Home Forums New Owner Questions & Introductions Gen 3 Purchase Input From Owners

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    • Fatman2006
      Member
      Post count: 349

      I’m not that well versed in all the different MY combos but those stripes are almost certainly not stock. Date code is more important than tire tread depth. Ask about oil cooler lines they can have very slow leaks, some Gen 3 had differential issues, ask about window regulators they are a common issue, ask about door solenoids they sometimes wont actuate. Those are the big ones I can think about, someone with more knowledge will hopefully chime in. Good luck with the purchase!

    • Shannon Whitehead
      Keymaster
      Post count: 274799

      No 2003 Vipers had production stripes. They were not available.

    • Shannon Whitehead
      Keymaster
      Post count: 274799

      As ViperSRT stated…stripes have been added by owner. I see it has had the cooling module recall(along with about 1300 others who were listed), had the light switch recall ( most of us took exception with the headlights flickering of going off at night), but has not had the airbag module recall done which would be a freebie to you if/when you decided to have it done (which I would strongly suggest that you have done if you buy it).

      This model was first with a dead pedal…which shifted the other pedals to the right…making it all too easy to mash the gas while braking…especially with large feet. Always check pads and rotors carefully regularly…including the parking brake pads since the inside pads drag and will “eat” the rear rotors. While it likely is a no impacter now, it would be nice to know build date as some Jan 2003 builds needed the valves replaced for lower HP issues (a supplier issue…many were done locally by experienced techs sent locally by factory). If the tires are old and the fluids neglected, hold back $4,000 to $6,000 to make it safe and road reliable.

      The Gen III cars are the last of the monster LOW END torque Vipers with a real throttle cable (no drive by wire lag)…a blast to drive but a car that demands respect.

      You need to determine service history on all fluids, age of tires, and find an experienced Viper Tech or at least a knowledgeable Viper owner to inspect it on a lift.

      Hopefully, you can drive it before finalizing any deal.

      Undoubtedly, others will add to my initial comments.

      P.S. Have YOU seen the AutoCheck snd/or CARFAX??

    • Shannon Whitehead
      Keymaster
      Post count: 274799

      Looking for some owner input on this:
      https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=557514535&zip=78108&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D78108%26city%3DCibolo%26incremental%3Dall%26modelCodeList%3DVIPER%26makeCodeList%3DDODGE%26listingTypes%3DUSED%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceASC%26location%3D%255Bobject%2BObject%255D%26state%3DTX%26firstRecord%3D0%26marketExtension%3Dinclude%26searchRadius%3D0%26isNewSearch%3Dfalse&listingTypes=USED&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&modelCodeList=VIPER&makeCodeList=DODGE&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=DODGE&modelCode1=VIPER&clickType=listing

      Interested, but I won’t be able to inspect it in person as I am currently limited to my local area due to my profession (for the foreseeable future).

      The price seems reasonable from what I have seen some auctions go for recently and list prices. Any suggestions on questions to ask the seller on first contact? Are those factory stripes for this MY? I have seen some with similar stripes but am new and unsure. I want more pictures of everything, along with any service records. I want to ask the tire depth, date codes, make/model and when they were installed last. I already have the financing lined up. I am tired of waiting for a fun third car and am looking to move on something by the end of this month. I am located in south Texas if anyone is local or knows of another one for sale near San Antonio. Slim pickens on the classified section right now. Thanks.

      -Justin

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