68 Build or Buy?

[h76]

Just wondering what's some thoughts out there as to what's the better route- fix a project the way you want or buy a ready to drive charger? Haven't been following the market for a couple years and am wondering what 15k-25k gets a guy in the 68-70 charger world these days? Thx

[moparnation74]

15-25K

I think a good comparison for you would be to just glance at the prices on eBay.

A unrestored car complete with parts are going for around 10-15k.  Semi restored ride is in in the 30-35k and that does not guarantee quality of work done.

A highly quality paint job with no body work runs in the 8-10k range.

[myk]

As with any question like this when it comes to hobbies, what do YOU want to do?  Most importantly, what is your TRUE budget?  Sure, you may have $15-25K to buy the car, but you'll find out that owning one of these machines always costs a lot to keep it.  You won't find a "complete" car for that price range unless you're just trying to get behind the wheel of a running project.  Despite everything, try to buy the most finished and complete car that you can; paying more up front can save you money in the long run...

[six-tee-nine]

What is also importand what are youre skills?

Say, you buy a roller for 15 grand wich is in ok shape Original sheetmetal with repairs needed. Then you put in antoher 10 grand in paint and sheetmetal, and do all the welding and priming and blocking yourself, you can get somewhere.
While a 25 K starting car can still be a money pit if you bought one that was patched up with roadsigns, foam and bondo.
Dont buy a Hemi restoration project that went to hell and back unless its the only thing you want. A 318 car with little to no rust can also handle a 440.

If you know what old cars are all about and have the skills then I say try to get as much car as you can for around 20 K and go form there. If you want a top shelf quality restored show car you gonna need at least to double your stack of cash.

Oh and some guys dont like '70's so you might just find one thats a little cheaper then say a 68 or a 69.

[triple_green]

I'm sure I will get trashed for saying this, but it is "always" cheaper to buy a well done restoration(you can inspect the quality before you buy).

Some guys can come close if they have mad skills and a year or  two of their life to dedicate to it. So you better enjoy doing the work and being a "parts manager"

Good luck!
Mark

[stripedelete]

What Mark said.

[polywideblock]

 x3   

           look around and then look some more there out there      here's an example of what 15 K can buy 

                                                http://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale/1970-dodge-charger-sanbenito-tx-249593530

                                     

[twodko]

The San Benito car looks pretty good but that air cleaner has to go.
A lot of car fires have been caused by those. Back fire through the carb
ignites the foam and........poof, no car.

Buy the most complete restored car you can afford. 

[Mike DC]

  
Restoring a car is a money-loser the vast majority of the time.  It's only a cheaper way to get something if you want a car with a valuable VIN number, and you can manage to start the resto with a good deal on a decent body shell.  


The most expensive parts of a buildup are the bodywork (mainly the welded sheetmetal stuff, rust repair, etc.) and the overall fit & finish of things.  However nice you want the final car to be, try to buy something as close to that as possible.  If you want a nice black 383 car then don't start with a raggedy rusty black 383 car.  You are better off with a nice green 318 car even if you have to repaint it & swap the motor. 

[1974dodgecharger]

looks way to nice for 15k might be a scam    If you look around there is some 69 daytonas for 20k lying around too.... 

x3   

           look around and then look some more there out there      here's an example of what 15 K can buy 

                                                http://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale/1970-dodge-charger-sanbenito-tx-249593530

                                     

[polywideblock]

  easier for you lot over there to check that sort of thing out   

    would only be a matter of finding a member to go and see it on the ground   

  price seems about right for a 318 2nd gen driver   
   

I was just using it as an example of what you can find if you look 

[1974dodgecharger]

always have some kind of doubt  but yes always nice to check it out.  Look hard enough you will find what you want, but never get.  Remember we found some 69 daytonas for 15k also last year plenty of em in the summer time. 

  easier for you lot over there to check that sort of thing out   

    would only be a matter of finding a member to go and see it on the ground   

  price seems about right for a 318 2nd gen driver   
   

I was just using it as an example of what you can find if you look 

[qwick68]

Tough decision....I've had mine 18 years now, it's a concours resto that luckily I was able to do most myself, concours was the only way I would have it, the resto cost me $ 50,000 over the 18 years.  Mines a keeper with no plans to part.....15-20k will get you a nice cruiser......it all depends on what you wanna do with the car......

[RIDELIKEHELL]

BUY one finished...trust me I know 

[comet_666]

In hindsight I would buy one done. if not, find a rust free car or plan on spending $20K getting it back together and $10K for a nice paint job.

[Ghoste]

Unless its the doing of the project that is the thing you enjoy and is the reason for being in the hobby, buy one done.  You are ALWAYS going to have no shortage of work to perform on the car anyway so why add to your money spent, woes, scars, parts hunting, money spent, time spent, frustration, money spent and money spent.
Or if its a rare car you just can't pass up.
Did I mention you'll spend a lot more money restoring than buying?

[Cooter]

Depends. The in thing now is 'ratty' muscle cars. One can get into these a lot cheaper than a 100 point resto.

[bill440rt]

As mentioned, it all depends what your skill levels are and what you enjoy doing.
Some people enjoy the "woes, scars, parts hunting, money spent, time spent, frustration, money spent..." etc.
If you are in this soley for the money then you are in the wrong hobby. Unless, you find one cheap that just needs a few little things to then flip for profit. If you are looking to keep it and enjoy it, dump some money into it, then maybe you'll break even. The longer you keep it, the more money you "lose" because of upkeep, maintenance, insurance costs, parts, etc etc. That's why this is called a "hobby".

I personally enjoy building/restoring them because I then know what's underneath.

[Ghoste]

And I've enjoyed that too and will again, but a lot of people have the wrong idea about the build it idea.  They either see it as a cheap way to get into the hobby or they underestimate the costs of restoring.  For sure there is special satisfaction in it too though.

[polywideblock]

what people underestimate in the build it yourself project is how much time it will take   

[Mytur Binsdirti]

what people underestimate in the build it yourself project is how much time it will take   

Unless you're me. 

[TUFCAT]

Buy it done unless....

1. You've just found EXACTLY what you wanted after looking for many number of years
2. Its such a rare piece that you many never find another example on the planet. 
3. Time and money are two things you have in excess amounts.
4. You want to spend some time with your kid (which I think is an excellent reason - but you better have #3 covered).  

[h76]

Are 318 cars worth good money? Just wondering what's a decent range for a small block car with decent or good body? Better to have a good bodied small block charger or project 383/440 car?

[Mike DC]

Better to have a good bodied small block charger or project 383/440 car?

The good bodied SB car - overwhelmingly. 

[Ghoste]

I agree.