What does $25K buy you nowadays?

[Reezee]

Hi Guys,

I've been a longtime lurker/member on this forum but never actually got to posting. Mainly because I dont have a Charger and have just been here soaking up infomation for when the day finally comes.

Im 26 now and have been wanting a 68 since I was 11. After years of saving I am surely but slowly working towards the position of buying a Charger. But when I my goals as a teenager, 25K was a realistic number for a nice running and driving Charger. However nowadays everything you see online is way more up there. Inspired by the "So how do you find out what a Charger is really worth?..." I started turning the question around. What type of money would you actually need this day, to purchase a running & driving big block (2nd gen) Charger, that isn't completely rotted or a bondo bucket. Is 25 still realistic? Especially if your buying from overseas?

I was just wondering what your expert opinions are on this matter. Always good to hear from people who know what they are talking about and not the sellers who will say anything to get you in the seat  .

[Bad B-rad]

I just paid $16k for a rust free car,that needs a total resto. It is a numbers matching triple green 383 auto,PS,PB,A/C ,column  shift,white hat special with the buddy seat. Car was complete with a set of 1970  seats in place of the 69's. And I thought I did ok. Due to the fact that it's got no rust, even still has original brake/fuel lines. But every system needs complete resto.

I Could have gotten an all original 68,383 auto, running driving, Very nice daily driver,not a show car but all original metal with no rust for $29,000. And I thought that was very fair also,not that I wanted to pay $29K but that car you could have slapped plates on it and just go anywhere.

[c00nhunterjoe]

If you are patient, i have seen quality "drivers" in the 25-30k range. They usually have some bondo and patches, but overall decent cars with avg paint jobs. Most "fully restored" cars are advertised in the 50-60k range. The sheetmetal is a huge factor in cost. 20k in panels is not hard to spend.

[Bad B-rad]

I also bought my car on E-Bay,so it was an auction and it was a California car, I paid another grand to have it shipped to New York. I feel I paid "FAIR" price,def not a home run,but that's what you get for $16k now a days, a complete rust free solid body.

[crj1968]

you could buy mine, good running driving car for under $25K

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Not a Charger, but 25 large will buy you something with virtually zero aggravation, like this.......


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Dodge-Challenger-SRT8-Coupe-2-Door-/291998678910?forcerrptr=true&hash=item43fc7a3f7e:g:a3IAAOSw5cNYWUcg&item=291998678910

[Bad B-rad]

Wow, your 70 looks very good from that photo. What engine trans is in it? How much you asking?

[Bad B-rad]

Not a Charger, but 25 large will buy you something with virtually zero aggravation, like this.......


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Dodge-Challenger-SRT8-Coupe-2-Door-/291998678910?forcerrptr=true&hash=item43fc7a3f7e:g:a3IAAOSw5cNYWUcg&item=291998678910

Well I have two boys, so I just dropped $26K on 2016 Charger R/T.,The new ones are very sweet rides Hard to beat 370HP and 19.5 mpg.

[crj1968]

yeah it's a very solid car..... 383 / 727 / buckets/ console, TTI exhaust..etc...etc... needs minor body work and paint of course....

more pics here when it was white....  www.mopars.com/1970charger.html  

PM me if interested. It was "sold" a while back and then the buyers wife got involved....    

I'm torn about selling it, but putting my kids through college isn't cheap.  

[Bad B-rad]

I never liked the 70 bumper, but your car with the semi gloss black and rallye wheels, its a very nice looking 70!
Sounds like its a nice deal.
I could never find that kind of deal for $25k LOL!!!!

[crj1968]

I never liked the 70 bumper, but your car with the semi gloss black and rallye wheels, its a very nice looking 70!
Sounds like its a nice deal.
I could never find that kind of deal for $25k LOL!!!!

Seems the bumper is a love it or hate it thing with the 70's.  Personally, any 2nd gen charger works for me, even the ones with the weird piece in the middle of the grill.    

[Chad L. Magee]

I also bought my car on E-Bay,so it was an auction and it was a California car, I paid another grand to have it shipped to New York. I feel I paid "FAIR" price,def not a home run,but that's what you get for $16k now a days, a complete rust free solid body.

