The 3000GT VR4s are beautiful garbage; arguably top 5 best looking cars of the 90s, they were already having shortage of parts by the mid 2000s for their boost and climate control. Their V6s are made out of glass.
The NSX and 4th Gen Supra are so inflated in cost it's worthless to even consider; especially funny when a nice daily-driver grade 3rd Gen Supra might run $5-6K depending on state and rust. You'll absolutely find an NSK for just under $50K, but I doubt it'll feel like a $50K car to you. For your short list, you're really left with the I-ROC and the Muscle Truck only.
I second other opinions about Mercedes products here; it's the only place that has some of these details, especially convertible tops.
84FSP
UltraDork
9/11/20 11:01 a.m.
New Supra? Seem like a relative steal for the new beasts due to poor sales. I would expect it to be killed shortly and then have a meteoric rise in value.
My buddy imported a stock MKIV turbo for under 50k but USDM prices I don't see that.
I know of a red one with a body kit with some mods for 41k. TT 6 speed with 99k miles. Notba targa though.
Edit: and there this one. I'll vouch for the owner/seller of japaneseclassicsllc
How about a miata RF and send it out to Keith?
Saron81
HalfDork
9/11/20 11:59 a.m.
If a Viper seems slow, and you want fast and loud, I'm not sure how anything on your list will work... at least not anything stockish.
Saron81 said:
If a Viper seems slow, and you want fast and loud, I'm not sure how anything on your list will work... at least not anything stockish.
I didn't see anywhere, where OP said Viper is slow. He said he likes to change up his cars from time to time, and he wants something as cool as the Viper
93gsxturbo said:
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.
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!
John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) said:
The Viper wasn't the only Mopar Image Car of that era. If wanting to say in that vein, the Plymouth Prowler might not be a bad choice given your criteria. It too is certainly a rolling carnival act drawing attention everywhere it goes. Someone here once said that the used market on them is a "never loose money" type of ownership. I especially like them with the front bumper delete like this:
That person would be me.
Now I am fully on keeping the Viper. Clearly I am team Viper but that is always going to be me.
Having said that if you can swing it, and you get good movey for your viper I would highly suggest you look at the Panoz Roadster. Its dead simple to repair, it will never depreciate and it is a hoot to drive and own. But that is just me. Personally I say keep the viper.
If you decide to go SSR they are a ton of fun in the 6.0 motor with the manual, I have had a few of them. They are stupid easy to make huge power with if you have the budgeting.
Or completely out there suggestion if you really hate tires. Its like a viper but you can haul stuff.
Thanks for the good suggestions everyone. A few comments:
- Agree that the Supra and NSX are too high priced right now. Wish I would have bought an NSX 10 years ago when I bought my C5.
- The Cobra kit car is basically what I already have, with less fit and finish, a smaller trunk, and somehow fewer creature comforts. Hard pass on that
- Mercedes are not flashy enough. Already had a balls to the wall 600HP E55 AMG. Sold it because it was soulless and looked like every other 10 year old Mercedes
- F Pace is a good suggestion. Guy down the road from me has one in orange it is super exotic looking.
- Would consider a JDM Supra, that would check a few boxes. Would have to be manual trans, twin turbo, targa. Was that ever offered as a combo in JDM-Land?
- The K5 Blazer is high on my list as well. They were on the short list when I bought my Viper since they are a convertible, classic, and moderately collectible. Told the wife when we move to the UP I would sell my Viper and get a K5 since it would be a lot more practical.
- A Muscle Truck (or Muscle El Camino SS?) would check a few boxes. Very hoonable and rowdy, something I miss since I sold my Corvette. Having a truck to do truck stuff would be nice too.
- Can't get behind the 300ZX, they always seemed like an also-ran to the Supra and 3KGT. The twin-turbos are sweet but I can only imagine there isnt a nice one left on the planet and they never came as a vert.
- Prowler would be cool if I was 70 years old and I wanted to put out my crybaby dolls and Betty Boop crap at shows. Got a few years to go yet on that front.
- Crossfire and SSR will never be cool. Doesnt matter how fast an SSR is - still not cool.
- Audi R8 is tempting. What would be the advantage of one of those over a Lambo - considering I want flashy?
- How about a Ferarri 348 or 355? Those are toward the top end of the budget but I could stretch a bit if I had to. Can you live with one as a nice cruiser?
- Lotus Elise would be fun, a bro of mine has one. Very tiny and neat. Since I dont want to do anything but cruiser I dont see them as a huge upgrade from the Viper. But they are cute.
- I would consider some classic GM muscle or big body cruiser but I dont think the wife would go with that.
- I almost bought a competition orange 04 Mustang Cobra convertible a few weeks ago and the wife talked me out of it, "Just another Mustang" She is right.
Seems like the Viper is still a winner for most of the criteria. Just sucks there isnt anything that is more Viper-er than a Viper.
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
Maybe one of those bonkers TVRs? They're certainly at least as Viper as a Viper. No idea on pricing though.
