Been kicking around the idea of getting rid of my Viper. I love it, it has been good to me, but I don't have room for 100 cars and I like to change them out from time to time.
Its a 1995, yellow/tan, RT10. Basically stock with Borla exhaust and a few other small things. Its been an outstanding driver and my wife and I have taken it on quite a few trips and I commute in it on nice days. Never tracked it, never plan to.
What I like about it:
- Its a frigging VIPER!
- Timeless looks
- Surprisingly comfortable and easy to drive
- Modern enough to be at least somewhat safe and reliable, at least by 1995 Viper standards
- Actually its been 100% reliable with no issues whatsoever in 5k miles and a few years
- Easy to work on
- Comfortable
- Gets all the looks and attention
What I don't like about it:
- No top or windows
- Well, it has a top and windows, but they are pretty useless. If you road trip it, its either all or nothin.
- Not a true convertible - targa bar
- Comically small trunk makes weekend trips a challenge
- Not really fast
- Ive had it 2 or 3 years now
What I want:
- Fast and Loud
- Flashy
- Instantly recognizable
- Rare or at least uncommon
- Welcome at any show or event
- Real convertible or maybe a targa
- This is a non-negotiable. I don't want a fixed roof. Corvette or Supra with a targa would be the furthest from a convertible I would go.
- Something with some decent support and aftermarket. Gen 1 Viper is marginal at this point
- Something nice enough to show off
- Not a project
- $10k-$50k Yeah its a wide range. Dont want a hoopty or a super exotic
- Decent collectability - will maintain most of its value
What I don't want:
- Mustang, Corvette, Porsche anything
- A "Special Model" like an AMG or M
- Something much more vintage than early 90s.
Things on the short list
- Square body Chevy Muscle Truck
- The only-non convertible I would consider
- Could build my own with a $10k square body and $15k for driveline and suspension
- MKIV Turbo Supra
- 3000GT VR4 Spyder
- IROC-Z Convertible
- NSX - but the value feels inflated on these right now
- Something weird and JDM - but not a lot of convertible options there.
What am I not thinking of? What out there has equal "cool" to a Viper?
Thanks for the help!
Newer generation Viper?
Square body would be cool, I have a '79 C10 but it's not really "rare". NSX would probably get my vote out of your list. GT-R's are available now stateside so that would seem to check all your boxes other than convertible.
I would go for a Gen III Viper but they are ugly AF, and a Gen II is too similar to a Gen I to go through the hassle of selling the car I already have.
Audi R8 convertible might be a stretch for your price range but that would be my go to.
From your list, MKIV hands down, though around here none for 50k; I have beeen looking to get one for about 3 years
I love the nsx, but will be slow coming from a viper
If you appreciate a car with timeless looks, and is surprisingly comfortable to drive, and is also in-your-face LOUD, I suggest you buy my RX-7. It's close enough to perfect that I'm getting bored with it.
FC RX-7 convertible is rare, cool, and different.
FB RX-7 convertible is much rarer, much cooler, and vastly harder to find.
Loud brappy rotaries always turn heads.
On the other end of the scale, Panoz is cool, exotic looking but Ford drivetrain, and is suitably rare. This is my favorite in the range.
SSR maybe? It's a Chevy truck thing convertible V8. Not Viper cool, but the old guys at shows love them.
There's also the very weird Cadillac XLR, which is a convertible hardtop, Northstar powered Corvette.
Ls swapped Miata? ND with a JDM rocket bunny type widebody?
Is an Elise too nerdy and goofy looking? Not big power but quick and different enough to stand out.
DB7? Aftermarket is probably not great.
MkIII Supra, 280Z but both would need work to be fast.
XKR or F-Type
Oddball JDM: 2nd gen Toyota Soarer Aerocabin
240SX Convertible? Would also need a lot of work I'd think.
A fast Caterham 7 model
Did Holden or Aussie Ford make anything cool that would be old enough to import and match the requirements?
Skyline GTR. You'll be the only kid on your block with one.
I'd say Jaguar F Type hits all the boxes, except I'm not sure it'll hold value.
Appleseed said:
Skyline GTR. You'll be the only kid on your block with one.
That all depends. I know of at least three in Cleveland. At the RXNC in either 2015 or 2016, in a sleepy area in Iowa, a spectactor showed up with one.
If you want JDM exclusivity you need to go weirder. Something like an FTO. Even Honda Citys are common in the scene.
Steve_Jones said:
I'd say Jaguar F Type hits all the boxes, except I'm not sure it'll hold value.
F-type R, they've been holding pretty well so far.
V8 Vantage with an exhaust will be the right type of loud.
Or
DB9
It's in a very similar vein as the Viper but I regret getting rid of my C4 ZR-1. Not a true convertible, no, but it's quite practical and the motor is bulletproof. With the right exhaust they absolutely scream and I think they're quite undervalued for what the car is.
Sounds like you want one of the 90s Japanese super sports cars with T-tops/targa.
That means MKIV Supra (too expensive), NSX, or 300ZX
Forget the 3000GT IMO, no point in torturing yourself with one of those when the others exist. Can't go wrong with any of them, I agree that the Supra is too expensive for what it is. 300ZXs are still cheaper than the others and they're every bit the car - the only reason they aren't valued the same is because they produced more of them than they did NSXs, Supras, and RX-7s COMBINED. I have a 300ZX non-turbo myself and it is excellent. Car & Driver 10 Best 1990-1996 for a reason. They also came as a convertible, which are easier to find in good shape than coupes, though convertible part's availability is a concern.
