I am seriously considering the purchase of a Viper in the next 2 weeks - I have debated the SRT 10 vs the GTS/RT-10 and concluded the GEN II's in my opinion look the most exotic and have the true Viper magic. I am considering the purchase of a 2001 Red/cognac interior GTS with 17,000 miles on it. Some questions:
1) Is $53,000 a reasonable price for a showroom GTS with 17k on it?
2) If the car is a 2001 should I expect some original warranty with the car?
3) Comparably to the SRT 10 is the GTS a more tame vehicle - does it have the same amount of torque that the SRT 10 does and is it more manageable? If respected is the car safe or does it have a mind of its own regardless how you drive?
4) Does heat accumulate in the car like reports on the SRT 10?
5) How is the stock stereo in a 2001 GTS?
6) Were there any problems, recalls or related mechanicals that I should be aware of related to the 2001 GTS model?
7) Any other advice?
Thanks
In my opinion, The GTS and RT/10 are far nicer looking than the SRT. When I was looking in late '03 I had a deposit down on a SRT and was all ready to order one. Driving home from work one of the exotic rental-car places just got a red one in. I stopped in and eagerly looked but was not impressed. The car just seemed flat and bland. It was red, which in my opinion is one of the worst colors for the SRT. They don't look bad in black, or perhaps even silver, but red just does not look good on the car. I ended up buying a new FE GTS that a dealer still had in the showroom. I got a much nicer looking car as well as a much nicer price.
In regards to your questions:
1) I think that is a fair price, however better deals could possibly be out there.
2) I believe in '01 all Vipers were covered for 3 yrs/ 36,000 miles for everything. So unless the car comes with an extended warranty, there is no more warranty.
3) The GTS has 490 lb/ft of torque at the flywheel and the SRT has 525 lb/ft at the flywheel. While this is more, the SRT's wheels are also an inch larger in diameter. This raises the gear ratio compared to the GTS and decreases bottom-end punch. The SRT probably has a little more snap to it, but not incredibly much. If respected, the car is definitely safe and is a pleasure to drive. Magazines make this car out to be some uncontrollable beast, but it's not. Personally, I think it rides smooth, has great handling, and is an absolute blast.
4) I live out in the middle of nowhere in the hottest and driest part of the U.S. I drive my GTS frequently to Death Valley and never have a problem with the car overheating, excess cabin heat, etc. The AC always blows nice and cold and the hardtop saves my head from the scorching sun.
5) I think the stock radio is good. It plays just as nice as the Harmon/Kardon unit in my M3, and the volume even increases as the speed increases. The unit in my M3 doesn't do that, and people usually say that Harmon/Kardon systems are the best and full-featured. Perhaps in an RT/10 you would want a more powerful unit due to all the wind buffeting, but in the GTS I think the stock radio works just fine.
6) I don't believe there were any recalls in '01. I am not sure about this though. Later model ABS equipped snakes tend to have all the problems ironed out from previous years. They could be considered the perfected Viper.
7) Don't rush your purchase and make sure you get what you want, not just what is available. There will always be cars popping up for sale. I made the exact same choice as you, researched greatly before I made the purchase, and got the car I truly wanted.
Best of luck in your search.
