1998 red gts for sale at vallery ford in ohio

Anybody look at the 98 red gts for sale at Vallery ford in Ohio. Any club member opinions on the shape/price/condition of this car for sale. Low mlies and needs tires due to their age and dry rot. Seems to need fluid changes, plugs and wires to be safe also due to age. i am thinking about buying this 98 gts. Has any member seen this car and does it seem like a good deal? How do these cars run and is a 14500 mile 98 gts a good choice for $38500 needing shipping/tires/fluids and whatever else pops up? jay 203 746 6418 if u know this red and blk car. tnx as this would be my 1st viper gts. Seems all stock and not abused. Do not want to make a mistake on my ist viper and can't get to Ohio to drive/review this car.
















38500

I have a 98 GTS that was its twin before mods. The 98 is an awesome gen 2 choice. It has a great forged internals, a nice lumpy cammed motor, and has been totally reliable year after year. The red color guarantees that it will always be the fastest! I had the 998 steering and diff frame repair done as well as gasket replacement around the timing cover( a leak proned area for 98's). Thats about all, with the exception of mods. Looking at the pictures, this seems to be a nice example of the car in terms of body panel fit. I would definitely have a Viper tech give it a gander, though. Hopefully it has some records. If not, it can be determined if the recall was done. If there is no oil in the valley under the intake no gasket work is necessary. It is important to have a look under any Viper to insure it hasn't had any dramatic "offs." Pictures can deceive. Remember that it doesn't have any nannies--none. I have had great luck with mine after 35k. This one seems characteristically low mileage. Hopefully its 16k wasn't accrued 1/4 mile at a time. See if you can get a Club member to at least look it over for you--sight unseen is a tad risky. Good Luck!

Well, considering that is just the asking price, it does seem like this could be a good deal after some negotiation. The pictures are trying to present the tires as good condition; but, they are a model that has not been in production for a long time. Therefore, I would get the price reduced or have them put fresh tires on it. Ask them to verify the date codes and insist that tires over 6 years old are worthless on a performance car with that kind of hp and torque. Figure on the cost of replacing all fluids also. If the frame recall has not been done, that is a specialized repair that is often done improperly. Those in the know recommend only repair by people who have experience doing it properly. That could be another negotiating point. I don't know that it really has to be done, though.

Had the dodge dealer lookn at it and will check on the recall repair. Hopefully i can pick up the car next week as the sales manager Jayson at the ford dealer said he wuill take care of me and the purchase of the car soon. This seems like the one for me. tnx for ur help and advice.

I will have to get the tires as this is a totally original car stock as the day it was bought. Only 2 owners in one family and 14500 verified total miles. Dodge dealer says the car is like new, runs fine and they will give me a report in writing stating so and hopefully verify fluids were done. It is hard to find a like new low mile non abused babied 98 gts in my favorite red color with no paint/body/engine work or issues to report. The dodge dealer is not involved with the sale of the car except that i asked them to have a certified viper tech check it out and make a recommendation as to the condition, what it needs and if it is in great shape and makes good sense to purchase. I am trying to do the best i can from a distance away and will wrap this up and have car shipped to me next week. i am already tired, old and getting sick of the chase. i want to put the viper to bed at my house and get this over with. i will worry about everything else in the spring as this is a long term project/love/investment. No one is going to give one of these cars away so i am doing the best i can right now. In the spring I could be looking at a much more costlier project and significantly higher price point.It is a good starting point for me to get into a kick ass viper so i am pulling the tigger asap and Jayson, the sales manager at the ford dealer says he will take care of everything next week. Lets hope it goes well and i am looking forwards to going for my first ride. Thanks for ur help.

jay wittlin said:

Had the dodge dealer lookn at it and will check on the recall repair. Hopefully i can pick up the car next week as the sales manager Jayson at the ford dealer said he wuill take care of me and the purchase of the car soon. This seems like the one for me. tnx for ur help and advice.

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Congratulations !

