Need Imput on buying 99 GTS ACR

[SYNFULL]

Hi,
I have been looking at vipers for years and finally decided a couple of months ago to finally do it. I put my 88 cherry 383 vette up for sale and sold it yesterday. My friend called me today from the auto aucion where he was buying a car. He noted a 99 silver gts acr was coming up for auction starting at 20k. The car looked perfect but has a salvage title. It was from a drug bust.
They told him it was in an accident but was fully repaired. He said it looked perfect- engine and body except for some discoloration on the door sills from the exhaust underneath. Also it has no air but does have a stereo system. As he was telling me about it the aucion began. I was ******ng myself as he was bidding the car for me. I ended up getting it for 27k. I don't know whether to celebrate or what.
I really wanted a 97 b&w, and am not looking foward to the harder ride and no air. Can air be added? I guess I am taking a big chance with the salvage title and all, but I see a 99 acr with 18k and a salvage title just sold on autotrader and they were asking 58k.
Did I get a good deal? What should I look for. I am supposed to pick the car up tuesday.
Thanks!
Garwood

 

[Joseph Dell]

If you want me to buy the car site unseen from you for 28k, just say the word.

Depending on the damage, you either got the deal of the century or you are going to hate yourself. But more than likely you got a deal.

BTW - salvage cars make great track cars.

JD

 

[SYNFULL]

JD,
Thanks- you've given me hope
Garwood

 

[Joseph Dell]

What I _meant_ to say was "you don't want that piece o' crap. Just call me and I'll pick it up on your behalf".



JD

 

[SYNFULL]

That's what i thought you meant JD. I am not going to be able to wait until tuesday. Imagine buying a car and never seeing it or knowing anything about it. The suspense will kill me- If my wife doesn't first
Garwood

 

[Joseph Dell]

Where is bucks, co, PA? I'll be in princeton, NJ (not too far from PA) Wed through Friday. Seriously, if you want someone to check out the car for you we could meet up...

JD

 

[SYNFULL]

JD that sounds great. Give me a call on my cell phone when You get a chance
215-852-6849

 

[Casey]

Sounds like you got a real STEAL. If it was repaired properly and it's without any problems, you really did well.

Good luck with it!

 

[Viper X]

Sounds very good. Hope all is as it should be.

 

[SYNFULL]

Yes, I will just have to hope it was done right. My friend that bought it for me at the auction is a mechanic and he said all looked well- but we will have to get it on a lift and take a better look.
I will let you know what's up.
BTW JD Bucks Pa is about 30 min from princeton NJ - south on route 1
Thanks All
Garwood

 

[Dv8tor]

Sounds like you got it at a price that you could at least get your money back if for some reason you didn't want it anymore. Keep your fingers & toes crossed that it was repaired well. Good luck with it.

 

[01sapphireGTS]

Garwood: Bucks County is a beautiful part of the country. Now onto the ACR. If you are looking for a nice weekend cruiser, you may not be happy with the car your "buddy" bought for you. He bought a "track car". But the good news is that you can prob sell it for a profit and then buy what you want. I personally would start changing it like adding A/C etc... Just sell it and buy the car your looking for. My advice would be to have a VCA Member look at the next one with/for you. If I can be of any help, I would be glad to lend a hand.

 

[SYNFULL]

Todd,
That were my thoughts exactly- my wife doesn't seem to understand, she thinks I am looking a gift horse in the mouth and just want to spend more money
I appreciate your offer annd may take you up on it.
Thanks
Garwood

 

[jdavis]

I hope that the ACR turns out well for you. I agree that you should be able to get out of it with a profit should you choose. I would be reluctant to add A/C to the car unless you intend to keep it. You would add to your cost basis and also there were not many ACRs ordered without the "comfort package" (A/C).

 

[BLWNV10]

""Congratulations"" on your car and great deal. It sound like you are in the car at a good enough price that it doesn't matter if you add the AC or not. You should be able to make a nice profit. I Don't think you would lose the money on the AC. Have fun playing with your car.
Alan

 

[Camfab]

It's funny, different people have different perspectives. I personally would not buy a salvaged car, but what makes your car so special is that it's a non A/C car. Seems like Viper guys all want A/C. When I bought my ACR I was looking for a non A/C car. First off they are lighter and secondly they are among the rarest of all Vipers. I believe they are the best kept secret out there. Then again most of you don't think like me. Good Luck

 

[Viperviking]

Great deal..I do have a 99 ACR myself, and just love the car. It rides harder than my stock GTS, but you can always adjust the suspension to a smoother ride. You have a factory gain of 10hp compered to a GTS, but this is something you can't really feel to much of. Be aware that most ACR's has been driven hard, and check the engine for any valve or lifterrattle and your tranny for 5th and 6th shiftproblems. No surprice that it has a "salvage" title, since I found that many ACR's have, when I was looking for one myself. Most likely a front or sideimpact that gave it the "salvage" title, but this you can find out if you run a serach on the title. You will find that on a nice hot summerday it will be almost unberable to drive this car witouth AC, but if I was you I would ceep it stock since this is a rear snake without AC. Does it still have the ACR plaque in front of the shifter, the ACR floormats and the original 5point harness??

