So Viper Know-Alls, Tell Me

Suppose I've got a serious case of the wants for a 1st or 2nd gen Viper ('92-'02). And suppose they keep coming down in price (they will). What's it cost to actually run one? I don't expect Ferrari running costs, but I don't expect Mustang running costs either. There was some light discussion on repair costs and parts costs on the forum over the last couple months, but is this car going to absolutely devour my bank account? I know about tires, rotors, brake pads and gas, but how about other parts?

I think the nose on these things is into five figures, like $14k or some such.

After the bodywork they're kind of a truck with nice seats. Shouldn't be that bad to deal with. I think. But I've never even considered owning one so what do I know.

I've got a 99 GTS for sale-pm me. As far as operating costs, they seem to be as reliable as any other hi-po car.

Very reliable, the Gen I/II's are fully depreciated at this point. Maintenance is not bad just triple what you would expect for say a Mustang. Oil changes are in the 125ish range stuff like that.

Insurance is freakin expensive on a I/II car due to the front clam. Like twice what I pay for my Gen III currently. The tires are expensive if you go OEM aftermarket much cheaper.

AC stinks, fit and finish stinks, shifter feels like its out of a military truck. You will get harassed ever time you drive by anyone with a pulse.

My opinion, find a stock unhit clean title car and keep it that way. There are tons of aftermarket stuff for all the Gen's but they are plenty fun and significantly more reliable stock.

nedc wrote: I've got a 99 GTS for sale-pm me. As far as operating costs, they seem to be as reliable as any other hi-po car.

GTS is what I would love, but I'm not at that stage yet. I've still got to live in my apartment for another year.

I would think that the GTS's would follow the early 90s RT/10s down into the low 20k's in a few years. Or hope. Think; hope; same thing.

Many years ago a friend had one break loose from its tie downs in an enclosed trailer. I forget the exact figure for repair, but you could have bought a few small (and new) cars for the body pieces alone.

Never owned one personally, but the few I've driven lead me to believe my rear tire bill would be enormous!

Not encouraging stuff to hear, but not surprising at all either. The reason why this eats at me:

During the mid-90s, the Dodge Viper and the McLaren F1 were two of my most drool-inducing hero cars. Still are. Two cars whose engineers had a great mindset when they built them. The Viper and the F1 have aged beautifully. I knew I would never own an F1. They were six figures new, and are $4 mil these days. That's ok, I suppose. I don't feel particularly torn up that I don't own one. But with the Viper, I knew it would drop in price. Not to the bottom, but it would drop. It's harder because it's just out of reach. Like a pie on a string two inches out of your reach. Just so close.

Cliff Notes: I like Vipers, F1s and pie.