Noob looking to buy a Charger

[72Charger-SE]

Well some good news... I told them I really hate to drive 3 hours to look under the car and see it rotting out (not saying it is)... They said they should be able to get it on a lift and take pictures underneath in the next few days.

That would give me a lot more peace of mind before I drive 3 hours and be on the ground in 24 degree weather, plus I can post them here and you guys can tell me what you think.

Not saying that three hours is a short jaunt but...  I drove 550 miles (9 hours) towing a car trailer to look at my car.  I decided to buy it, loaded it up, and drove 550 miles (11 hours) and hauled it home.   But.. that is just part of the history of the car and I would do it again..  My wife joined me for the trip and we made a 'short' vacation out of it with lots of great memories!   

[REED]

Well some good news... I told them I really hate to drive 3 hours to look under the car and see it rotting out (not saying it is)... They said they should be able to get it on a lift and take pictures underneath in the next few days.

That would give me a lot more peace of mind before I drive 3 hours and be on the ground in 24 degree weather, plus I can post them here and you guys can tell me what you think.

Not saying that three hours is a short jaunt but...  I drove 550 miles (9 hours) towing a car trailer to look at my car.  I decided to buy it, loaded it up, and drove 550 miles (11 hours) and hauled it home.   But.. that is just part of the history of the car and I would do it again..  My wife joined me for the trip and we made a 'short' vacation out of it with lots of great memories!   

Right but... I don't have a trailer... and the car doesn't have heat right now.

I also have two small kids and run a business... So I really dont want to go down there to look at a rust bucket... Id rather get as much info up front as possible.

[tan top]

 hello & welcome    , car looks ok from the pictures , but those pictures don't show anything of the body really & underside etc  , I would not travel on the strength of those pictures 3 hours  ,  see if you can get the guy to take more pictures ,   every panel close up ,  under the rockers wheel wells , frame rails underside etc etc , if the guy is un co operative , in more pictures  , maybe has something to hide    

[EccentricMagpies]

That would give me a lot more peace of mind before I drive 3 hours and be on the ground in 24 degree weather, plus I can post them here and you guys can tell me what you think.

Well, if it's 23 degrees at 3 hours drive you probably can't drive it until spring anyhow.  In which case, I'd recommend holding out for a 4 speed car. 

No rush. 

[RJS]

That would give me a lot more peace of mind before I drive 3 hours and be on the ground in 24 degree weather, plus I can post them here and you guys can tell me what you think.

Well, if it's 23 degrees at 3 hours drive you probably can't drive it until spring anyhow.  In which case, I'd recommend holding out for a 4 speed car. 

No rush. 

Best advice so far.

Your looking at a 383 2bbl car that started life in Gold/yellow/tan.  Your not starting with a 440 4bbl car that started life in Blue or Red.
Even if you put 25K into it the most it would be worth is what someone would pay.  If you put 25K into an R/T with a 440 in a good color you won't lose a dime. It's all relative.

Being you are a novice with limited knowledge and time I would never advice you to buy a car like this. A novice with limited time and knowledge should buy a done car so you can enjoy it from the first day.

The poster that said A/C parts are a few hundred bucks is way off, you will have $1500 into that alone.
You can drop $500-$1500 into exhaust.
Interior restoration $2500.

Ron

[73rallye440magnum]

That would give me a lot more peace of mind before I drive 3 hours and be on the ground in 24 degree weather, plus I can post them here and you guys can tell me what you think.

Well, if it's 23 degrees at 3 hours drive you probably can't drive it until spring anyhow.  In which case, I'd recommend holding out for a 4 speed car. 

No rush. 

Best advice so far.

Your looking at a 383 2bbl car that started life in Gold/yellow/tan.  Your not starting with a 440 4bbl car that started life in Blue or Red.
Even if you put 25K into it the most it would be worth is what someone would pay.  If you put 25K into an R/T with a 440 in a good color you won't lose a dime. It's all relative.

Being you are a novice with limited knowledge and time I would never advice you to buy a car like this. A novice with limited time and knowledge should buy a done car so you can enjoy it from the first day.

The poster that said A/C parts are a few hundred bucks is way off, you will have $1500 into that alone.
You can drop $500-$1500 into exhaust.
Interior restoration $2500.

Ron

I misunderstood- thought everything was accounted for and just needed service.

Yep, if it is missing AC components you'll break the $1000 mark by the time you buy everything and make it functional.

Like others have mentioned- it's worth waiting for the right 4 speed. Save your money and see what turns up this spring.

[ACUDANUT]

 4 Speed 3rd gens are very hard to find. 

[EccentricMagpies]

4 Speed 3rd gens are very hard to find. 

I agree.  That's the beauty of them. 

