Used Viper or new Challenger

[Magnumcharger]

I was just talking to my wife this morning about buying a used Viper vs. buying a new Challenger!
IMHO: more HP, cooler look, just as impractical, and probably more collectable over the long term!
The only problem would be the bank, and the loan on an older car vs. a new car loan.

For instance:
http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-Dodge-Dodge-Viper-RT-10-Convertible-W0QQAdIdZ117863330
and:
http://halifax.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-Dodge-2009-Dodge-Challenger-R-T-W0QQAdIdZ111457927

Your thoughts?

[WingCharger]

Does this really need to be discussed?

[richard pettys 73]

WELL AT LEAST YOU GET A FUL WARRANTY WITH THE NEW CHALLNGER AND YOU CAN PICK THE RIGHT OPTIONS THAT YOU WANT..  ..ALL YOU GET WITH THE VIPER IS MORE HORSEPOWER AND A STATUS SYMBOL 

[Mopar2Ya]

IMO. There's no comparison, the Viper is on another level. The SRT8 would make it closer, but still the Viper is a sports car/super car purpose built chassis/etc. The Chally is based off the LX, a standard E Class platform derivative. If they made the Viper w/automatic trans I'd have one already. The cost to convert is big $. I'm in no way bashing the Chally, I want both. GL w/the decision.

[RD]

viper, hands down. no ands, ifs, or buts about it.

[Magnumcharger]

Does this really need to be discussed?

nope.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Have you ever sat in a Viper?

I wanted one in the worse way, then a friend of mine bought one, I slid behind the wheel, grabbed the steering wheel, looked forward- right across the top of the windshield header. Decided I didn't want a car I couldn't fit in with the top in place.

Another time I had the opportunity to sit in a GTS coupe-I was barely able to extract myself from that sardine can.

Are ALL car designers 5 foot 2 ?

On the other hand I have been in the new Challenger, Plenty of room inside for a full grown American man like myself

[mauve66]

i agree the Viper is funner and more long term valuable but think of the insurance difference also, for the price of a Viper you could get a SRT8, delete navigation, get cheapest stereo (who keeps the stock stereo anyway?) and add a supercharger, almost Viper performance and no insurance hit,

another thing is to think about the fact that they are trying to sell the viper line, will it survive? what will parts cost if a smaller company runs the line?? of course if they kill it maybe it will go up in value???

shop the loan some more, their are companies that would give you a better rate due to what the viper is, ie: not the everyday grocery car


you have a hard choice to make, i envy you though, hard to choose between a Silver GTS with ghost stripes and a Plum Crazy SRT8 with white (or black) stripes









i need to go to the casino, megabucks is up to 32 MILLION now.....................................

[mikepmcs]

I was actually just in that exact position! 
I was tracking late 90's to 2000 and even a 2001(I would only consider a GTS by the way and it could only be blue, red, or yellow and had to have the stripes)

Those vehicles in that year range are just about the same, cost wise, as a new challenger.

Loan wasn't an issue with USAA as the rate would just increase a little due to the model year of the Viper being over 7 years.

Insurance would have increased.

Maintenance, due to the fact that it would no longer be under warranty, would also be very expensive should something go wrong. 
I actually bid on a few before I started in on the research for an 09 Challenger.  As I was doing the research I again thought to myself....Why am I concentrating on an 09 R/T(because an 09 SRT-8 was just too far for me to stretch the old budget)  When I can start looking at an 08 SRT.  Started searching and guess what....  I found out that you can find an 08 SRT Challenger with very low miles and it would still be under warranty, etc....
and the biggest thing...it is a limited production car which in my warped little mind told me that someday it will be worth more than any 97-2001 dodge viper.

My choice was easy after that, just finding one reasonably close to me was the hard part. I got lucky and found an 08 just like I wanted with every option well below 40k.  The color combo, what more can I say...have you seen my other car(look left)

Much more user friendly car with plenty of room and all the power I need.  Now I can spend a little more money and tweak it with exhaust, diablo, maybe some cutouts(for effect), maybe some wheels, etc...  The electronics are incredible and the stereo is very adequate(i must be getting old)

Here is #3647 of #6400.  Now, please, won't you join me! 

