Cheapest Gen III Viper: More Things I've Learned from Ownership

[@jooshallen895]

As the proud owner of a 2003 Viper since 2021, I can confirm there is a lot if great info here. These 3rd gen convertibles are an amazing value as well.

[@mannyfox8089]

Well said- not to mention they are certified American legends that will only increase in value

[@nicholasbielins8936]

Just an FYI, the stock seats do slide back and forth and the back also tilts. I’m guessing a previous owner installed the lowering kit that eliminates any adjustments.

[@CrazyExVideos]

yep i did the 2" lowering kit on mine and man you sit low but no more sliding the seats

[@fundamentallybroken4194]

Yeah, my seats do slide. I wouldn't mind a seat lowering kit, but the sliders are more important to me.

[@GrimTaquito1972]

I just recently bought a 3 owner 2003 vert. Love this car!!! It’s a sub 10k mile car too so it appears to have been very well cared for. I’d like to add that with these cars, they’re bad to have old tires. Mine was likely a garage queen for quite a long time. First owner had it 14 years and only put 9100 of the 9700 miles. Last 2 owners I’m quite sure just flipped it with less than 700 miles in its remaining 6 years. I’ll have it for quite a while unless a Gen 5 comes my way for cheap…but I doubt it.

[@mydadvice]

Can confirm about the tires - check your date codes ASAP

[@GrimTaquito1972]

@@mydadvice yes! Mine aren’t “crazy old” but they’re old enough I’m seeking replacements ASAP! This is a common issue with any of these cars, especially low mileage cars.

[@shadowprince4482]

I had a similar issue when I had a lifted 94 Jeep Wrangler. People for some reason thought I was in a sports car. I had people trying to race me and one guy stopped me in the middle of the road and threatened me with physical harm for speeding. I was doing about 10 in a 25 and he acted like I doing 65 when I was about 10-15 under because I was literally lost and was trying to find a road that didn't exist any more.

[@freinhardt1]

anything under 80, 6th gear will bog the motor(1200 rpm) just put in a 3.55 in my 06 and OH MY GOD what a difference. alot more fun

[@jrprahl5429]

I was thinking about doing this to mine and wondered how it changes the driving dynamics. Did you do a Wavetrac?

[@freinhardt1]

@@jrprahl5429 yes that’s what I put in found it for $1500 but was on back order for 2 months

[@jrprahl5429]

@@freinhardt1 Awesome. Where did you get it from?

[@freinhardt1]

@@jrprahl5429 CARID OR CARDID , don't remember the spelling just used the search on google and grabbed the cheapest one"that was in stock of course"

[@Rollin8.0]

Same thing in my little old 96 RT. The difference between the 3.07s and 3.55s is incredibly worth it. Driving around at normal speeds - like in traffic and around town, obeying speed limits becomes easy rather than a chore.

[@LAMB53087]

Very helpful video. Thank you.

[@Kelly4370]

Great Description!!!

[@BobbyDigital_TheCode]

7:29 😂😂😂she looks horrified 😂😂😂

[@patrickmiller8388]

multible owners can be a good thing- by the time i got mine alot of mods or upgrades had been done- saved me money in that respect asi always dump a shit load of cash with mods when i first get a vehicle lol

[@rayreggie03]

Nice video man, keep it up.

[@mydadvice]

Thanks man!

[@ehiracheta]

I've had my 06 Viper vert for 5 months now and I've put 5000 miles.....I got it with 23k....How do people not drive this car....I literally turn it on and 100 miles get dialed up outta nowhere lol.

[@13Gangland]

Same, except my 06 is hardtop, only 15k miles when I bought it. Maybe they couldn't handle it without traction control?

[@rickc7673]

Drive it. Thats why these cars were built. Love em!

[@Landsharkhobo]

If I had to guess, the kind of people that were able to afford these new were probably just scared to drive it often. I definitely remember the viper seeming more lethal back in the day.

[@mbdulka]

Jealous people ... the real danger of getting a Viper.