By the way, the recall can have been done; but, done wrong and block access to removing the oil filter causing a major hassle at oil change time. You should be able to drop the oil filter pretty much straight down. If the added frame gussets block the filter, they were put on the wrong side of the crosspiece. I think that I've read that is because of issues in the way the repair instructions were originally written. The result is that you have to turn the oil filter on its side, spilling oil and fishing across in front of the engine to the other side to find a place to get it out. (Then, you can't put a new filter full of oil back in without spilling most out.)

edit: Here is a picture someone posted showing the triangular gusset installed on the wrong side. Above it you can see the oil filter mounting flange, and you can barely see the white top of the removed oil filter that is sitting on the gusset that is blocking removal.
http://gallery.viperclub.org/data/500/medium/9882Dsc01357.jpg
another wrong install photo
http://gallery.viperclub.org/data/500/8593262DSCF0009-med.jpeg

Looks really nice. I understand about being done with the "Chase." Two owners, verified miles, possibly original tires........all is a good sign to not much abuse. Asking price is fair for a dealer, hopefully you get it closer to $35K. Imo, that would be more than fair.
Congrats!!!

I will find out more from the dodge dealer monday and plan to wrap it up next week. A good car to start with. It has been owned by 1 family and someone, who had it more than 12 years/was 80yo and passed away. Dealer got the car from the deceased brother and i feel it deep in my bones that this is the right one for me. 14500 miles and ready to move, i will talk to past owner and be sensitive as this was a long time family project of love and respect. I feel it really good and am gald to be included in the loop. I will get all the finances and paper work together and drive this bad boy back to ct. From Ohio. Roadtrip! here we come. I hope the wether holds out!!!!!! Can't wait. Any more input/info/sugesstions? Wish me luck as this is the biggest car purchase i have made so far. My 468 71 chevelle was big but not even close and my 87 supercharged/nos stang is really nice/just dyno time but no comparison. Go to facebook jay wittlin. Look at the bikes/cars/boays etc. All are priced for quick sale and i must move some to make room for the viper. There are some very quick and super low milge units ready to go at very resonable prices. Send friend request and view the 5 bikes and 6 or seven cars. Make offers. Tnx

Before you drive it home, just tighten the power steering cap as tight as you can. It can come loose after just a casual tightening, and people have discovered it missing after a trip. The exhaust header is right behind it and is where spilled, combustible PS fluid might end up. Obviously, also check your engine oil level if they changed you oil or not. Just the two major things that could ruin your adventure.

AZVTR said:

edit: Here is a picture someone posted showing the triangular gusset installed on the wrong side. Above it you can see the oil filter mounting flange, and you can barely see the white top of the removed oil filter that is sitting on the gusset that is blocking removal.

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Thanks for that, I didn't know what those gussets were, after buying my 2000 RT/10 I took it to a tuner to do some work and change the fluids, they had a heck of a time getting the filter out and found a "short" filter to replace it without telling me, when I stopped by they showed me the gussets and explained how they couldn't get a new one in. I had no idea why the gussets were added but thought it had something to do with the fact it was a roadster and all convertibles have always had racking problems. As to the short filter I guess it will be okay but change the oil more often.

cigar said:

Thanks for that, I didn't know what those gussets were, after buying my 2000 RT/10 I took it to a tuner to do some work and change the fluids, they had a heck of a time getting the filter out and found a "short" filter to replace it without telling me, when I stopped by they showed me the gussets and explained how they couldn't get a new one in. I had no idea why the gussets were added but thought it had something to do with the fact it was a roadster and all convertibles have always had racking problems. As to the short filter I guess it will be okay but change the oil more often.

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There is another member here that recently mentioned that they also have the gussets installed in the wrong place, blocking access to the filter. So, not an uncommon issue.

Tnx and this whole deal is an adventure for me; especially when taking into account how my wife feels about me buying a 98 viper. We don't need it is her sentiment while this is a big step up and a hell of a trip/ride for me.

I am keeping my eye on every drop of fluid going in and out. I am making sure the recalls are addressed correctly and have spoken to a Viper oriented/speciality garage guy in North Salem N.Y. who has been sooooooo helpfull every step of the way with the search and research on finding a good gts.Tator's garage. Anyone know these guys. they seem to know their stuff and be the real deal when it comes to Vipers. Lord knows I need all the help I can muster.

jay wittlin said:

I am keeping my eye on every drop of fluid going in and out. I am making sure the recalls are addressed correctly and have spoken to a Viper oriented/speciality garage guy in North Salem N.Y. who has been sooooooo helpfull every step of the way with the search and research on finding a good gts.Tator's garage. Anyone know these guys. they seem to know their stuff and be the real deal when it comes to Vipers. Lord knows I need all the help I can muster.

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The "Viper Whisperer"....... Simply one of the Best

Congrats. Will be nice to see another viper floating around southern CT. Chuck and rob are the real deal. I have never let anyone else (dealer included) touch my car.