Sorry, I posted before I saw it was triple green.  I have a T5 twin to your car in my collection of projects.  A 69 WHS with the 383-4bbl. is rare to find...

[Bad B-rad]

I thought the White Hat Special was a very common on early/mid(spring built) 69's?
and I think they built something like 13,000 383 4bbl autos.

[Reezee]

Yeah, your replies are kind of what i guessed. Part luck, part patience and you wil find decent running projects, they just seem so hard to find.

I think it's fairly interesting to see how the market has gone through such a growth in price. Makes it very hard for young enthusiasts to get in range of a dream car. Over here it is especially crazy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OtV5KcmM1w
I was negotiating about this car last year, but it was slightly out of budget for me, back then. German shop bought it, for aprox. $25K and they are now asking €50K ($53K). Luckily asking and getting are two completly different things. True and solid XS car.

@Mytur Binsdirti: 25K doesnt buy me that in The Netherlands. Better bring another 10-15K depending on the edition.

[Chad L. Magee]

I thought the White Hat Special was a very common on early/mid(spring built) 69's?
and I think they built something like 13,000 383 4bbl autos.

When I registered mine with TDC ten+ years ago, Wayne Wooten commented that it was a rare combo and that he had only 104 of them listed in the registry.  More 318 and 383-2bbl. WHS were made than the 383-4bbl. versions, which makes sense because the WHS was a sales promotion to get people in the dealerships, many of them looking for a cheap Charger to drive.  So those buyers tended to settle for the more mundane ones because they cost less.  It is the combination of the 383-4bbl. engine and the WHS option that makes it a rare find...  

[smithenhiven]

Perhaps I got the deal of the year, or maybe I just got really lucky with the Canadian exchange rate, but I paid just over $25K for my 70 Charger not even a year ago.  70 R/T numbers matching 440, the car is not perfect by any means, the old repaint job shows it's age, and the interior could use some love, but it's a quality driver and that's what I intend to do with it.

[crj1968]

Perhaps I got the deal of the year, or maybe I just got really lucky with the Canadian exchange rate, but I paid just over $25K for my 70 Charger not even a year ago.  70 R/T numbers matching 440, the car is not perfect by any means, the old repaint job shows it's age, and the interior could use some love, but it's a quality driver and that's what I intend to do with it.

Looks familiar !   

[smithenhiven]

And yours looks totally different; I'm diggin the flat black though.  You gotta keep it, you'll regret selling.  Let the kids get student loans, lol. 

[Bad B-rad]

Oh I got ya. Now I guess because of the a/c its the 330hp 383 not the 335hp one.

It sucks that the cars cost so much. In 1998 I bought a 69 Charger R/T 440-4 Speed, missing the org engine, for $1500.  A REAL R/T!!!!! Now 17 years later I paid ten times that price for car in the same shape. But its a "plain" Charger NOT an R/T. But at least its a big block, and at least its mine AH HA HA HA HA. But the things that we would have done different if we only new what the future would hold.
Are all Mopar prices on the rise or just the 2nd gen Chargers? I wonder how much The Dukes of Hazzzard has to do with the price increase ? Even if people don't do a General Lee clone, how many people got into Chargers because of that show? And there are like a million more General Lee clones now a days. There are shops that just do that, turn out "Lee" clones. In 15 years there will be shops that all they do is turn all the "Lee" clones back into regular Chargers, the market will be flooded  with tan interior parts, and Dixie horns!LOL!!!

[crj1968]

And yours looks totally different; I'm diggin the flat black though.  You gotta keep it, you'll regret selling.  Let the kids get student loans, lol. 

I hear ya man.... it's a tough one for sure.  

But I think it does help the OP out with his question , I think you can do OK for $25K if you keep hunting...

[crj1968]

Are all Mopar prices on the rise or just the 2nd gen Chargers?

All are on the rise...

