Question on purchasing a viper

[Fiorano]

I'd like to buy a viper sometime next yr. I love the current design of the GTS and think it is one of the best car designs price no object. I am not too interested in the gen 3 viper. At some point, I plan to modify the car with an aftermarket tuner, Lingenfelter maybe. Should I go after a new one, or get a used well taken car given the fact I likely will get the car modified? I figure a good tuner will essentially be rebuilding the engine anyway so I could save quite a bit on a used one. I see Lingenfelter has a 2 yr warranty, but how reliable is that kind of power anyway?
Ultimately, I'd like a Lingenfelter 540ci, BBS LM gold rims, and a carbon fiber SVSI wing in the back. I amy be dreaming a bit, but I've been after a viper for a while and soon I'll have the means to buy one. Thanks for any help.

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

I suggest a 2001 or 2002 because they have ABS brakes.

[Roland L-Ocala, FL]

Fiorano,
The Lingenfelter name has been synonymous with high performance for a long time now, albeit with the "dark side" before getting into Vipers. But, if he says that he has a two year warrantee, I would take that to the bank, the man knows his stuff, period. If you check the "Classified" section on this board, you will find many low mileage, still under warrantee used Vipers that will save you lots of $$$ over a new one. However, the 2001 Viper now comes with anti-lock brakes, and that may be a feature you want to consider. There are lots of aftermarket suppliers out there now for the Viper, and many of them carry great brake upgrades, some even have an anti-lock set-ups available for the "older" Vipers. But then again, in a year and a half, the 2001 will be a used Viper.
Have you driven a Viper yet? Once you do, you may not even think about upgrading the engine, or just simple bolt ons might be enough, like high flow air filters and smooth tubes, a free breathing exhaust system, and a few other things like that, and voila, you are already going to be at or over 500 hp territory. Keep on reading the posts on this board for more ideas as to upgrades and stuff, I'm sure the upgrades and add-ons will change even more over the next year or so. Have you thought about a supercharger? That's another possibility. I opted just for the air filters and smooth tubes for now, as I want to keep the car as stock looking as possible, but still add a little more oomph to it. Exhaust mods are next, but I have a very limited budget as far as mods go, and again, I do not want to modify the car that much from stock. But that's my preference, sounds like yours is quite a bit different, and that is what makes the world go round!