Buyer's remorse and patience!

[h76]

Anybody out there jump the gun and buy a 68-70 car that maybe wasn't exactly what they wanted. Maybe it was a project you thought you wanted to do or a wrong color combo car or even something other than a 68-70 charger, that you thought would do for ya instead? After owning several different 68-70s, I probably should've just stuck to my guns, saved money and bought 1 finished car. I think you only come to that conclusion after going thru all the work,time, and money these cars can eat up. I respect the guys who tackle projects. But, after some life experience and listening to some very savvy and very knowledgeable people on here,I believe that's the best course. 

[Cncguy]

I bought a 69 that I thought only needed minor body work, I later learned the quarters weren't installed properly, among other things. So I have to start over on this one.

It always seems to happen when you buy a car you think is a great deal it isn't. Then after all your money is gone a better deal comes along.

[myk]

Yeah, I did that.  Fresh out of high school, and desperate to own my first set of wheels, with Autotrader magazines littering my house and a few month's worth of pay from my first job at McDonald's, I impatiently ran out and bought the car in my 'sig pic.  However, the car I truly wanted was a '68 R/T.  Back in '94 they were all over the place in San Diego, but solid driver cars were typically going for at least $5K, but I had no patience and just had to buy SOMETHING.  When the 'ad came up for a freshly painted, "69 Charger R/T-SE I ran out and bought it.  The car looked great with the fresh interior and paint, but mechanically it was a nightmare.  7 and half cylinders, no 3rd gear on the 727, a failing electrical system, and a host of other problems should've convinced me to either walk off or at least reconsider, but I didn't.  Worst of all, the car wasn't even an R/T-SE.  From what I can tell, it at least had the "light group," but that's as close to an SE as the car got. 

The most painful thing was that a beautiful '68 R/T with a verified "XS" vin tag came up about two months later: red, black vinyl top, black interior, black stripes, Cragars and a fully functioning interior with full amenities went up for sale for only $800 more than I paid for my '69.  But, the die was cast at this point, and mom wasn't going to help me after I had already made my choice with my '69.

Fast forward to now, I've fallen in love with my car and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but it's taken countless time and money to bring the car up to becoming a solid, reliable, daily-drive quality machine; and still isn't even halfway to being where I want it to be.  And in the end, it still isn't the '68 I've truly wanted. 

I always tell anyone who's looking to buy their first Charger, or do anything at all in life for that matter: don't settle for anything less than what you want most, pick a target and don't stop shooting for it until you get it, because in most cases you'll only get one shot before you squander yourself and your resources...

[h76]

Yeah, I did that.  Fresh out of high school, and desperate to own my first set of wheels, with Autotrader magazines littering my house and a few month's worth of pay from my first job at McDonald's, I impatiently ran out and bought the car in my 'sig pic.  However, the car I truly wanted was a '68 R/T.  Back in '94 they were all over the place in San Diego, but solid driver cars were typically going for at least $5K, but I had no patience and just had to buy SOMETHING.  When the 'ad came up for a freshly painted, "69 Charger R/T-SE I ran out and bought it.  The car looked great with the fresh interior and paint, but mechanically it was a nightmare.  7 and half cylinders, no 3rd gear on the 727, a failing electrical system, and a host of other problems should've convinced me to either walk off or at least reconsider, but I didn't.  Worst of all, the car wasn't even an R/T-SE.  From what I can tell, it at least had the "light group," but that's as close to an SE as the car got. 

The most painful thing was that a beautiful '68 R/T with a verified "XS" vin tag came up about two months later: red, black vinyl top, black interior, black stripes, Cragars and a fully functioning interior with full amenities went up for sale for only $800 more than I paid for my '69.  But, the die was cast at this point, and mom wasn't going to help me after I had already made my choice with my '69.

Fast forward to now, I've fallen in love with my car and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but it's taken countless time and money to bring the car up to becoming a solid, reliable, daily-drive quality machine; and still isn't even halfway to being where I want it to be.  And in the end, it still isn't the '68 I've truly wanted. 

I always tell anyone who's looking to buy their first Charger, or do anything at all in life for that matter: don't settle for anything less than what you want most, pick a target and don't stop shooting for it until you get it, because in most cases you'll only get one shot before you squander yourself and your resources...

[Kern Dog]

Anybody out there jump the gun and buy a 68-70 car that maybe wasn't exactly what they wanted?

Yes.
I wanted a 69 model. The Dukes of Hazzard, Dirty Mary Crazy Larry and various other features had me bonkers for a 69 car. I bought my 70 with the intentions of changing to a 1969 front clip but then the original 1970 styling really grew on me. I was lucky to get one with a faded but otherwise perfect grille too.

[Ghoste]

Not with any of the Chargers I've purchased but I wasn't too thrilled about the 69 Coronet 500 I bought a lifetime ago.  It was crap when I bought it and I knew that and it didn't magically get better when I dragged it home.