[captnsim]

Challenger...Fast, fun, comfortable, able to drive on real roads, and lower cost to own. It's new...some other dill weed hasn't over reved it or some such thing. Plus vipers are getting a little dated style wise.

[Magnumcharger]

Wow! That Challenger sure ia beauty!
And it's nice to see somebody else thinking along the same lines.
And you're in Maine...not far from me. How many SRT8's have you seen for sale?

[mikepmcs]

And it's nice to see somebody else thinking along the same lines.

Oh yeah, when I read your thread I thought the same thing and couldn't type fast enough.(like I was afraid you were going to buy the viper in the next 4-5 minutes or something)   

[Foreman72]

both will cause heads to turn but i'd go w the chally...not that vipers aren't killer but i mean...cost of viper + ownership and 2 b way more than chally + ownership

[mikepmcs]

They are on feebay all the time.  I was bidding on at least 8-10 of them when I landed this one.
Mine had 750 miles on it BTW.  That's new enough for me.

The other one I wanted looked exactly the same and it was in Missouri.  

There are 18 on ebay right now.  A lot of them I have bid on.  Including the one in Missouri. I talked to that guy more than once and that would have been my second choice had I not happened upon the one on Long Island.  It couldn't have worked out better for me as Mike Musto was kind enough to go give it the once over and his approval was all I needed as far as condition.  

[Magnumcharger]

And it's nice to see somebody else thinking along the same lines.

Oh yeah, when I read your thread I thought the same thing and couldn't type fast enough.(like I was afraid you were going to buy the viper in the next 4-5 minutes or something)   

Nope...although I have been given the thumbs up from my better half to buy whatever I want.
I too have been tracking Vipers, for years now. And since the Challenger arrived, I've been momentarily sidetracked by them.
OK,  - obsessed - is probably a better word.
I don't want two car payments on the go right now, so I'll be taking my savings and paying off my wife's car before I make a move on any fun ride for myself.
I love the Viper roadsters....but the new Challengers have ALMOST made me forget about them.
Funny - as I barely fit in the Challenger, I know I'd have to put a seat track kit in any Viper I'd consider buying.
And even in the Challenger, the seat is all the way back.
I showed my daughter the 1/4" space that she'd have for her legs, and she said I may as well have a two-seater...which got me thinking Viper again!
Dagnabbit!

[mikepmcs]

Here's my thread and check out the write up Mike did on the Challenger. He posted the link in there somewhere.

I imagine he would tell you that for him he might go with the Viper for other reasons. But I knew for me that I would never get to use the Viper for what it was intended due to where I live and the roads, etc.... that among the other reasons I listed previously.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,55101.0.html

[mikesbbody]

Challenger 

[69bronzeT5]

Challenger 

[Sublime/Sixpack]

If the used Viper was in excellent condition and a blue GTS I'd go with it, otherwise a new Challenger.

[73TXRallye440]

I sold my Viper, id highly recommend the challenger.

[Back N Black]

I vote 68 Charger 

[chargerboy69]

No question. . . A Viper. My best friend purchased his a few years back. He has done a few modifications to it, and I must say it is an amazing car to drive.

Here is a picture of it on my wedding day.

The second is a Star Wars Viper they had at the Star Wars Celebration III in Indy. Yes, I am a Star Wars dork.

[Go Hogs Go]

Generation II Viper GTS. I've had 5 Vipers, 3 rt's and 2 GTS. The rt's are o.k, but I don't like roadsters or convertibles in general for that matter. The rt is a pain in the butt. It looks cool with the top off, and looks like it has on a hair piece with the top on. Also, if you leave the house with the top off, and a rain storm pops up your getting wet. The trunk is to small to carry the hard top, and the soft top is so complicated to assemble it takes 30 mins. IF you take it with you. (it takes up the whole trunk) I'd buy the Challenger over the rt. However, the Viper GTS is the man. It has more room, larger trunk, and will clobber any Challenger SRT 8. I've driven a Challenger SRT-8, and in a straight line it could make it interesting for a moment. Anything else, the Viper rules. At 145 mph the GTS feels more glued to the road than at 70, and at 145 ( the car had plenty left, but the road did not) your sensation of speed is about like doing 70 in your regular car. The 96-98 GTS will run 188 mph stock and is just on another level. Right now you can pick up at nice 1997-99 GTS with good miles for around 30K. The best part is that the Viper will hold its value, and you'll not have to worry about getting hammered on resale. The Vipers also qualify for collector car insurance through Haggarty, and American Hobbiest. My insurance ran me $500 a year with $0 deductable. I never had any maintence issues with my Vipers, but I take care of my equipment. Good luck with your decision, I wish I was in your position right now.

