Cold Start & Idle Video – Viper Gen 3 – Does This Sound Healthy?

fatmatta · Jul 10, 2025

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some experienced ears and eyes on this. I’m out of state and considering purchasing a 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 (Gen 3) from a dealer in Illinois. They sent me a cold start and idle video, which I’ve uploaded to YouTube here:

IMG 9355

youtu.be

7734097659743964205

youtu.be

I’d really appreciate any feedback — does the engine sound healthy to you? Any hesitation, ticks, misfires, or anything that stands out as unusual?

The car has had recent work done (plugs, wires, coils, throttle body, etc.), and it’s got about 16,700 miles on it. I haven’t seen it in person yet, so I’m trying to gather as much insight as I can before the PPI.

Also — if anyone knows of a mechanic or shop near Mount Prospect, IL that’s experienced with Vipers and would be good for a pre-purchase inspection, I’d love a recommendation.

Thanks in advance!

– Matt

Bonkers · Jul 10, 2025

My hearing is bad to begin with so i cannot offer any
solid advice from a video. That being said im not picking
anything unusual out. Might have an aftermarket
exhaust, but that should show up on a PPI.

I dont have my map up, my Roanoke Motors in IL
is where by baby was first sold. I dont remember
seeing any ads for them in a while so i dont know
if theyre still a club vendor, but they certainly were
a mainstay here for many, many years. I think youd
be hard pressed to find anyone out that way with
more experience.

zombie · Jul 10, 2025

I'm no expert, but that sounds fine to me.

BoondocSaint · Jul 10, 2025

To my ear, the only problem is it needs some aftermarket exhaust =)

kmagnuss · Jul 11, 2025

Sounds exactly like mine.

daveg · Jul 11, 2025

Ditto on Sounding Right.

fatmatta · Jul 14, 2025

Thank you everyone! Your feedback is really helpful

MambaK100 · Jul 15, 2025

Sounds just like mine, with only 9k miles. Enjoy!

fatmatta · Jul 16, 2025

The above 2004 Viper SRT-10 that seemed like a great find at first — only 16,692 miles on the odometer. But then I looked at the CARFAX and realized that:

07/18/2015: 15,933 miles
Current (2025): 16,692 miles

That’s just 759 miles driven over the last 10 years, or less than 80 miles per year.

The dealer did the following work recently (I assume to get it running properly again after so much time sitting):

Replaced spark plugs (NGK V‑Power ZFR5N)
Replaced spark plug wires (Ultima Select)
Replaced ignition coils (Mopar OEM)
Installed new throttle body (Mopar 5037191AC)
Replaced intake plenum gaskets (APEX)
Installed spark plug wire retainers & separators (Mopar)

At first, the ultra-low mileage felt like a selling point… now I’m wondering if it’s actually a red flag. I’d appreciate any feedback — is this kind of long-term sitting something to worry about even if it’s been recently serviced?

Thanks in advance.

zombie · Jul 17, 2025

These are not cars you put a ton of miles on, IMO. I haven't even started mine since May. Being driven sparingly is not necessarily "long-term sitting". I don't think there's likely anyone out there daily driving a Viper (someone will likely prove me wrong, lol)

Ask if you can have it checked over by an independent mechanic if you have that many concerns.

Goggles Pizano · Jul 17, 2025

There are a substantial number of vipers daily'd and high mileages.

Bonkers · Jul 18, 2025

Zombie is absolutely wrong on that. All modern cars,
especially Vipers, need to be driven regularly to keep the
soft components pliable. Personally i like to see at least
2500/yr but im picky. The question i would have, if the
PO only drove 800 miles in ten years, did he ever even
change the oil in all that time? .... maybe... probably...
Unless its a screaming deal, id assume he did not.

Also 800 miles is like three tanks of fuel - how old is
the gas sitting in the tank right now?

Unlike Corvettes and Hellcats, things like gaskets and
coolant tubes are getting very impossible to source VERY
quickly. You can let a C4 sit for a couple of years and
new hoses and fuel lines are a couple of hundred bucks.
A dry rotted GTS fuel tube will give your accountant AFIB.

Ignoring price, a well used Viper has other benefits: youre
not going to worry about driving it to dinner, or in the rain.
Chances are the recalls and goblins have all been exercised
by this point too. You mentioned in your last post that you
planned to drive this car, you looked forward to driving this
car. Being your first Viper l really suggest finding a higher
mile example and hiring someone with knowledge to look it
over. That way if you decide this isnt for you, you wont be
dumping a ton of money into rejuvenation, and you wont
be losing sleep over any resale values. If you love it, and
you have the money, youll have the insight as to exactly
what you want and where you want to go with it.

zombie · Jul 18, 2025

Lol, go ahead and daily a Viper, I know I'd rather enjoy a drive down a nice backroad than a commute in traffic.

Cold Start & Idle Video – Viper Gen 3 – Does This Sound Healthy?

fatmatta

Enthusiast

IMG 9355

7734097659743964205

Bonkers

VCA Venom Member

zombie

Enthusiast

BoondocSaint

Enthusiast

kmagnuss

Enthusiast

daveg

Enthusiast

fatmatta

Enthusiast

MambaK100

Enthusiast

fatmatta

Enthusiast

zombie

Enthusiast

Goggles Pizano

Enthusiast

Bonkers

VCA Venom Member

zombie

Enthusiast

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page