Our Family's Pampered Srt-10 on 2040-cars

I’m about to tell you a story that’s much longer than most eBay listings - because I think you'll appreciate having the extra information in your search for a phenomenal car that's the best bang for your buck.  The Dodge Viper SRT-10 convertible is just that - a gorgeous street machine that can also be a top performer at the track.  And our family's Viper is affordable - the Buy It Now price of $36,950 is $4,250 below Kelley Blue Book price!

WHY A VIPER?

You buy a Viper because it's simply the best American sports car.  It has outstanding quality.  The Viper is Detroit’s only hand-built production car.  Manufactured at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant by a small team of craftsmen, it takes 2 1/2 days to complete a Viper.  The National Geographic Channel recently produced a TV special on “Ultimate Factories: Dodge Viper,” showing the meticulous standards used in building this automobile (this DVD comes with the car).   No mass production.  No cars rolling off of an assembly line every 10 minutes.  No robot welding.  Viper exemplifies the highest production quality available - but it doesn’t come cheap.  The base price of a Viper SRT-10 in 2005 was $85,000.

You buy a Viper because of extraordinary performance.  The Viper has the largest engine ever placed in an American automobile.  The all-aluminum 505 cubic inch/8.3 liter V-10 was designed by Lamborghini and produces 500 HP and 525 foot pounds of torque to the rear wheels.  It does all of this as a naturally aspirated engine.  No turbos - no superchargers - just huge acceleration and torque instantly at any engine speed.  No waiting for turbo boost.  The SRT10 accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 195 MPH.  The 505 V-10 is mated to an awesome Tremec six-speed manual transmission - a match made in heaven.  The Brembo disc brake system is outstanding, as is the independent wheel/strut suspension.  This car is a thoroughbred.

You buy a Viper because you want something special - something very distinctive and exclusive.  A Viper is exactly that - because only 30,000 of these cars have been produced in Viper's 22 year history.  Some auto makers produce 30,000 of their sports car each year.  But that’s not Viper.   Vipers are seldom seen and hard to find.  As a result, the Viper has a huge “Wow Factor.”  When you pass-by folks on the street, they turn their head - they smile - they wave - they cheer-out - and not just every once in a while - but every driving day.  What a thrill!  This is the pride of Viper ownership. 

MY STORY

My Dad owned and operated an auto repair service for 43 years.  I was a licensed mechanic and spent 15 years working with him – and my Mom, Sister and Grandparents.  While I did not choose auto repair as my career, I have remained active in the trade, as a semi-professional, for the last 30 years.

Like most folks, I’m thinking about retirement - and in August 2010 - I decided to buy something on my “bucket list.”  I was attending the Hot August Nights Car Show in Reno, Nevada - one of the largest “auto happenings” in the United States.  At the event, I met the sales manager of Sport Haus, a Reno sports car dealership, who told me he had just received-in a “cherry" 2005 Viper.  He wanted me to see the car.  I did.  After I test drove and mechanically inspected it, I bought the car and had it trailered to my home in the Washington DC area.

From the very first day, I wanted this Viper to be a family experience.  I gave joint use of the car to my 21-year old Son (whose mechanical skills are even better than mine).  I wanted him to know the thrill of a “muscle car” (as we called them back in the 60’s).  I also wanted him to learn the responsibility that comes with safely operating and maintaining a high performance automobile. 

For the last four years, our family has had the thrill of a high performance sports car: cruises & events with the Viper Club of America, cars & coffee and local sports-car shows, with my Son or me driving - and my Wife or Daughter co-piloting.  And of course, my Son and I - and my 84 year-old Dad - have loved maintaining this car.  Our Viper has been pampered.  While we don’t yet know every nut, bolt & screw on this car - we know quite a few.  This SRT10 is so magnificently built - and we’ve kept it that way for you (see “Maintenance” section below).

WHY I'M SELLING

While our family has had the great joy of owning a Viper for four years, our lives have changed.  My Wife and I are now “empty-nesters.”  My Son was married and has moved.  My Daughter has just graduated and is launching her career.  And, unfortunately, my Dad - our master mechanic - has recently died.  Our Viper is getting no use.

The 2005 Viper SRT10 had very few factory options; about everything you’d ever want came standard.  Please check the options section of this listing.

Here's additional information about our Viper's equipment - and what's included in the purchase price:

*  The engine is fully stock.  No modifications.

