I just drove a Viper!

[monnieh]

A guy in my neighborhood is selling a 97 RT for a decent price. I test drove it and boy, that was fun. Radically different from my ex 99 FRC.

I have a 2003 on order, do you think I could buy it and resale it this summer and get my money back out of it?

stats: 97 RT 1 of 117 made that year. 33k miles (high milage for a Veeper) I would be the 4th owner. asking $41K with a extended warrenty he purchase through DC.

What you guys think?

[Z0000006]

I THINK YOU SHOULD STICK TO YOUR ORIGINAL PLAN AND BUY THE Z..............SKIP THE CLOWN SHOES!!

jm2cw

[70boss302]

The Viper is more like a novelty. Look at the stats on this car, 3 owners in 5 years. They buy it, run it for a while and grow tired of it. Then up for sale it goes to the next guy who thinks he'll buy it and drive it with the intent of selling it for a profit. A good friend of mine had a Viper until his ex got a hold of it, but thats another story . Bill

[CDHough]

I am sure you would have lots of fun and gawk factor with the Viper. I think it is one of the best looking sports car you can buy, better than my Z06. One of the biggest reasons I went with the Z06 is because on a performance scale, they are very close and I think that I would be worried about taking the Viper out everwhere due to the gawk factor. Maybe some day for me.

Either way, enjoy.

- Charley

[mellowyellow]

With that mileage I don't think it would sell that fast unless the price was right. Too many low mileage vipers out there for sale.
JMHO.

[sigung86]

Dan

If it has windows..an extended warranty..and has never been hit. I 'd recommend buying it for 41 grand. The only thing you'll take a hit on is sales tax and at worst a few dollars in depreciation.

41 is a great deal and again ..I don't know much about vipers but as long as they don't hit you up with a Ferrari like maintaince program ..and it checks out as far as the clutch..etc.

Go for it..

[PerforminNorman]

If you only want to buy it with the intent of selling it, I would pass on it. If you want to buy it to keep, I'd say it is a good deal. There are a lot of Vipers on the market right now due to the fact that the new 03s will be out latter this year. That will make your ability to sell the 97 much harder.

I would imagine that the Viper desire runs though everyones veins at one point or another....just get the car..enjoy it..Miss the feeding frenzy bs on the 50th anniversary car..and buy when and if you want.

Not for the money but for the experience.

The average high end peformance sports car lease runs at least 7 grand for a year..most a lot more..so if your keep the viper 12 months..and sell it for over 34 grand..your good to go.

Beleive me I really doubt you could do a 12 month lease at 7 grand or 600 a month..and I really don't think the value of the Viper will depreciate below 39 grand even with the new 2003 viper coming..

41 is a good deal for the experience..as long as the car is not in need of repairs/tires/clutch etc... .thats the kicker where you will get wacked on logic of ownership.

So check that you can run that beast for the time you own it with the minimal of extra expenses

[vette1]

I'd be concerned about 3 previous owners even with a warranty i would want to be sure it didn't have any major problems,good luck on what ever you decide.

[PAINTDOG]

Once you drive a Viper and then a Vette, it becomes very clear where the Viper lacks in build quality. Vipers are rattle boxes(fact) and are only good for their exclusivity and gawk factor (in my opinion.) If you want a nice car thats just as fast, doesn't rattle, is a pleasure to drive with all the amenities, go for the Z06.
Drive a Viper over an uneven road entrance at low speed...it crackles, squeeks and pops like its going to fall apart right there in the road.
Hey maybe I'm biased, but power door locks are nice, keyless entry even better, but with a RT viper you have to unlock a sliding glass, slide it back, then contort your arm inside of the car to unlock it and release the door...nice engineering!
They still look cool as hell and everybody sure does check you out when your in it though! So it depends what you are after.
Good Luck

[Jayzvette]

I agree with what was mentioned earlier in the post. I would stick the the Z. With the "New" Viper model comming out shortly it will only hurt you when it comes time to sell

[monnieh]

Yes, I would really only be buying it to drive untill my 03 Z06 comes in. I had not taken into account about the 03 Vipers coming out, that would really hurt being able to resale it.

I have an offer of $39K for it, I seriouly doubt he will take it but if he does I'll have something to play with until my Z06 comes in.

If I had the room I would just keep both of them, you know do that Performing Normin signiture deal, but alas I will barely have room for 3 cars.

Thanks for all the great replys!