[Daytona R/T SE]

[/quote]

Right but... I don't have a trailer... and the car doesn't have heat right now.


[/quote]




Wait a minute...

You are thinking of taking an unknown 44 year old car on a three hour drive in the winter time ?  

What:

Road side pit crew style repair experience do you have ?  

Tools do you have to take with you ?  

Spare parts for a 44 year old car that are NOT just sitting on the shelf at every NAPA store ?

Knowledge of half century old electrical and mechanical systems ?  

[1974dodgecharger]

Like i said earlier and everyone is now saying it indirectly...this car is not worth the 5k we talked about after he dumps more money and time into it.  Especially for a 3rd gen and its condition.....if it was a 4 speed yes i would spend more money into it and not worry and be happy, but this car is just a car that has been reprinted plenty of times with a 383.....but thats just me and my opinions and not my money.  If the under carriage is rust free then yeah 5k maybe how good it looks under there, but we all know how notorious rust is for these cars......



As for driving it in cold weather great big blocks give off tons of heat u will be fine 

[1974dodgecharger]

If you're buying because you love the car and look it's worth whatever you're willing to spend on it because it's what YOU want.   
If you're buying it as an investment/ flipper then it's worth $2-$3K. 

Buying a car, hot rod, etc as a passion purchase means you'll spend more because its a want and probably 95% of the time you'll never get what you've put into it back when selling it.   
If you have hopes of fixing it up to resale for profit this is the wrong car and or price.   Especially if you have to have most the work farmed out.   

No Im not looking to flip it... I do love the dodge charger and want to own one.

I understand what youre saying, Im not going to get dollar for dollar back on it... but what do you think... $.50 on the dollar?

Could this car be a 25k car?

No this car is not a 25k car after u dump 50k into maybe 15k after u dump the 50k. 

I think u might need a lesson in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen chargers.....

[REED]

Appreciate the continued input.

Like I said... I'm not looking to flip a car, I want to own it... but of course I do want to start with a model that will retain a higher percentage of investment at its restored condition.

Basically what I've gathered, and it's common sense, the rarer the model/options.. the better. Makes obvious sense. This one is an SE 383 2BBL... would be better to have an R/T 440 4bbl 4 speed... it's about mid level rarity?

[REED]

Right but... I don't have a trailer... and the car doesn't have heat right now.


[/quote]




Wait a minute...

You are thinking of taking an unknown 44 year old car on a three hour drive in the winter time ?  

What:

Road side pit crew style repair experience do you have ?  

Tools do you have to take with you ?  

Spare parts for a 44 year old car that are NOT just sitting on the shelf at every NAPA store ?

Knowledge of half century old electrical and mechanical systems ?  




[/quote]

Take it easy.

No need.

I'm well aware of how old it is, and the risks involved. A friend will be driving his own car with me. Worst case AAS has to come flat bed it. I'm also looking at a flat bed shipper after I look at it.

Driving is one option but not my favorite..... obviously.

[REED]

If you're buying because you love the car and look it's worth whatever you're willing to spend on it because it's what YOU want.   
If you're buying it as an investment/ flipper then it's worth $2-$3K. 

Buying a car, hot rod, etc as a passion purchase means you'll spend more because its a want and probably 95% of the time you'll never get what you've put into it back when selling it.   
If you have hopes of fixing it up to resale for profit this is the wrong car and or price.   Especially if you have to have most the work farmed out.   

No Im not looking to flip it... I do love the dodge charger and want to own one.

I understand what youre saying, Im not going to get dollar for dollar back on it... but what do you think... $.50 on the dollar?

Could this car be a 25k car?

No this car is not a 25k car after u dump 50k into maybe 15k after u dump the 50k. 

I think u might need a lesson in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen chargers.....

That's why I'm here, title of the thread is a good giveaway.

[EccentricMagpies]

Right but... I don't have a trailer... and the car doesn't have heat right now.

Just car dolly it.  I pulled mine 3 hours.  Less hassle than a trailer.  One truck down, one truck back. 


Wait a minute...

You are thinking of taking an unknown 44 year old car on a three hour drive in the winter time ?  

What:

Road side pit crew style repair experience do you have ?  

Tools do you have to take with you ?  

Spare parts for a 44 year old car that are NOT just sitting on the shelf at every NAPA store ?

Knowledge of half century old electrical and mechanical systems ?  




[/quote]

Take it easy.

No need.

I'm well aware of how old it is, and the risks involved. A friend will be driving his own car with me. Worst case AAS has to come flat bed it. I'm also looking at a flat bed shipper after I look at it.

