Is it worth the extra few grand to get a 96 B/W over 97

[Gottaviper]

I'm thinking about a new addition to the family and it has to be a B/W but I am finding 96's are a bit more than 97's?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

IMO, 96' should be worth a couple K more just because they are the FIRST GTS.

Not sure if you want a stock Viper (this one isn't) , but here is one that was on Ebay a week ago or so and didn't sell. Its a 96' GTS and at $42k for now

Ebay GTS

 

[plumcrazy]

id think the 97's were more valuable since they are the first true GEN2 instead of the GEN 1 1/2

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I consider 96' GTS true Gen 2's. Only us RT/10 guys have a Gen 1.5. The 96' GTS is all Gen 2 stuff, 96' RT/10s are a combo of Gen 1 and Gen 2

 

[Mccarlin]

Unless you want the car for some collectors value or to preserve it, get the 97

 

[GTS-R 001]

THE 97 is a better car, no engine seal issues and I believe ( from personal experience ) that the 97's are a little more powerful, maybe late 96's are the same but the 96 I had and dynoed came in at 385 RWHP but my 97 RT/10 is soooo strong the but dyno says alot more RWHP

 

[plumcrazy]

I consider 96' GTS true Gen 2's. Only us RT/10 guys have a Gen 1.5. The 96' GTS is all Gen 2 stuff, 96' RT/10s are a combo of Gen 1 and Gen 2

i really thought the late GTS 96's were not exactly the same as the 97's and the rest of the GEN2's...

 

[ballhog]

According to the buying guide, collectibility is about the same. 97's, have narrower stripes, forged wheels instead of cast and a Dana Super 44 which has thicker bolts replaced the Dana 44. The biggest and most important difference is that made them in Red in 97.

 

[Randy]

id think the 97's were more valuable since they are the first true GEN2 instead of the GEN 1 1/2

You have the '96 GTS confused with the '06 RT/10. '96 GTS's were not "gen 1.5"'s.

 

[Inferno]

THE 97 is a better car, no engine seal issues and I believe ( from personal experience ) that the 97's are a little more powerful, maybe late 96's are the same but the 96 I had and dynoed came in at 385 RWHP but my 97 RT/10 is soooo strong the but dyno says alot more RWHP

My 96 B/W is a monster, way stronger than my 02, maybe you got a lemon, was your 96 a rt10? Anyway, 96's are the first, only ones with stripe right down the plate.....the ultimate B/W available, that's why they are a bit more money. All the other horse$hit you hear about seals and weaker years is nonsense. As long as it's pre 00, it's the stronger engine with the lumpy cam. Get the 96, but a 97 ain't bad either.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

>You have the '96 GTS confused with the '06 RT/10. '96 GTS's were not "gen 1.5"'s.<

Typo - confused with the ' 96 RT/10.

 

[cyaford]

Don't forget, the '97 B/W was the ONLY B/W ever made that did not have stripes going down through the license plate area.

 

[GTS-R 001]

THE 97 is a better car, no engine seal issues and I believe ( from personal experience ) that the 97's are a little more powerful, maybe late 96's are the same but the 96 I had and dynoed came in at 385 RWHP but my 97 RT/10 is soooo strong the but dyno says alot more RWHP

My 96 B/W is a monster, way stronger than my 02, maybe you got a lemon, was your 96 a rt10? Anyway, 96's are the first, only ones with stripe right down the plate.....the ultimate B/W available, that's why they are a bit more money. All the other horse$hit you hear about seals and weaker years is nonsense. As long as it's pre 00, it's the stronger engine with the lumpy cam. Get the 96, but a 97 ain't bad either.

My 96 was a GTS, but it was the first GTS ever made so maybe the engine was more similar to the Gen 1 engine, the first dozen or so cars had these engines and it definately felt much weaker than my 97 RT/10

 

[Saint_Spinner]

I'm selling my '97 B/W if your interested. Its got warranty too. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=208398841&dealer_id=58345180&car_year=1997&model=VIPER&num_records=25&bkms=1157946370515&lang=en&start_year=1997&mod_bookmark_id=null&certified=&search_type=both&distance=10&make=DODGE&min_price=&address=90041&advanced=&end_year=1997&max_price=&cardist=0

 

[2MANYTOYS]

Don't forget, the '97 B/W was the ONLY B/W ever made that did not have stripes going down through the license plate area.

