Which year GTS is the best?

As a follow-up to my blue/white GTS post, I discovered that only 96-97 GTS's were produced in that color combo. So, are there any distinct advantages to the newer GTS's? Besides the obvious (less wear and lower miles), are there any significant design changes (interior, exterior, drivetrain, engine, etc.) that make the later model year GTS's much better?

Thanks,

Zach

Also, what do you think the chance of getting a blue/white would be? Also like the deep saphire blue (the one Vic Rough has). Would Mr. Pemberton be the best contact point?

97 GTS by far!!!

Do a search on the differences in models by year. Too much to list here, but include:

1. 99 and up = 18's
2. 98 and up = airbag cut off switch
3. 98 and up = alarm cut off in glove box
4. minor interior changes depending upon year

99 side mirros adjustable from the interior, rear hatch glass release from the interior.

2001 ABS brakes

best year 2002.

All GTS's have some advantages & disadvantages over other GTS years. The most important feature of the newer GTS's would be the addition of ABS in 2001.

After that, the wheels and other little improvements were only small improvements. If you like the Blue and White, then by all means get a 96 or 97. There are enough of them out there that you can find a good deal on a nice condition one fairly easy. Good luck and don't listen to all the rumors about the 2002 engine being the strongest ever. If they are, it's only by a little bit.

98 period nuff said!!!

I don't believe there is a best year, because everyone definition of best is different.

Here is my comparison of the older GTS's vs. the newer GTS's. I have had a 1997 GTS, 2001 GTS, and now another 1997 GTS:

Color: Chose the color you want. That will dictate which years are an option to you.

Engines: 1996-1998 were the best motors built for the vipers, espcially if you want to do performance upgrades. Do a search, you will find forged pistons, cams the big differences. I was horrified when I found out my 2001 GTS had cast pistons and other engine down grades compared to the 1997 engines, yet they still raised the price of the car.

Warantee: No one wants a viper that does not have a warantee, especialy the cost of some of the repairs. Newer cars will still be under factory or extended warnatee. Most 96-97 are now out of extended warantee. You can buy chrysler used car extended warantee with wrap around protection with $50.00 deductible, for penies on the dollar of what the car will cost you. so this is not an issue.

Creature comforts: The newer cars are nicer inside and out. New rim style, larger rims, better tires, air bag disabler, rear hatch elec. pop. The overall smoother ride, is what I really noticed the most, with the 97 original stock hard tires and stock sqeaky brake pads, made the car seam old.

Tax's:When you buy a new regular GTS let say at $1,000 over invoice, there is about $6,000 in sales tax, $3,000 luxury tax and other fees. And once you drive it off the lot the car depreciates $5,000. So you are $15,000 negative in the car to start. I found this out when my 2001 GTS had engine problems and chrysler would not fix it. Looked at selling it, would of lost $15,000 and I only had 3200 miles on the car.

I just bought a 97 GTS blue/white with 6,000 miles for $52,000. Its like a brand new car except for the old (no wear) hard tires and squeaky front brake pads. Set of EBC Greens $150, 4 tires $1200. Almost have a new car for $35,000 less than, plus can do some serious HP upgrades without worries.

For the same amount of money I had in my stock 2001 gts I will have 97 GTS with about 825 rwhp, 20 inch startech rim ($10,000).
You have to decide what you want as far as upgrade and how much total you want to spend on the car.

97s are the best of course since I bought a 97, however had I bought a 96, 96 would be the best........however........

Blue/White was my only choice for color, narrowing the search to 96/97. 97 had stronger rims (actually running change in 97), but with some other TSBs (intake gasket and rear main seal) that 96 cars didn't. Pros and cons of all years, but if it's power you want stick with the early GenIIs, that should get the KrispyCremePuffs all riled up!

I had the same decision - loved the blue, wanted ACR, wanted warranty and wanted babied car. Looked at 97s and would have bought one but decided instead to pursue raffle car (best of all worlds). I found out in my searching, that there are some mint 97s out there.

see:
http://www.viperclub.org/menus/index_ivr_features.htm

jason

Why do some of you say that a 2002 is the best year? Aren't they identical to a 2001?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hoosier Daddy:
98 period nuff said!!!

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Second that!!!

2002 is the best year for Vipers simply because that is what I have in my garage. Your garage may be different. The best year for Vipers is whatever year Viper finds its way into your garage.

