PLEASE HELP ME FIND MY DREAM CAR

[Benfro89]

The best advice I can give a 16 year old wanting an old car is...

Wait until you're at least 30.

Take your money and buy the nicest, most reliable late model car or truck you can afford.

Something that you can drive reliably everyday, all the way through high school and college.

Something that you can be proud of and depend on now.

An old car will suck up all of your money and all of your free time.

That's time you should spend with friends, family, chasin' chicks and working on your education, and ultimately your career.

Later in life, after you've established yourself with a home of your own and a good solid income...

THAT is the time to think about an old car.

NOT before.


This is the advice I would give myself, if I could go back to '79 and slap the 16 year old me upside the head.  

I would then emphasize my point with a swift kick in my own ass.

These cars can be a lot of fun, but they can also distract you from what you really should be doing.


I'm still paying the price for this.

Every day.

And will be for the rest of my life.

Ha man I have no idea if I could waite I'm a speed kid and I don't think I can wait

[ws23rt]

If you can't wait than go forward.  But remember the advise you are hearing now.

We that you are asking for help from are giving you the help that you will thank us for in ten-twenty years.

You can be the speed kid and ten-twenty years will zipp by in a flash.  And if you remember this time. You will be well informed to advise someone like you to not make the mistakes that we are advising you against.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Ha man I have no idea if I could waite I'm a speed kid and I don't think I can wait

I get it.

I really do.

But...


I'm also stuck in a dead end job that I hate with every fiber of my being.

Simply miserable every day.

I'm surrounded by a bunch of inbred sister f#%ers.

No way out.

This IS Hell.

If I'd spent more time in school and less time screwing around with old cars...

I would NOT be in this predicament.

I will get out someday...

I have to.

I just hope it won't be too late.

[Benfro89]

Ha man I have no idea if I could waite I'm a speed kid and I don't think I can wait

I get it.

I really do.

But...


I'm also stuck in a dead end job that I hate with every fiber of my being.

Simply miserable every day.

I'm surrounded by a bunch of inbred sister f#%ers.

No way out.

This IS Hell.

If I'd spent more time in school and less time screwing around with old cars...

I would NOT be in this predicament.

I will get out someday...

I have to.

I just hope it won't be too late.

I'm sorry I don't want to be a eregant di** but I have had As and Bs most all my life and just finished a year with straight As I have lived in 4 different countries due to my dad's job and as a teenager been a manager of a small business and had 4 good jobs so far I hope having a old car wouldn't plunge my life

[Benfro89]

I really hope I'm not sounding eregant becuase I have a tremendous amount to learn and am getting thier I am just trying to give you guys some insight on what kind of person I am

[polywideblock]

Do you guys think this could be a RT? it has a 4 speed in it but it doesnt have bucket seats and the engine is a 318 because it got swapped earlier in its life
http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4535132337.html

Also found this ralley http://oneonta.craigslist.org/cto/4545594332.html

easiest way to tell from outside is the door depressions   71  

 72

but these can be added ,only way to know for sure is to see vin, so just   ask seller for first 6 digits of vin     someone on here will be glad to help on decoding it    

I think you could get a 4 speed across the board all you had to do as tick the right box    

[Benfro89]

Do you guys think this could be a RT? it has a 4 speed in it but it doesnt have bucket seats and the engine is a 318 because it got swapped earlier in its life
http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4535132337.html

Also found this ralley http://oneonta.craigslist.org/cto/4545594332.html

easiest way to tell from outside is the door depressions   71  

 72

but these can be added ,only way to know for sure is to see vin, so just   ask seller for first 6 digits of vin     someone on here will be glad to help on decoding it    

I think you could get a 4 speed across the board all you had to do as tick the right box    

That is very good info now I know if it's a rt or  not thanks

[Benfro89]

Hey guys I am pretty interested in this car I talked to the third owner and this is the story on the car

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/4552551283.html

Thierhas really only been two owners the original since brand new then to the second owner who owned it for 5 years and then to the guy selling it which he's had it for 2 weeks

Now th the couple that owned it for 5 years put quite a bit of money into this car with a new 383 some engine work done wheels tires brakes and lines Flo master exhaust interior pretty much everything but the point which was fine before they got the car and was peeling that is why the black spots are on the car becuase they were going to finish it up with a show paint job

The vin on this car is


Oh and I believe it is a ralley version which I like

[polywideblock]

those spots are only the start has had work at cowl area see overspray on wiper motor   .
by the way always check the cowl door hinge areas as these rust out on 3rd gen , seen the door hinge post so rotten the hinges come away with the door  

[Benfro89]

those spots are only the start has had work at cowl area see overspray on wiper motor   .
by the way always check the cowl door hinge areas as these rust out on 3rd gen , seen the door hinge post so rotten the hinges come away with the door  

Wow ok thanks for the tip what do you think about  this car though?

