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Who own G2 Viper?
Considering something along the lines of a 1996-ish GTS Coupe.
Starting from ground-zero.
Online forum?
Book?
Insurability/cost?
Drivability/comfort compared to your C1 or C2?
I wrenched my own C1 and C2....what kind of learning curve & specialized tools am I looking at?
Thanks Bill.
Short-list is a blue w/white stripes GTS.
Much research to do still. But if I enter market, I will be looking for quality, low-mile original car.
If you haven’t already done so, I recommend joining the Viper forum. https://driveviper.com/forums/
Probably a lot more info available there on vipers than here.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Just got my power back up after the 3rd Nor'easter and saw this thread.
I have a Gen 2, 2001 GTS. Love the car. Bought it 2 1/2 years ago. They are a blast to drive. Loads of low end torque and great handling. Much better cars than the Gen 1's that gave Viper such a bad reputation. More comfortable than a solid axle Vette or a Midyear. Not as comfortable as a C5 through C7 Vette.
As far as fitting in it: I am 6'1" 220 lbs and I fit fine. I am a little high looking through the windshield but not bad. Plenty of head room. They do have seat lowering kits that will get you lower.
They get a ridiculous amount of attention on the road. Get onto the VOA (Viper Owner's Association) Website and join a local Chapter. Lots of info and good people on the website.
This may be my favorite car in the garage. Sapphire Blue/Silver stripes.
Very nice combo. Love the wheels.
The money I made on the C1/C2 investment will more than pay for a very-fine GTS.
I'm pretty flexible on the year.
1996....PROL 1st-year GTS. Cons: 1st-year GTS could be buggy w/1-yr parts? (I owned a 63 vette which was a pain in the butt).
2001-2002. PRO: ABS. Any cons?
Got a pair of 2000s. Parts availability can be a little "iffy". Other than that most people find them to be very durable. Lots of very high mileage cars got there with no drama. Don't damage a nose cause they are $$$$$$
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by pullin-gs
Very nice combo. Love the wheels.
The money I made on the C1/C2 investment will more than pay for a very-fine GTS.
I'm pretty flexible on the year.
1996....PROL 1st-year GTS. Cons: 1st-year GTS could be buggy w/1-yr parts? (I owned a 63 vette which was a pain in the butt).
2001-2002. PRO: ABS. Any cons?
If you're planning on doing any significant engine mods the 01-02 does not have forged internals like the earlier Gen 2's. Some say the later cars actually make more horsepower though. Most of the 96 parts are the same as the later Gen 2's. You will pay a bit more for a Blue and white 96/97. $45,000 will get you a very nice, low mileage Gen 2, 96-02.
If you're planning on doing any significant engine mods the 01-02 does not have forged internals like the earlier Gen 2's. Some say the later cars actually make more horsepower though. Most of the 96 parts are the same as the later Gen 2's. You will pay a bit more for a Blue and white 96/97. $45,000 will get you a very nice, low mileage Gen 2, 96-02.
Thats my budget....will go a little higher if car is perfect/original.
One of my favorite things with Gen 2 Vipers is being told that they are too stripped and lack modern features. The newest Vette I had owned before buying my Viper was a '69. The Viper has: 6 speed, PS, PB, A/C, PW, tilt wheel, posi, adjustable pedals, remote lock/alarm, leather, adjustable lumbar air bladders and a CD layer with more watts than all my early Vettes combined. And beginning in 2001 ABS.
Coming from C2s and C3s I thought Vipers were loaded.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by a striper
One of my favorite things with Gen 2 Vipers is being told that they are too stripped and lack modern features. The newest Vette I had owned before buying my Viper was a '69. The Viper has: 6 speed, PS, PB, A/C, PW, tilt wheel, posi, adjustable pedals, remote lock/alarm, leather, adjustable lumbar air bladders and a CD layer with more watts than all my early Vettes combined. And beginning in 2001 ABS.
Coming from C2s and C3s I thought Vipers were loaded.
Haha, well said. After driving these solid axle dinosaurs for so long, my 01 feels very modern.
Thanks Bill.
Short-list is a blue w/white stripes GTS.
Much research to do still. But if I enter market, I will be looking for quality, low-mile original car.
Buddy of mine has a Blue w/white strip car in Dallas. IIRR around 13000 miles.
I had an 02 GTS FE. Nice car, lots of looks. Marginal A/C. I am 6'2". I fit okay. Knee did rub the dash on clutch engagement. They make seat brackets that lower the seat and give you more room.
In my opinion, it's a street legal race car and drives as such.
Do you guys know this car?
57K.
Priced on high side, but my gut says seller will come down.
Anyway, seller seems like a straight-shooter. So I am going to check it out Saturday.
Car is described as original w/no mods or repair/paint work.
Has had a new PS pump installed along w/serpentine belt.
One of the rims has rash. Tires are 10yrs old.
Thoughts? https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...delCode1=VIPER
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Don't know the car but looks like a nice, unmolested, low mileage car. 50 to 52 might work.
The plastic power steering pulley and bracket need to be changed to the IPSCO billet pieces. The originals will fail. Just did mine last week. Couldn't tell if they had been changed in the pics.
Get underneath and check for leaks. PLAN ON new tires. Michelin Pilot SS are the way to go.
Good luck.
Last edited by capevettes; 03-17-2018 at 05:57 AM.
Don't know the car but looks like a nice, unmolested, low mileage car. 50 to 52 might work.
The plastic power steering pulley and bracket need to be changed to the IPSCO billet pieces. The originals will fail. Just did mine last week. Couldn't tell if they had been changed in the pics.
Get underneath and check for leaks. PLAN ON new tires. Michelin Pilot SS are the way to go.
Good luck.
Car checked out clean.
PS Pully already done.
Looks/Feels/drives like a solid car.
Has expected Viper gaps variances.
Has expected Viper paint imperfections.
Hood excellent.
Recalls up to date.
Doors hanging nicely. close tight with little effort.
Very very little bubbling on kick panels.
Issues:
Needs tires soon (cracks)
The interior (dash) could be better...seems like it has tiny pits on plastic dash pad.
Inside driver door black latch trim is lose.
Nit: Various under-hood steel clips and fittings that fasten bodywork have patina rust...not pitted, but not shiny. Same with underside hinge bolts and other underside fasteners.
told seller i,d be in touch after i run some numbers.
03-14-2018, 09:50 AM
C1/C2 guys.....OT:anyone own an older Viper?
Haha, well said. After driving these solid axle dinosaurs for so long, my 01 feels very modern.
