Asking a favor of an IL based VCA member / Viper enthusiast...

[Wolfc2e]

No doubt many of you can relate to my current situation. I've been a Viper fanatic for as long as I can remember and now that life has so generously yielded me a significant, dependable income I'm about to "realize the dream".

New to the VCA forums and loosing sleep thanks to the anticipation of it all, I've spent a whole lot of time reading various threads and posts and I wanted to say that I greatly appreciate all the advice and knowledge I have acquired in my travels on these boards to date.

Introduction aside, I'm posting because I'd like someone in the Chicago area to take a look at a Viper for me. If no one is able, I'll completely understand. The one I've been keeping my eye on is at Windy City Motorsports in Schaumburg, IL. Its a Red on Black 1997 GTS with 14k miles and appears to be in pretty good condition. I talked to the dealer and he's willing to let it go for 35.5K.

Also, does anyone in the Mississippi or Kansas area know anything this snake? The car fax shows ownership in both of these areas.

I appreciate any info that anyone may be able to drag up.

VIN: 1B3ER69E1VV300378

Thanks so much!!
- Wolf

 

[shooter_t1]

His "buy it now" price is $35,900. So he's only coming down $400.00?.


Here's the CarFax report if you don't have access.


Vehicle Information:
1997 DODGE VIPER GTS
1B3ER69E1VV300378
COUPE 8.0L V10 SFI OHV
REAR WHEEL DRIVE
Standard Equipment | Safety Options


No accident / damage reported to CARFAX
3 Previous owners
Personal vehicle
Last owned in Mississippi
14 Detailed records available
14,045 Last reported odometer reading


A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. Other information about this vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.

The number of owners is estimated by CARFAX
Year purchased 1997 2004 2007
Type of owner Personal Personal Personal
Estimated length of ownership 7 years 2 yrs. 10 mo. 1 year
Owned in the following states/provinces Tennessee Kansas Mississippi
Estimated miles driven per year 730/yr --- ---
Last reported odometer reading 6,100 8,297 14,045




CARFAX guarantees the information in this section
Salvage | Junk | Rebuilt Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem
Fire/Flood | Hail Damage | Buyback/Lemon
Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem
Not Actual Mileage | Exceeds Mechanical Limits Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem Guaranteed
No Problem
GUARANTEED - None of these major title problems were reported by a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you find that any of these title problems were reported by a DMV and not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back.
Register | View Terms





Not all accidents or other issues are reported to CARFAX
Total Loss Check
No total loss reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported

Structural / Frame Damage Check
No structural / frame damage reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported

Airbag Deployment Check
No airbag deployment reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported

Odometer Rollback Check
No indication of an odometer rollback. No Issues Indicated
No Issues Indicated
No Issues Indicated

Accident / Damage Check
No accidents or damage reported to CARFAX. No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported
No Issues Reported

Manufacturer Recall Check
Check with an authorized Dodge dealer for any open recalls. No Recalls Reported
No Recalls Reported
No Recalls Reported

Basic Warranty Check
Original warranty estimated to have expired. View Info
Interested in an extended warranty? Warranty Expired

Warranty Expired

Warranty Expired


A CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX. CARFAX checked over 5 billion vehicle history events and found 14 record(s) for this 1997 DODGE VIPER GTS (1B3ER69E1VV300378).




Purchased: 1997
Type: Personal
Where: Tennessee
Est. miles/year: 730/yr
Est. length owned: 4/15/97 - 4/15/04
(7 years)





Low mileage! This owner drove an estimated 730 miles per year, lower than the industry average of 15,000 miles. These vehicles can be a better value.
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
04/15/1997 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Memphis, TN Registered as
personal vehicle

06/10/1997 20 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Memphis, TN
Title #53647588 Title or registration issued
First owner reported

04/21/1998 1,777 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Sevierville, TN
Title #56171503 Title or registration issued
Loan or lien reported

04/05/2002 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Vernon Rockville, CT
Title #56171503 Registration issued or renewed
Loan or lien reported

04/15/2004 5,156 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Illinois
Listed as
a dealer vehicle

Dealers routinely buy and sell millions of used vehicles at auction each year.