 

[SYNFULL]

Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

Camfab,
I think this car may have air as my friend was rushed when he looked at it and people were sitting in the car. Also it was a lease vehicle and I can't see anyone leasing a viper without air. I read that there were only 8 acr's made in 99 without out air so I guess it would be a rare car if it doesn't.
What really worries me is the junk/salvage title. Here is the report. I really don't understand it - I thought that a junk titled car can't be resold- but then I read that some states use a junk title the same as a salvage title.
Anyone that understands these things please I need your help before I buy this car tomorrow. They already have 1000 deposit that I can't get back.
Thanks!
Garwood

7/23/1999 FL 20 Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV
07/29/1999 FL Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:79291244) (Leased Vehicle) (Lien Reported)
07/29/1999 FL Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:0079291244) (Leased Vehicle) (Lien Reported)
07/29/1999 ORLANDO, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL (Leased Vehicle)
04/26/2000 HOUSTON, TX Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
JUNK VEHICLE
05/11/2000 BEEVILLE, TX 4,009 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:22733736646142059) (Lien Reported)
04/01/2001 WESLACO, TX Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/01/2001 TX Motor Vehicle Dept. RECONDITIONED
INSURANCE LOSS
05/07/2001 HOUSTON, TX 11,720 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:29723037016103143)
06/05/2003 WESLACO, TX Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
RECONDITIONED
INSURANCE LOSS
09/16/2003 BIRMINGHAM, AL 18,900 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:31432680)
REBUILT/REBUILDABLE
10/29/2004 LANDISVILLE, PA 19,407 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:61153400)
RECONSTRUCTED (Lien Reported)
11/13/2004 LANDISVILLE, PA Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL

 

[John ACR]

Re: Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

GARWOOD,
I left you a msg.
Give me a call.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Re: Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

04/26/2000 HOUSTON, TX Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
JUNK VEHICLE
05/11/2000 BEEVILLE, TX 4,009 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:22733736646142059) (Lien Reported)
04/01/2001 WESLACO, TX Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/01/2001 TX Motor Vehicle Dept. RECONDITIONED
INSURANCE LOSS
05/07/2001 HOUSTON, TX 11,720 Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:29723037016103143)
06/05/2003 WESLACO, TX Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
RECONDITIONED

Looks like it was totalled in the spring of 2000 and repaired a year later.

 

[01sapphireGTS]

Re: Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

In my mind it looks like your "buddy" has a $1000 deposit that "he" won't be able to get back... I mean this is water under the bridge, but you just can't have a non-viper buddy buy you a car after seeing it for 3 minutes at an auction. That's just insane. From what I'm told these are the most wrecked cars produced per capita. IF you do have to buy it, it's probably a car that you will want to flip asap, so you can get the car you are looking for.

BTW, what were/are you looking for ?

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

Todd,
It's my money because he was doing me a favor and I wouldn't stick him with it. He has a car repair business and sells a few cars here and there. He was there buying a car for his daughter when he saw the viper and knew I was looking.
Actually what I was looking for is a low mileage gts - either like yours or blue and white, Silver and blue, etc. Just something to enjoy on a nice day. I've had my vette for 17 years and it only had 33k on it.
Thanks
Garwood

 

[Janni]

Re: Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

Well,
Here's the good news - it was salvaged and reconditioned all within the process and not "washed". That should give you some sense of relief, as since the repair was made, it had to pass some level of inspection in order to be recertified for road use.

Lots of Vieprs get totaled out due to the high cost of parts. With list price of a hood going for $18K, that puts a big bent in the 50% bracket. The Viper is not a hard car to repair. It's a simple body on frame design - it's just that the parts are expensive as all get out. Only when you can buy the wrecked car for a VERY low price, or have access to spare / takeoff parts is it worthwhile to rebuild a salvaged Viper. However, if you have this access - it can be a good deal.

Look at the car up on a lift. Check body panel alignment - hood gaps, etc. That's the hardest thing to get right. Check out the radiator core support, and a couple of "tubes" that run between frame rails both front and rear.

All that being said, I have a favorite GTS that a friend owns that has been totaled and repaired and it is by far the BEST car to drive - it's drives straight and true and the engine and brakes and everything are just fine.

Hope this all works out for you - and please post some pics and take the folks up on their offers to check the car out. Hope you got a great car!

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

I am going to tha auction site tomorrow to try to check out the frame and underneath the car- as much as I can see anyway as I can't even test drive the car let alone put it on a lift until I pay for it- that is the way these auctions work. I will try to snap some pics of the car to post.

Thanks to all that have helped
Garwood

 

[cobramadness]

Re: Need Your Help! 99 GTS ACR

Seems like you can easily turn around and sell the car for $27k or more if you decide you are not happy with it. Especially if it is in the condition described, just my opinion though.