What to look out for when buying a 2005 Viper

[CrownedIndigo]

I found a 2005 Viper in Yellow with 28000 miles. I wanna know what to look out for? what kind of problems do these years have?

I posted a link to the vehicle if anyone with expertise can help me feel this out?

http://www.ottosource.com/vehicle-de...tx-id-25800843

[BlknBlu]

Welcome to the site.

Besides previous owner damage and wear an the normal issues with these cars, such as Window regulators, Oil lines, and original tires. The 05 Viper has very few issues.

Bruce

[CrownedIndigo]

Welcome to the site.

Besides previous owner damage and wear an the normal issues with these cars, such as Window regulators, Oil lines, and original tires. The 05 Viper has very few issues.

Bruce

Thank you, Bruce.
I am hoping to work out a good deal on this car, the carfax shows 3 owners not sure if that is something i mind but car looks pretty taken care of. No accidents shown. Thank you for your input.

[BlknBlu]

If you can get it on a lift and look for frame damage. panel replacement is not big deal, but these cars are not just 2 frame rails. Built more like a dune buggy with very good protection on the drivers seat.

Bruce

[repiV]

My 2005 needed shocks at about 30,000 miles...they were all leaking. If I remember right, the OEM replacements were around $800/corner from the dealer. I ended up having Mark at Woodhouse put MCS shocks on it for a little more than the OEMs would have cost.

[sonicbloo]

The car looks great, and also to have been lowered. Check for scrapes under the nose cone. Cheap fix, but could be a bargaining point.

Check the blower motor/fan works on all speeds, mine only worked on 'high', before seizing totally due to water ingress. Look at the date on the tyres, they drive crap on the original runflats. Check condition of the convertible top, they are not cheap to replace.

[Creatre]

I have a 05 yellow (fairly rare) and this looks to be a good deal. Check the dates on the tires if they are older than 5 years definitely replace them. Otherwise looks in good shape and is priced very well already (not sure how much else they will negotiate). Like someone else said definitely lowered but dont see any other obvious mods. May have an exhaust but don’t usually have black tips aftermarket. The cars are cheap to maintain overall. Good luck!

[Viperholic]

1D66CA06-3DC2-409C-999E-7BEC3CCE34D2.jpeg3B3D901D-57F6-4F2F-B6B6-C4BA04441DDE.jpgF0AD3F27-1C49-4985-AF5E-96ED0D8C5DDF.jpgF85F1685-5613-446F-B19B-497C8AC0D705.jpeg6F90CCFC-D937-42D0-BA1C-C0287529FB2F.jpeg@crownedindigo, about a year ago, I was in your shoes. I’ve wanted a 2005 Yellow Viper my entire life. I just bought one. I couldn’t be happier. I can’t get into the fine details like these other Viper guys can (because they have decades more experience than I do), but I will lay out what I got for the money, and what I have observed with MY Viper. I’ve been a hardcore Viper freak my entire life, and THIS is the Viper I have wanted my entire life, so consider this a biased review, written with love.

I bought my Viper in October (10/22/2018, delivery date), from a very nice guy in AZ named Mike. Upon delivery, it had 14,200 miles. It was well documented and virtually pristine on delivery. I paid $38,000 for my 2005 Yellow Viper SRT-10, private party.

Before delivery, I had it appraised and inspected by Eddie Martin in Phoenix. I bought this car sight unseen after Eddie’s report. It had a shining appraisal, and the only issues Eddie identified were “slowly seeping oil cooler lines” and a deteriorating window regulator. Those are VERY WELL KNOWN Gen 3 viper issues. Cheap to fix. If you’re interested in the appraisal info, PM me.

Upon delivery, the car is immaculate. The engine is spotless and without issue, as well as the entire drivetrain. It drives, sounds, and truly is, like a dream. The paint is incredible. The car was very well cared for it’s entire life. It’s bullet fast and handles like a Porsche. But it has major attitude. Be aware at all times.

The issues: I had to replace the windshield wipers immediately. They were dry rotted from 14 years of underuse, this car shows zero signs of ever being in the rain. You can only get wipers from Mopar, and they cost $80-$100. The driver side window regulator is failing. That costs around $350 per window, not including labor. I inspected the oil cooler lines, and they drip once per week (ish) but they need to be replaced. They cost $300-$400 to replace without labor (ish).

I haven’t replaced the window regulator or oil lines, but both are in the works. Thankfully, I have a mechanic in town that owns Vipers and knows them well. When spring comes, the work gets done. For now, when I drive once per month for 20-30 miles, it’s a non-issue. I’ve put 130 miles on her since delivery. Odometer now reads 14,330.

All that being said, I personally, am completely STOKED on my Viper. It drives like a dream, handles like it’s on rails, and makes me smile nonstop. It has a TON of life for a 14 year old car. If you do your research and buy carefully, you won’t be disappointed. Such a rare car in a rare color. Only 322 Yellow 2005 roadsters made!

