Need help on buying a viper

[wastntim]

I am looking for some help please. I am looking to purchase my first viper. I would like to buy an 01 or 02 RT. I am considering yellow or saph. blue. There are a few cars available at local dealers. yellow 01 8,000 miles or 2 blue ones each with 14,000 miles. I was wondering what range of price I should be willing to pay these cars? It almost seems the yellow ones go for more money. Is this true? All cars are in good condition, just a few nicks here and there. Carfax is good on all.

Second question is: If I buy a yellow one, I would want to paint black stripes on it. Is this a mistake? I would be altering it from stock. I know they make decals, but I wasn't sure they would look good. I would be modifying the exhaust, and air intake and maybe the radio, but not much else. Should I leave it the stock color? I don't know how long I will own it. Could be for 4 years or maybe 20, I don't know.

Finally, should I avoid the dealers and try and only buy from private sellers? Problem is they are hard to find.

 

[bluestreak]

I would say mid 50's for low mileage 01/02's is what you shuold look for. In fact there is a bumblebee for sale with only 4k miles on vi peralley.com It's the best deal I've seen for an 01' 02 model year. If I were you I would buy it. I have set 49k as my limit or I would buy it. Painting black stripes may decrease value if it's a collector but most people want the car to look great. Most seem to be ok with their vinyl stripes which if I buy solid I will do as well the paint on stripes coast anywhere from 4-12k from what I've heard and may decrease value so it's not worth it IMO.

 

[wastntim]

I was wondering if the edges of the stripes would be too apparant?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Lots of people go with vinyl stripes and are happy with them. I thinking painting stripes may be a mistake. And everyone modifies their Viper's radio (they ****), exhaust (sounds like a UPS truck), intake (just add K&N filters and smooth tubes and you'll be fine). All those can be put back to stock if you ever want it 100% stock again, so don't worry about doing any of that!

 

[wastntim]

Thanks for the info. Any opinion on price?
Is yellow worth more than blue?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Yellow and sapphire are both popular Viper colors. Sapphire was only offered in 01', so its the more rare color of the 2, but not sure if its the more popular. Yellow seems to catch a premium in other sportscars, but in this case, i think it'd be about even because of rarity (blue) vs. popular (yellow) cancel each other out.

EDIT: I didnt even know they made a sapphire RT/10, I thought it was a GTS only color. Anyone got pics of a sapphire RT?

 

[roofum]

here are couple of pictures ITS FOR SALE

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Before Big-n-Italian kicks me in the head for not checking the registry 1st, I just looked and saw some of the sapphire RT/10. Actually, I did know they made one. I forgot Tiger had one. Darn brainfarts...

 

[ViperJoe]

V10speedluvr........shame on you for not knowing your family tree! LOL!!!!

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

V10speedluvr........shame on you for not knowing your family tree! LOL!!!!

LOL well I'm sure I still know Vipers better than my cousins

 

[RedOne]

Here's a deal on a yellow 02... I believe you can buy it for around 46 - 47K if you can live with the fact it was a Buy Back (water pump failure). I know I could live with that fact....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300014905986&category=6209

 

[wastntim]

I appreciate all of the help.

 

[kcobean]

This is my car...It has a single paint-code tied to the VIN, which means from the factory it came just yellow. I say if you like the stripes, get 'em done:

You must be registered for see images

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

This is my car...It has a single paint-code tied to the VIN, which means from the factory it came just yellow. I say if you like the stripes, get 'em done:

You mean you finally got that thing? j/k

 

[wastntim]

I love the colors. Can I ask how much it cost to paint?

 

[kcobean]

This is my car...It has a single paint-code tied to the VIN, which means from the factory it came just yellow. I say if you like the stripes, get 'em done:

You mean you finally got that thing? j/k

ROFL...smart @$$!!!!

 

[kcobean]

I love the colors. Can I ask how much it cost to paint?

You can ask, but I couldn't tell you. I bought the car like you see it. I'd expect it to cost a couple grand though, given that once the stripes are painted on, they should get a clear-coat, which means the entire roof/hatch panel, the hood, the rear tail-light surround, the rear bumper and the front fascia will get prepped/cleared.

 

[wastntim]

Why is it that only one out of every ten cars actuallys sells on ebay. Are people asking too much or offering too little?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Why is it that only one out of every ten cars actuallys sells on ebay. Are people asking too much or offering too little?

Ebay is used as a advertisement tool by many. They put the car up there, ask a price that is too high just for the exposure. They have their phone # in the auction, and then sell offline and dont have to pay as many Ebay fees.

 

[kcobean]

I sold my highly modified 350Z on Ebay. It was a very frustrating process. People shopping ebay are usually looking for that "deal of a lifetime" I think. If you're asking reasonable market value for a car, they just pass you over.