The "should I sell" mentality has slowly crept in...

[69Charger_440]

Since they announced that the "new" Chally was coming out, I have had some thoughts about selling my Charger.  Has anyone else thought about it, done it, or definitely going to do it?  Just curious.  Right now I have a Tahoe, Ram 1500, '69 Charger R/T, and a '68 Charger that I had bought to help out a friend who needed money.  So I really don't consider the '68 as being my vehicle since I never intended to keep it.  Anyhow, I would like a modern muscle car and the Chally fits the bill.  I guess it would be better to wait and see it in person to see if it really suits me.  Thoughts, anyone?

[69charger2002]

you will probably be happy with the trade off.. for about 3 months.. then as the newness wears off, even though it may stlil be a cool car, it will NEVER be "69charger cool". but take that opinion as you will. i will be getting a new chally if at all possible. but would i trade off a work of art 69 charger for one? OH NO
trav

[Big Lebowski]

I was all up in a waad about selling my very fine '70 Charger R/T 440 Six-pack for a new Dodge Charger R/T unleashed SRT-8 Daytona Hemi Super Bee SE. Then I saw one. I still have the OLD Charger. The new Challenger looks awesome, buy one.

[71bee]

I'm with these guys. I think that if you do trade in your '68 Charger for a new Chally, you will eventually end up with the classic tale about the once "stupid mistake" that you made when you were a young lil' whipper snapper (even if you are not so young).   

That said, I'm still waiting in line to snag the new Chally myself. it will look killer sitting next to the Bee in my garage!

[Lord Warlock]

Pick your one favorite classic and keep it, sell your 2ndary projects to support the new challenger if that is what you really want.  To tell the truth though, no matter how nice the new challenger is, you will likely rue the day you sold your charger, especially if it is one where you won't be able to find another just like it, plus when you are ready to relive your youth and get a charger again, they will probably cost you 10 times more than they do now.  I know now that if i had sold my own charger (in the several instances where it made more sense to do so) there is no way that I'd be able to find another with the same colors/options etc that my youthful memories would force me to look for.  (even more so since registering it and finding my own is a very rare combo)

The best bet is to put a reasonable amount down on a new car, and finance it for as long as you intend to keep it.  If you keep it longer the residual value makes it worthwhile, but if you choose to sell it it is more like renting to own over the period of time you use it.  The big problem with the srt8 cars is that they are way overpriced still, and will NOT hold their value that long, they WILL depreciate where you can get them for a fair price.  I'm glad that I waited to get my current daily driver (04 SVT Cobra) and also glad that i didn't sell my project cars to pay for it as I really don't believe it will be a forever keeper like the charger is.  I expect that I'll sell the cobra to buy an 08 shelby, or possibly a new challenger srt8 but only after they are a couple of years old and still have low miles.  But the newer hi-po cars just really don't burn into your memory like the old muscle cars do, and none of them really turn heads like the older muscle cars do. 

I know the charger r/t is a long term keeper car, I lived without it for 4 years while in the military, and within 6 months after being seperated from it I was looking for others to replace it, I was lucky to be able to get it back when i got out. (sold it to dad) Once i got it back i came to grips with the knowledge that I had to figure out a way to store it ...and just this year had a 35k garage built just for the charger to sit in while i work on it. 

[Ghoste]

Even though I agree that you shouldn't sell your Charger to do this (maybe the 68 but not the 69), I can't help but wonder about folks who do buy the new Challenger.  If you buy a new one and build a bunch of memories in it and then sell it in a few years, will there be a nostalgic longing for it in 15 years?

[myk]

Yeah, it'd be interesting to see if history would repeat itself in that manner.  I personally can't forsee anyone wanting to see cars like my late model Camaro and Mustang or even the new Challenger 15 or 20 years from now, but then again, I'm sure people thought the same thing about 60's muscle also.

To answer the spirit of the thread, I have thought about selling the Charger, especially when I keep getting offers thrown at me at the local cruises and wherever else I go with the car-offers that have exceeded 18K which is more than I think it's worth. 

