owning a cool Mopar v being broke (rant)

[CB]

thanks guys for your support.

I gonna ask the body shop where I worked on my cars before if I can bring over my Charger for the winter time. There it is dry, warm , spacious and not far from home so I can hop in after work to do some stuff.

The big bucks parts like brakes and front end rebuild will be done later.

Please keep your  comming!

CB

[The70RT]

thanks guys for your support.

I gonna ask the body shop where I worked on my cars before if I can bring over my Charger for the winter time. There it is dry, warm , spacious and not far from home so I can hop in after work to do some stuff.

The big bucks parts like brakes and front end rebuild will be done later.

Please keep your  comming!

CB

It sounds like a lot of peole that are on here are in the same boat. I think most here wasn't handed anything and worked for what they have. Most on here just have a car or two. I bet most of the rich guys don't hang around on here because someone else is doing all their work and they don't need to know anything but drive or polish them.

Good deal CB. Just make sure you are blanket covered on your insurance as you know anything can happen 

Good deal. Just make sure you are fully insured.

[Supercharged Riot]

Depends on what you're willing to trade off.  I'm guesing we're all average working people.  I decidede to hold off on getting a charger because the last 3 years Ive been saving up for Charger funds.  Ive been miserable because people price them way too much han I can afford every year I get more money.

I quit saving up last year and starting buying other stuff.

I bought nice clothes and tools and worked on my other cars and its been nice for me.  I still have fun with cars that I can afford to work on.  I only got import cars.  Its ok.  The import scene has better (more) girls 

I still like thet Charger best.  But I guess Ill have fun with cars that are within reach like other people my age. 

It all depends on what your willing to sacrifice.  Im still young

[Harlow]

The muscle car hobby is expensive. Any of the desirable cars are gonna be pretty pricey regardless of make (Mopars might be the most expensive). I was hung up for a long time about wanting a 2nd gen. Then I found that I didn't want to save every last penny so I could buy a rust bucket 2nd gen. so I moved on to other car hobbies...thinking of doing a bike build also (hopefully an old Triumph). Plus I got sick of seeing rows and rows of cars that are pretty much the same. 

[CB]

The muscle car hobby is expensive. Any of the desirable cars are gonna be pretty pricey regardless of make (Mopars might be the most expensive). I was hung up for a long time about wanting a 2nd gen. Then I found that I didn't want to save every last penny so I could buy a rust bucket 2nd gen. so I moved on to other car hobbies...thinking of doing a bike build also (hopefully an old Triumph). Plus I got sick of seeing rows and rows of cars that are pretty much the same. 

In our country a Charger is still an attraction to see and hear.
Going to meetings will reveal lots of Mopars and Chargers are well present.
Still have a rare Muscle Car.
CB

[Chris G.]

Plus I got sick of seeing rows and rows of cars that are pretty much the same.

Which car shows do you attend? I have never seen "Rows and Rows" of the same Charger...let alone Mopars.

[The70RT]

Plus I got sick of seeing rows and rows of cars that are pretty much the same.

Which car shows do you attend? I have never seen "Rows and Rows" of the same Charger...let alone Mopars.

I rarely see any MoPars at shows period. Maybe 3-4 out of 100.

[BB1]

All I need to be happy is beer and sex. Charger is an extention of my... oh never mind.
CB get a girlfriend, then you know what working for something is all about.

[Harlow]

Plus I got sick of seeing rows and rows of cars that are pretty much the same.

Which car shows do you attend? I have never seen "Rows and Rows" of the same Charger...let alone Mopars.

True, that statement was pretty exaggerated. But even though the cars have different engines, options, colors, wheels etc... it does start to get redundant. There are definitely exceptions though when something really unique shows up. Again, just my opinion. Not trying to piss anyone off.