Personally I would rather have the stripes go through the license plate area.

 

[Simms]

Personally, I would rather have a 96. But if you are going to drive or modify the car I'd go with the car that is in better shape or the better buy.

 

[ViperBing]

I went for a '97 due to the improvements made over the '96.

 

[OKViper]

I'd go 96. Cool to have the first year...

 

[Gerald Levin]

To me I think today they are close in value and guess in the future that the 96 may be worth a premium due to it being the first of the Gen 2's. I'd personally go for the best deal on the B/W regardless of whether its a 96 or 97 and buy whichever gives you the best bang for your buck. Of course, location of the car is also an important factor. Almost more important than whether it is a 96 or 97. JMHO.

 

[RevHeat]

I went for a '97 due to the improvements made over the '96.

Other then the polished forged aluminum wheels, what improvements are you referring to? Are you referring to the leak fixes?

Rev

 

[RevHeat]

My 96 B/W is a monster, way stronger than my 02, maybe you got a lemon, was your 96 a rt10? Anyway, 96's are the first, only ones with stripe right down the plate.....the ultimate B/W available, that's why they are a bit more money. All the other horse$hit you hear about seals and weaker years is nonsense. As long as it's pre 00, it's the stronger engine with the lumpy cam. Get the 96, but a 97 ain't bad either.

[/QUOTE]

I totally agree, a 96 GTS engine is as strong as any. It should be noted not only do the strips go all the way thru the rear, the strips are also wider on a 1996.

Yes the 1996 did have some problems (e.g. leak oil from rear main seal cover gasket) no doubt about it. Either way you choose, you will have a nice car.


Rev

 

[Inferno]

My 96 B/W is a monster, way stronger than my 02, maybe you got a lemon, was your 96 a rt10? Anyway, 96's are the first, only ones with stripe right down the plate.....the ultimate B/W available, that's why they are a bit more money. All the other horse$hit you hear about seals and weaker years is nonsense. As long as it's pre 00, it's the stronger engine with the lumpy cam. Get the 96, but a 97 ain't bad either.

I totally agree, a 96 GTS engine is as strong as any. It should be noted not only do the strips go all the way thru the rear, the strips are also wider on a 1996.

Yes the 1996 did have some problems (e.g. leak oil from rear main seal cover gasket) no doubt about it. Either way you choose, you will have a nice car.


Rev



[/QUOTE]

Were there any recalls with the oil leak? Can I expect to have this problem eventually, or should I assume at 15,000m it has already been taken care of?

 

[C O D Y]

Smaller Oil pan to. Most change it to the later factory larger one if they do much hard driving.

 

[Ron]

Do a VIN check at a Dodge dealer. They can give you a service history. If you don't have issue at 15K miles, you most likely won't - All of my 1996 specific issues occurred before then.

1997's GTS's have their share of issues too.....

BTW, 435.4 RWHP Dynojet dyno, SAE corrected, as delivered except for K&N's and smooth tubes.

 

[viper spray]

97s are faster...............

 

[C O D Y]

434.8 RWHP SAE Corrected, Dynojet with tubes & filters. 5k on a '02

The '02 FE's are my favorites!

Do a VIN check at a Dodge dealer. They can give you a service history. If you don't have issue at 15K miles, you most likely won't - All of my 1996 specific issues occurred before then.

1997's GTS's have their share of issues too.....

BTW, 435.4 RWHP Dynojet dyno, SAE corrected, as delivered except for K&N's and smooth tubes.

 

[KWIK96]

Undecided.....
buy them both

 

[GotA350ZTT]

1997's GTS's have their share of issues too.....

I'm also in the market for a 97 B/W GTS. What sort of issues did the 97's have?

 

[Kevin D]

The 1997 B/W's ARE the Viper to have*** Mine doesn't have and has never had any issues. Which is why I paid the extra premium for a *97 B/W* over a 96 B/W in the first place*

 

[Ron]

While obviously any Viper is special, doesn't the fact that 1996 GTS's sell at a premium over 1997's say it all?