The Original Dodge Viper Is Insanely Undervalued

You might be surprised to learn that you can buy an early Dodge Viper on Autotrader for less than $40,000. Easily. In fact, if you go on Autotrader right now and search for 1992-1994 Dodge Viper models, you’ll find about two dozen listed, with the bulk available for under $40,000. There are even a few offered for around $30,000 and one or two under that figure.

I think this is crazy.

The original Dodge Viper is a special car, in the sense that it really was a concept show car that was put into production against all odds, since Chrysler wasn’t building anything like it at the time. While Dodge made a lot of 1992-2002 Viper models (in the “first” generation, though Dodge fans swear there are two generations in there), I think the most special were the early ones. They had no roll-up windows, but rather a side window you had to install in place. They had no roof. There was no airbag or antilock braking system. Basically, there was no attempt at practicality, and these cars were designed for two things: speed and driver enjoyment.

In later years, Dodge modernized the Viper a bit with more conveniences, and the 3-spoke wheels gave way to some more traditional 5-spokes. The arrival of the GTS model also saw a Viper I suspect will someday appreciate dramatically in value, particularly the 1996-1997 GTS, blue with white stripes. Those models also had forged engine internals, which makes them especially desirable for their dependability — even with big power.

But it’s the early Viper models that truly launched the car, and the early Viper models that will go down as the most pure of all the Dodge Vipers. The early Vipers were special cars, and I truly think it’s one of the most special, exciting and historically important vehicles you can buy for just 40 grand. More importantly, Dodge didn’t make all that many of them, and I suspect that nice, well-preserved Viper models will someday be regarded as special cars that are worth big money. In other words, if you’re looking for an early Viper, you’d better buy now, before you can’t afford one anymore.

Doug Demuro

Doug DeMuro writes articles and makes videos, mainly about cars. Doug was born in Denver, Colorado, and received an economics degree from Emory University in Atlanta. After graduation, Doug spent three years working for Porsche Cars North America. Eventually, he quit his job to become a writer, largely because it meant that he no longer had to wear pants. Doug’s work has been featured in a… Read more about Doug Demuro

3 COMMENTS

larry June 12, 2022 At 15:46

i think one day gen 1 vipers will be well over the 100k dollar level for well cared for cars..

Anonymous November 2, 2018 At 18:08

Hey Doug. For the same price, don’t you feel a 996TT 6MT is a much better car to buy? All-year drivability, not much less HP, better handling, much better interior, rear seats, as reliable, etc…

- HONDA RULES November 3, 2018 At 15:29
  
  Definitely a better car, but definitely not nearly as cool or fun. Also I would argue reliability is better on the viper, since parts are cheap and it is N/A rather than twin turbo.