Great video! I've had my '05 for about 5 months now. So far I've had to get a new catalytic converter and power steering pump. It was in the shop for about a month waiting on the power steering pump to ship (there were only 8 available in the entire US) and then the power steering lines had to be manufactured since they couldn't find any OEMs. The day after I got it back, the new power steering lines that were installed had rubbed through one of the PCM cables and it broke down on the highway. I towed it back to the shop and they told me it was just a random blown ASD fuse. So I drove it home and it broke down on the highway again. So I finally towed it to a Viper tech about an hour away from where I live and they fixed the problem. It's been a little bit of a nightmare but my Viper is running great now! Hoping I can enjoy it for a while without any more major issues.
I need to buy one of these before they become unrealistic to obtain. The vipers and corvettes are probably the most reliable sports cars you'd ever own... and cheap to maintain
Unlike any of the Euro cars, you can work on a Viper with pretty much tools you already have (need a metric wrench/socket set). Despite looking exotic, a Viper is a true American hot rod and really not overly complicated.
Yes the Viper is much easier to work on than many European sports cars, but the big difference is price of parts. Viper parts, while more expensive than your Honda Civic, are much cheaper than a lot of European car parts and tend to be more robust and last longer.
@@LifeatSpeed I completely agree and the point I am making is that owning a Viper is much like owning any other American car in the sense that it can be worked on by the owner unlike the European exotics. I agree that Viper parts are not cheap but then that comes with the territory much like owning a Corvette (of course to a much lesser extend in most cases). I once owned a 74 Vette with a 454 and needed a fan belt, the parts story wanted something like $30 for the belt because it was for a Vette, got on from a station wagon of the same era that was the same length for like $10, probably still on the car. I have owned my 01 ACR since 2008 and love it.
Yes totally agree! Especially when it comes to on board diagnostics. You can use a basic scan tool for your Viper. I know on the more modern Ferraris specifically the software you need to work on them is like $20k!
So you're saying that they really aren't bad when it comes to reliability? Great, now I can make fun of Land Rovers for being unreliable without people calling me a hypocrite for my pfp and name.
How you doing sir good video I remember you saying on your first viper I believe you said it was total why what caused that and my next question how the brakes is on on the car and the traction I have seen videos staying that their breaks was small and hard to stop when speeding some people wrecked their car
So the reason my first Viper was totalled was due to the price of some of the replacement parts like the trunk tub that I cracked. That one part alone was $10,000. As for the brakes, yes the early Vipers especially before 2001 had undersized brakes. In 2001 abs was added to the brake system and made a huge difference. I have a video on upgrading Viper brake systems you may find interesting.
@@LifeatSpeed Damn! It gets going like it's ass is on fire! They do say Dodge is incapable of making a slow car (other than base model Chargers and Challengers). This is proof!
Some parts for the earlier generation cars are getting harder to find. I know headlight assemblies aren't available new. Recently it was discovered there is a new source for windshields of the earlier cars, so that was a huge relief. Michelin only does a run of 17" tires like once a year, so tires for the srock wheels are becoming an issue. The aftermarket is starting to see the hole being left by Dodge no longer producing parts for these cars and is working on filling that void. Hopefully over the next few years any gaps in parts availability will be filled.
I absolutely love the Dodge Viper. I literally grew up with it and now that I’m old enough to afford one I am hesitant to get one because of the parts issues. I have researched the crap out of these cars focusing really on the Gen 2 GTS. I read every article I come a cross and watch every Viper related video I can on the RUclipss. My biggest fear is finally finding one that I can reasonably afford, get it home and have a small part break then she becomes a garage queen because I can’t find the part. I want to drive this car everywhere when I finally do get it. I’ve seen videos (on RUclips where this has happened. So now I’m torn between the Viper (Gen 2 GTS is the goal) or a Mustang GT350, but of course the 350 has its issues. I love videos like this by the way. Hearing stories from owners of Vipers and seeing what issues pop up for them has really been helping me in my decision process so keep these videos coming!!