[Bad B-rad]

Yeah I found a sweet org 68 for $28k, close to his $25K, But I really wanted a 69, and I wanted something that I wouldn't feel bad building how I would want it.(and now I am building mine dead on balls stock! So go figure,should have just spent the extra $10k and been driving my car already)

[alfaitalia]

Just for interest 25k would probably not buy you a driver here....U.K. If it did it would be very rough. 10k will get you a rusted out bare shell...no joking. Coincidently I was looking at a driver in London today....mat black but virtually rust free body....but with a metallic blue and quite tatty interior....yuk. Needed a fair bit of work but I was considering getting a loan on it to get a driver on the road while I build mine...just can't wait. But it was not good enough for the money imo.  It was £32,000...so about $35,000. Decided to get more patience..which is free and work faster! When i see what you can get for 35 gee's over there I get very jealous...lol!

[Chad L. Magee]

Oh I got ya. Now I guess because of the a/c its the 330hp 383 not the 335hp one.

Yep, that it is.....

Ten years ago, I purchased the shell of a T3 1969 Charger RT/SE (missing the VIN, but had the fender tag) for $800 on ebay.  The second owner took it apart to restore it and lost the rest of the parts (including the dash with the VIN attached) during a bad divorce.  People thought I was nuts to buy it.  Not so much anymore.  I traded it to a good friend so that he could potentially rebuild it as a drag car, using his tornado damaged 69 Charger as a parts car for it.  I can still get it back if I trade him my rough 69 Coronet RT body, but I do not want to.  The Coronet RT is in nicer shape, but worth less overall...

[hemi-hampton]

I just paid $16k for a rust free car,that needs a total resto. It is a numbers matching triple green 383 auto,PS,PB,A/C ,column  shift,white hat special with the buddy seat. Car was complete with a set of 1970  seats in place of the 69's. And I thought I did ok. Due to the fact that it's got no rust, even still has original brake/fuel lines. But every system needs complete resto.

I Could have gotten an all original 68,383 auto, running driving, Very nice daily driver,not a show car but all original metal with no rust for $29,000. And I thought that was very fair also,not that I wanted to pay $29K but that car you could have slapped plates on it and just go anywhere.

For the same $29k you could of gotten my all original 70 440 R/T, 100% rustfree California car, Original paint, original 24k miles, Ran & drove great & fast as hell. LEON.

[Lennard]

Yeah, your replies are kind of what i guessed. Part luck, part patience and you wil find decent running projects, they just seem so hard to find.

http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/auto-s/dodge/m1125222594-dodge-charger-1969.html?c=9b26ed2a557deff636f4f8b9c5b7a618&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ios_social&utm_content=app_ios

[Bad B-rad]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

[hemi-hampton]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

[bigdsul]

you could buy mine, good running driving car for under $25K

Is this one possibly for sale? 

[bigdsul]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

It was a hell of a nice car. I wished I had enough coin at the time to jump on it. I was a couple dollars short then

[darbgnik]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

When did you sell it?

[crj1968]

you could buy mine, good running driving car for under $25K

Is this one possibly for sale?  

[redgum78]

Perhaps I got the deal of the year, or maybe I just got really lucky with the Canadian exchange rate, but I paid just over $25K for my 70 Charger not even a year ago.  70 R/T numbers matching 440, the car is not perfect by any means, the old repaint job shows it's age, and the interior could use some love, but it's a quality driver and that's what I intend to do with it.

I you have done very well!

[Reezee]

Yeah, your replies are kind of what i guessed. Part luck, part patience and you wil find decent running projects, they just seem so hard to find.

http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/auto-s/dodge/m1125222594-dodge-charger-1969.html?c=9b26ed2a557deff636f4f8b9c5b7a618&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ios_social&utm_content=app_ios

That car is, in my opinion, overpriced.

[Lennard]

It's less than half of what the mopar shop is asking.

[Homerr]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

I seem to remember there was some body damage too.

[Reezee]

It's less than half of what the mopar shop is asking.

That is true, but also not a true R/T and if i remeber correct from the guy's Facebook post it has a 340 in it, not a 440. And has body work and needs the lines replaced.

But, value is whatever someone wants to pay for it I guess.

[Bad B-rad]

So do you have any "leads" on what you might be spending your $25K on?Have you found any good cars or are you still looking or saving?