[bull]

Have you test driven either of them yet? I would do that first and see what you think. You might absolutely hate one or the other enough to decide right then.

That said, if you have to do a loan (which I wouldn't recommend) I would think getting a loan on a Challenger would be easier because it's new and the dealers want to move them. A used Viper would require a private loan and I would tend to think that would be difficult to get, especially these days. But hey, what do I know...

Of the two I would probably prefer the Challenger because it's a muscle car. The Viper is an exotic and exotics usually don't do much for me by comparison.

[73TXRallye440]

a buddy of mine cracked his viper's frame at 145 mph!

[Foreman72]

a buddy of mine cracked his viper's frame at 145 mph!

like it just broke or he hit the great wall of china?

[Go Hogs Go]

a buddy of mine cracked his viper's frame at 145 mph!

That happens when you hit stuff.

[chargerhunter]

I own neither one, but a friend just bought the SRT8, Manual I was told is the only way with the 6.1, I rode in it and it rode like a modern day muscle car, plenty of power, bells and whistles and you can now add a factory super charger so you can piss the Vette owners off!

[moparstuart]

  this guy bought both a matching pair

[68charger383]

I have the same line of thinking. I was checking out a new chally and crying about the cost and their mark up and then the dealer pointed to a 2004 viper with 17K miles and said, I'll sell you that car for $42K. Since then, I've been sharing in your dilemma.

I say go with the viper. If Chrysler is still afloat in the next two/three years, you'll be able to buy a used SRT-8 chally for a similar cost that a 2-3 year old Charger/Magnum/300 etc. is currently selling for these days.

I've purchased used sport cars in the past and found you can use them for a year and resell them without losing to much cash in the transaction. The key is buying an exceptionally low miles one so when you use and resell, it will still be low miles.

So buy and enjoy the viper. In a year/two the chally will probably be cheaper to buy new or you'll be able to buy a used one at a much lower price.  I think with the chally, time will only be your friend when buying that car

[Go Hogs Go]

  this guy bought both a matching pair

Holy catfish

[mopar0166]

challenger r/t classic

[jb666]

challenger r/t classic

[Ghoste]

I had to go with new Challenger.  As cool as the Viper is (and I would love to,have one), at the heart of it I am still more of a musclecar guy than a sports car one.

[Ponch ®]

It depends on what you want it for. I've thought about this myself (hypothetically, of course).

From a balls out, cool factor perspective,  I'd go for the Viper. It's an attention getter, looks good, and it's cheap for the "super car" that it almost is. And yeah, it will probably be more collectible.
Now, don't get me wrong - I have a pretty big stiffy for the new Challenger, but I already see a ton of them every day (mostly SE's and R/Ts, but most regular folks can't tell / don't care about SE vs. R/T vs. SRT).

But in my situation, I'd be looking for a practical daily driver, and I suspect the Viper isn't one of those. The Challenger comes with a warranty, reliability of a new car, etc.

So for me the prudent thing to do (and likely) would be to get the Challenger. But I would REALLY rather have the Viper.

[Magnumcharger]

I does come down to practicality for part of the decision.
Then the other part is emotional.
I just cruised eBay and saw several reasonably priced Vipers there. Right now, they are likely at their lowest point price wise.
I love open cars, and have really been a huge fan of AC Cobras, Jaguar E-types and even some of the other, funkier British roadsters.
When the Viper came out, I couldn't believe my eyes! And I drove for many miles to see the first one in my home province, the RT/10 eventually bought by Teemu Selänne of the Winnipeg Jets hockey team. I vowed that I'd buy one "some day". I bought EVERY magazine with an article on the Viper in that first year. I was obsessed. Yes, I still have my first 1/18 scale car...a Burrago Viper roadster.
Well, I found out - I'm not getting any younger. Time is slipping by. And after a cancer scare last year, I have to admit, I'm seeing that life is too short.

