Hey guys, I am soon to be a GTS owner and I need some advice. Not in all cases can I have one of the board members inspect the car prior to purchase. How can I inspect the car to see if it has not been in an accident? Vehicle history report is not always the place to check since some people would pay out of pocket for repairs. Besides the OBVIOUS gaps between panels, signs of paint work, opening the doors and checking hinges, under the hood, looking for signs....how can one identify these things? What about checking the frame? Is there a way that I can inspect a viper to seem that it is flawless and no hiden signs of repairs? Thanks for any info on this topic.
How to identify if a viper has been in an accident...
- Thread starter Marcus
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FrankBarba
Enthusiast
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If you can not find another club member to view your viper before purchasing, i suggest that you take it to a reptuable dealer with a very qualified viper tech.
Absolutely take it to a body shop. Not every Dodge connected body shop can do great work on plastic cars but pretty well any journeyman bodyman can put the car up on a hoist and tell you if it has ever been repaired. This is a lot more reliable method than Carfax, for any vehicle. I have bought cars long distance based on digital photos by having the seller take the car to a bodyshop that I selected. A Dodge dealer in the sellers area will be able to tell you who fixes their cars and away you go. Worth spending $100 to get a $50,000 car checked out.
<<<---look for photo evidence.
Really best to have someone familiar look at it.
I always look around all weatherstrip for overspray. Also look around glass for overspray, as well as rivet/bolts holding on body parts. I also find it easier to spot repairs in "not full sun" locations.
Factory welds on frame are a little rugged, so may not be able to visiually check.
And might as well ask on this board to see if anyone knows about that particular car...
Really best to have someone familiar look at it.
I always look around all weatherstrip for overspray. Also look around glass for overspray, as well as rivet/bolts holding on body parts. I also find it easier to spot repairs in "not full sun" locations.
Factory welds on frame are a little rugged, so may not be able to visiually check.
And might as well ask on this board to see if anyone knows about that particular car...
Thanks guys....I am in the position to buy this viper, but realistically, I am going to wait unit winter is almost over. Save some pennies and get the car for the summer....not worth spending 50k now and having it sit for 6 months....NY *****
big-n-italian
Enthusiast
if you find the front wheels on the roof - IT HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. 
CitySnake
Enthusiast
Where are you in NY? We've got quite a few members, techs AND a Wizard among others.
yes... where are you in NY?
I can cover the west end of the state, and The Wizard has the east NYC/CT side of the state.
I can cover the west end of the state, and The Wizard has the east NYC/CT side of the state.
Good way is to check the little glass liquid filled "tube" next to each headlight, if it was in a front end accident there would be no orange fluid left in there.
if possible tho I would have an expert check it for you, theres alot of friendly people in the NY/CT club that are willing to help, if you find one in CT (or close to it let me know)
if possible tho I would have an expert check it for you, theres alot of friendly people in the NY/CT club that are willing to help, if you find one in CT (or close to it let me know)
big-n-italian
Enthusiast
Someone correct me if i am wrong here.
a way to tell if the car has been re-painted, is by looking at the lower front corner of the front spoiler, and the front of the lower side sill behind the front wheel. there is suppose to be a piece of tape(?) there. if it isnt, the car has been repainted, and i was told that you cant buy these anywhere.
a way to tell if the car has been re-painted, is by looking at the lower front corner of the front spoiler, and the front of the lower side sill behind the front wheel. there is suppose to be a piece of tape(?) there. if it isnt, the car has been repainted, and i was told that you cant buy these anywhere.
Racer Robbie
Enthusiast
best way to check frame is to remove all panels under the car and look down all the frame rails. they should be straight when you put a straight edge or a laser level to them. also look for cracks in the pain which is a sure indication of a hit
danfromohio
Enthusiast
Yeah, but that is minor damage, it will buff right out! The engines normally lay on the ground in front of the car, right?if you find the front wheels on the roof - IT HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
big-n-italian
Enthusiast
<< Yeah, but that is minor damage, it will buff right out! >>
You are probably right Dan - i have heard good things about Pinnacle and Zaino. I am sure it wont be a problem.
You are probably right Dan - i have heard good things about Pinnacle and Zaino. I am sure it wont be a problem.
v10kingsnake
Viper Owner
Yeah, but that is minor damage, it will buff right out! The engines normally lay on the ground in front of the car, right?if you find the front wheels on the roof - IT HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
HOW THE HECK DID THIS HAPPEN. anyone know.
Yeah, but that is minor damage, it will buff right out! The engines normally lay on the ground in front of the car, right?if you find the front wheels on the roof - IT HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
HOW THE HECK DID THIS HAPPEN. anyone know.
Hope the driver survived.
Lee00blacksilverGTS
Enthusiast
There are two kinds of Viper guys, those who have scraped the bottom of the front spoiler and those who lie about it. Look underneath... if it is not scraped I would begin to worry what other flaws have been covered up.
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