Recurring theme… New Owner??
Discussion
Hi there,
I’m a long time Viper fan who’s just realized that life isn’t very long and opportunities need to be taken now. I now also have the income to support a Viper and am investigating whether I should or not (it means sacrificing sensible mortgage payments etc…
. I've read through a lot of the postings here and you guys really love your Vipers!!
Having decided to investigate I am now up against the same problem many of you will have experienced. The RT/10 is the original super car from my youth that was the original poster car, however, the GTS/Gen II appear to be a much better car. The RT/10 appears to be cheaper to purchase than the Gen II cars but the more expensive cars are much more usable (windows/roofs/locks etc). Also I am 6’4” which makes driving them difficult (I’ve only driven an RT/10 so far) so I would need the seat lowering kit but am slightly unsure whether the GTS has a shorter cockpit (height is OK its legroom I’m worried about).
Basically I’m in a whole world of ‘I don’t know’ and am looking for some sound advice. I need the car to hold its value pretty well as well so I can justify the expense over my already extremely capable day to day car. It would be great to get a classic in the making!!
All thoughts gratefully received?
Mark
I’m a long time Viper fan who’s just realized that life isn’t very long and opportunities need to be taken now. I now also have the income to support a Viper and am investigating whether I should or not (it means sacrificing sensible mortgage payments etc…
. I've read through a lot of the postings here and you guys really love your Vipers!!Having decided to investigate I am now up against the same problem many of you will have experienced. The RT/10 is the original super car from my youth that was the original poster car, however, the GTS/Gen II appear to be a much better car. The RT/10 appears to be cheaper to purchase than the Gen II cars but the more expensive cars are much more usable (windows/roofs/locks etc). Also I am 6’4” which makes driving them difficult (I’ve only driven an RT/10 so far) so I would need the seat lowering kit but am slightly unsure whether the GTS has a shorter cockpit (height is OK its legroom I’m worried about).
Basically I’m in a whole world of ‘I don’t know’ and am looking for some sound advice. I need the car to hold its value pretty well as well so I can justify the expense over my already extremely capable day to day car. It would be great to get a classic in the making!!
All thoughts gratefully received?
Mark
Depending on your location, I would get in contact with James at Atlantic Sports,
http://www.atlanticsportscars.com
I am pretty sure that they have both an RT/10 and a couple of GTS's available at the moment, There are a couple of RT/10's on the market at the moment available with removeable hardtops and side screens, including a Yellow with Blue Stripes Venom 500 (which has been on the market for some time).
Your comment regarding the GTS being more 'useable' I guess is dependant on the type of use you are thinking about, i.e. as a daily driver, or a weekend/fine weather toy, but I don't think you are likely to have any problems with either, especially if it is the latter of the two.
Seat lowering kits are easily available from the states and relatively easily fitted.
Good luck with your search.
http://www.atlanticsportscars.com
I am pretty sure that they have both an RT/10 and a couple of GTS's available at the moment, There are a couple of RT/10's on the market at the moment available with removeable hardtops and side screens, including a Yellow with Blue Stripes Venom 500 (which has been on the market for some time).
Your comment regarding the GTS being more 'useable' I guess is dependant on the type of use you are thinking about, i.e. as a daily driver, or a weekend/fine weather toy, but I don't think you are likely to have any problems with either, especially if it is the latter of the two.
Seat lowering kits are easily available from the states and relatively easily fitted.
Good luck with your search.
Normal dilemma then!!
I had to have a red Gen1 with the 3 spoke wheels, there was no other Viper for me. Having got one, would I swap it, not at the moment, maybe in a couple of years?
Why do I like the Gen 1?
Looks, absolutely, plus its a real open top car, (although it is pretty basic inside). Mine only has a soft-top, it will cost me £2k to get the hardtop and locking windows, which will make the car more secure. Height inside with the soft top on would be a problem for you, even with the seat lowing kit. Buy one with a double bubble hard top and you should be ok.
Gen1 also suffers from corrosion on the exhaust sills, some sort of reaction between the aluminium, heat and water, can be repaired, but something to look for if you decide on a Gen1. New original sills are very expensive
I'm sure others can tell you about the GTS, Gen2's etc.
