Another New Guy possibly insane question about Gen1 purchase

**Ross L** · 03-20-2018

Hi guys! My wife, for my birthday, wants us to purchase a gen 1 viper on the west coast and drive up/down Route 1, approximately 600 miles or so(not so crazy). Then, drive it cross country back to our home state of Arkansas, about 1500 miles, or so(Insert Arkansas joke here, Lol. Hey, its a beautiful state). We plan on taking at least five-six days for the trip.I'm looking at several on the West Coast with one in particular being a black 94. It has 7k miles, hard top, AC, chrome stock wheels, and looks really nice in the Pics. Assuming is has newer tires, belt(s), plugs/wires, oil/filter change and a newer battery....anything else? Any input would be appreciated. I bought my Syclone in Florida and drove it 1K miles home without a glitch and if anyone is familiar with those, the Viper HAS to be more reliable. lol. Bad idea? Thanks
Ross

**daytonprowler** · 03-20-2018

Welcome!

Check if the head gaskets have been replaced.

**99RT10** · 03-20-2018

Do a weather check before going. Carry a lot of small hand towels for the leaks you WILL have. Take a break when the weather gets bad

**Steve-Indy** · 03-20-2018

I would strongly advise you to make no assumptions about the condition, road worthiness, or long distance reliability about an older Viper.

That said, and...since you and Wife are planning a fantastic trip...I will offer a solution that is as close to bullet proof as you will get in the above described circumstances: Contact Dan Cragin ASAP in Alhambra, CA. Dan is one if the most knowledgeable, longest surviving Viper Techs who started at the beginning, and is still active today. He has worked on hundreds and hundreds of Vipers. Hopefully, he may know of a Gen I in his area and can "road ready" it for your trip. His phone is 310-597-6295. Dan is trustworthy, kind, and a brilliant Viper guy. Good luck !!

**BrianACR** · 03-20-2018

Sounds like a great birthday!! I would agree with the above post by Steve-Indy. Get a genuine Viper nut to go over it first before a long drive. Prepare to take breaks regularly. Having no cruise control can be hard on the right leg lol.

**Ross L** · 03-20-2018

Thanks for all the input. I'll call Dan Cragin tomorrow. The car I was looking at is about 40 miles from his town. Maybe he's familiar with it! I appreciate it.
Ross

**Steve-Indy** · 03-20-2018

I REALLY hope this all works out for you guys...wife and I used to spend a ton of time going up and down Hwy 1 in NorCal...fun times !!

**Dan Cragin** · 03-20-2018

Happy to help, just give me a call.

Dan 310-597-6295

**1BADV10** · 03-21-2018

Awesome b-day gift!! Welcome to VOA. West coast up and down route 1 is a bucket list item for me...some day.

**City** · 03-21-2018

Great advice here! And Dan is the man out there so if he can go over the car for you and give you a thumbs up, you'll be good to go.

BUT, keep in mind that you're looking to drive a 24 year old car cross country. Forget that it's a Viper. Anyone would want a comprehensive checkup before hitting the road with a vehicle that old. Every hose, clamp and "rubber material" is 24 years old! The 7,000 miles are great for a purchase, but not so for a new owner, first use road trip.

**plumcrazy** · 03-22-2018

always trust dan cragin

**Gen3CoupeTX** · 03-22-2018

Enjoy the journey ... Sounds like your wife rates high on the cool scale too!

**Ross L** · 03-22-2018

Yes, the wife's pretty incredible no doubt! Our, plans may have changed to the east coast (even though I don't think it will be a scenic). Possibly from Orlando up to Myrtle beach then across to Chattanooga region, then through Memphis and home. This looks like a 1500 mile trip as opposed to 2500 miles on west coast. I haven't called Mr Dan Cragin, yet..... Any advice on realistic worth/price on a 1994 with right at 20k miles, but "excellent" condition( according to seller) on factory 2008 wheels/tires. "Assuming" it's all serviced and ready to go. Its currently on Ebay being sold by Royal Auto and Truck. Anyone familiar with it?? Thanks again Guys!!!

**Ross L** · 03-22-2018

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Viper...9asme3&vxp=mtr

A few *odd* descriptions like the "optional $7000 aluminum side pipe covers..."
and "of the 3038 viper rt/10s in 1994, only 1043 were made as a convertible"
But overall lots of high definition pics and a nice video.

**ACRSNK** · 03-22-2018

Are you specifically looking for a side pipe car? If that doesn't matter, go for a Gen II. Much better reliability, more power, somewhat more refined and you at least get power windows. Kind of a nice feature. In any event, the others already told you the best thing you can do in contacting Dan. Good luck! Sounds like an awesome adventure.

**City** · 03-22-2018

Originally Posted by Ross L

on factory 2008 tires. "Assuming" it's all serviced and ready to go.

You had better plan to immediately "service" the tires.

**Drummerviper** · 03-22-2018

I’d rather climb Mount Everest. It would be easier on my back

**ViperPete** · 03-22-2018

Take lots of pictures of the Viper along the way!!

**Ross L** · 03-22-2018

Gotta be a side piped car!

I'll ask about the tires( hopefully they're newer than the wheels. The 35 seconds I sat in a actual viper , the seats felt good! Lol. Lots of pics are guaranteed!

**1BADV10** · 03-23-2018

Those newer wheels make that gen 1 look great!! I've never liked the factory gen 1 wheels.

**Coloviper** · 03-23-2018

Cool and I believe the advice of letting Dan look at, prep it, is spot on advice. From my experience the lower mileage cars are still better to get (any manufacturer) even though sitting causes issues. A few leaky gaskets versus any other issues of an older higher mileage car at still easier to fix or handle. Tires are tires. If old they will be hockey pucks but if you do not race around and just drive it on the trip, you should be fine. Only item that is a 100% change is probably the battery. The Viper's like to eat them, they just do.

The great part is you will have a "Road Trip". There is always going to be some cool stories good or bad on a road trip. Plan on the good and bad happening, if something happens, you were aware of the risks beforehand so do not let it ruin your trip or the purchase experience with the car. The GEN 1s are still a great car and one of many's favorites despite being down on performance and amenities compared to the newer ones. But bang for the buck, I do not think you will find a better value out there with any manufacturer right now than a well kept GEN 1.

**BrianACR** · 03-23-2018

Originally Posted by Ross L

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Viper...9asme3&vxp=mtr

A few *odd* descriptions like the "optional $7000 aluminum side pipe covers..."
and "of the 3038 viper rt/10s in 1994, only 1043 were made as a convertible"
But overall lots of high definition pics and a nice video.

Lol I hate to burst their bubble, but all Vipers built in '94 were convertibles. No coupes 'till '96.

**Brad00GTS** · 03-23-2018

The latest Viper Quarterly has a great article about the Gen 1. Maybe someone could post it.

**Lemay88** · 03-24-2018

Another thing I would had...don't be surprise if a lot people look at you and/or receive tons of thumbs up during your road trip.
Viper draws a lot of attention everywhere It goes
Enjoy it

**SlateEd** · 03-24-2018

The ebay car you mentioned is in Orlando? The VOA Region President there is a Viper Tech, racer, and may know of the car. (wish we had @ tags like Instagram on here)

Definitely some silly misinformation on that one-pager, but that can be ignorance on the part of the seller you never know.

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