05/25/2004 6,100 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale






Purchased: 2004
Type: Personal
Where: Kansas
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 10/22/04 - 8/22/07
(2 yrs. 10 mo.)



Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
10/22/2004 6,271 Kansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Tonganoxie, KS
Title #N0518247 Title issued or updated
New owner reported

06/28/2007 Kansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Linwood, KS Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location

08/22/2007 8,297 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

09/29/2007 Mississippi
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Ocean Springs, MS Vehicle purchase reported

10/10/2007 Dealer Inventory Vehicle sold






Purchased: 2007
Type: Personal
Where: Mississippi
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 10/12/07 - 10/20/08
(1 year)



Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
10/12/2007 Mississippi
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Ocean Springs, MS
Title #E68334701 Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Exempt from odometer reporting

10/20/2008 14,045 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Southeast Region
Listed as
a fleet vehicle

11/04/2008 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

 

[RTTTTed]

I'd be careful of that "Carfax will buy this car" guarantee. I think Jonb had some dealing with that issue and it didn't work out. Kind of like the times I got ripped off on ebay - there was always some reason that the guarantee didn't get me my money back.

Ted

 

[Vman455]

This is off topic, but do you know where the previous owner got those HVAC knobs? In particular, the round heater control knob in the center?

On topic now, I may be heading up to the Chicago area on Monday. If I do, I could stop and take a look for you if no one closer is able. I'll let you know tomorrow.

 

[Wolfc2e]

Shooter: I've been watching this car, and others, for about a month. If I remember correctly, when I first ran across it mid December, the asking price was 38.9. I called the dealer and talked about the car a day or two ago he said he wasn't really willing go to below the latest 35.9 asking price. He said if the car didn't sell for that price he was just going to store it for the winter and try to sell it again for 39 or 40 in the spring. No doubt the truth in that story is debatable, but if the car is in as great of condition as the dealer claims I think 35.5 is a pretty good deal. From what I've seen since starting my search in early December, most solid red cars with ~10k miles are staying between 38 and 40.

I'm planning on flying out there to look at it, and he agreed to take 35.5 in order to cover my travel expenses. Also, the 35.5 includes enclosed door to door shipping.

Also, Thanks for the carfax.. I did have access, but your thoughtfulness is appreciated.


Ted: Thanks for the heads up about the "carfax will buy this car" deal. I plan on doing a very thorough personal inspection when I fly out there so hopefully I won't require that service...


Vman: Thanks for your offer. Basically I'd like someone to stop by and give it a quick once over. Even better if its someone who knows about the cars. I'd hate to waste the money to fly out there only to see a serious flaw with the car and come back home.


Thanks!

- Wolf

 

[jmillsUT28]

Not sure if I would trust these guys. Do a search on yahoo for "Windy City Motorsports in Schaumburg". Looks like there's some information that comes up with customers that said they got ripped off!

 

[jmillsUT28]

Also, AutoCheck says it's "The vehicle has been reported as used as a fleet, rental and/or lease vehicle."

 

[Vman455]

Wolfc2e, PM sent.

 

[Wolfc2e]

jmillsUT: Good looking out. There are a whole lot of customer complaint links that show up on Yahoo and Google but all the ones I've seen appear to be that one guy who bought the 996. After working in the customer service industry for awhile, I know how outrageous some people are.

Anyhow I saw this report and considered it carefully. Vman has agreed to stop by and look at it, and I'm going to fly out there and look at it with a very careful eye. Only after a successful inspection will I move forward with the deal.

Furthermore, after reading 40 pages of positive feedback on eBay my confidence was somewhat restored.

Thanks for pointing this out though, I do appreciate how strait up folks are around here.

- Wolf

 

[Mccarlin]

I know the owners of windy City personally for a few years now and they have always been good stand up guys. They get a lot of their cars on auction so they may not know the complete history of some of the cars.
Good Luck! If your dealing with Gary tell him I said Hi (Mike Carlin)

 

[Sapphire RT/Tn]

Does this dealer happen to operate two dealerships? what is the owners name. Just want to make sure it's not the same guy that I dealt with last year.