What to look out for, in my experience (non-mechanical, not my expertise): Window regulators, oil cooler lines, windshield wipers. Those aren’t deal-breakers though, just extra costs.

Talking points: Also, REALLY look out for tires. Old tires are DANGEROUS on any car, on Vipers, they will kill you. If the tires are more than a couple years old, replace them before you end up in a box in the ground. Vipers FLY, tires are the only thing keeping you attached to the ground.
If you’re a tall guy like I am (6’2), consider seat lowering. Kits are available. I plan on it. This car has no top, so keep the rubber side down. Tires are a big part of keeping the rubber side down, good rubber is imperative. You flip this car, you’re done, no respawn.

Overall, it’s a badass car that I LOVE driving. It makes me happy. It will make you happy also, but never ever forget, RESPECT THE SNAKE. IT WILL BITE YOUR ASS if you don’t. Do not mess around in first or second until you understand it, give it time. Just cruise and SLOWLY get used to her. SLOWLY. I’ve driven very fast cars before buying my Viper, and I punched it in second a few days ago, and GOOOD GODDD. I ALMOST needed a priest. The Viper has more torque than most Ferrari’s, don’t forget that, EVER.

-Chaz

[Desert Venom Racer]

Great post Viperholic!

[TennesseeViper]

This is my first post to this driveviper.com and agree with everything said in the previous post. I bought a red an '06 vert a year ago with around 20,000 miles on it. The snake runs perfectly. The only issues I had was a very insignificant oil leak at the oil cooler line, windshield wipers needed replacement, but the window regulators were fine. Love it. I do not go over the speed limit, don't over accelerate, no track or drag. Not for me. I just love the car and how it drives and looks. I compare it to my Mooney Rocket for those airplane lovers out there - speed is great to have it, like money in the bank. I just don't spend it

[99RT10]

This is my first post to this driveviper.com and agree with everything said in the previous post. I bought a red an '06 vert a year ago with around 20,000 miles on it. The snake runs perfectly. The only issues I had was a very insignificant oil leak at the oil cooler line, windshield wipers needed replacement, but the window regulators were fine. Love it. I do not go over the speed limit, don't over accelerate, no track or drag. Not for me. I just love the car and how it drives and looks. I compare it to my Mooney Rocket for those airplane lovers out there - speed is great to have it, like money in the bank. I just don't spend it

Congrats. I'm not too far from you(Johnson City). If you come to the Tri-cities, they have a lot of car get together's when the weather gets nice.

[Viperholic]

Great post Viperholic!

Thanks Venom! Just speaking from the heart. I’m humbled by my Viper and truly enjoying the experience!

[Viperholic]

This is my first post to this driveviper.com and agree with everything said in the previous post. I bought a red an '06 vert a year ago with around 20,000 miles on it. The snake runs perfectly. The only issues I had was a very insignificant oil leak at the oil cooler line, windshield wipers needed replacement, but the window regulators were fine. Love it. I do not go over the speed limit, don't over accelerate, no track or drag. Not for me. I just love the car and how it drives and looks. I compare it to my Mooney Rocket for those airplane lovers out there - speed is great to have it, like money in the bank. I just don't spend it

EXTREMELY good euphemism. Horsepower is like casino chips. Don’t bet them all at once or you’ll find yourself ass up. Finding yourself ass up in a Viper is NOT a good thing.

I don’t race or drag my Viper either. I don’t live near a track. I drive with respect for my car and the other drivers on the road. I’m a paramedic. I’ve seen what reckless abandon brings. I won’t elaborate, but I can tell you that I have first hand seen insides on the outside from careless driving mistakes. Keep your insides on the inside. Don’t be stupid on the street. Don’t race Honda’s in your Viper. You have nothing to prove.

I know what my Viper can do. I’ve been passenger in a Viper with a professional driver. I’m NOT a professional driver. I have ZERO desire to make my Viper prove to me what she can do. She can do far more than what I can handle. So, we cruise, gently, and with high degrees of respect for our lives, and the lives around us.

Vipers are smooth and easy to cruise safely, but they are BRUTALLY POWERFUL. If you abandon your common sense, you, or another motorist, will DIE.

[CrownedIndigo]

Thank you to everyone for the wisdom. I will see what i can do on the car and get it inspected if i can and i will check all the things mentioned. Hopefully i will be a Viper owner soon!

[Kainedogg]

I hope you end up with your dream Viper friend. Once you get it...maybe a supercharger to liven things up a bit...more.

[Viperholic]

Ironic. I was just posting about oil cooler lines. I took the Viper on a TEN MILE cruise yesterday to get the juices moving, and my oil lines sprung a significant leak. Enough to make me nervous.

I just ordered a set of Viper Specialty Performance lines ($374) and am having them installed immediately. I looked at JTSVP and VSP lines, and decided on the VSP lines after some research. I’ll report back in about a week or two when they’re installed.

The moral of the story, oil cooler lines. Don’t ignore them. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s something you’re pretty much guaranteed to spend money on when you buy a Viper made after 2002. Just like window regulators and speeding tickets.