Looking to get a Viper: Gen 2 + DD or only Gen 5

[Helo Steve]

You picked the best year! I am biased though! Congrats on the pick up, it is a raw and fun car!

[v10enomous]

I love my 98 every bit as much as my GenV and even more in some ways. Great Choice !

[viper_eddie]

My hunch...and only a hunch, is that the Gen 3 and 4 cars are stuck in the middle of a Viper identity crisis right now seeing as the Gen 5 has more of the Gen 2 styling in it. The Gen 3's unfortunately lost big value because of that and the Gen 4's are only holding on longer to their price because of the HP and performance aspect. Will they ever be worth what a Gen 3 is? I would say no. Once again because of the Performance they have over the Gen 3. The Gen 2's though will hold their value very well and in my opinion some, and I repeat some, will gain a bit. Which ones? Well we have already seen some years, color combos and limited run cars steady up financially. The Gen 5 will also have its day when the Gen 6 comes out. Hopefully it dos not end up like the Gen 3 and finds a struggle to holds its identity as well. All depends on what Chrysler has in store for the future.

I for one love my 96 and having owed that and a Gen 4 at the same time, I wold pick the Gen 2 all day long. Obviously not because of performance, but its aura and its unique nature that a Gen 2 will in my opinion always hold among the rest.

That being said, the Gen 1's will start to respond soon as well. As the wicked witch of the north said," all in good time my little pretty, all in good time".

I agree with you completely. If I had the money and parking space, I would have picked up a 1992 just to sit on it. I also think the Gen 4 will always have a premium over the Gen 3 for obvious reasons but also a bit over the standard run of the mill Gen 2. Simply because of performance. While I do like the looks of the Gen 4, it doesn't have the classic styling of the first 2 generations which most people think is what a Viper should look like. Having said that, I do like the Gen 4 because it is the last of the true Vipers in regards to electronic nanny's and simplicity.

The Gen 5 took the performance up a notch and the styling back to where it should always have been. Because of that I think it will also hold its value pretty well. If I was to wager a bet, I would say the Gen 6 will have some sort of auto transmission and forced induction. That could make the Gen 5 the last of the N/A cars, but we'll see...

If you do mind saying, what did you pay for the Gts. I have a 98 with 37k miles. Just curious to know what they are actually being sold for.

I paid 29,500 for it, however, I don't think you should completely base yours on mine. This one has a few small things I need to sort out but overall it's a clean car. I think yours is in better shape, for sure. Another 1997 or 1998 w/ 30-40k miles just sold on eBay for 28k, I believe it was red but it had a matte black wrap. I would have picked up that one if I hadn't gotten this one already. Forgot to mention that both mine and the one on eBay have over 5 owners so that takes value down a bit.

Warm season still hasn't hit us so I can't say what I really think these Gen 2 GTS cars are worth. Most of the cars priced over 36k I'm still seeing for sale; it's a bit sad to see them depreciate but spring is around the corner so once things warm up maybe they'll get back up a few grand.

You picked the best year! I am biased though! Congrats on the pick up, it is a raw and fun car!

I was pleasantly surprised to see it has manual mirrors lol...I was driving and looking around for 5 minutes trying to figure out where the damn switch is. Just decided screw it I'll push the mirrors. It is a fun car and definitely raw, love that 708 cam too.

I love my 98 every bit as much as my GenV and even more in some ways. Great Choice !

I need to get more seat time in a Gen V but right now I'm leaning towards the Gen 2 because I have a feeling a new Viper will be released within a year so the Gen Vs might go down a bit more.

[gpearl]

I was not aware of that; I knew that the ACRs had leaking issues but I thought all had Dynamics. I guess that's a plus.

Thanks to everyone else who answered. My heart really is leaning towards a Gen II. I know that if I had a Gen V and someone pulled up next to me in a Gen 2 I would be a bit envious; whereas, if the opposite happened I wouldn't really care.

My girlfriend has a Miata so I really would not have any vehicle for those rare (but still needed) trips when you have to carry oversized goods. Will be on the lookout and will post pics once I get something. Will also most likely drive that Gen V from the dealer just because

Sounds like you need a new girlfriend with more cargo space (that sounds wrong).

[viper_eddie]

Sounds like you need a new girlfriend with more cargo space (that sounds wrong).

Lol...if I had a driveway, I would buy a beater Miata just to track the crap out of it.

[v10enomous]

It is a fun car and definitely raw, love that 708 cam too.

So true ! For me a 98 GTS offers the perfect balance of old school big displacement muscle car with just enough real world usability on today's roads. It's like having a Shelby Daytona coupe or Ferrari 250 GTO that you can actually drive and go places in.

[1997Viper]

Not sure if anyone cares but thought I should mention it in just in case. Picked up a 1998 GTS this Thursday for relatively cheap but the car does have 40k miles on it. I figured it will be good to keep me in the Viper world until I decide between the Gen 2 ACR, Gen 4 ACR or Gen 5 TA. They're all excellent cars in their own way and this one should help me decide if I want a Gen 2 or not.

I have to be honest, though, the Gen 4 spoiled me a bit. It provides just enough refinement but still an overall raw experience. Only downside is the looks...you don't get the traditional Viper styling. Have only driven a Gen 5 around a block so not enough time there to really tell how I feel about the driving experience. Biggest worry I have about Gen 5s is all that electronic stuff.

I think Gen II is a great choice. I DD my 97 GTS for many years (in CA), multiple flat tires on highway and 2 windshields from rock chips and enjoyed it all the way. Previous comments on brakes (ended up going to StopTech) and lock up in the wet were dead on. Beyond brakes, not so commented on long term list for making DD life in a Gen 2 Enjoyable: (1) Skip Shift Eliminator (2) Softer Tires (3) Better Stereo (4) MGW Gas Cap (to have people stop messing with stock one). With 40k, check the P/S bracket for cracks (mine broke at about 35k, not fun).

Enjoy the roads in Gen II.