Now the Challenger on the other hand...
It's the Viper obsession all over again! I was just down at the local Dodge dealership a few minutes ago, on my way home from work. Friggin' beau-t-iful black R/T has me by the balls!
And my good woman has said if I want one...fill your boots.
I guess I've got the summer to make up my mind.
I told her I'll wait until she's back from her tour in Afghanistan before I commit to anything.
Meanwhile...I've got my Deora to fill in my off hours....and yes Eldon, a 1968 Charger R/T to finish too!

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Personally, I'd probably go with the Challenger.  No offense to anyone who owns one & don't get me wrong they ARE cool cars, but people who drive Vipers just seem as if they're trying too hard for attention. 

[TheGhost]

Challenger.  But, then, I've never been much of a "supercar" fan...

[Ponch ®]

, but people who drive Vipers just seem as if they're trying too hard for attention. 

And people who drive classic Chargers aren't?

I does come down to practicality for part of the decision.
Then the other part is emotional.
I just cruised eBay and saw several reasonably priced Vipers there. Right now, they are likely at their lowest point price wise.
I love open cars, and have really been a huge fan of AC Cobras, Jaguar E-types and even some of the other, funkier British roadsters.
When the Viper came out, I couldn't believe my eyes! And I drove for many miles to see the first one in my home province, the RT/10 eventually bought by Teemu Selänne of the Winnipeg Jets hockey team. I vowed that I'd buy one "some day". I bought EVERY magazine with an article on the Viper in that first year. I was obsessed. Yes, I still have my first 1/18 scale car...a Burrago Viper roadster.
Well, I found out - I'm not getting any younger. Time is slipping by. And after a cancer scare last year, I have to admit, I'm seeing that life is too short.

Now the Challenger on the other hand...
It's the Viper obsession all over again! I was just down at the local Dodge dealership a few minutes ago, on my way home from work. Friggin' beau-t-iful black R/T has me by the balls!
And my good woman has said if I want one...fill your boots.
I guess I've got the summer to make up my mind.
I told her I'll wait until she's back from her tour in Afghanistan before I commit to anything.
Meanwhile...I've got my Deora to fill in my off hours....and yes Eldon, a 1968 Charger R/T to finish too!

Screw it dude...get the Viper. It's what you've wanted all these years. The thing about the Challenger is that once the fad passes and it becomes just another car (like the current Mustang), you'll be wishing you'd gotten the Viper.

[UFO]

When the Viper came out, I couldn't believe my eyes! And I drove for many miles to see the first one in my home province, the RT/10 eventually bought by Teemu Selänne of the Winnipeg Jets hockey team.

\

I believe this is the first one to arrive here.

[Khyron]

Chally

[Magnumcharger]

Oh yes Brian, that's the critter! I was looking for my pictures of it!!! All of which are at home in boxes.
So you made the pilgrimage too, huh?

[UFO]

Yea sure did,but I was 10 mins away from that dealership.

[chargerboy69]

The thing about the Challenger is that once the fad passes and it becomes just another car (like the current Mustang)

Or the PT Cruiser. Around here Cruisers were all the rage. We were told there was a six month waiting list for one. And now. . .

[Ponch ®]

The thing about the Challenger is that once the fad passes and it becomes just another car (like the current Mustang)

Or the PT Cruiser. Around here Cruisers were all the rage. We were told there was a six month waiting list for one. And now. . .

Yeah, I remember when they came out I actually wanted one. Good thing I didn't get one. And in my defense, I was young (19) and misguided at the time.

[mauve66]

The thing about the Challenger is that once the fad passes and it becomes just another car (like the current Mustang)

Or the PT Cruiser. Around here Cruisers were all the rage. We were told there was a six month waiting list for one. And now. . .

Yeah, I remember when they came out I actually wanted one. Good thing I didn't get one. And in my defense, I was young (19) and misguided at the time.

did you want the woody package and baby moon hubcaps also??

[69 OUR/TEA]

New chally or used viper,here's my answer,500' from the dealer on the test ride I knew I wanted it.They did a great job on this car,drives very tight and rigid feeling,airtight cabin even at 80mph, great gas mileage(6spd),and can carry four people!Also I like the fact of being the orig owner so nobody else beat the heck out of it,and with that you get the lifetime power train warr.Vipers are'nt usually driven easy,never been in one but heard they ride like crap,still way up there in $$$$$,and IMO are a little to corvettish for me.