1998 baby!!!!!!!!!! Saving my pennies for the supercharger!

if Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder says 2002 it is 2002!!!

i couldnt agree more.
it have the best of all the trail and error gts over the years.

if i had a gts it would be a 2002

i grabbed a 2001 RT only because I didnt want to miss out on yellow. and was not sure that in 2002 yellow would be an option.

Dear Jason GTS, I'm afraid you are the one that is ignorant. If you would have read my question, I was comparing the 2001 to the 2002, not to the other years. Additionally , I have tracked my 2001 many times and it has never run hot!

I drove my GTS as hard as a newbie can, at Willow Springs International Raceway, in 108 degree temps. Ask Lance Watkins, Ron Wasserman, JoeB01, John Dearing, and Craig Oka. They all can verify the temps that day. My 2001 GTS temp needle went to about 225, maybe a bit more. (1/2 hour sessions) NEVER saw 250, at any time. I do have like 16 ounces of Red Line water wetter in the cooling system, if that makes a difference.

2001s and 2002s came with the steering rack gussets and stiffener bar already installed. (Nice factory welding in a controlled environment) Not that dealers can't do the same. The tsb recommends riveting the gussets on a recall, but the 2001+2002 are factory welded.

And the differential mount is already taken care of, too, I think.

So-called cream puffs already have the improved oil pan pick-up, which helps a lot at the track, plus it has a bigger capacity.

So-called cream-puffs have simular 0-60 times, 1/4 mile times, and road course lap times as earlier GTS's. Any changes in the cam to make the idle smoother have been compensated for by recal of the engine management system, according to a few tech-types on this board. Does anyone know if Dodge ever had to go back and revise downward any performance data, due to a milder cam, or any other so-called cream puff changes? Personally, I have nev er seen Dodge ever revise data downward. Any Viper techs wanna chime in here?

The only thing bad about cast pistons, is that they may grenade under boost, so you can't lean on it too much, if installing a blower. Sean Roe will offer maybe 575-600 horsies on stock cast pistons, and after that, you may need to go forged, for a reliable piston that can take the strain of boost.

The weakest part of any 2001 is the unknown condition of the water pump impeller, which can separate from the shaft.

A lot of people tell me that they love the color! I almost got a steel-grey GTS, but it wasn't my turn yet. When the time was right, the color of choice was the saphire, and I've never regretted it. Red is nice, yellow is great for some people, but saphire, black, and Viper blue are my favorite colors on the GTS. Charcoal or graphite, and silver are fine also.

One thing I am very glad about, was that I was able to get a new Viper before the change came in the body style. The GTS made my jaw drop in 96, and I just got in "under-the-wire", the way I see it. Any much longer, and I would have missed out on my life's dream car.

Go with the 02. I'm working on getting my 02 GTS in Dec of 03.

Here are some of my reasons I like the 02's.

Like the idea of the last year of the Gen II. Like the ABS with the 02 or 01. Also like the smoother idling Cream Puff refined feeling. The 02 has also the a smaller production run as compared to the 01, 00, 99. The 02's has many small production color runs and has that one year color, Graphite. Also has very small amounts of Yellows produced in 02. Usually the last year of a Generation is the year to have.

Any year that is in your garage is the best year. hahhaa

All of the GTS's are great !!! Each year has their own advantages.If you plan on keeping the car for a while, I'd consider a blue/white combo since it's closer to the old Cobra Daytona Coupe which inspired the design.

I happen to have a '96 coupe with the original factory warranty in place (bought new in 3/2000....long story). Car has @3,000 miles on it.Adding an extended 7 year Dodge warranty would cover the car until 2010. Car is for sale. E-mail me if you're interested.

Y2K GTS 430 RWHP+ 477 RWTQ=creampuff

To make things equal. I feel all of the Vipers should just be in Black and White. That way there won't be any petty envy or jealously.


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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Vreracing:
To make things equal. I feel all of the Vipers should just be in Black and White. That way there won't be any petty envy or jealously.


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White man steal my spirit with magic trick. Make my spirit pale like him.



So you made my Viper black and white, and now you don't feel jealous? You could always paint yours saphire, and then you wouldn't need to make mine black and white!

Oh, those 02 pistons are hard allright, hard to get any power out of them!!!!

this thread is getting good!!

color choice number one, after that get year to fit, if you happen to like Red or Silver, you've got some choices to make!

The '02 (Final Edition) is smooth, quiet and refined, but I can tell it wants to go. It's not broken in yet so I can't get on it

The '96 (with mods) is loud, mean and fast. It gets mass attention when I take it out. Blue/ white is the best color hands down.

I like both of them but if I could have only one it would be the '96.

Bob K