For me, it was about living a specific dream in a car that I have wanted since I first saw it.
Whatever Viper you end up with, you will have a smile a mile wide, plus some of the folks who post on this board are very knowledgeable about the car and are always ready to offer help and advice.
I look forward to the pictures of your new car
I had to have a red Gen1 with the 3 spoke wheels, there was no other Viper for me. Having got one, would I swap it, not at the moment, maybe in a couple of years?
Why do I like the Gen 1?
Looks, absolutely, plus its a real open top car, (although it is pretty basic inside). Mine only has a soft-top, it will cost me £2k to get the hardtop and locking windows, which will make the car more secure. Height inside with the soft top on would be a problem for you, even with the seat lowing kit. Buy one with a double bubble hard top and you should be ok.
Gen1 also suffers from corrosion on the exhaust sills, some sort of reaction between the aluminium, heat and water, can be repaired, but something to look for if you decide on a Gen1. New original sills are very expensive
I'm sure others can tell you about the GTS, Gen2's etc.
For me, it was about living a specific dream in a car that I have wanted since I first saw it.
Whatever Viper you end up with, you will have a smile a mile wide, plus some of the folks who post on this board are very knowledgeable about the car and are always ready to offer help and advice.
I look forward to the pictures of your new car
which ever model you choose get the latest year you can afford, as things improved as time went on in both models
at 6'4 youll probably need a hardtop on the RT, rather than a stowable soft top
A few weeks ago i took a gen1 owner out in my GTS he had never been in one, he couldnt beleive the difference's between the models and was quite shocked
at 6'4 youll probably need a hardtop on the RT, rather than a stowable soft top
A few weeks ago i took a gen1 owner out in my GTS he had never been in one, he couldnt beleive the difference's between the models and was quite shocked
Thanks for the replies guys. I actually went to the Atlantic Cars BBQ on Saturday and drove the RT/10 they have there. It was quite interesting on the height front but not impossible and we tried adding the roof which basically didn't work for me. I loved the car though!!
One of the other owners let me sit in his GTS (stunning red one with silver stripes) and headroom was better but I'd still need the seats lowered a bit. Basically my dilemma is over cost. Do I bust a gut to get a good GTS or take on a more relaxed front and get an RT/10? I'm also very worried about depreciation, I can see the 8.0ltr not being in demand in a few years - how do you guys see this? Has anyone else here bought one who wasn't super rich and not worried about this? I suppose the old saying is true - why live a lifetime as a worm when you can live a day as a tiger!! I suppose my budget is going to be £30k or thereabouts so a good GTS is going to be a stretch.
Has anyone looked at the yellow one for sale on the classifieds here (not the venom) which has only 10,500 miles - looks like a genuine car, is it?
I suppose I'll have a lot more questions before making the plunge and I thank you all for your patience...
Mark
One of the other owners let me sit in his GTS (stunning red one with silver stripes) and headroom was better but I'd still need the seats lowered a bit. Basically my dilemma is over cost. Do I bust a gut to get a good GTS or take on a more relaxed front and get an RT/10? I'm also very worried about depreciation, I can see the 8.0ltr not being in demand in a few years - how do you guys see this? Has anyone else here bought one who wasn't super rich and not worried about this? I suppose the old saying is true - why live a lifetime as a worm when you can live a day as a tiger!! I suppose my budget is going to be £30k or thereabouts so a good GTS is going to be a stretch.
Has anyone looked at the yellow one for sale on the classifieds here (not the venom) which has only 10,500 miles - looks like a genuine car, is it?
I suppose I'll have a lot more questions before making the plunge and I thank you all for your patience...
Mark
Mark,
Without going into too much detail, I bought my car because I had been nothing short of obsessed with them for many years, It was something I wanted more than anything, and a few things happened which made me realise that life is pretty short and I didn't want to be thinking 'what if?' or regretting having not done it. It was a serious passion.