93gsxturbo said:
- Lotus Elise would be fun, a bro of mine has one. Very tiny and neat. Since I dont want to do anything but cruiser I dont see them as a huge upgrade from the Viper. But they are cute.
I have had mine since new. Did many a cross country trips + track days. It isn't for you. For me, I will add an Ariel Atom to my fleet in the near future 24 months). My main issue is SB 100 registration.
i love a Morgan 3 wheeler - but will be dead slow compared to a Viper.
campagna T Rex will be over budget
thatsnowinnebago (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
Maybe one of those bonkers TVRs? They're certainly at least as Viper as a Viper. No idea on pricing though.
I don't think you can get any of the bonker ones here.
93gsxturbo said:
... isnt anything that is more Viper-er than a Viper.
And that’s why Vipers are awesome. Not practical at all and a little difficult to live with but damn are they cool and there isn’t much else like it.
If I had one I’d keep it until I wanted to go to something completely different.
Panoz Esperante? If you wanted to sink 50k out vipering your Viper, consider buying a more Viper version of you viper. Maybe a newer body style GTS or something with ACR aero bits would be Viperish enough and near the budget?
93gsxturbo said:
Thanks for the good suggestions everyone. A few comments:
- Agree that the Supra and NSX are too high priced right now. Wish I would have bought an NSX 10 years ago when I bought my C5.
- The Cobra kit car is basically what I already have, with less fit and finish, a smaller trunk, and somehow fewer creature comforts. Hard pass on that
- Mercedes are not flashy enough. Already had a balls to the wall 600HP E55 AMG. Sold it because it was soulless and looked like every other 10 year old Mercedes
- F Pace is a good suggestion. Guy down the road from me has one in orange it is super exotic looking.
- Would consider a JDM Supra, that would check a few boxes. Would have to be manual trans, twin turbo, targa. Was that ever offered as a combo in JDM-Land?
- The K5 Blazer is high on my list as well. They were on the short list when I bought my Viper since they are a convertible, classic, and moderately collectible. Told the wife when we move to the UP I would sell my Viper and get a K5 since it would be a lot more practical.
- A Muscle Truck (or Muscle El Camino SS?) would check a few boxes. Very hoonable and rowdy, something I miss since I sold my Corvette. Having a truck to do truck stuff would be nice too.
- Can't get behind the 300ZX, they always seemed like an also-ran to the Supra and 3KGT. The twin-turbos are sweet but I can only imagine there isnt a nice one left on the planet and they never came as a vert.
- Prowler would be cool if I was 70 years old and I wanted to put out my crybaby dolls and Betty Boop crap at shows. Got a few years to go yet on that front.
- Crossfire and SSR will never be cool. Doesnt matter how fast an SSR is - still not cool.
- Audi R8 is tempting. What would be the advantage of one of those over a Lambo - considering I want flashy?
- How about a Ferarri 348 or 355? Those are toward the top end of the budget but I could stretch a bit if I had to. Can you live with one as a nice cruiser?
- Lotus Elise would be fun, a bro of mine has one. Very tiny and neat. Since I dont want to do anything but cruiser I dont see them as a huge upgrade from the Viper. But they are cute.
- I would consider some classic GM muscle or big body cruiser but I dont think the wife would go with that.
- I almost bought a competition orange 04 Mustang Cobra convertible a few weeks ago and the wife talked me out of it, "Just another Mustang" She is right.
Seems like the Viper is still a winner for most of the criteria. Just sucks there isnt anything that is more Viper-er than a Viper.
Keep Viper or get one of those Ferraris.
No opinion on a F-type R? They came with real convertible tops.
mr2s2000elise said:
Ugly but rare
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/tvr/griffith/2299053.html
Those are as bonkers as a Viper I won't think.
I was assuming he was meaning something like these.
Where are GTR Prices?
What about an Aston of some flavor?
T top is basically a targa.
mr2s2000elise said:
mtn (Forum Supporter) said:
Where are GTR Prices?
What I want:
-
- 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.
How much does a sawzall cost?
mtn (Forum Supporter) said:
Where are GTR Prices?
What about an Aston of some flavor?
Convertible AM V8V are in the 30's.
93gsxturbo said:
- How about a Ferarri 348 or 355? Those are toward the top end of the budget but I could stretch a bit if I had to. Can you live with one as a nice cruiser?
The short answer is definitely no.
mr2s2000elise said:
Saron81 said:
If a Viper seems slow, and you want fast and loud, I'm not sure how anything on your list will work... at least not anything stockish.
I didn't see anywhere, where OP said Viper is slow. He said he likes to change up his cars from time to time, and he wants something as cool as the Viper
93gsxturbo said:
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.
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!
You left out the "what I don't like section."
I'm just saying that if he felt like the Viper wasn't that fast, he's going to be sorely disappointed with a NSX or Iroc.
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.
mr2s2000elise said:
mtn (Forum Supporter) said:
Where are GTR Prices?
What I want:
-
- 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.
And then goes on to suggest an engine swapped pickup to him/herself. lol.