[polywideblock]

looks like a good start, big block and all   but would want to look at in person or get it inspected   before sending any money

sure there are other  3rd gen guys over there that can give you some help/advise

[JB400]

The yellow 73 gives me the impression it's a rust/ bondo bucket.  The way it's been spray bombed makes me think that either the paint is flaking on it, or the Bondo is.  I would look it over real well and take a magnet to inspect the body.  Make sure you check under the car as well.

Try not to be an impulsive buyer.  I know you want a Charger ASAP, but patience is the key.

My Charger is my first car, but I also bought a truck at around the same time. The truck was money well spent.   I don't regret it.  It's helped make the money to invest in the Charger, plus hauled the parts for it as well.  Just something to consider.

[myk]

Do you guys think this could be a RT? it has a 4 speed in it but it doesnt have bucket seats and the engine is a 318 because it got swapped earlier in its life
http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4535132337.html

Also found this ralley http://oneonta.craigslist.org/cto/4545594332.html

easiest way to tell from outside is the door depressions   71  

 72

but these can be added ,only way to know for sure is to see vin, so just   ask seller for first 6 digits of vin     someone on here will be glad to help on decoding it    

I think you could get a 4 speed across the board all you had to do as tick the right box    

Wow I don't think a '71 has ever looked better; awesome cars...

[Daytona R/T SE]

I'm sorry I don't want to be a eregant di** but I have had As and Bs most all my life

Yeah, So did I at that age.  

Except...

I could spell.


Roll the dice if you really want to, just be aware these old cars are a bottomless pit.

The old car cool factor wears off real quick when you're stuck at the side of the road with the hood up on your 45 year old car, and your hot little new girlfriend gets a ride home from some dork rollin' in his mom's Camry.  

...I'm just trying to be helpful.

[Benfro89]

I'm sorry I don't want to be a eregant di** but I have had As and Bs most all my life

Yeah, So did I at that age.  

Except...

I could spell.


Roll the dice if you really want to, just be aware these old cars are a bottomless pit.

The old car cool factor wears off real quick when you're stuck at the side of the road with the hood up on your 45 year old car, and your hot little new girlfriend gets a ride home from some dork rollin' in his mom's Camry.  

...I'm just trying to be helpful.

Ha yeah the hardest grades  are always in English and I know exactly what you guys are getting at I've had a lot of older bikes and quads and they all take a lot of work to get running and then a lot of  maintenance

[Dreamcar]

I'm sorry I don't want to be a eregant di** but I have had As and Bs most all my life

Yeah, So did I at that age.  

Except...

I could spell.


Roll the dice if you really want to, just be aware these old cars are a bottomless pit.

The old car cool factor wears off real quick when you're stuck at the side of the road with the hood up on your 45 year old car, and your hot little new girlfriend gets a ride home from some dork rollin' in his mom's Camry.  

...I'm just trying to be helpful.

I agree with everything Daytona RT is saying. I was 26 when I bought my first project car, which I fixed up, then sold when my wife and I started having kids. But I was glad that I had finished school, started a full time career, and bought a house BEFORE I started spending money on an old car. I just bought my first Charger last year (my second project car) and, knowing how much they cost, I'm glad I waited until I was 33 to buy it. By that time, my wife and I had bought our last house for the next 20 years, and our salaries and monthly expenses (including freakin' daycare!!$$)are consistent. So, if there's anything left at the end of the month (sometimes there is, sometimes not), I can spend it on the Charger because the more important things in life (kids, house, bills) are taken care of first.