@@Kryponite_Hurts I can definitely understand the hesitation. Personally I wouldn't let the potential parts availability deter you from purchasing a gen 2 GTS. There are multiple companies like Roe Racing and Parts Rack that have all kinds of parts, plus there are Viper wrecking yards like X2 Builders that have a lot of used parts as well. And the Viper community for the most part is extremely helpful and resourceful. My 3 biggeat concerns with parts availability are windshields (which a new source just popped up within the last few weeks), the computer (which there are companies that can repair car computers), and tires availability (worst case put different wheels on it that have more tire options).
I have not heard of a lot of those companies so I really appreciate that. I am not nearly as worried about tires because I was planning on putting the Gen 5 sidewinder rims. I am a bit of a purest when it comes to the Viper so I want the one I buy to be as close as I can get to stock so that if I ever have to sell it I could revert all of my customized parts. Any other tips, tricks, or things to watch for when it comes to buying/owning a Viper?
Gen V wheels would be a great way to go! I've thought about doing that on mine. I'll think about other things people should know about Viper ownership as I know there is a lot to consider. I'll probably make more videos on this topic in the near future.
i think if i got one i'd get new rims that would fit a cheaper tire. it could end up looking better with some different rims anyways so it wouldn't be a downgrade or anything imo
Don’t use Mobil oil on Mopar cars they are not certified, shitty cheap oil. My friend had a problem with his RT after using this oil. Buy Penzoil or EOM Mopar
Thanks for another honest straight forward review 👍🏻 I’ve owned my Viper for 5 years and it’s been extremely reliable
You're welcome! Glad to hear yours has been solid like mine!
Great video! I've had my '05 for about 5 months now. So far I've had to get a new catalytic converter and power steering pump. It was in the shop for about a month waiting on the power steering pump to ship (there were only 8 available in the entire US) and then the power steering lines had to be manufactured since they couldn't find any OEMs. The day after I got it back, the new power steering lines that were installed had rubbed through one of the PCM cables and it broke down on the highway. I towed it back to the shop and they told me it was just a random blown ASD fuse. So I drove it home and it broke down on the highway again. So I finally towed it to a Viper tech about an hour away from where I live and they fixed the problem. It's been a little bit of a nightmare but my Viper is running great now! Hoping I can enjoy it for a while without any more major issues.
How's your viper doing so far Rav?
97 GTS owner here. Couldn't agree more, well said.
Thanks!
I need to buy one of these before they become unrealistic to obtain. The vipers and corvettes are probably the most reliable sports cars you'd ever own... and cheap to maintain
Unlike any of the Euro cars, you can work on a Viper with pretty much tools you already have (need a metric wrench/socket set). Despite looking exotic, a Viper is a true American hot rod and really not overly complicated.
Yes the Viper is much easier to work on than many European sports cars, but the big difference is price of parts. Viper parts, while more expensive than your Honda Civic, are much cheaper than a lot of European car parts and tend to be more robust and last longer.
@@LifeatSpeed I completely agree and the point I am making is that owning a Viper is much like owning any other American car in the sense that it can be worked on by the owner unlike the European exotics. I agree that Viper parts are not cheap but then that comes with the territory much like owning a Corvette (of course to a much lesser extend in most cases). I once owned a 74 Vette with a 454 and needed a fan belt, the parts story wanted something like $30 for the belt because it was for a Vette, got on from a station wagon of the same era that was the same length for like $10, probably still on the car. I have owned my 01 ACR since 2008 and love it.
Yes totally agree! Especially when it comes to on board diagnostics. You can use a basic scan tool for your Viper. I know on the more modern Ferraris specifically the software you need to work on them is like $20k!
Get the the service manual , you can almost make one from scratch with the information that is inside . I got mine used for $14.
The factory service manual definitely comes in handy! I buy one for every car I buy.
So you're saying that they really aren't bad when it comes to reliability? Great, now I can make fun of Land Rovers for being unreliable without people calling me a hypocrite for my pfp and name.
Exactly, at least from my experience.
Tires should be replaced at how many years ?
