I had a 2005, supposed to be more civilized than the older ones, better A/C. Vipers aren't everyday drivers, the cabin still gets hot, no traction control, wide tires pull it all over the road, insane power though

 

It really depends on what you expect from a DD... if you want to daily drive something totally bad ***, go for it. Quite a few guys have racked up over 100k miles on them with no issues what so ever. The motor will never let you down, and there are a few things you can do to make it quite a bit more comfortable.

If you get one of the fugly 03'+ cars, put the autoform vented hood on it, will help the cooling consideribly as well as the A/C will be much more functional.

 

Pulling the cats or trading to high flow cats is the key to cabin temp.

On the interstate I got like 23 miles per gallon.
In town it was 11 miles per gallon.

The engine is bullet proof. You wil be a instant rock star to certain people.
I hope you are gregarious.

 

Not that anyone would care... or ever need to know... but that mileage doesn't change much from 70 to 140mph...


~just sayin.


Oh and if/when you get a GTS, guard the hood with YOUR LIFE... A new one from dodge is near $15grr. Oh and put a VERY GOOD alarm on the car. I won't ever tell anyone how, but you can unlock the doors to a GTS/RT-10 in about 10 seconds with nothing more than a pair of pliers. And it won't damage a thing.

 

[Oh and if/when you get a GTS, guard the hood with YOUR LIFE... A new one from dodge is near $15grr.


Really guard your hood if the shop sells after market hoods. When you car is in getting repaired. I have spoke to many, who have a new hood from some shop mistake on their original.

 

Yeah, easiest way to destroy the hood is to have it poped up front, but resting on the rear latches. If the front wheels are even remotely turned and you roll the car, it will tear the front of the wheel wells to pieces.

Saw a well respected Supra shop almost do exactly that to a customers TT Viper. Rolling it on the dyno, hood up, guy is cranking the steering wheel and flexing the living chit out of the hood. Car owner and myself were sprinting from opposite sides of the shop about to tear the guy out of the car. Sigh, you really can't trust anyone these days.

 

I know, I know

I know how to do it when its pouring rain too

 

haha, quite a revelation wasn't that.



Sigh, I miss those adventures.

800rwhp in the rain is almost as much fun as 1200rwhp, on drag radials, in a roadster, in the rain.

 

I was impressed... I cant believe I havent stolen a viper yet, lol

 

Had a 1999 Viper. Very reliable and fun to drive.

 

evo650, why did you get rid of it and what did you get to replace it?

I see you are from denver, Im moving to Fort Collins June 1st!

 

I sold it in '01 and got a CLK55. I actually enjoyed the Viper more than the CLK and should have kept it.

Fort Collins is a great place. Good luck with your move!

 

One other point, my Viper is easier to drive then my Porsche tt.

It is virtually impossible to stall a Viper. The Porsche takes a little finesse with the gas/clutch.

 

I agree 100% I have a 1998 with a supercharger. Super low maintenance and very reliable.

 

I've had mine for two years now and about 10k miles. I just recently had a timing chain gasket go (stupid design) which was an easy do it yourself fix but aside from that the car is pretty bulletproof. Yes it does get hot, but take out the cats, extra insulation in sills etc can fix it. I came from having a C5 vette which was a nice car, but I love the Viper for its simplicity rawness. The corvette scared me with all the electrical gadgets that seem to go wrong with one after another. My father has a gen 1 93 RT and is also has had really no problems. Head gaskets are a common problem with the gen 1's, but so far so good. Of all the cars in our MN chapter i havent heard of anyone having any major problems ...especially with the engine. Really no other car in the price range that turns the heads like a Viper