I’m the second owner of a 93 viper with 3,200 miles. Aside from some minor paint bubbling on the hood and gts rims, it’s a mint time capsule. So here is the question I would love to hear from this board (no write or wrong).... do I leave it as an original car or add some tasteful upgrades like headers, exhaust and other misc.? I drive it 17 miles a month on average, no real plans to get rid of it, but think it would be fun to play around with it a little more. Just curious to hear some opinions! Thanks!
I had a 95 and headers and exhaust made a big difference, I also got rid of the cats car ran so cool, the side sills were no longer hot. Save all the stuff you swap out so its no big deal if you or someone else wants it stock again. Sold my car to a collector who I know, and the funny thing is he never changed it back but has everything if he wants to.
Being an early car, with that low of mileage and "if" your intentions are to never sell it... It might be best to keep it all original. Or like Steve e said, only make modifications that are very easily reversible, hanging on to all the old original parts and knowledge. From a future value point of view, when the car will likely have insane interest from collectors.. if the past is any guide for the future... just look at old muscle cars and Vettes from the 50s thru early 70s, and which bring the most value as collectibles today. All original, low mileage cars with very low production numbers bring astronomical sales prices. With super low production numbers, and many cars having been totaled and are gone forever, our Vipers will definitely be there someday. You are the current steward of a rare car that will be heavily scrutinized by future collectors someday.
Mine has 23,000 miles on it and I try to keep the milage down. Not too many opportunities where I live to drive it a lot. Take it to car shows. But didn't you buy the car to have fun with it? A car with only 3,200 miles on it is worth a lot more because of the low milage. I put headers and some mods on mine but have all the original parts stored in my garage. I can be put back to its original condition very easily. Three different tops, bra, seat cover, original wheels and extras. All stored. As you can see I have an after market top, headers, exhaust and 2001 wheels. I have had it on the strip and on the track but not anymore. There are faster cars now and I do more shows, fun driving. I live in a cold climate so it is store over the winter.
In my opinion..... The car wants to be driven. If your car was mine I'd go through it like a monster starting with fluid swaps. It would get some road time for a few hundred miles. After confidence, I'd take it for thousand mile road-trip. That or place it back in the museum and let it keep collecting dust. Shame.
Vipers are not investments, just like other cars, they are meant to be driven. Have fun with it. Like jdeft1 says, look into changing gaskets, hoses, fluids, etc. and start having fun with your car.
Hey bud, checkout my channel. I also have a '93 car. My is almost completely stock, but I have done the exhaust on it. Getting rid of those original cats is a must. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBYMVKy1lCTcd1yfKnbzG3djZ2pClU17O