[Bad B-rad]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

How long ago? I have been trolling E-bay for a few months before I got mine. Did you sell it?
I think the car looks really good,and 70 is my least fav of the 2nd gen.
I like the color and the wheels. The pin stripe is also cool. And an original R/T.
I have seen many 2nd gen R/T cars that need total resto. TONS of rust repair(floors, trunk, 1/4's,rear window, ect,ect)and its a complete basket case that someone took apart years ago, so you may or may not be getting most of the parts for the project,sometimes missing the #'s engine and people are asking $18-$22K.
That's kinda why I got a regular Charger,I couldn't find a REAL R/T I could afford, that wouldn't take big bucks (to pay and have it done)or years of my life to fix it myself.

[Reezee]

So do you have any "leads" on what you might be spending your $25K on?Have you found any good cars or are you still looking or saving?

No, not really leads and still saving. But more out of curiousity that I started this thread. I picked $25K because it was a nice number that is, in my opinion, realistic. My budget might end up higher or lower, but I hope to buy one somewhere in 2017.

[Bad B-rad]

Well best of luck with your search and your saving, and be sure to post up photos when you do buy a car.
I know 68 is your favorite, will you hold out for the right 68 or if a real good 69 or 70 came along would you grab it?

[Reezee]

Thanks Bad B-rad, when the day comes I wil certainly do so.

And to answer your question, a 68 has always been the goal/dream. So I wont spend the money on anything else. They are all beautiful cars, but they dont have the same effect on me as the 68.

[bigdsul]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

How long ago? I have been trolling E-bay for a few months before I got mine. Did you sell it?
I think the car looks really good,and 70 is my least fav of the 2nd gen.
I like the color and the wheels. The pin stripe is also cool. And an original R/T.
I have seen many 2nd gen R/T cars that need total resto. TONS of rust repair(floors, trunk, 1/4's,rear window, ect,ect)and its a complete basket case that someone took apart years ago, so you may or may not be getting most of the parts for the project,sometimes missing the #'s engine and people are asking $18-$22K.
That's kinda why I got a regular Charger,I couldn't find a REAL R/T I could afford, that wouldn't take big bucks (to pay and have it done)or years of my life to fix it myself.

I believe he sold it last year sometime. I was very much interested in the car and the pictures he sent me were very ample in showing the good and the bad of the car. If I remember correctly the grill had some damage to it but was an easy fix. And minimal rust in the lower rear quarters. Which for a 50 year old car there was hardly any bad. Honestly I was hoping to jump on it but life kept happening and draining my charger funds. I was about 5k short of the asking price and didn't want to waste Leon 's time by asking him to sit on it while I came up with the funds. It seemed for a while that every car was just a couple grand out of reach lol.

[Bad B-rad]

I know exactly what you your feeling for me it is a 69,like I said I could have gotten a SWEET  #'s matching 68 but I knew it would only make me 90% happy, so I passed and snatched up a 69. for me it goes 69=#1/68=#2/70=#3 and then Daytona, I am nota fan of the 69 Charger 500's because I love the Charger grills and rear window. IF I was going to do a Dayclonea I MIGHT  not put in the rear plug because I love that rear window so much,LOL!!!I like the Charger  500 grill when it's on a 68 Coronet. And I respect the value / history of a 69Charger 500, but looks wise not for me. Good luck on your search for a 68!!!!!!

[Bad B-rad]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

How long ago? I have been trolling E-bay for a few months before I got mine. Did you sell it?
I think the car looks really good,and 70 is my least fav of the 2nd gen.
I like the color and the wheels. The pin stripe is also cool. And an original R/T.
I have seen many 2nd gen R/T cars that need total resto. TONS of rust repair(floors, trunk, 1/4's,rear window, ect,ect)and its a complete basket case that someone took apart years ago, so you may or may not be getting most of the parts for the project,sometimes missing the #'s engine and people are asking $18-$22K.
That's kinda why I got a regular Charger,I couldn't find a REAL R/T I could afford, that wouldn't take big bucks (to pay and have it done)or years of my life to fix it myself.

I believe he sold it last year sometime. I was very much interested in the car and the pictures he sent me were very ample in showing the good and the bad of the car. If I remember correctly the grill had some damage to it but was an easy fix. And minimal rust in the lower rear quarters. Which for a 50 year old car there was hardly any bad. Honestly I was hoping to jump on it but life kept happening and draining my charger funds. I was about 5k short of the asking price and didn't want to waste Leon 's time by asking him to sit on it while I came up with the funds. It seemed for a while that every car was just a couple grand out of reach lol.

