I agree, I wouldn't say the GenII is sloppy. I've driven a lot of cars, and the new GenV as well. For a daily driver the GenV is obviously a better choice, and for most people they see the GenII and GenV as the same car. I've had people think mine was a brand new Viper, and didn't believe me when I said it was a 2000. I wanted a GenII GTS since I was a kid, I had built it up so much, for so long, and was afraid I would be disappointed. If you go into the car expecting it to perform and be as fast as some of the cars today, then you'll be disappointed. I knew I had driven faster cars, but that wasn't the only thing for me. It was a GTS, so much history/heritage was within that car, and is still one the best looking cars I have ever seen. If you're going purely for comfort/luxury/daily driver, then the GenV is the better choice. If you want a VIPER and to experience what that brings with it, then I would say go with the GenII. Can always upgrade later and not lose money, but I would start at the GenII, if it were me. I wouldn't sell/trade my GenII in for a GenV, something about my GTS than you just can't get in the new ones.
I would love to have a Gen5, but give up my GenII to have one? Not gonna happen! I love my '01.
Like others, you will never pry my Gen II away from me. even after driving a few Gen V's now... Still love my car more...
Wow, I got snake bit when I got a Gen 3 . Had many since as well as Gen v's. Never had a Gen. 2. Maybe I should look into one of them. Did not realize they were loved this much.
And to answer the person that said that finding the car is half the fun......I don't know about that. If you are looking for a specific car, the wait can be long......very long. It's not much fun......
Gen 2, all day long. No BS electronic crap. And the radio works, and the doors don't lock for no reason, and it doesn't not start for no reason, and the engine isn't full of metal, find a nice gts acr and sleep at night.
Ironically funny. Instead you have leaky head gaskets, doors that are constantly misaligned , cracks in the hoods ( Gen 1s ) , tranny issues, dead batteries and leakage, radio that works only that it turns on but it sounds like crap, bubbling on the side sills, unadjustable and leaky shocks, frame recalls, misaligned hoods, engines that run hot on track or in traffic, constant check engine lights, water pump concerns, etc.
Every year has little concerns and we forget to remember them as the years go on, but overall I would take any year of Viper over a Vette, Porsche, etc. Heck, we can make it more than three laps around a track before the engine goes to limp mode due to overheating ( current Z06 ) , we did not replace virtually every single motor due to fire hazard like the GT3, and the roof didn't go flying off a Viper on the track like it did on older Z06s.
The best year of Viper to buy is the one you like the most, and all the conversations and comments from all of us are largely irrevalent - get what you enjoy, there are so few ever built they are all likely to be a stable investment, as far as any automobile ever is.
Last edited by Bill Pemberton; 05-05-2017 at 11:32 AM.
Gotta agree with Bill, the best year of Viper is the one you want the most!!
Gen II. Mines not going anywhere.
I've spent some seat time in a Gen 2, a very short time in a Gen 4, and some time in the Gen 5. I think the biggest decision is whether you want a modern car or a classic car. The Gen 2 ownership experience is that of a classic car, Gen 5 is a modern car that in most cases will still have a warranty. I've wanted a Viper since I saw the first concept car when I was 8, and I'm interested in owning the most modern example. I have old cars already and am not interested in adding to the maintenance/restoration burden. The Gen 5 has the aesthetic presence of the Gen 2 with modern tech and a warranty, Gen 3 and 4 didn't interest me. I bought my car to drive and plan to drive it often, plus a Gen 2 in Texas summer heat isn't something I'm interested in.
I didn't buy my car to resell, but I purchased now because I see the Gen 5 going the same way as the Ford GT. I don't think they'll make another example with this formula (big displacement, naturally aspirated, proper 6 speed), so I wanted to purchase an unmolested example while the values are still reasonable.
Again, there's a two-decade difference in technology between the Gen 2 and Gen 5. You just have to decide whether you want an early 90's car, or something modern. Both are fantastic cars in their own right, but very different ownership experiences.
I'd say you can't go wrong with any gen!
Gen II GTS is 96-2002. Thats late 90's and early 2000s, not early 90s.
And they tried to make Gen Vs look like Gen IIs for a good reason. Gen II GTS is THE signature "look" when most people think of a Viper.
You can get a late model look alike, or you can get the real thing lol.
Nothing in the Gen 2 moves it away from being an early 90's design, mechanically or interior wise. If you just want to look at it, buy a Gen 2. If you want to drive it, buy a Gen 5.
So you don't think the Gen 5 will appreciate over time? That's fine. I just wanted to snag a low mileage car now because they won't always be so readily available, and I'm doubtful that they'll be available at today's prices. Whether that plays out or not doesn't really matter, as I bought the car because I wanted it, not because I'm looking at it as an investment.
Absolutely no comparison IMO
While the Gen2 is a fantastic car and was a monster in its day. The Gen5 is better at literally everything. More comfortable, more power, better brakes, nicer interior, functioning AC lol, while I know looks are subjective...the Gen5 is IMO the best looking Viper ever
I've owned a Gen2, Gen4, Gen5 TA and now Gen5 ACR-E
The Gen V is definitely a lot more comfortable and a whole lot faster, but there is something about a Gen II GTS that is just perfect. As stated above, there is a reason the look of the Viper went back to that of the Gen II GTS. The Gen II in my opinion is a timeless classic. The car will always look beautiful from every angle. While the Gen V is a lot more car in a lot of ways, driving the Gen II gives you a different and at times more enjoyable experience then the Gen V. Now...if I had to let one go, it would probably be the Gen II. Having way too much fun with the Gen V right now.
Just buy both and that way the only decision you will have to make is which one to take out for a ride. Win Win!
Bought a gen 2 uneducated.
Mine modified suspension, brakes, intake and exhaust.
Love it. My only issue how loud it is with no cats or mufflers. And resonates at certain RPM
That’s OK. Bought a raw car. If I wanted refined would have bought a Vette
I had two Gen 2's, then went to a '16 ACR, then back to a Gen 2. After the Gen 5, I now realize how crappy the Gen 2 is. But, I love it! Lots more shaking and rawness. Cheap and reliable.
Last edited by AaronFL; 11-17-2018 at 09:11 AM.
I Love My Gen 2...Hopefully Add A Gen 5 To My Stable Someday!
Careful with the '13 through '14 (and some '15s) Gen Vs. A lot of them had to return to the dealership for possible oil contaminants when the engines were assembled (shavings). Some also suffered from oil starvation with no warning. You had better checked the oil consistently when you bought one or you may have been running it with 3 to 5 quarts low. Look up recall R28 and R29. Make sure that whatever V you buy that both those recalls were completed. Some of them received new engines and extended warranties after an oil test revealed the oil was contaminated. Do your due diligence.
I have a low mile completely stock (other than the Corsa exhaust, skip shift eliminator and power steering pump pulley) '02 GTS factory stripe bumble bee that sits in the garage and just gets taken out to the occasional dinner or cars and coffee. It always draws the biggest smiles and emotions from the crowd. Yes, the V is a much better car in every way, but so are newer Porsches, Corvettes, Challengers, Mustangs and on and on. If I want comfort, I drive one of the German cars I have in the garage. The II is a collectable as far as I'm concerned and will be treated as such. And not because I think they will go up in value, but because the car is IMHO an icon.
Last edited by Old Surfer; 11-18-2018 at 05:41 PM.
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