I could buy that '02 WS6 convertible, a new GTO, a new 'Stang, save up for the new Pony cars, etc.  Ultimately, I hope I don't sell, and I don't believe I will but the temptation is definitely there...

[TruckDriver]

you will probably be happy with the trade off.. for about 3 months.. then as the newness wears off, even though it may stlil be a cool car, it will NEVER be "69charger cool". but take that opinion as you will. i will be getting a new chally if at all possible. but would i trade off a work of art 69 charger for one? OH NO
trav

[Shakey]

I am considering the new Challenger but would never sell my '69 to buy one.

Why don't you just wait until it hits the showroom floor and then decide.     You've got some time to think about it.   

Just like I've got some time to convince my Wife that I'll be able to stuff two baby seats in the back.  Worst case scenario, she refuses and then I'll get me one of them 4-door Chargers with a big powerful engine.   

[wetfeetmi]

I was seriously considering selling my 'Cuda to buy a WRX Subaru last year. When the new Challenger appeared, I swore "this is it". I was going to ditch both Mopars and get this thing when the convertible comes out. I am going to bide my time and drive the new Challenger first. I am still thinking about the WRX because of gas prices. I will regret the decision to sell at some point in time I am sure. I rarely get buyers remorse, but almost always get sellers remorse.

[dodge freak]

Sounds like some of us need to put so more cash in their old rides. Once you have more power and overdrive and a big bad stereo-with dvd, you won't think these new cars are so hot. Yeah they are ok but I won't spend $35,000 for something that will be worth half that in a few years, Time seems to fly for me.

Now if you are the type that have too much $ and don't know if you want another old car or a new one then go for it. Just remember with new cars the next year one is always better then the last year one.

[dkn1997]

I don't think that any modern muscle car will have the same appeal in 15 years as a true 60's/70's muscle car has.
one reason is that when our old cars were new, they were the fastest cars available.

Now, with the new chally/camaro, they are not the only game in town.  Not when my current dialy driver with 4 doors and baby seat can run 14's.  hell, you can get a neon to compete with some simple bolt ons.  the world has changed. 

[69Charger_440]

I guess I'll wait to check it (Chally) out once it hits the showrooms.  I don't think I will ever give up the '69 since it will be even harder in the future to find an affordable one and one that is not a rust bucket.  I guess if I have to pick and choose, I'll sweat it out in the '69 and look cool doing it. That or I can sell my wife's Tahoe  !

[69charger2002]

sell the tahoe! we knew you'd come to your senses. 69 stays put. lock it away and fuggedaboutit

[Supercharged Riot]

I'll buy your 68 Charger (if its in the right shape)

[BigBlockSam]

69 stays put. lock it away and fuggedaboutit 

[Schuler]

You could sell the charger and in 2 years your challenger will be worth half what you paid while the charger continues to go up in value..

[myk]

True, but owning a musclecar or cars shouldn't be about future value.  If my '69 Charger were to be worth $5 tomorrow I would still love it just as much as I do right now at its ridiculously inflated value.  If this bloke wants a new Challenger and he'll enjoy that more than his classic Charger then he should follow his heart.

As for me, the WS6 beckons...

[4402tuff4u]

Another significant factor on why these old Chargers are more desirable besides looks, in my opinion, is because the simplicity in the engine works. I can just picture what the new Challenger is going to look like under the hood! with all sorts of computer modules and emmision control gadgets that you will probably need a automotive technician degree and computer to diagnosed a problem. (actually I still need a computer with my 68 so that I can post my question on this board to diagnose a problem with my 440, but you get my drift  )

[DW]

I guess it depends on how much you like the 68.  You already have a 69 so at least you'll still have a classic Charger.  It may be a little easier to make the decision after you drive the Chally.  If it ends up being as close to the prototypes as they say, it ought to be a great car.  If not, you might not even want it.