With regard to the yellow RT/10 advertised here on Pistonheads, I think it is the same car that had been for sale for a few years through a dealer in Manchester called Bauer Millet, (I think that's how it is spelt), it was on their site, having been sat in the showroom for quite some time (at £29,999 if memory serves me correctly), I contacted them at around the time I bought mine, and was basically told that they would have happily talked to me about an offer closer to £23,000, (I think mainly because they had had it for a while), it sold shortly after I bought my car, presumably to the dealer who now has it. The car I bought had quite a few extras so I never actually got as far as going to see that car, but I have heard it is very good condition, and from photos I have seen that would definately appear to be the case. I believe it also has all it's original wet weather gear etc with it.
It is definately a buyers market at the moment, and I believe that there are bargains to be had... Bear in mind that, despite it's obvious political and environmental challenges, the Viper definately has the feel of being a future classic like the Cobra is now, and there really doesn't appear to be much depreciation to worry about at the moment, the prices have stayed pretty static for some time, they are pretty scarce in this country which can only be a good thing from a value perspective.
You've come to the right place for advice, the guys on here really know what they are talking about.
Without going into too much detail, I bought my car because I had been nothing short of obsessed with them for many years, It was something I wanted more than anything, and a few things happened which made me realise that life is pretty short and I didn't want to be thinking 'what if?' or regretting having not done it. It was a serious passion.
With regard to the yellow RT/10 advertised here on Pistonheads, I think it is the same car that had been for sale for a few years through a dealer in Manchester called Bauer Millet, (I think that's how it is spelt), it was on their site, having been sat in the showroom for quite some time (at £29,999 if memory serves me correctly), I contacted them at around the time I bought mine, and was basically told that they would have happily talked to me about an offer closer to £23,000, (I think mainly because they had had it for a while), it sold shortly after I bought my car, presumably to the dealer who now has it. The car I bought had quite a few extras so I never actually got as far as going to see that car, but I have heard it is very good condition, and from photos I have seen that would definately appear to be the case. I believe it also has all it's original wet weather gear etc with it.
It is definately a buyers market at the moment, and I believe that there are bargains to be had... Bear in mind that, despite it's obvious political and environmental challenges, the Viper definately has the feel of being a future classic like the Cobra is now, and there really doesn't appear to be much depreciation to worry about at the moment, the prices have stayed pretty static for some time, they are pretty scarce in this country which can only be a good thing from a value perspective.
You've come to the right place for advice, the guys on here really know what they are talking about.
Dave,
Thanks for your input the pictures are stunning and I've written to them requesting more info - its hugely useful to not go into things with your eyes closed!!
I need to try to go into this a little carefully and make sure I get the right car first time as it looks as though passing them on when its time to move on isn't easy!!
Thanks again for your help, I think a lower priced car is going to be ideal for me right now.
Mark
Thanks for your input the pictures are stunning and I've written to them requesting more info - its hugely useful to not go into things with your eyes closed!!
I need to try to go into this a little carefully and make sure I get the right car first time as it looks as though passing them on when its time to move on isn't easy!!
Thanks again for your help, I think a lower priced car is going to be ideal for me right now.
Mark
Oh no, how many times does a topic end up with discussions on which colour is faster.
I must avoid commenting..........trying hard.........bugger, can't resist it!!
You are absolutely right Dave, red is faster
Of course when you buy the car, that is just the start, you will need to add all sorts of things to it. I was going to leave mine stock but have already started the modifications/additions. By the time I get the hardtop, windows, rear spoiler and gills that will be another £3k, be warned........
Stay away from V1PER, he is a real bad influence where spending money is concerned
I must avoid commenting..........trying hard.........bugger, can't resist it!!
You are absolutely right Dave, red is faster
Of course when you buy the car, that is just the start, you will need to add all sorts of things to it. I was going to leave mine stock but have already started the modifications/additions. By the time I get the hardtop, windows, rear spoiler and gills that will be another £3k, be warned........
Stay away from V1PER, he is a real bad influence where spending money is concerned
Edited by big kev on Monday 30th July 15:58
Sorry Kev... Couldn't resist it...
Having just had a look on Autotrader, looks like the car is also up with these guys...
http://www.willastoncarsales.co.uk/73399/stock.htm
There is a few more pictures on their site.