[@adamc792]

Enough Power to start from a stop in 5th gear, shittt

[@GrimTaquito1972]

They 100% can do it. The car and clutch won’t like it, but I’ve seen it done before in a BONE STOCK Viper. The car will definitely start to roll forward during initial clutch release. Luckily, I have a rear cam that engages once it’s in R. So I know for sure I’m there. Best thing ever!

[@Rollin8.0]

I took off from a set of lights in heavy traffic in 3rd gear one time by accident and only noticed when I went to shift to second... Reverse is also awkward as per the video, the car will move in 5th no worries.

[@expiredwithnate6687]

where did you get the glasses at man. just bought a 2003 Friday and need those. th eones where you are in the green shirt by yourself

[@mydadvice]

The brand is Woodies! They've held up well for the price!

[@jnmason6283]

Great info on some quirks that never get mentioned. I'm finally in the market for a Viper, as it's always been a dream car exactly for the reasons that "normal" people don't like it. Gen5 prices are ridiculous right now, Gen4 prices are also pretty high and Gen2's are more expensive than Gen3 cars. I don't like convertibles, so a Gen3 Coupe is what I'm looking for. Found a few interesting ones (one of them nicely modded being in Calgary, while I'm in Quebec). Will most likely be pulling the trigger at the end of this year or during the next year. Any particular maintenance items to look for on a Gen3, other than potentially crashed and secretly fixed?

[@mydadvice]

Secretly crashed is the biggest issue, really. Check the manufacture date on the tires. Earlier gens had head gasket problems on occasion, but not Gen 3 to my knowledge. If the engine block has no oxidation and you can tell it was only driven in the dry/stored properly, chances are nothing will be rotted or problematic. Good luck on your search!

[@jnmason6283]

@@mydadvice thanks man! Again, props on the snake. Hopefully I'll be part of the Viper club soon.

[@jamesarcher2117]

You will love the convertible - excellent vision all around and more enjoyable as a roadster. Convertibles are also 10-20k less, but a steal!!! You won't be driving it when it's not nice enough to have the top up. You're up north so the heater absolutely cooks, top down every day. You will not regret it, change tires, rear suspension and rear bushings, change fluids and wallah it rips. 15k for full paxton kit and install + tune is 770whp. Perfect

[@NA-en7kz]

Even though it has been a year, I thought I would add a thought or 2. In the hopes you snagged one for yourself. Change out the power steering and oil cooler lines for the braided steel lines. The stock lines come with a weak connection and are prone to popping out, and when they do pop out, it breaks the small rubber gasket meaning you can't just push it back in. Often times this will require a whole new line to be purchased. Also, pay attention to your fan clutch. In the gen 3 vipers the power steering pump is pulling double duty, power steering and engaging the fan. This contributes to the above issue as it puts a lot of pressure on the system. The fan clutch can start to leak and require a rebuild or replacement. However these parts are very difficult to come by, and many do not offer rebuilds. So keep an eye on that and have an electric fan kit system option bookmarked. Random bonus item. If your doors are creaking opening or closing them, they are likely sagging and should be realigned.

[@WhiteMouse77]

I wonder you have no complaints towards side pipes like most of others who got burn marks on their ankles....

[@mydadvice]

I got 2nd degree burns by a C3 Corvette with side pipes as a kid. These are hot, but not NEARLY as bad as fully exposed side pipes like a Cobra or motorcycle have. It's all relative, and these aren't that bad to me.

[@truth6242]

$100k? Nope. $81,000 in 2004. I can't understand why it seems 99% of YT videos on Viper history has at least 1 fact wrong. Some people slaughter the facts and just say anything.

[@mydadvice]

"Slaughtering the facts" by including gas guzzler tax and sales tax for the out-the-door price? Do you know a single person who actually landed one of these for $81k OTD, and are you REALLY going to argue that those are so vastly different in price?

[@truth6242]

@@mydadvice Back then YES. They did not mark them up back then. C'mon just stop guessing.

[@truth6242]

@@mydadvice I was working at the car dealerships during those years. I was 25 yrs old then.

[@PatrickGotHands]

@@truth6242 no one cares

[@BPF80MCar-vi1pg]

Ok Boomer

[@BPF80MCar-vi1pg]

Thats what happens when i pull behind someone in my m3 .the get the fuck out of the way