New guy from Sweden, soon on a US roadtrip to buy a Mopar

[DanneP]

Hi guys!

I've been registered to the forums for some time now, just lurkin around since i don't own a Mopar,
or any other american car for that matter. 

But this february, me and a friend are going to the US for a couple of weeks, and the plan is to
buy a car to bring back home to Sweden.

We'll arrive in Los Angeles 31 january, and then buy or rent a car and drive around in CA, NV, AZ,
maybe some more places if there's time

So i'd appreciate some tips and pointers, both considering cars and roadtrippin' the US in general.

My hope is to find a '68 Charger, but since i'm on a budget of $10K, i don't think i'll find one in good
enough condition to consider a daily driver. Well, weekend driver.

Pardon my english, i'm Swedish 
And by the way, this is a great forum! 




//Daniel

[DanneP]

Almost forgot, Merry Christmas to all of you! 

[NorwayCharger]

Almost forgot, Merry Christmas to all of you! 

Hei hei, Daniel .

Hoppas ni finner er Dream car 
Always nice to have some more Scandinavians on this great board of Mopar lovers..

Arne

[LeadfootBob]

En till! Vi äro tusenden 

Where do you live?
Dig around, you just might trip over that "barn find" that we all dream about... Some people still do not realize the kind of money these cars can bring, or, very rarely, they're realistic when pricing a beater car.

Be more concerned about the state of the body than the drivetrain, engines are easy to swap whilst patching rust can be a nightmare...

Good luck 

[greenpigs]

Check the local Craigslists and Ebay for were ever you are at. I doubt you will find a dealer with a 10k charger so a private sale is it. And of course look for the most complete and rust free car possible.

[tan top]

Hello & welcome Daniel

[DanneP]

Thanks for the welcome guys 
I'm from Kalix, way up north in Sweden, near the Finnish border.

Yeah i'm checkin' Craig's on a daily basis hoping to score 
I'd prefer a rustfree unmolested car, not something that looks good at first
glance but hides rust and whatnot under bondo and paint.

Thing is, I need something somewhat reliable. The prices for shipping a car
from the US to Sweden in a container has recently doubled, so I need to
ship it Ro-Ro via the Netherlands. Which means it needs to be drivable and
start without problem when it's being loaded and unloaded from the ship.
But it also means I need to transport the car from CA to Jacksonville FL
since that's one of the two places that ships cars that route.

I'm also looking at Coronets, Cudas, Challengers etc.
Mopars are pricy! 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Hej Daniel, alltid kul med fler Svenskar.

There is plenty of shippers who has ro-ro ships with destination Rotterdam or even Antwerp in Belgium, where I live situated in CA.
To customdeclare a car like that in Belgium or the Netherlands is much cheaper then in Sweden.

Per

[DanneP]

Hej Daniel, alltid kul med fler Svenskar.

There is plenty of shippers who has ro-ro ships with destination Rotterdam or even Antwerp in Belgium, where I live situated in CA.
To customdeclare a car like that in Belgium or the Netherlands is much cheaper then in Sweden.

Per

Really? I have only checked Nordtrafik's site, other shipping companies homepages are pretty low on info.
Do you know of any companies in CA shipping via the Netherlands or Belgium?

Shipping a car worth $10K from California to Sweden in a container would cost approx. $6000, it used to
be around $3300 before they screwed it all up 
And shipping Ro-Ro via Holland would cost around $2800.
I would of course prefer to ship a car in a container, but not if I have to spend $6K to do so 



By the way, any tips on where to live and what to do the first couple of days in LA? 



Danne

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Welcome
Were you born in Sweden?  Your English is quite good (better than some that live here! )

[DanneP]

Welcome
Were you born in Sweden?  Your English is quite good (better than some that live here! )

Thanks 

Yep, born and raised in Sweden.
Guess i've watched too much TV growing up  (Mostly American films and TV shows shown on Swedish television)

[Big Sugar]

Hey Dan:

You've picked a tough Charger to locate running for $10000 dollars but if you look hard enough I'm sure you'll find what your after, I'd suggest holding off on your US adventure untill you actually locate something, Find a Scouts on the forum that will do a little running around for you on this side of the pond.
And don't forget to locate a few Dutch scouts that may be able to help you out in the Netherlands.
Just another thought, Every once and a while you'll see Chargers pop up for sale partially restored possibly with a considerable amount of new parts or even rebuilt drivetrains, I'd search hard and long before I committed to spending $$ on a haphazzard trip abroad hoping to get lucky, That kind of CASH is better spent behind your computer searching.
There is a considerable marketplace difference between $10-20,000 dollars.
Good Luck I'll keep an eye posted....in the meantime....Keep shoveling that snow out of your drive.


