Out of all the Gen's, which one is the best bang for the buck

[Jack's GTS]

If you were to put together a list of the best to worst Viper, what would it be? Consider performance, creature comforts, exclusiveness (one of one etc), as well as sale numbers and supply and demand.

I would put my thoughts in but, I am quite muffled to what I would be where on the list.

Any brave people out there who want to take a crack at in with their opinions.

Ok, Ok,,,,Ill start the list.....number 1 would be the 1996 GTS B/W (ok I got one in the garage ..ha)

I'm partial to the 1997 GTS B/W.

[virginiavenom]

love the Gen II simply put it is so heavily recognized. followed by Gen IIIs, IIIs can be easily modded, put a Gen IV hood on it and you are looking real good. nice power, creature comforts etc. however my gen II doesn't squeek and rattle....don't know why one would if properly maintained. use those grease fittings boys, they aren't there just for the factory.

[BlknBlu]

This can be debated and never resolved, But as far as a bargain and reliability, Drive, Mod friendly....etc. I would have to say a GEN III is priced to be the best over all value of the bunch. That does not mean it is the best Viper or best looking. Just a great overall value for what kind of car you get.

Bruce

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Bang 4 Buck just total value for $$ spent? probably a Gen 3

But since the G5 Coupes LOOK like the Gen 2 GTS...... Id say a Gen 2 GTS has 2014 looks at a 1990s price !

[72hemi]

I would say the best bang for the buck right now is the Gen III, but looking long term I would recommend the Gen II as I believe they will increase in value more with time surpassing the Gen III cars.

[slitherv10]

No why is the Gen 4 not on most peoples list? Is it that it has not bottomed out yet?

[ACRucrazy]

No why is the Gen 4 not on most peoples list? Is it that it has not bottomed out yet?

IMO it's because the price right now of a Gen IV is higher than all previous generations. That is not me saying I don't think its a better car because I do! It's what I bought. I was set on a Gen II when I was a "kid dreamer" I was set on a Gen III coupe when it came out 7/8 years ago and still a dreamer. I was set on an ACR when it launched for 2008 in the one day dream.

When the time came to where I could actually make the purchase I bought what I really wanted. It was more money, it had more power but it was not bang for the buck IMO.

$60-$70 Gen IV, $70-$90 ACR or $35k+ Gen III is a bargain IMO. It was a struggle to spend over 2x the price on an ACR vs having a "similar" Viper (Gen III) For the price of most ACRs you could just about buy a Gen II GTS & a Gen III. If I didn't have a Gen IV/ACR I would probably be in a 3 right now with a lot more $$$ in my pocket.

[Late Apex]

Bang for the buck and also very reliable= 99-02 GTS

[VoodooRob]

I'm going against the grain and saying Gen 1. If your in the right place at the right time, seen a few that sold for 19k! Those are exceptions, most $22k-$25k & to me that equals the best value for $ spent. A Viper for less than a new Hyundai? Can't dispute the value there.

[slowhatch]

One of the nicest things about the Is/IIs is that you rarely, if ever, get the "awesome Vette" comments.

You know never in my life would i ever think someone would confuse a vette for a viper, yet i have had 2 people tell me "nice vette" in the last week. Unreal.

[ViperGuy]

The 2013 SRT LE can be had at a price now that makes for a rather compelling bang for buck argument on a NEW Viper but of course if your tilt is on the total capitalization required then I'd say a 2003/2004 Gen 3 is hard to beat - and it's decently (Paxton) mod friendly. When considering earlier Gens one has to generally factor in greater reconditioning dollars and/or the reasonable possibility of age related maintenance/gremlins plus the older tech may not please some, so the Gen 3's got a good balance for preowned. I was looking for Viper to bring the style, fit finish paint/stripes, and interior quality to the next level plus up-to-date electronics, so with the Gen 5 looking as hot as it does, it was an easy decision and chose the GTS to get it maxed. Choices, choices, but you really can't ever go wrong going Viper.

