the long haul hopefully it's worth it.

I'm doing:
- all fluids
- hoses
- thermostat
- belt
- plugs and wires
- filters (still has paper filters right now)

>>>>Not a waste bro i did the same thing a few weeks ago when i purchased my ACR (that was supposedly given a 145 point inspection)
What i found :
clogged K&N's
1 broken motor mount
brake fluid that was least we say gummed up and overheated etc...
coolant out of spec!!!
Maintenance is a major factor in older cars
It never ceases to amaze me !!!

[plumcrazy]

>>>>Not a waste bro i did the same thing a few weeks ago when i purchased my ACR (that was supposedly given a 145 point inspection)
What i found :
clogged K&N's
1 broken motor mount
brake fluid that was least we say gummed up and overheated etc...
coolant out of spec!!!
Maintenance is a major factor in older cars
It never ceases to amaze me !!!

by a "viper tech" ???

[groundshark]

The "used car dealer" where I found the car said they did the inspection. Being that they sell high end cars only and had a few Vipers in the show room, I was just awestruck that I found a clean unmolested ACR etc... But yes on further inspection at the Chrysler dealer where the Viper experienced tech works...the broken mount and brake fluid issue was discovered...the other stuff I did myself

[Vprbite]

by a "viper tech" ???

That term can have many different meanings. We are fortunate here in Arizona to have Eddie Martin who not only knows these cars to a level that's plain spooky, he is also awesome to his customers. I forget what I was having done one day and I was in Phoenix hanging out with my parents while,it got worked on and my mother even said to me "what would you do without Eddie to trust with your Viper?" And I said "probably pay too much for poor quality work." I feel for the groups that don't have good access to a quality tech. If you are within a couple hours of one, it's worth the drive for things that are beyond your own capabilities.

[Hathoway]

Hathoway,

9 times out of ten the issues with older Vipers are maintenance. One often purchases a Viper only to find out when the Dealer said he checked the fluids that is all he did - check them , not change them. I would sure ask to contact the past owner ( the older gentleman ), and find out when the brake fluid, clutch fluid , tranny fluid, rear end fluid, coolant an of course oil were last changed. You may find out it has been a very, very long time and that is something that should be done. Also how old are the tires? If 7-8 years old I would personally think of replacing them. Lastly there 99 should have had a steering rack recall, so make sure that has been accomplished and if not you need to make sure you get a Dodge Dealer to perform who has done a lot of them -- so you don't find yourself with a screwed up repair ( unfortunately common). Lastly , I think we have all assumed you did check Autocheck or Carfax prior to your purchase. Enjoy and welcome to the VOA Forum.

Thanks for the tips Bill. Does anyone know any "viper techs" in Texas, specifically the southern region? Indeed I did as much homework as I could for my car but with my limited knowledge of Vipers I'm sure I overlooked many things. So far though I've driven it around 800 miles just over a week and nothing serious or crazy has come up, although I don't know what the car should drive like or sound like at its age. I'd like to have a knowledgeable person look the vehicle over and tell me what needs done as yeah the dealership said whatever they could to sell it. Car came with Michelin PSS that are pretty new, dealer said about 1000 miles on them and they look it.

[Matt Dillon]

I just wish I had somewhere to drive mine. Southern California has way too many people. How a place that only gets 15 inches of rain a year managed to pack this many people into one place I will never understand. I have at least a 45 minute drive to get anywhere that I can properly 'give it the beans'. I am originally from the South where quiet country roads abound. I think if you combine all the southern states, there are still less people than LA and Orange County.

Around here, anytime i'm heading back to town I have the mis-fortune of passing Log Trucks & Dump Trucks! I CRING every time I pass one or one passes by me. I guess it's Either OR!