Driving is one option but not my favorite..... obviously.
[/quote]

[Daytona R/T SE]

Right but... I don't have a trailer... and the car doesn't have heat right now.

Wait a minute...

You are thinking of taking an unknown 44 year old car on a three hour drive in the winter time ?  

What:

Road side pit crew style repair experience do you have ?  

Tools do you have to take with you ?  

Spare parts for a 44 year old car that are NOT just sitting on the shelf at every NAPA store ?

Knowledge of half century old electrical and mechanical systems ?  




[/quote]

Take it easy.

No need.

I'm well aware of how old it is, and the risks involved. A friend will be driving his own car with me. Worst case AAS has to come flat bed it. I'm also looking at a flat bed shipper after I look at it.

Driving is one option but not my favorite..... obviously.
[/quote]







Take it easy yourself.

I'm NOT trying to be a dick.



Is to get your attention.

You need to face reality.

You're setting yourself up for a major headache if you're not properly prepared.

Where is the car ?

If you asked nicely,

I'm sure a member from the board here that's local to the car would be happy to check it out for you.  

This could save you a ton of grief, money and time.

It doesn't matter where the car is...

DC.com members are everywhere.

We're global.  

...Some say we're intergalactic.  

[Ghoste]

Yep, my car was two days away but I got it done through this site.

[1974dodgecharger]

Appreciate the continued input.

Like I said... I'm not looking to flip a car, I want to own it... but of course I do want to start with a model that will retain a higher percentage of investment at its restored condition.

Basically what I've gathered, and it's common sense, the rarer the model/options.. the better. Makes obvious sense. This one is an SE 383 2BBL... would be better to have an R/T 440 4bbl 4 speed... it's about mid level rarity?

rarity and desirability are two different things....you want to enjoy this car I wouldn't worry about them. 

For a 3rd gen they are not desirable as a 2nd gen...you are looking at a 3rd gen less desirable unless super are such as hemi, and/or 4 speed, etc..this car is not rare based on those two factors hemi and/or 4 speed.

[REED]

The 67 charger is 2nd Gen correct?

I'll be honest they don't do as much for me.

[70 sublime]

66 67 is first gen
68 69 70 is second
71 72 73 74 is third

[REED]

Got it thank you.

Man, manual trans is RARE... been searching every site for two days just to see what's out there.

I'd imagine if you got an orioriginal manual you'd eventually need to replace it? So does it matter as much vs converting a auto?

Or is the fact that it came factory manual the big deal. As far as value..

[polywideblock]

its the fact that it was ordered with a manual that makes them valuable  .

as you've found out only a percentage came that way   

   if you want one , keep looking their out there  .
 
    if resale value isn't important do a conversion , but look into prices as it isn't  all that cheap to do

[Dino]

I like the car and don't think $5K is all that bad.  Maybe I'm used to 2nd gen prices where that kind of money would get me a few parts.

A/C doesn't have to cost an arm an a leg to repair but it'll cost nonetheless.  The car may someday be worth a lot, but I doubt it.  You may be able to get your money back when you sell it some day, but I surely wouldn't count on it.  For it to demand the highesst value it should proably be bone stock as well so once you start changing things, the value may go down.

If you intend to play around with this car and not count on ever seeing your moey backI'd say it's a pretty nice deal if there truly is no rot.  If you want a Charger to enjoy that will also bring a pretty penny when you are done with it, I suggest looking for something more special.  You still won't get your investment back probably so be careful.  For direct enjoyment this car seems to fit the bill though.

[JamieZ]

Man, manual trans is RARE... been searching every site for two days just to see what's out there.

I'd imagine if you got an orioriginal manual you'd eventually need to replace it? So does it matter as much vs converting a auto?

Or is the fact that it came factory manual the big deal. As far as value..

Both the 4 speed (833) and the auto (727) are pretty durable. A large number of cars from this era are found with working original transmissions still in place.  Some of the components wear (shifter mechanisms) and of course the expendable items (clutch, filters, etc) need regular replacements. 

There area also companies like Brewer's Performance which do rebuilds of the transmissions (and sell remans as well).

I would hazard a guess that most of the 1st-3rd generation chargers that do not have an original transmission had the original removed intentionally (i.e. a 5 speed added, swap to manual, drag racing shifter, etc) as opposed to having it pulled due to a failure.

[REED]

Really appreciate the continued input and answers from everyone... been around a lot of forums most people on here seem incredibly helpful.

Most of my forum activity is on the biggest boxing forum on the web.. I'm an Admin on there... any boxing fans?


Anyways... yeah recouping some investment cost is important but so is enjoyment... I'm going to wait for the undercarriage pics and see how good of a deal this car is..