New Guy

[Dino]

Many of us have been in your spot and I need to be blunt here for a minute.  Most people, including me, wanted a Charger but couln't afford one.  As you know once you have Charger on your mind you want one no matter what so you end up buying the one you can afford.  For many of us that was a pos project with parts in boxes but that's okay because we finally have a Charger!  Unfortunately, after a while the honeymoon is over and reality is starting to sink in.  You will need a boatload of money to get a cheap Charger on the road, way more money than a good condition driver would set you back.

Look up what parts sell for and do the math.  Will you be able to enjoy the car or will it be another shelf in the garage?

A lot of people buy a project so they don't have to spend all the money at once, but you would be way better off waiting and saving until you could afford a better car.  Even if you do want to restore a car, you need the money before you start.  A good resto takes on average about 1500 hours, double or triple that if you're not a pro.  Even if you have the cash, do you have the time?

I don't know your age or living situation, which is none of my business anyway, but think this through.  Unless you have $10K + to spare ($15K - $20K would be better) you are not going to do much with the car but look at it and dream.

This is my third 2nd gen and it's the best.  I could never have built this car from a lesser condition car for the money, not even close.

Also don't forget that these babies run on premium and lots of it.  I fill up about once a week and I'm real happy when premium is below $4.

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy one but I do feel you need to know what owning a car like this means in reality.  I love my car to death, I drive the pants off of it as much as I can, but there is a lot of money and time involved.  If yu have a significant other, better make sure she's ok with the plan because relationships shatter over stuff like this.

Yeah, I understand. I got a buddy that has a '69. I've seen what he's had to do. Alot of parts hunting...LOL! As far as parts......I've already looked at some of the parts prices.....some are pretty high. As for the wife......she's all for it! I'm disabled......so I got plenty of time. Oh.....and 'brigond'......sorry...got my heart set on a '69!

When your wife is all for it then you have won half the battle.  Make no mistake, a car like this can be seen as a mistress so you better have the missus in your corner.   

So you have the time and the support, excellent!  Besides cold hard cash, what else would you say may be an issue?  You have the space to do the work in?

Anything special you would like on that '69 as it rolled off the line?

[Chargerfan77]

Many of us have been in your spot and I need to be blunt here for a minute.  Most people, including me, wanted a Charger but couln't afford one.  As you know once you have Charger on your mind you want one no matter what so you end up buying the one you can afford.  For many of us that was a pos project with parts in boxes but that's okay because we finally have a Charger!  Unfortunately, after a while the honeymoon is over and reality is starting to sink in.  You will need a boatload of money to get a cheap Charger on the road, way more money than a good condition driver would set you back.

Look up what parts sell for and do the math.  Will you be able to enjoy the car or will it be another shelf in the garage?

A lot of people buy a project so they don't have to spend all the money at once, but you would be way better off waiting and saving until you could afford a better car.  Even if you do want to restore a car, you need the money before you start.  A good resto takes on average about 1500 hours, double or triple that if you're not a pro.  Even if you have the cash, do you have the time?

I don't know your age or living situation, which is none of my business anyway, but think this through.  Unless you have $10K + to spare ($15K - $20K would be better) you are not going to do much with the car but look at it and dream.

This is my third 2nd gen and it's the best.  I could never have built this car from a lesser condition car for the money, not even close.

Also don't forget that these babies run on premium and lots of it.  I fill up about once a week and I'm real happy when premium is below $4.

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy one but I do feel you need to know what owning a car like this means in reality.  I love my car to death, I drive the pants off of it as much as I can, but there is a lot of money and time involved.  If yu have a significant other, better make sure she's ok with the plan because relationships shatter over stuff like this.

Yeah, I understand. I got a buddy that has a '69. I've seen what he's had to do. Alot of parts hunting...LOL! As far as parts......I've already looked at some of the parts prices.....some are pretty high. As for the wife......she's all for it! I'm disabled......so I got plenty of time. Oh.....and 'brigond'......sorry...got my heart set on a '69!

