GTS Coupe Which year to buy and why??

[dbvettez06]

I have been thinking about this for quite a while, and have decided to come over to the dark side...Which year would you recommend buying and why, which year to avoid? I have an 01 Z06 which is supercharged, and runs 535 rwhp and 465 RWTQ....It is a mint car with 16000 miles, has been trouble free, but i am ready for the change...

 

[Saleen-Explorer]

I'd say 01-02 just for the ABS alone.

 

[96 GTS]

Buy a '96 of course. Actually, if I was going to buy a GTS today, I'd look for the best 2002 I could lay my hands on. BTW congrats on your "coming over to the dark side". We call that "seeing the light". My wife drives a '02 stock Z06, and it's a fine car, but you will NEVER regret making the switch to the Viper GTS. Welcome aboard!

 

[Simms]

I'd go 99. Has all the nice interior upgrades/changes, and it still has the forged pistons. However, no ABS.

 

[C O D Y]

ABS is a big plus, but they are all good.

 

[Sam 01 RT10]

I think the answer lies in what you plan to do with the car. If you plan on high boost or lots of nitrous, then a 99 or previous car would be a good choice. If you plan on mild bolt ons, or a low boost Roe, then go for a '01-'02 and enjoy the better brake balance and ABS.
I had the same questions when I purchased my RT/10, heh.

 

[JGK95]

Costwise how much is it to upgrade to ABS versus getting a Creampuff with ABS and upgrading the Pistons. A valid question if there ever is one! This will definitely help me determine which year I would buy.

Thanks!

Jay K.

 

[ChrisGTS]

I made the switch from a Z06 to a Viper and wanted one with ABS, so I got an 02. I think the ABS is important enough to hold out for. The only caveat is that if you want to do heavy engine mods (like a blower or whatever), the older cars with forged pistons are supposed to be more suited to accepting that kind of power. That was Simms' point.

 

[Viperfreak2]

If you are used to the computers 'catching' you when you make a mistake in the Z06, you will want an ABS Viper. I can't imagine how many times I would have been 'off-road' in the GTS without it. Do a search in recently wrecked Vipers here on this site.

I was lucky in the RT/10 I didn't damage the car or myself when the brakes couldn't save my foolish driving. My heart stopped a few times though.

 

[Simms]

Get some opinions on the StopTech big brake kit from guys without ABS and see what you think (incase you end up with a car without ABS).

 

[Matt M PA]

I have had a '94 RT, '96 GTS and now a 2000 GTS. This 2000 has been my favorite.

If you are hung-up on having ABS (I'm not)then you will need a later car, as mentioned above.

If it were me, I'd be more concerned with getting a nice, clean car in a color I like over the ABS, non-ABS issue.

(All the above said...one day I'd still like to have another sidepipe RT...I guess I should consider myself lucky to be out of garage space)

 

[ChrisGTS]

To continue beating the brake issue -- I also think that the rear rotors and pistons are bigger on the 01 and 02 cars, so the brake bias is supposed to be more balanced than the earlier ones. Obviously, this assumes a stock setup -- if you do aftermarket brakes the earlier cars will stop like crazy.

 

[JGK95]

Chris GTS makes a good point. I'd like to look at an aftermarket solution of a Brembro setup with forged pistons in case I go towards the Twin Turbo solution. If I can't have the best of both worlds like some, which is the costlier solution? Aftermarket brakes on a forged piston car or an ABS Car with a piston change from cast to forged?

Thanks for all answers,

Jay K.