Good luck Mark
Edited to add: Just noticed quite a price difference on their site at £27,995 as opposed to the the price advertised here on pistonheads at £25,500... (as I said, buyers market, I bet you could probably squeeze that down a bit).
Having just had a look on Autotrader, looks like the car is also up with these guys...
http://www.willastoncarsales.co.uk/73399/stock.htm
There is a few more pictures on their site.
Good luck Mark
Edited to add: Just noticed quite a price difference on their site at £27,995 as opposed to the the price advertised here on pistonheads at £25,500... (as I said, buyers market, I bet you could probably squeeze that down a bit).
Edited by RT/10Dave on Monday 30th July 15:57
big kev said:
Of course when you buy the car, that is just the start, you will need to add all sorts of things to it. I was going to leave mine stock but have already started the modifications/additions. By the time I get the hardtop, windows, rear spoiler and gills that will be another £3k, be warned........
Stay away from V1PER, he is a real bad influence where spending money is concerned
Got echo that... The car is just the start... For me though Baz isn't so much a bad influence, as much as an assistant in gently pushing me in the general direction I am already tempted with... So to speakStay away from V1PER, he is a real bad influence where spending money is concerned
Edited by big kev on Monday 30th July 15:58
Edited to add: Obviously it was Baz's idea when the wife asks why...
Edited by RT/10Dave on Monday 30th July 16:04
Snake oyl does very good products but are a bit on the pricey side...
Try some of these vendors...
http://www.tatorsdodge.com/ Stock parts
http://partsrack.blastmart.com/customer/home.php after market
http://northwind.viperclub.org/ Seat lowering kits
And none of these rumors are true about me being a bad influance......
What about them wheels then dave.......OOOOPS.....
Yellow is fastest why do you think it is called RACE YELLOW on the Gen 2's..
Try some of these vendors...
http://www.tatorsdodge.com/ Stock parts
http://partsrack.blastmart.com/customer/home.php after market
http://northwind.viperclub.org/ Seat lowering kits
And none of these rumors are true about me being a bad influance......
What about them wheels then dave.......OOOOPS.....
Yellow is fastest why do you think it is called RACE YELLOW on the Gen 2's..
Please make sure you have a real good look at the vipers you view there have been a few horror stories out there...
The one at atlantic is a clean UK viper..And i believe he has just lowered the price as well...
Edit to say he has a stunning blue and white coupe...
The one at atlantic is a clean UK viper..And i believe he has just lowered the price as well...
Edit to say he has a stunning blue and white coupe...
Edited by V1PER on Monday 30th July 19:12
V1Per, thanks for the advice, I will be careful. I've got a copy of the 'Viper Buyers Guide' on the way to give me some help and I'm aware of the sill issue on original ones although I am less sure about GTS's (although I am not totally sure I want to stretch my budget to that even though they are stunning!!).
The Atlantic cars Viper is obviously original, good history and interior and mileage all look consistent. It drives in a straight line and started straight out with no apparent blue smoke. As I am relatively new to the scene I may be wrong but I do think it looks its age (esp the interior) and if I can get a lower mileage one in better condition for the same money I will (even if I have to wait a bit). If it was cheap I'd be much more interested though (don't think its there just yet!!) as Atlantic seem to be totally trustworthy and it removes one worry from the experience.
Thanks for all your help guys,
Mark
The Atlantic cars Viper is obviously original, good history and interior and mileage all look consistent. It drives in a straight line and started straight out with no apparent blue smoke. As I am relatively new to the scene I may be wrong but I do think it looks its age (esp the interior) and if I can get a lower mileage one in better condition for the same money I will (even if I have to wait a bit). If it was cheap I'd be much more interested though (don't think its there just yet!!) as Atlantic seem to be totally trustworthy and it removes one worry from the experience.
Thanks for all your help guys,
Mark
mstanyer said:
Actually, it would be quite useful if you could expand on your 'horror story' topic...
Probably best not to rehash it on here as i think we upset a few people last time and some of it is still a little bit unresolved.A good suggestion would be to look at new members posts from a few months back.
At a minimum check here for any history we may have. and absolutely get a car fax on anything that is imported or an HPI on Chrysler's
dont worry though its not all bad.
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