[CB]

All I need to be happy is beer and sex. Charger is an extention of my... oh never mind.
CB get a girlfriend, then you know what working for something is all about.

no dude, can't take another project 
CB

[challenger70]

All I need to be happy is beer and sex. Charger is an extention of my... oh never mind.
CB get a girlfriend, then you know what working for something is all about.

no dude, can't take another project 
CB

Truer words were never spoken.   I am in the same boat My Challenger is a functioning automobile but there is always something to urgrade/fix.  The Charger needs a bunch of metal/frame work before I even begin the going through the trans/brakes/electrical/tuning   but I still get that giddy feeling when I open that garage door

[six-tee-nine]

Well CB I know it's hard. But try to stay positive.

I Had 2 Vintage Volkswagens wich were in perfect running condition an one of them was rotisserie restored. The money I got from them when I sold them, gave me the opportunity to buy my ultimate dream, my 69 project car. (old V-dubs just aren't woth as much as vintage Mopars).

Everything needs do be redone to my car and every part I buy I have to work for since I have no extra cash on the side to restore my car.

On the other hand, I consider myself lucky to be able to have a hobby like ours. Lots of guys around me cant afford what I'm spending on my Mopar.
But hey hang in there and after a while there will be light at the end of the tunnel  and you'll be able to cruise your 69 without issues...

[Mike DC]

 

I think we just put too much into trying to keep these cars perfect-looking and original. 



Building a functioning automobile is not difficult or especially expensive (in the big picture) for 21st century man.  Not even one that looks like a '69 Charger and has 500 hp.  But it's the details that really kill us.  It's always the last 5% of the perfection that takes 95% of the time and effort. 

It prevents us from getting our cars done, and it prevents the companies from tooling up (and selling) more affordable and widespread repro parts.  And the repro parts that DO get made . . . it's infuriating how often they're rendered barely functional for the sake of making some aspect of it look 5% more accurate. 

 

[BigBlockSam]

1. be glad you don't have cancer
2. be glad you have a job
3. be glad you have a house
4. be glad you have a family
5. be glad you have a running/driving Charger instead of one in 400 pieces like I do. 

you never know what tomorrow brings . so enjoy today and toss down a pint mate.      

[moparstuart]

1. be glad you don't have cancer
2. be glad you have a job
3. be glad you have a house
4. be glad you have a family
5. be glad you have a running/driving Charger instead of one in 400 pieces like I do. 

   

you never know what tomorrow brings . so enjoy today and toss down a pint mate.      

[SFRT]

 

I think we just put too much into trying to keep these cars perfect-looking and original. 



Building a functioning automobile is not difficult or especially expensive (in the big picture) for 21st century man.  Not even one that looks like a '69 Charger and has 500 hp.  But it's the details that really kill us.  It's always the last 5% of the perfection that takes 95% of the time and effort. 

It prevents us from getting our cars done, and it prevents the companies from tooling up (and selling) more affordable and widespread repro parts.  And the repro parts that DO get made . . . it's infuriating how often they're rendered barely functional for the sake of making some aspect of it look 5% more accurate. 


-this is why my car is a mix of fixed up old parts, good quality modern upgrades and the worlds cheapest paintjob. I want to drive real fast, a lot. I do not want to take it to a show and have some dude critique me because the numbers on the radiator hose arent 'blurred' correctly.

 

[Leonidas Rex]

Try to keep a positive outlook. I understand it can be very difficult. My loan on the Charger will be paid off in July 2009. At that point, my wife and I will have no debt but our house. She has already demanded that the car be started and finished within one year after. So, while it sits, as it has for the past 3 years, covered and disassembled in the  garage, I like to pull up a chair and look at the beast uncovered while drinking a few beers to see what I plan on doing to it. Then, I get depressed and go help someone else work on their car until the depression goes away. Seems to have worked for the past 3 years so it will have to work one more year!

