I'm currently thinking about a new weekend car.

What I'm looking for in the car is something that I could leave stock and have fun for a while. In California, you know that the smog laws are tight and strict. I've been really looking into a Gen II RT/10 Viper or the Viper GTS.

I really like the GTS body more than the RT/10, but I also love the side exhaust of the RT/10 and the fact that I could go topless.

What other options are there in the $35K range. I am looking for something with good power, "rare" like the FD, and just a fun car to drive.

 

Like the looks of that GTS

 

they all look bad ***....old or new..

 

Those RT/10 pics you posted are GEN 1....just fyi

 

Only Gen 1 RT/10's had side exhaust, FYI. I'm pretty sure a conversion isn't terribly complicated though.

I agree the GTS looks best but I can easily see the appeal of a RT/10 for a purely sunny weather toy. That's a tough choice. Either are great choices for what you're looking for.

Have you thought about a Shelby Cobra replica or C2 Vette? The best examples of either go for much more than $35k obviously but you might be able to find a nice driver around your price range. Either would qualify as fun, rare, nice weather, weekend toys if you could find one that fit in your budget.

Good luck

 

I would LOVE a Shelby Cobra, but as you said, the price is out of my range currently.

I like the body of the GTS, but the availability to go topless with the RT/10. However, you are saying the side exhaust are Gen I's? Which lack door handles, windows, and door locks right? Although it wouldn't be a daily driver, I don't know if I could leave my car to go somewhere if there are no locks on it.

Is there a conversion for the GTS to get side exhaust? I don't know for some reason the exhaust just doesn't look right with the GTS or 2nd Gen RT/10s

 

Any of the reputable Viper tuners could convert to side exhaust. I think you'll need to buy Gen 1 side sills and I'm not sure how much those run plus paint. http://forums.viperclub.org/ or http://www.viperalley.com/forum/ would be good places to search for info and cars for sale.

Superformance and Factory Five make the best Cobra kits from my understanding. A quick ebay search shows replicas for 35k (there is a nice looking Superperformance one for $42k although I know that is too much). But I couldn't tell you whether other makes are quality or not. I'm sure they vary.

 

You dont even need the Gen 1 side sills, just have a whole cut in your Gen 2 side Sills and run your custom exhaust through there. Voila!

Thats how we had it done on my dad's 99 GTS. It looks and sounds amazing.
.

 

Do you have any pictures?

 

How about something a little older?

 

you could find a 07-08 GT500 in the 35-37 range with lower miles.

a few simple mods (CARB legal) could get you close to 500 whp

 

I don't know if I'd want a GT500

What I'm looking for is a classic and/or rare car like my FD is. How many well put together FDs do you see driving around? I rarely see any.

The same would go with the Viper. Yes many likely own them, but not many you see driving around plus they are an icon.

I have thought about going older like the Camaro but seeing how fast my friends Camaro got stolen and stripped for parts, I'm sort of worried about that happening.

 

Hard to sort through a few. These are the best that I can find showing the exhaust.

 

I'd skip a Gen1 RT10. Crappy build quality, window curtains, ****ty head gaskets, blah.

97+ is the way to go.

 

Thanks Lateral, exactly what I want. GTS it is. Now I just need to sell my FD. My purchase may be delayed, I just purchased my first house!