I'd get a nice reliable newer car and be proud of that. Put some nice rims on it and keep it clean. Eventually, you'll get the old car to work on.

p.s. I had a 69 Charger picture in my high school locker when I was 16, so I know how it feels to want it now. And I too had good grades.   



t wasn't until I got my first "real" job at I'm 34 now and very happy that I waited until last year to buy my first Charger

[Chad L. Magee]

The best bet is a good third gen Charger that runs, rather than a rough second gen Charger that will suck your money dry even before getting it on the road.  Parts for second gens are expensive due to heavy demand from people restoring them.  But, don't give up.  My advice is to do what I used to do years ago when I was in your shoes: scour the surrounding hills, any classified ad papers, junkyards, etc. on top of internet searches until you find the right car to buy.  (The chances of finding a good third gen Charger in a junkyard that has not already been picked apart is low, but not nearly as low as a second gen version.  Nearly twenty years ago, I helped a friend buy a nearly complete 1969 Charger (with a running 400-2bbl. where the 383-4bbl. should have been) out of a local junkyard, but times have changed to where this simply does not happen anymore.)  Ask around at car shows to see if anyone knows of one for sale and trade your contact information with them if they do.  Remember, the more diligent that you search, the more likely you will be to find what you are looking for.

Another piece of advice that I can give is to learn as much as you can about Chargers before actually buying one.  Don't jump into a project without knowing information about it.  There will be a learning curve that will take time to make up, but if you practice with it, you will become better at it.  (A starting point would be the data information on the 1970 Dodge Charger registry site, as it does break down production numbers and codes for that year of Charger.)  Decoding VINs and fender tags should become second nature to you if you want to know what the car is/was.  Sure there are computer apps out there that can do it for you, but that may not always work out if you don't have internet access while looking at a Charger.  Also, many Chargers that have a big block between the fenders did not start out that way.  Rust will be an issue with most vintage Chargers, especially around the rear window areas (leading to trunk/quarter rust issues).  Check out the Chargers that you find very carefully for the amount of rust in them.  Second gens have the advantage of having more reproduction sheetmetal available for rust repairs, so be careful on third gens with major rust issues.

I wish you good luck finding the right Charger.  Try to be as patient as you can, it will pay off....

[Ghoste]

I just want to echo the advice about patience and getting the most car you can.  Never be fooled by the restoration "reality" shows on tv either, it isn't easy, fast or as cheap as they make it seem so think with your head not your heart on any project you see.  Try to take an impartial adviser when you look at the cars.


That said, I rarely followed this advice when I was young.  No actual regrets when I think of some of the worthless crap I dragged home with Arnie Cunningham vision swirling around in my head but I do know I could have been a lot further ahead in life with a few different decisions in the car arena.

[Chad L. Magee]

The best advice I can give a 16 year old wanting an old car is...

Wait until you're at least 30.

Take your money and buy the nicest, most reliable late model car or truck you can afford.

Something that you can drive reliably everyday, all the way through high school and college.

Something that you can be proud of and depend on now.

An old car will suck up all of your money and all of your free time.

That's time you should spend with friends, family, chasin' chicks and working on your education, and ultimately your career.

Later in life, after you've established yourself with a home of your own and a good solid income...

THAT is the time to think about an old car.

NOT before.


This is the advice I would give myself, if I could go back to '79 and slap the 16 year old me upside the head.  

I would then emphasize my point with a swift kick in my own ass.

These cars can be a lot of fun, but they can also distract you from what you really should be doing.


I'm still paying the price for this.

Every day.

And will be for the rest of my life.

I agree, education is very important for your future career choice(s).  You can never start too early towards working on a life game plan.  It may not always go your way, but it is better to have options than to be out of them.  It is better to be well rounded for many applications, than to be so narrow that you only fit one possible job that could one day be phased out.  The key is to be adaptable to anything life can throw at you.  That being said, there is always time to build a different pathway to a new career if you choose.  The road might be harder to plow thru though, but it can be done.  Here are some examples:  My sister (8 years older than me) is finishing up her Masters Degree in education, after teaching high school for 25 years.  Or if you prefer:  In 2007, a 95 year old woman graduated with her Bachelors Degree at the university that I teach at.  She then went on to finish a Masters a few years later....

[duanesterrr]

The key to this equation is the car that is selected.  If a solid third gen is selected he could drive the car of his dreams for a couple years, have the coolest car in school, and sell it down the road for the same price.  Win-Win-Win.  Either old car or late model at 6k you are going to have maintenance costs.