*  We modified the factory cross-pipe exhaust system, where the left exhaust manifold vents through a very long, right-angle pipe that ends in the right-side exhaust port (and vice versa).  The new exhaust components begin after the catalytic converter, with the left exhaust pipe coming straight back into a muffler and out the left exhaust port (and vice versa).  The system is emission certified.  This exhaust has a distinct growl to it - because we believe that a V-10 should sound like a V-10.  This growl is not for the timid and weak-of-heart (meaning if you don’t like it, you’ll have to change it).  Play the video at the link given below to hear the pipe.

*  The Mopar stereo unit has been upgraded to a JVC audio player with HD/satellite radio and CD, USB, smart phone and Bluetooth compatibility.

*  The tires now on the car are Michelin’s Pilot Sport, as the car was originally equipped.  They were new when I bought the car and currently have 12,500 miles on them.

*  The convertible top boot, which covers and beautifies the rear deck when the roof is down, is included.  Many Viper owners have lost their top boot, a $300 item.  See pictures in the photo gallery.

*  A Mopar tire inflator and tire sealer is included with the car, a $200 item (reminder: the Viper has no spare tire).  See last picture in photo gallery.

*  A four-volume 2005 Dodge Viper shop manual is included with the car, a $150 item.  See last picture in photo gallery.

*  A Battery Tender Plus (battery trickle charger) is included with the car, a $50 item.  Any Viper not used for 2-3 weeks will have a dead battery due to the current draw of the car’s electronics.  See last picture in photo gallery.

*  Two front license plate clip-on brackets are included, a $50 item.  Most Viper owners dislike front license plates - and this is a very convenient way to “stay legal” when state law requires.  See last picture in photo gallery.

*  A rear license plate frame that says “Proud to Be American Made” is included with the car, at $60 item.

*  Two low-profile hydraulic floor jacks are also included with the car, a $300 value.  If you need to lift your Viper for servicing, it cannot be done from the front of the car.  Lifting must be done on the side frames - and only at two lift points on each side - one behind the front tire and the other in front of the rear tire.  With one floor jack on each lift point, an entire side can be lifted evenly, thus avoiding frame stress and damage.  See video link below for details.

*  The video disc “Ultimate Factories: Dodge Viper” by the National Geographic Channel, at $25 value.

*  The standard owners manual is also included.

MAINTENANCE

After I completed the last servicing of the car, I shot a video on the mechanical features of our Viper.  I think you’ll find it helpful:

http://youtu.be/IS3ULpbDGPU

In the 12,500 miles we’ve driven our car in the last four years, the following maintenance has been performed:

*  Annual changes: Mobil 1 - 0-40W engine oil and Fram heavy duty oil filter

*  Annual lubrication of all 8 ball joints with Valvoline synthetic grease

*  Two new Wix air filters

*  New Prestone coolant/antifreeze

*  New Taylor 10.4mm spark plug wiring

*  New Champion spark plugs 

*  New top-rated Ever Start battery

*  New disc brake pads (EBC “Red Stuff” - ceramic, low dust) - all four wheels

*  All four rotors resurfaced

*  New Mopar emergency brake disc pads

*  Two new Magnaflow mufflers

*  Transmission oil changed (Valvoline synthetic)

*  Differential fluid changed (Valvoline synthetic)

*  Last clay-bar waxing: March 2014

*  At the dealership before we bought the car:

                New tires - Michelin Pilot Sport: two 345/30ZR-19’s and two 275/35ZR-18’s

                New serpentine fan belt

                New wiper blades

                Brake fluid changed

Full maintenance records will convey to new owner.

OTHER CONDITIONS

When we bought the car in Reno, the tire pressure sensors were OK.  After the car arrived (by trailer) in Northern Virginia, a low-tire-pressure warning message began appearing on the instrument panel.  We have not removed the tires from the rims and replaced the defective pressure sensor.  Also when we bought the car, there were under-carriage scratches on the lower nose from concrete parking slabs.

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE

I am a private individual seller.  I am not a merchant or a store-front business. I will always treat you in the same manner I wish to be treated.  I also have a 15-year eBay buying and selling record of 100% for 391 transactions.  Let's do some business!  You are going to love this car.

IN CLOSING

Some folks have been concerned that, after Chrysler was sold to the Fiat Corporation, Viper production was suspended for two years.  Let me assure you that production resumed in 2013 - and the good news is that, not only is Viper back, but it's stronger than ever.  The legacy continues!