[maxwellwedge]

I bought an '08 SRT and I LOVE it. It does everything you want a car to do...but....except for my love of original, correct "old" cars I am a rodder at heart. So I ordered a Diablo tuner, Corsa exhaust, 180 T-Stat and a new air box. Also changing the coils/shocks/struts and lowering it about an inch - I think they sit a smidgen too high. Most of the parts are in so I should be doing the mods in a couple of weeks. I'll let you all know the difference when done.

On the Viper - A friend of mine traded a Vette for a Viper a few years back. I asked him to tell me the difference in the 2 cars.

He said the Vette was a car you could jump in and drive coast to coast with in comfort. It was also very forgiving if you were giving it hell.

He said the Viper is a car he had to think about taking a trip over 100 miles with. Very crammed and uncomfortable after a while. He also stated that if you got on it and weren't ready it would bite your ass. He still loves it but put it down to it being a pure musclecar without the pure refinement of the Vette.

I would still take a Viper if you gave me one. 

[mikepmcs]

So I ordered a Diablo tuner, Corsa exhaust, 180 T-Stat and a new air box. Also changing the coils/shocks/struts and lowering it about an inch - I think they sit a smidgen too high.

I guess we all have the same idea.  Care to share where you purchased all your gear from and the cost? Which Air box, etc....  I am looking to do the exact same thing.  Are you putting headers as well or just cat back.  I'm not looking at Corsa or Magnaflow though, I can't remember the manufacturer MDRP or something like that.  I like their sound better, and I also want to get electronic cutouts for the noise factor.  Still saving funds for these things though so it will be a little bit.
Still debating on the suspension though.  I was told by a very reliable source, no need for suspension mods at this time, for me personally anyway.

[maxwellwedge]

I got my engine builder to order all this stuff for me - he gets good pricing.
The air box is C&L  cnlperformance.com   I am not going with headers - just the cat backs, mufflers and new tips. The 180 degree T-Stat seems to make a difference from what I have been reading. Great site is http://www.300cforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/f-156.html for discussing all these mods.

[Spike]

Viper and if you ever get bored with it(doubt it) you can sell it and probably get a screaming deal on a used Challenger.

[Foreman72]

Viper and if you ever get bored with it(doubt it) you can sell it and probably get a screaming deal on a used Challenger.

that is a good plan...

[Charger666]

Challenger...Fast, fun, comfortable, able to drive on real roads, and lower cost to own. It's new...some other dill weed hasn't over reved it or some such thing. Plus vipers are getting a little dated style wise.

Very true, I agree whole-heartedly.

New Challenger is the way to go!

[Silver R/T]

Personally I'd get classic Challenger 70 or 71. I'd love to pick up a Viper.

[Magnumcharger]

I guess it's time to sum this up.
Thanks to all of you who voted in the poll, and made comments in the blog.
I see the vote is dead even...with six people giving the "green" alternative!

So, the plan is:
I'm going to buy a Challenger. Likely an SRT8, but I'm going to wait until the Plum Crazy purple becomes avaliable before I pounce, likely 2010.

Being a married man for over 25 years now, I try not to make purchases of this magnitude without consulting my wife. Seeing as how she makes more than me (for now!) it's the least I can do. And she did previously agree to a Challenger purchase, so that's what I'll stick to.
But....
We had an interesting conversation this past weekend:
As I've had my '68 Charger R/T for over 17 years now, it is first and foremost the item that should be dealt with. And seeing how AMD is now making such nice panels, we've decided to focus our efforts on completing the task at hand before jumping into another vehicle.
So basically, I have a year to get my Charger done before the Challenger comes out!

This task is compounded by the fact that as it sits right now, my Charger's body has been reconstructed from the crappy, thin panels that were the only option avaliable up to recently. These shitty panels are going to be cut off and replaced with proper gauge metal from AMD. This includes:
Both quarterpanels, the two-piece trunk floor, both front floorpans, trunk extensions, and the outer wheelhouses.
I'll likely buy the tailpanel and maybe even a set of front fenders too.
Oh, and Kori has agreed to rebuild my Hemi-fourspeed!

It's going to be an interesting summer!