[slitherv10]

Looks like so far the Gen 3's have it. With the Gen 2's not far behind and gen 1's to round it off. Gen 4 and 5 seem to be in limbo right now and dependant on how te new cars fair in the market in the next year or so. I personally love the gen 2 styling but love the gen 4 refinements and tech. So I agree with JonB, you get the best of both worlds by getting into a gen 2 with some slight mods (brakes, hp adders etc) over a Gen 5 and have lots of money left over in your pocket to shop at his store.

[VPRPWRD]

I agree with those that said Gen II ACR.

[slitherv10]

I agree with those that said Gen II ACR.

Great limited cars but, as in the Vette with the base vette and zr1's, there is small cosmetic differences only to differ the two. I wish they would have made the Gen 2 ACR's more distinct then the rest. I think then they would have been pulling big bucks. As does the 98 Championship Edition white with blue stripes.

[Space Truckin]

You know never in my life would i ever think someone would confuse a vette for a viper, yet i have had 2 people tell me "nice vette" in the last week. Unreal.

WTF, They must have been near sighted!

[Policy Limits]

All gen vipers are great bang for the buck. To be able to get a low mileage 04 for 40-50k is probably the best though

[HyperViper]

Well if you are looking for distinction....The Gen 4 convertible is one of the fastest, most powerful convertibles ever built. Huge bang for the buck when compared to any other 600+ HP convertible.

[Sybil TF]

I'm partial to the 1997 GTS B/W.

Me to the 96 GTS B/W

[Bitten]

03-06 vert. They can be had for high 30's in great shape. My last viper was a 03 and it will do everything you ask of it and look good doing it. Everything is modern enough but not too tech heavy that will show its age like a lot of cars from that era. Plus the computers are not locked out like newer models.

On a different note, I believe way down the road that the 06 coupe will be one of the most sought after models. It is the only coupe year with a mod friendly engine from 2006-now....and yes I have one

That's why I have 2 gen 3 cars. I didn't need the Vert but the price was to right and the car is easy to work on. I bought my Coupe New and it was one of 23 with no stripe and 10 spoke wheels.

[MI Viper]

Well if you are looking for distinction....The Gen 4 convertible is one of the fastest, most powerful convertibles ever built. Huge bang for the buck when compared to any other 600+ HP convertible.

When I was researching our car on the web, (GenIV Vert) most of my data was showing the 2009, and 2010's as having the best reliability. That is where I made my decision from, most reliable= less time in the garage,= more $$ in my pockets. But as I have been told here, I'm a newbie, so I don't know much....
Merry X-mas.
MI V.

[Anonymous]

So the newest have the highest reliability ,shocking .

[Photog1]

You know never in my life would i ever think someone would confuse a vette for a viper, yet i have had 2 people tell me "nice vette" in the last week. Unreal.

People are just not use to seeing a Viper since they are rarely on the roads and they don't know about Vipers. Unlike vettes that are on every corner, so they assume vette.

[MI Viper]

My opinion: G4 Coupe. A convertable loses their hardcore image and lines of the car. I never understood the alure of a roofless car. My wife drives a convertable. I think convertables look like flying shoes... 'nuff said.

I would love to say G4 ACR and it would be true from an investment perspective but that great big wing... man it is just so played out on everything from Miatas to Civics and everything inbetween. The 2014 TA now THATS a great looking aero package, sutble but lethal looking.

Vert's are really nice in the wintertime in FL. We were cruising up I-95 Sat. evening, with another Viper, ( 02 Coupe from Orlando) with the top down, (our car's top is always down except when she takes a shower! ) and it was awesome, we cruised between 100-120 for about 22 miles, is was a blast!
MI V.

[dadstoy]

love them all.

Excluding the new ones I would order them
Gen 1
Gen 3
Gen 4
Gen 2

For me, I became a Viper fan the first time I saw a gen 1 on the street.

Love the Gen 2, but I think Vipers should have side exhaust. The new ones look like the gen 2 but have the side exhaust too. so it is close to perfect in my eyes.

[Brian GTS]

Gawd, I love them all. Any generation has its reasons for being a bang for the buck but I would have to say the original Gen I....for less than 30K, you just can't beat the value.