1st Gen Viper?

[Geronimo]

Wondering in anyone here has had one? I was considering one when I got my 82SC, the Porsche has been "THE" car since I was like 8 years old.....

But man I keep thinking 450HP would have been a whole lot of fun.

[scottmandue]

I know nuthin but why first gen?

Like most cars didn't they make improvements over the years?

[javadog]

My brother had one, I wasn't overly impressed with it.

[Jeff Higgins]

I have lusted after a Viper for some time. I grew up with big block MOPARs of various kinds, all late '60's muscle cars with 383's and 440's, and just kind of like the idea of a MOPAR "sports car". As such, I have done more than a little bit of digging into them. On-line research, talking to owners at the track and cars and coffee gatherings, etc.

The one thing that has kept me from pulling the trigger on one is just how poorly supported they are by Dodge, and by the aftermarket. Any Viper specific parts can run from just horribly expensive and hard to find to horribly expensive and unavailable. There were very few made. No one makes money by supplying parts for them. Horror stories abound concerning broken down Vipers with their owners in search of the part(s) required to get them on the road again.

I've driven a few, and all that has done is make me want one even more. They are certainly not for everyone, though. Pretty heavy and unresponsive compared to our 911's, but I suppose we should expect that. The big "gotcha", though, that gets most folks in trouble, is the nature of the power delivery. It's not peaky or unpredictable or anything, just there all the time. It's one thing dealing with that kind of power in a drag car, like my old MOPARs were, but it's another thing altogether when corners are involved. In 20 years of tracking my 911, I've seen more Vipers crashed than everything else put together. That power can bite very, very hard for someone not used to it. And then, like I said, you won't be able to find parts to fix it. I've been told that big hood alone is over $10k, if you can find one.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by javadog

My brother had one, I wasn't overly impressed with it.

That's true when compared spec-for-spec to a modern muscle car. But just like an old 911 there's more to a Gen I Viper than meets the eye. They handle well, and easily. There's oodles of torque everywhere. Compared to anything made since 1980, they feel Miata light and nimble. An added bonus is my wife LOVES that it turns heads. Down side is it's hard to find one not modded, and some parts are getting hard to find.

[Geronimo]

1st gen are IMO the best looking of the bunch. I also think for a fun street car, cars with power are a lot more fun for the kind of road in my area. If I had lots of mountain roads the Porsche would be a blast, but everything here is straight and flat.... which makes the Porsche mostly a snooze fest.

[ckelly78z]

The two guys I know who have Vipers are both complete egomaniac, douche bags, so I can't be subjective.
Vipers don't personally do anything for me, but I also haven't ridden in one before.

[Geronimo]

LOL yea Porsche people never have ego's heheehe

[Tervuren]

I carefully considered 1st and 2nd gen vipers over Christmas, as well as a C5 Corvette.

Out of the three, the Corvette won out.

Mostly because I liked the sound of the higher revving engine in the Z06 over the sound of the Viper.

1st gen is rather cobbled together on the cosmetic fit and finish, American Corporate at least budgeted to get some built and I'm thankful such a unique car got made.

2nd gen has about the same looks as the first gen, just lots and lots of improvements and refinement to the fit and finish of the interior and exterior.

For me, the Viper is a hotter looking exterior than the Corvette, the Corvette wins on performance and interior.

I'd like to have both.

Personally I would get a 2nd generation.

1st generation do not get unless you have a garage to keep it in.

[Tervuren]

Things I gleaned from youtube last winter.

Engine and drive train are not difficult to work on, not expensive to maintain.

1st gen vipers are sorry cars in inclement weather, difficult to get the top on, and not practical to use it.

Side pipes burn legs of those that aren't always careful.

Interior ergonomics are weird, especially for those of large frame.

When you're looking at cars to buy, expect trunk and hood to not line up with proper fit and finish.

My conclusion is I would not replace a well built GT like a 80's Porsche with a 1st gen Viper.