Oh man that sucks you missed ou. I only started looking five six months ago, and a pulled the trigger on the first really solid, complete car I found. I may have been able to find a better car but I would have definitely spent more money. And  honestly for $500-600 bucks I could be driving my car as it is, and repair it as I enjoy it. So I am happy with what I found. And I am 8k under the $25k in the title of this thread and that's with shipping to NY from CA.
What did you end up getting??

[G-man]

25k will buy you a whole bunch of problems and frustrations with a bucket full of Iron Oxide from places you didn't think.

[hemi-hampton]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

I seem to remember there was some body damage too.

Yes, there was minor body damage, some little dents in drivers side front fender, as can be seen in pictures. For the cracked grill I put in another nice used front bumper & grill that cost me $1,500 & ad said it came with new grill & front bumper. which i had for years sitting in my garage but didn't put on. I put it on just before I sold it & shipped it. There was zero rust on 1/4's & car was 99.9 % rustfree. Some one got a good deal. I think all the rust bucket projects I see are way overpriced. LEON.

[hemi-hampton]

 

[Bad B-rad]

I got to tell you that is a freakn' nice 70 Charger. I would never think to paint a car that color but it looks really good.

[INTMD8]

Mind if I piggyback your thread with what does 45k buy you nowadays?

Any opinions on this one guys? Thanks

http://www.auto-palace.com/used/Dodge/1968-Dodge-Charger-8cfc2f170a0e0a175837ce58334ebabd.htm

[bigdsul]

I am not a fan of the 70 R/T scoops on the doors.(or the bumper) I like the big open grill.
That 70 Charger above looks freak'n Sweet!!!!!  Where the Hell were these deals when I was looking for a car.

That deal was on here, ebay, craiglist, Cars On Line, Nobody wanted a 70 with ugly brown color & automatic I was told. LEON.

How long ago? I have been trolling E-bay for a few months before I got mine. Did you sell it?
I think the car looks really good,and 70 is my least fav of the 2nd gen.
I like the color and the wheels. The pin stripe is also cool. And an original R/T.
I have seen many 2nd gen R/T cars that need total resto. TONS of rust repair(floors, trunk, 1/4's,rear window, ect,ect)and its a complete basket case that someone took apart years ago, so you may or may not be getting most of the parts for the project,sometimes missing the #'s engine and people are asking $18-$22K.
That's kinda why I got a regular Charger,I couldn't find a REAL R/T I could afford, that wouldn't take big bucks (to pay and have it done)or years of my life to fix it myself.

I believe he sold it last year sometime. I was very much interested in the car and the pictures he sent me were very ample in showing the good and the bad of the car. If I remember correctly the grill had some damage to it but was an easy fix. And minimal rust in the lower rear quarters. Which for a 50 year old car there was hardly any bad. Honestly I was hoping to jump on it but life kept happening and draining my charger funds. I was about 5k short of the asking price and didn't want to waste Leon 's time by asking him to sit on it while I came up with the funds. It seemed for a while that every car was just a couple grand out of reach lol.

Oh man that sucks you missed ou. I only started looking five six months ago, and a pulled the trigger on the first really solid, complete car I found. I may have been able to find a better car but I would have definitely spent more money. And  honestly for $500-600 bucks I could be driving my car as it is, and repair it as I enjoy it. So I am happy with what I found. And I am 8k under the $25k in the title of this thread and that's with shipping to NY from CA.
What did you end up getting??

I'm checking on a 1968 chag about 3 hours from me that looks good in the pictures. I'll be looking it over in person and bringing cash with me to buy if I like what I see.

It was a 318 car originally but has a 383 put in it. The body is straight and rust free aside from the trunk pan needing to be replaced. So hopefully I'll have a car to take home with me this weekend 

The bad is the car is a bit more of a project then what I would like to have but the good is the car is not half a continent away like all the others I've come across.

[Reezee]

That 70 is a sweet sweet ride. Nice color on it!

And dont mind the piggy backing haha. That is one sweet looking 68 for that amount of money I believe.

[moparnation74]

If you think the entry cost is inflated.  Just wait till the restoration begins.....

Every car is solid until it is stripped......