With that being said, I think the 3rd gen car that he needs is going to run closer to 10k.  I would say look for a car in the 8-10k range and show up with cash on hand.  You might get lucky.

[nvrbdn]

i turned 16 and had to have my dream car. all i could think of was a second gen charger. well i got one. 68 dodge charger. daily driver. drove it to school. drove it everywhere i went.


 ok, the year was 1973.

 my grandson wanted my 69 cougar for his daily driver. when we sat down and figured gas, insurance and up-keep etc.....  he realized it would put him in the poor house. his is getting his moms HHR for his first car.  yes, the cougar would have been cool to drive around in, but expensive. thats why "daytona r/t se" makes alot of sense.

[Old Moparz]

The best advice I can give a 16 year old wanting an old car is...

Wait until you're at least 30.

Take your money and buy the nicest, most reliable late model car or truck you can afford.

Something that you can drive reliably everyday, all the way through high school and college.

Something that you can be proud of and depend on now.

An old car will suck up all of your money and all of your free time.

That's time you should spend with friends, family, chasin' chicks and working on your education, and ultimately your career.

Later in life, after you've established yourself with a home of your own and a good solid income...

THAT is the time to think about an old car.

NOT before.


This is the advice I would give myself, if I could go back to '79 and slap the 16 year old me upside the head.  

I would then emphasize my point with a swift kick in my own ass.

These cars can be a lot of fun, but they can also distract you from what you really should be doing.


I'm still paying the price for this.

Every day.

And will be for the rest of my life.

I think I typed that once......Did you copy & paste it from somewhere?  

I lost count of how many times I see impatience in car hunting leading to a thread entitled, "Help! I Bought A Hole I Threw Money In & It Needs More!"

[toocheaptosmoke]

I totally get the rationale behind waiting until you've got a good job or whatever to start into a project car, especially a 2nd gen. I know my charger project went way deeper than I planned!    Personally I would never have been happy with a drab econobox, I also started off with cool old POS (sorry, maintenance intensive) vehicles.  Don't regret it at all.   BUT, realize driving an old car is like getting a new dog, there is all of a sudden a constant care and responsibility needed to support it.  Definitely not for everyone.  Finding your dream car is one thing, owning/maintaining your dream car is the hard part, only you can decide if it's worth it. 

Like already said, I think trying to find the most solid driver 3rd gen is a good option, even if it means no headlight covers or a big engine.  It will always need work, but getting something that's not a basket case will be more valuable than starting off in hole.  A few extra weeks of shopping now will save you months of work down the road.

[Daytona R/T SE]

The best advice I can give a 16 year old wanting an old car is...

Wait until you're at least 30.

Take your money and buy the nicest, most reliable late model car or truck you can afford.

Something that you can drive reliably everyday, all the way through high school and college.

Something that you can be proud of and depend on now.

An old car will suck up all of your money and all of your free time.

That's time you should spend with friends, family, chasin' chicks and working on your education, and ultimately your career.

Later in life, after you've established yourself with a home of your own and a good solid income...

THAT is the time to think about an old car.

NOT before.


This is the advice I would give myself, if I could go back to '79 and slap the 16 year old me upside the head.  

I would then emphasize my point with a swift kick in my own ass.

These cars can be a lot of fun, but they can also distract you from what you really should be doing.


I'm still paying the price for this.

Every day.

And will be for the rest of my life.

I think I typed that once......Did you copy & paste it from somewhere?  

I lost count of how many times I see impatience in car hunting leading to a thread entitled, "Help! I Bought A Hole I Threw Money In & It Needs More!"

[indreams84]

Hey guys I am pretty interested in this car I talked to the third owner and this is the story on the car

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/4552551283.html

Thierhas really only been two owners the original since brand new then to the second owner who owned it for 5 years and then to the guy selling it which he's had it for 2 weeks

Now th the couple that owned it for 5 years put quite a bit of money into this car with a new 383 some engine work done wheels tires brakes and lines Flo master exhaust interior pretty much everything but the point which was fine before they got the car and was peeling that is why the black spots are on the car becuase they were going to finish it up with a show paint job

The vin on this car is


Oh and I believe it is a ralley version which I like



That car is in my hometown, I just was there yesterday. We can take a closer look if you want.