However, if it is an added fun car, and you can garage it; then providing your body fits in the driver compartment I see little real downside. It is raw, exotic, and quirky.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

That's true when compared spec-for-spec to a modern muscle car. But just like an old 911 there's more to a Gen I Viper than meets the eye. They handle well, and easily. There's oodles of torque everywhere. Compared to anything made since 1980, they feel Miata light and nimble. An added bonus is my wife LOVES that it turns heads. Down side is it's hard to find one not modded, and some parts are getting hard to find.

If that is your car pictured, that is a 2nd generation viper.

This is the 1st gen the OP asks about.

Very raw, bare bones, even more so compared to what you have.



You can see how your car has rear facing exhaust instead of side pipes.

A body gap at the trunk that isn't massive.

Overall better fit and body gaps of the front clamshell, side skirts, headlights, etc...

The 1st gen is childish and fanciful, a dream car.

The 2nd gen is much closer to a real production car.

Ten years ago I'd of chosen the 1st gen. Today I'd choose the 2nd gen.

[Geronimo]

I really consider the SR I and SRII to be a part of the same generation. But I would go for a 96+ if I ever did....

but alas with the dropping values of impact 911's I doubt I could get out of my 911 and into another car if I wanted to.

200 sad HP for life. LOL

[Dixie]

Yes, that's my 1996 RT/10, and it's not a Gen 2.

'96 RT/10s are known as Gen 1.5 cars. They have Gen 1 motors and dash, but Gen 2 suspension and exhaust. Like a Gen 1 it lacks side windows. '96 did have much improved side curtains.

The fit and finish of a Viper is on-par, or better than, a comparable C4 Corvette. As for reliability, compared to the '94 Vette I had, my Viper is hands down more reliable.

Vettes and Viper are very different rides. Especially the Gen 1 and 1.5 which deliver the intended bare bones brawler experience in spades.

Originally Posted by Tervuren

If that is your car pictured, that is a 2nd generation viper.

This is the 1st gen the OP asks about.

Very raw, bare bones, even more so compared to what you have.



You can see how your car has rear facing exhaust instead of side pipes.

A body gap at the trunk that isn't massive.

Overall better fit and body gaps of the front clamshell, side skirts, headlights, etc...

The 1st gen is childish and fanciful, a dream car.

The 2nd gen is much closer to a real production car.

Ten years ago I'd of chosen the 1st gen. Today I'd choose the 2nd gen.

[Dixie]

Here's a photo of my Viper with the Autoform hard top mounted.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Wow... just wow.



Holy fark! $36K!!!! How much is a kidney going for?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-1996-Dodge-Viper-RT-10-Roadster-RWD-t4600#listing=186953967

[Dixie]

That might be a reasonable asking price, or maybe not. I paid $32k for mine 2 years ago. I think I paid top dollar. It was a bit of an impulse buy. The car was 100% complete and original and it only has 20k miles. (Not that unusual in theViper world.)

The window sticker lists the car out at $48k. The original owner that I bought from said the dealer added a $10k market adjustment to that. Vipers were never cheap.

And a note. You can still burn your leg in a gen 2 Viper. The exhaust runs through the sills just like on a gen 1. It just turn in and routes to the back. This was done to pass tighter Federal drive-by noise standards for 96.

[Geronimo]

Sadly even if I wanted to make a move, my Porsche is most likely worth 1/2 what I paid 6 months ago.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Geronimo

Sadly even if I wanted to make a move, my Porsche is most likely worth 1/2 what I paid 6 months ago.

Say what? What did you do to it...turbo flares ?

[Geronimo]

Nothing, just been watching prices fall. Mine is not a show car, no giant file of paper work...

So maybe it will be a candidate for a wide body and a Subaru engine. LOL

[rattlsnak]

If I were to get a Viper, it would be a GTS... So much more useful, as far a weather is concerned anyway..