[cbrestorations]

the crap i buy...i can get 25 chargers 

[Bob]

the crap i buy...i can get 25 chargers 

[crj1968]

The bad is the car is a bit more of a project then what I would like to have but the good is the car is not half a continent away like all the others I've come across.

I think you'd be better off paying $1000 to ship a car then dealing with a bunch of rust at 10X the cost. 

"California cars" are labeled that way for a reason.

If you have to see it in person, it's also worth your $400 plane ticket to do so....of course I wouldn't do that until you are quite sure from many pictures and conversation it's the car you want.
Most sellers would probably help you out a bit with both expenses. I would.   

[cbrestorations]

theres 2 sides of california cars...nice and then totally junk. if its anywhere near ocean which california has alot of the car is rotted just as bad as an east coast car.

[crj1968]

theres 2 sides of california cars...nice and then totally junk. if its anywhere near ocean which california has alot of the car is rotted just as bad as an east coast car.

True that. 

[INTMD8]

Cleanest stuff I've bought all around is Pacific northwest. Oregon/Washington. And the interiors aren't baked out like southern cars.

[cbrestorations]

Cleanest metal car I got was a California car, but it was 150miles away from the ocean. 2nd best car was a south Dakota car. Been parked since 1976, the trunk and valance corners are great

[bigdsul]

The bad is the car is a bit more of a project then what I would like to have but the good is the car is not half a continent away like all the others I've come across.

I think you'd be better off paying $1000 to ship a car then dealing with a bunch of rust at 10X the cost. 

"California cars" are labeled that way for a reason.

If you have to see it in person, it's also worth your $400 plane ticket to do so....of course I wouldn't do that until you are quite sure from many pictures and conversation it's the car you want.
Most sellers would probably help you out a bit with both expenses. I would.   

Boy am I familiar with that saying lol. I checked out a west coast California car that  had rust everywhere. Frame rails were toast and there wasn't a panel on that car that wouldn't need to be replaced. Since it was a 1 owner car the seller thought he could get top dollar for that alone.

If I can find a car worthwhile I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I've been sitting on 25k for close to 2 years and still no charger lol. Everytime 1 has come up it seems like fate steps in and says nooooooooooo not today buddy.

So now I'm going up north to check on a car 3 hours from me in the hopes that I'll have a car in tow on a trailer.

My problem is most projects are beyond my skills as I'm not a welder or metal fabricator. I can turn a wrench all day long and rebuild a motor or transmission but sheet metal work and body work is out my of my skill set nor do I have the kind of time to devote to that level of work. But it seems that either the car runs and drives and is priced to the moon or is a major project that requires more time then I can give it. I don't want a car that will sit for years before I can enjoy it. A family and a 40 plus hour work week makes it hard to have a ton of time to set aside.

I think that 25k can by a drivable car that can ve workes on as you go that is non numbers matching non R/T all day long but finding one for sale has been a challenge to say the least.

[hemi-hampton]

I've seen a ton or alot of cars for sale Advertised as a California car, Being a body man/Painter I can see most of these will be a bondo buggy perfume on a pig cars. Strange for a California car. But I then notice most of these advertised as a California car do not have the N95 Option. Which to me is suspicious & I would not believe it was a legitimate California car. But some that are N95 & rusty may not of stayed in the state long & some sold in California may of came from another state. Mine also had these 2 California emmision stickers on the Windshield. LEON.

[crj1968]

I think that 25k can by a drivable car that can ve workes on as you go that is non numbers matching non R/T all day long but finding one for sale has been a challenge to say the least.

Well you can't find that all day long, if so, it wouldn't be a challenge...

However, that will buy my 70 now, before I change my mind...and it's a daily driver, solid running, car.

It's even better that my last 70 I talked to you about a few years ago at $17K that you passed on. Remember?  

[bigdsul]

I think that 25k can by a drivable car that can ve workes on as you go that is non numbers matching non R/T all day long but finding one for sale has been a challenge to say the least.

Well you can't find that all day long, is so, it wouldn't be a challenge...

However, that will buy my 70 now, before I change my mind...and it's a daily driver, solid running, car.

It's even better that my last 70 I talked to you about a few years ago at $17K that you passed on. Remember? 

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