When your wife is all for it then you have won half the battle.  Make no mistake, a car like this can be seen as a mistress so you better have the missus in your corner.   

So you have the time and the support, excellent!  Besides cold hard cash, what else would you say may be an issue?  You have the space to do the work in?

Anything special you would like on that '69 as it rolled off the line?

Yeah, gotta get the funds together...LOL! Don't think anything else would be an issue. Got plenty of room to work in. I live out in the country, got a car port, and barn.......as for anything special being on it.......I don't care as long as it's a '69 Charger......318 or whatever!!!! You boys help me find one when I get the funds together??

[Dino]

Not just that but we'll tell you which ones to stay away from as well.  When the time comes to buy, don't pick the first one you see.  There are plenty out there, we're not running out just yet and there's a lot of people here who can tell if it's a good deal or not so use that perk.

So I have to ask, will it be orange?   

[Chargerfan77]

Not just that but we'll tell you which ones to stay away from as well.  When the time comes to buy, don't pick the first one you see.  There are plenty out there, we're not running out just yet and there's a lot of people here who can tell if it's a good deal or not so use that perk.

So I have to ask, will it be orange?   

Thanks......and yes it will be orange....LOL! I love old cars period....but I've always liked the General Lee.....I know some Charger owners don't like 'em......but...sorry, I do!! LOL! Not only the General.......Chargers are just sweet!

[Dino]

Not just that but we'll tell you which ones to stay away from as well.  When the time comes to buy, don't pick the first one you see.  There are plenty out there, we're not running out just yet and there's a lot of people here who can tell if it's a good deal or not so use that perk.

So I have to ask, will it be orange?   

Thanks......and yes it will be orange....LOL! I love old cars period....but I've always liked the General Lee.....I know some Charger owners don't like 'em......but...sorry, I do!! LOL! Not only the General.......Chargers are just sweet!

It'll be your car and you do with it as you like it.  I wouldn't want a GL but I don't care if someone else drives one, others may be more vocal but you'll find plenty support here, not too worry.   

[lexxman]

Gls are nice I'd like to have one ,but I would need to have two chargers then. And the wife said she wouldn't get in it with an 01 on the door. Not sure why.

[Chargerfan77]

Gls are nice I'd like to have one ,but I would need to have two chargers then. And the wife said she wouldn't get in it with an 01 on the door. Not sure why.

LOL! My wife is different....she loves 'em! LOL!...ya'll look at this.....it ain't a '69, but I think this is a steal!!! If I just had the change...LOL! Guess I'm the only one on here without a Charger!


http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ctd/3922617235.html

[DadsCharger00]

Gls are nice I'd like to have one ,but I would need to have two chargers then. And the wife said she wouldn't get in it with an 01 on the door. Not sure why.

LOL! My wife is different....she loves 'em! LOL!...ya'll look at this.....it ain't a '69, but I think this is a steal!!! If I just had the change...LOL! Guess I'm the only one on here without a Charger!


http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ctd/3922617235.html

SCAM ALERT....that cars been posted in quite a few links here on the site.....SCAM EVERYTIME

[Chargerfan77]

Gls are nice I'd like to have one ,but I would need to have two chargers then. And the wife said she wouldn't get in it with an 01 on the door. Not sure why.

LOL! My wife is different....she loves 'em! LOL!...ya'll look at this.....it ain't a '69, but I think this is a steal!!! If I just had the change...LOL! Guess I'm the only one on here without a Charger!


http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ctd/3922617235.html

SCAM ALERT....that cars been posted in quite a few links here on the site.....SCAM EVERYTIME

Really? I figured it was to good to be true!!!! Thanks for the head's up man!

