You’ve had 32,000 chances to grab up a Dodge Viper during a production cycle that lasted from 1992-2017 (with a couple of brief hiatuses thrown in). If you’ve blown it so far, here’s a 1993 Viper RT-10 that can make those mistakes go away. It’s located in Macedonia, Iowa, should you be wondering about a fly-in, drive-home scenario. The one thing you’d want to do is replace the original tires before you hit the interstate, though if you could ship the old rubber home, it would be kind of cool to have.
Remember when these came out? Nobody could believe that Chrysler Corp. could pull it off. A car with a V10 engine? Not possible, especially for a domestic manufacturer! Now, three decades later, you don’t buy this car for the horsepower. Not any more, at least, with Mustang GTs heading towards the 500-hp mark. This Viper, with its massive, 8-liter engine, is rated at 400 horsepower. Did you get that number? Not the power one. The size one. This is 488 cubic inches of displacement, and it has a Lamborghini stamp, because that company was in the Chrysler portfolio at the time and helped design the power plant. The car itself is one of the first generation of Vipers (1991-95), a bit of a raw-and-ready presentation, with exposed side pipes, no AC, and a canvas roof and zip-up side windows. Who needed more when performance was the name of the game? (If you want more, better move on to one of the later-generation Vipers.)
As for condition, this car has just about 27,000 miles on the clock, and the current owner says he drives it gently to shows. But with six total prior owners, don’t you think that this car has been flogged? I’m sure everyone’s spun that crank to its max, at least once or twice. The history checks out fine, though, and as you might expect, the car is highly original and has never been apart or painted.
Selling new for a bit over $50,000 in a day when money cost more than now, this car if sold new now would top out at around $110,000. That means that the price, which is mid-$20K with eight days to go here on ebay and maxing at the buy-it-now price of $35,000, is near the bottom of the depreciation curve. Your job now is to do your due diligence, see what else you can buy in the Viper market for this number, and grab up the best car you can. Then ride that tide up as the value increases. Will this be the car you choose?
Went 195 in 5th gear in a viper
It’s a lie!! I sold Chryslers for ever. If I remember correctly a new Viper when check was in the mid 500 horse power range! 400 horse for insurance purposes. If you ever drove a Viper you knew in 5 feet it was more than 400 horses.
I still recall one review of this car where the writer said the exhaust sound was terrible, “sounds like a UPS truck.”
Reviews I’ve read put the top speed at 165-168. So 195? Maybe if it was modified.
This far was awesome when it came out and it’s awesome now..I think I’d have to get the 95s with AC I swore I will never have a car without a working AC..no windows or radio? no problem..6 owners? yeah that would give me pause. GLWTA