[CB]

Try to keep a positive outlook. I understand it can be very difficult. My loan on the Charger will be paid off in July 2009. At that point, my wife and I will have no debt but our house. She has already demanded that the car be started and finished within one year after. So, while it sits, as it has for the past 3 years, covered and disassembled in the  garage, I like to pull up a chair and look at the beast uncovered while drinking a few beers to see what I plan on doing to it. Then, I get depressed and go help someone else work on their car until the depression goes away. Seems to have worked for the past 3 years so it will have to work one more year!

thanks bud for your advise 
CB

[Belgium R/T -68]

Hi CB,
Would be nice to meet you some time since we live in the same "small" country. I can asure you not being alone
trying to get the hobby and normal expences fit together. I ask myself every day why I don't sell my Mopars since I have only bad luck with them,
having breakdowns all the time but at the same time they have saved my life and without them I would go under.

//Per

[KS71owner]

I feel your pain....

I've had my '71 for almost 13 years now, and I spent the first 10 restoring and rebuilding it a piece at a time with the help of my family. The last major work I had done was a tranny rebuild, and that was four years ago. Since I bought my first house last year I've done nothing, barely even driven it. I think at this point I'm going to wait a year or two and start saving up some money to do a full restoration on the car. Since it was a driver for the first 10 years I had it I couldn't tear it completely down and start from scratch, and that is what I'd like to do eventually. While it's a lot of work, I learned the value of a full resto from my brother's Mercury Cougar...when you tear the car apart and replace everything, you start with a clean slate and no surprises. I found it to be a much less stressful working method. 

Fear not, keep the faith and hang on to the cars. If there is one thing this hobby has taught me it's that it requires a mixture of patience and enthusiasm. Patience for those times you can only look at magazines and dream, and enthusiasm when it's time to order the new parts and install them.

Eventually things will work out to your advantage and you'll have the time and extra cash to do what needs to be done - don't worry.

[superduperbee]

I had mine in storage for 12 years till I finally got a house. Paid storage fees all those years because I knew if I sold it I could never afford to buy another one. I would buy a few parts when I had the extra money [which wasn't often]. Been working on it the past 7 years when I have time & money [between wife, kids & bills]. Still needs bodywork, paint, electrical, brakes and a few odds and ends $40,000 later!

[moparstuart]

I had mine in storage for 12 years till I finally got a house. Paid storage fees all those years because I knew if I sold it I could never afford to buy another one. I would buy a few parts when I had the extra money [which wasn't often]. Been working on it the past 7 years when I have time & money [between wife, kids & bills]. Still needs bodywork, paint, electrical, brakes and a few odds and ends $40,000 later!

been ther done that , at least i have two down  3 to go LOL

[gordo1968charger]

i too am skint,had my charger 4 years,
working 2 jobs (40 hours each,car bodyshop and taxi driver,for nearly 3 years),i actually thought about selling last month,then had a reality check.
during the winter months its hard cos i m working hard and i never get to drive it,i only clocked 1100 miles this year.
the battery still is nt charging either!
This is what i do:
OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR,LOOK AT IT,PAT THE ROOF,SMILE A LITTLE AND GET BACK TO EARNING SOME MORE MONEY!!!!!!!!!

OR BETTER STILL IF THE WEATHER IS NICE,GET IN IT AND SEE HOW MUCH REAR TYRE YOU CAN MELT ONTO THE REAR QUARTERS,
THAT WORKS EVERYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[moparstuart]

i too am skint,had my charger 4 years,
working 2 jobs (40 hours each,car bodyshop and taxi driver,for nearly 3 years),i actually thought about selling last month,then had a reality check.
during the winter months its hard cos i m working hard and i never get to drive it,i only clocked 1100 miles this year.
the battery still is nt charging either!
This is what i do:
OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR,LOOK AT IT,PAT THE ROOF,SMILE A LITTLE AND GET BACK TO EARNING SOME MORE MONEY!!!!!!!!!

OR BETTER STILL IF THE WEATHER IS NICE,GET IN IT AND SEE HOW MUCH REAR TYRE YOU CAN MELT ONTO THE REAR QUARTERS,
THAT WORKS EVERYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did that for 12 years with my first restoration 69 runner , looked at it  drooled ,talked to it patted it on the hood and that was it .  wait for more cash to roll in

[gordo1968charger]

MOPAR:ITS A LIFESTYLE CHOICE