Any tips on buying a 94 R/T

[93Cobra]

Hi all,

After having other cool cars like M3s, Corvettes, etc. I am finnally going to
buy my first Viper. I am exited but at the same time I dont know what I am
getting into. What tips can you guys help me with in regards to things
to look for that only a Viper owner would know. Also, if I am in California and the car is out of state should I be concerned about it not passing smog if it has Eldlebrock headers? Any auto transports to reccomend?

thanks

 

[Viperfreak2]

Read everything you can on this site first. Spend days reading. It will be worth your time. When you see something interesting, do a search and read all you can. My personal opinion? GenII cars are better than genI, and the SRT makes the convertible practical. If you only use the car for fun and don't care about leaving an open Viper at a store, or restaurant, then a GenI is OK. The roof on the early cars is a joke. Try it before you buy it. Headers shouldn't affect a smog check as long as the cats are still there (and working)

 

[Magicboy2]

Do a search for "buy viper" or "buying viper"... make sure you set the search time frame to the entire year... this has been covered in great detail.

 

[ViperJoe]

Here you go:

Used Viper Questions:
General:
1.Year?
2. Price?
3. Mileage?
4. Clean title?
5. VIN #?
6. Existing lien?
7. In service date?

Equipment:
1. Stock / original, or minor / moderate modifications (K&N filters, smooth tubes)
(headers, hi-flow cats, cat-back system, or more?) Rear wing?
2. Exterior and Interior Color? (Body stripes?) Interior mods?
3. Nature of CD player (single in-dash, trunk player, etc.)?
4. Soft-top, hardtop, or both?
5. Bag for soft-top?
6. Bikini top and bag
7. Tonneau cover?
8. Car cover?
9. Existing Factory warranty / extended warranty (or provide after-market warranty)?

Condition:
1. General overall condition (any nicks, chips, scratches, window cracks, etc.)?
2. Involved in an accident(s), damaged, repainted, etc.?
3. Condition under front bumper / front lip spoiler?
4. Condition of top(s)? (Soft-top sagging? Exterior condition?) Scratches on sport bar? Sport Bar cap missing?
5. How maintained? Records? (One owner? How many and how long) Documentation / Paperwork?
6. Leather condition? (Split/cracked/worn?)
7. Tire condition? Brand/Size (Reasonable tread?)
8. Wheels (condition, nicks, curb rash?) Stock wheels for the particular year or aftermarket
9. Carpet / Floor mats condition?
10. Smoker / non-smoker?
11. Nitrous or other power adder used?
12. Used for track events (strip, track, Viper Days and autocross)?
13. Condition of the rocker panels (top and underside)
14. Condition of inside the door / rocker area
15. Scrapes under front bumper / spoiler?
16. Bottomed out?
17. 998 / 999 recall work done (if applicable) and done CORRECTLY. Documented?
18. Head gaskets (Gen1) Documentation?
19. Hood alignment (symetrical?) Any hairline cracks? Hinges keep hood up?

Buying from a dealer
1. Processing fees?
2. Taxes? (out of state?)
3. Delivery

Differences between GenI and GenII: there are other differences (besides the exhaust) that stand out:

1. The engine
The majority of reference to “GenI and GenII” refers to engine changes, as there are several differences between the two engines, not the least of which is horsepower. GenI was rated at 400hp, later GenI (96) were rated at 415, and the GenII is rated at 450 (ACR & GT2 rated at 460 due to smooth tubes and filters).

2. The hood
The GenI cars have "smoothie" hoods with no NACA duct between the headlights and no vents above the wheel wells. The cars look different from the front with these changes.

3. Suspension
Changed to GenII suspension in 96. Both the GTS and RT have the same GenII components.

4. Exhaust
Went to rear exit exhaust in 1996

5. Other changes
Power windows, airbags, steering wheel, method of opening the doors, differential housing, CD player, speedometer, wheels, all changed from GenI to GenII

BE A SPONGE! Soak up every little nuance that is spoken / written here. If you need someone to look at a car for you, I know my brothers will answer the call.
Good luck!

 

[ViperJoe]

Also whatever you buy, even if it's a 94 with only a thousand miles or a 96 with 45k..... CHANGE every fluid in it. So plan for that also.

 

[Dan Aseere]

I HAVE A 94 RT 10 AND 97 GTS. DON'T LET ANYONE TALK YOU OUT OF THE 94. THE SIDE PIPE ROADSTER HAS A VERY DIFFERENT FEEL THAN THE GTS. NOT BETTER JUST DIFFERENT. WOULD BE A HARD CHOICE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO. THE RT 10 BETTER RESEMBLES THE TORQUE AND POWER OF THE ORIGINAL COBRA THAT CARROLL SHELLBY CREATED WHEN HE HELPED DEVELOP THE VIPER. BOTH ARE GOOD CHOICES. BEST OF LUCK!!!!! <font color="red"> </font>

 

[93Cobra]

Thanks for all the replys guys. The Viper I am planning on buying is from a current VCA member but I do not recall his
name. He assured me the car is mint and it comes with the soft top, chrome wheels and Edlebrock headers. I believe it has 24k miles. Would this car be worth 33k? Does it sound like a good deal? Thanks

 

[Don Hiltz]

The value of an extended warranty.............priceless!!!!

Don

 

[Jack B]

The number one item to check for is coolant leaking due to a flaw in the head gaskets. If the car has headers and no heat shields it can possibly be seen by looking from the topside at the mating surfaces of the head and block, otherwise put it on a lift and look for the coolant stains on the block just below the plane of the head.

Another way to find it is remove the adapter between the hood and heater fan. Run the car with the fan on, the smell of coolant will be noticeable if it is leaking.

 

[RedEnuf93]

Dont let people talk you away from Gen one. Everybody who I knew tried to talk me out of buying a late -93. According to all it is full of problems and headackes.
If headgaskets are not done, plan to do them, its about 2K.

I bought it, I even bought it from a HUYNDAI dealer!!! Car had 7000 miles in great condition.
I could not have been happier with the car. I wanted the side pipes and open top. I did not have money to buy a newer GTS either.
If I were today on market, I might go newer only because the Gen 2 has much more stuff for the motor to waste your money on.
However as a first viper gen one has been wonderful.

just my 2 cents.

Lauri

 

[garolittle]

Gen Ones are awesome. I miss the side pipes.