General rule of thumb is if the tires are more than 7 years old they should be replaced, especially Michelins
How you doing sir good video I remember you saying on your first viper I believe you said it was total why what caused that and my next question how the brakes is on on the car and the traction I have seen videos staying that their breaks was small and hard to stop when speeding some people wrecked their car
So the reason my first Viper was totalled was due to the price of some of the replacement parts like the trunk tub that I cracked. That one part alone was $10,000. As for the brakes, yes the early Vipers especially before 2001 had undersized brakes. In 2001 abs was added to the brake system and made a huge difference. I have a video on upgrading Viper brake systems you may find interesting.
I had 245k miles on my 1999 ws6 trans am. Why ppl think 100k is reliable
Awesome garage!
Thank you!
How did missing a shift damage the pinion bearing. Awesome who makes the 355 gears. Thanks.
Honestly I am not sure, but that is exactly what happened.
I like the Viper and that Sleeper Neon, ready to run them Honda Civics back to Japan. Lmao
I love my neon! Running mid 12s in the quarter, not too shabby for a little turbo neon
@@LifeatSpeed Damn! It gets going like it's ass is on fire!
They do say Dodge is incapable of making a slow car (other than base model Chargers and Challengers). This is proof!
Dodge loves their hp! The neon stock ran a 13.9 in the quarter, but I've done soke work to this one
@@LifeatSpeed Sheesh. That's 2010 super car territory.
It is. My friends get a kick out of it when I bring it out on drives and keep up with the supercars.
I’ve heard parts can be very difficult to come by...
Some parts for the earlier generation cars are getting harder to find. I know headlight assemblies aren't available new. Recently it was discovered there is a new source for windshields of the earlier cars, so that was a huge relief. Michelin only does a run of 17" tires like once a year, so tires for the srock wheels are becoming an issue. The aftermarket is starting to see the hole being left by Dodge no longer producing parts for these cars and is working on filling that void. Hopefully over the next few years any gaps in parts availability will be filled.
I absolutely love the Dodge Viper. I literally grew up with it and now that I’m old enough to afford one I am hesitant to get one because of the parts issues. I have researched the crap out of these cars focusing really on the Gen 2 GTS. I read every article I come a cross and watch every Viper related video I can on the RUclipss. My biggest fear is finally finding one that I can reasonably afford, get it home and have a small part break then she becomes a garage queen because I can’t find the part. I want to drive this car everywhere when I finally do get it. I’ve seen videos (on RUclips where this has happened. So now I’m torn between the Viper (Gen 2 GTS is the goal) or a Mustang GT350, but of course the 350 has its issues. I love videos like this by the way. Hearing stories from owners of Vipers and seeing what issues pop up for them has really been helping me in my decision process so keep these videos coming!!
@@Kryponite_Hurts I can definitely understand the hesitation. Personally I wouldn't let the potential parts availability deter you from purchasing a gen 2 GTS. There are multiple companies like Roe Racing and Parts Rack that have all kinds of parts, plus there are Viper wrecking yards like X2 Builders that have a lot of used parts as well. And the Viper community for the most part is extremely helpful and resourceful. My 3 biggeat concerns with parts availability are windshields (which a new source just popped up within the last few weeks), the computer (which there are companies that can repair car computers), and tires availability (worst case put different wheels on it that have more tire options).
I have not heard of a lot of those companies so I really appreciate that. I am not nearly as worried about tires because I was planning on putting the Gen 5 sidewinder rims. I am a bit of a purest when it comes to the Viper so I want the one I buy to be as close as I can get to stock so that if I ever have to sell it I could revert all of my customized parts. Any other tips, tricks, or things to watch for when it comes to buying/owning a Viper?
Gen V wheels would be a great way to go! I've thought about doing that on mine. I'll think about other things people should know about Viper ownership as I know there is a lot to consider. I'll probably make more videos on this topic in the near future.
i think if i got one i'd get new rims that would fit a cheaper tire. it could end up looking better with some different rims anyways so it wouldn't be a downgrade or anything imo
There really isn't a cheap tire option when you go to a 335-355 rear tire width
Don’t use Mobil oil on Mopar cars they are not certified, shitty cheap oil. My friend had a problem with his RT after using this oil. Buy Penzoil or EOM Mopar
yes, saved u 7 minutes
That's completely untrue