[dodgeguydelta]

Welcome from Delta,ohio

[Chargen69]

we are in the final stages of building my 69, let me tell you, I have been $200 to $400 to DEATH on this car.  if you have experience with other brands of cars do not think that prices you have seen for cars or parts mean a hill of beans, it doesnt translate to building one of these beasts, everything costs more than you think.

if you can live with that, you CAN have your dream

[Mopar Nut]

we are in the final stages of building my 69, let me tell you, I have been $200 to $400 to DEATH on this car.  if you have experience with other brands of cars do not think that prices you have seen for cars or parts mean a hill of beans, it doesnt translate to building one of these beasts, everything costs more than you think.

if you can live with that, you CAN have your dream

Amen!

[Cooter]

First rule when building Mopars. there's a reason they are bringing more money at the auction houses. There's a reason they aren't as popular as some Chevelles/ Novas/ Mustangs that everybody else has. Your buddy is correct in his pricing. Some are way up there while some 'Seem' affordable.
But, remember, you either buy a roach for $1000.00 and sink $40K in it, or you pay $40K for it and sink $1000.00 in it. No way your gonna get a $40K car for a $1000.00. Many cannot grasp this concept. You WILL have loads of money tied up in this thing. Prepare yourself now. No, it won't be easy if you chose to build your ride yourself. Yes, if it seems to good to be true, then IT IS!!! Nobody sells these things for peanuts. I don't give a damn how bad the economy is.
Nobody is giving away Chargers. Especially the most popular year, 1969. Good

Owning a General Lee sounds like a great idea until you have one for more than a year. You get REALLY tired of stupid, tarded, jealous, ignorant people trying to either be cute or just showing their IQ by ALWAYs making stupid comments like "Where's Daisy"?

Or this one is my personal favorite. "Hey, do you jump this thing"? (Asked with complete sincerity!) or "Can I slide across your hood?"

If attention is what your after then by all means paint it orange, but I used to could NOT understand what some celebrities complained about until I got about 12 years of it in that bright orange Charger. WAY too many cannot seem to just enjoy the car. They all but feel an uncontrollable need to be complete asses by doing the afore mentioned.
It gets old and they know that, so that's why these types act the way they do. They already know their one-of-two Hemi whatever sitting three rows over from your GL got a few lookers, and should be 'King-o-the hill',  but you have had a croud around your junk all day and they cannot stand that. After all, a 'Hemi' should have the croud right? LOL. (Have had this happen at shows)

This is not to say that ALL is bad owning a GL, but with that being said, these types can really crimp your fun.

[bull]

The advice about buying one already done is good but it should come with a warning to make sure the work to get it done was quality. There are many pigs in lipstick out there that will cost you way more to fix than just a pig.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Owning a General Lee sounds like a great idea until you have one for more than a year.

That's about 358 days too long.

[Darkman]

There are pro's and con's for both sides (buying complete or buying a project and doing yourself)

Pro's buying a done car - get to sit in and drive straight away
Con's buying a done car - Unsure of the quality of the work, what is hiding under the paint work, does everything work properly, what condition is the wiring in, genuine good condition cars are hard to find and expensive.

Pro's buying a project - get to do the work the way you want, you know what and how the work was done, sense of satisfaction of having it done yourself
Con's buying a project - getting hard to find, cheap ones are generally basket cases and need a lot of work, expensive, a long time off the road, time to work on it.

Either way, owning one of these will cost you $$$$$

Unfortunately, owning one of these cars, there will always be the association of the Dukes of Hazzard tied to it...You won't get away from it. As Cooter said, it may be cool to own one initially, but you may get tired of it. Having said that, when I got my 68 as a project, not a lot of people (here in Australia) know what a dodge is. When I tell them it is a Dodge Charger, I get a blank expression. In that case I add "you know, like the Dukes of Hazzard car" then all of a sudden, the expression changes and then the first question I normally get asked is "so are you painting it orange and jumping creeks?" It does get old fast and most times I wished I never mentioned DOH.

I always look beyond the colour of the car and appreciate it for what it is and how it was done.

The choice is yours and if you are really passionate about a GL then go for it. Most people here will support you on whatever you choose