Ron
Beeton Ont
Canada

[Johnny SixPack]

Welcome
Were you born in Sweden?  Your English is quite good (better than some that live here! )

Thanks 

Yep, born and raised in Sweden.
Guess i've watched too much TV growing up  (Mostly American films and TV shows shown on Swedish television)

Wow, there's tons of Spanish language programing where I am (SE Texas), but the only Spanish I speak is hola and some swear words. 

Good on yah!

[last426]

I have a house near San Francisco (northern California) and have a spare bed and sofa if you need a place to stay for a few days.  Here is a link to a charger and coronet near me.  Kim



http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1523899679.html


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1517870708.html

[DanneP]

Hey Dan:

You've picked a tough Charger to locate running for $10000 dollars but if you look hard enough I'm sure you'll find what your after, I'd suggest holding off on your US adventure untill you actually locate something, Find a Scouts on the forum that will do a little running around for you on this side of the pond.
And don't forget to locate a few Dutch scouts that may be able to help you out in the Netherlands.
Just another thought, Every once and a while you'll see Chargers pop up for sale partially restored possibly with a considerable amount of new parts or even rebuilt drivetrains, I'd search hard and long before I committed to spending $$ on a haphazzard trip abroad hoping to get lucky, That kind of CASH is better spent behind your computer searching.
There is a considerable marketplace difference between $10-20,000 dollars.
Good Luck I'll keep an eye posted....in the meantime....Keep shoveling that snow out of your drive.


Ron
Beeton Ont
Canada

You're right, a '68 Charger in decent running condition is close to impossible to find around $10K 
But the trip we're taking isn't just for finding a car, it's just as much just for the fun of it.
So it would'nt be the end of the world if I came home empty handed 

I could use the money for the trip to buy a car locally in Sweden or maybe on eBay, but then i'd
miss out on a great adventure. 
I want to experience the U.S, not just by looking at pictures.

Thanks for your advice though, i agree that would be the smart thing to do.
I'm just not very smart 

By the way, i don't need a snow shovel. My DD has 4WD

[DanneP]

I have a house near San Francisco (northern California) and have a spare bed and sofa if you need a place to stay for a few days.  Here is a link to a charger and coronet near me.  Kim



http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1523899679.html


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/1517870708.html

Really?  Wow, that's really generous of you!   
I just might take you up on your offer, we plan to check out San Francisco as well   


Daniel

[Johnny SixPack]

I know Texas is a ways away, but if you for some reason make it this far east, let me know.

Also got a spare bedroom/bed. 

[DanneP]

I know Texas is a ways away, but if you for some reason make it this far east, let me know.

Also got a spare bedroom/bed. 

This is obviously a really friendly forum, I'd never expect people inviting a stranger into their homes.
Thanks guys!
If I happen to stop by a DC-member on my trip, I'm buying the beer!     

[last426]

Really?  Wow, that's really generous of you! 
I just might take you up on your offer, we plan to check out San Francisco as well 
Daniel

If the weather is nice we can even take the hemi out for a ride (but it's 3rd generation).  Write me at symbiotic@hotmail.com when the dates are certain.  Kim

[Johnny SixPack]

I know Texas is a ways away, but if you for some reason make it this far east, let me know.

Also got a spare bedroom/bed. 

This is obviously a really friendly forum, I'd never expect people inviting a stranger into their homes.
Thanks guys!
If I happen to stop by a DC-member on my trip, I'm buying the beer!     

No worries, bro.

Kinda like payback for me.

A member of this site (Brock Sampson, a.k.a. Stratocharger, a.k.a. Dave) picked me up from the airport, put me up at his place and ferried me around when I flew out to Cali to buy my '70 Charger.

Even let me behind the wheel of Skunkenstein (his '69 Charger) when he heard I'd never had the chance to drive a Charger.

Least I can do. 

[69charger440]

I will keep a look out for a 68 charger in San Diego and LA area!!! I find anything I will let you know!!!! Unless it is free then its mine

[b5blue]

Hello newbie!  I suggest if you might ship from Florida start your search there. We have members in the state who may help (I will if I can) you may find something and not have to freeze also. Good Luck!

[68charger383]

I agree, Craig's List is your best bet. Here are some chargers off CL to give you a sample of what to expect:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,64957.0.html

Here's a list of some car shows in CA AZ etc.
http://www.pomonaswapmeet.com/the_digest.php

Here's the best site for CA car shows/cruise nights
http://www.socalcarculture.com/events.html

If your in town on 2/14, might find something at the Long Beach Swap meet.

Might want to head up to Oregon to hunt chargers (about 12 hour drive from LA) they seem to have a good selection in the $10K range.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/1522895962.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/1524115784.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/1521641039.html

[Chargerfreak]

Hello Daniel,

If you need any help in The Netherlands, i can help. Just need to throw a 440 for me in the trunk of your shipped car

chrisvanderslot@hotmail.com

Greets,
Chris.

[Chargerfreak]

This is for sale here.

http://link.marktplaats.nl/304373174
http://link.marktplaats.nl/297548785
http://link.marktplaats.nl/270867593