What should my friend do?

[BIRD67]

Okay, so My friend Tommy is interested in cars thanks to me.. SO I find him a car, nothing really special at all, but they aren't very common as they once were.. The car is a 1980 Plymouth Volare 4 door, again nothin special, but he loves it and I really dig F body mopars.. The guy is asking $975, the car has no rot other than a small fist size hole in the rear quarter.. the chrome is all good and the interior is near immaculate.. The owner, this place is a trading post, said the car sat for 15 years, and needs new brake lines, but that it irn and drives..the car has 67,000 miles on it.. The car needs a new paint job, there are some deep scratches in it's metallic turd brown color and there is a slight rip in its tan vinyl top... He really wants this car and has the money, but the guy will not sell him the car without his parents consent.. What do you think of the car, is it worth the asking price? And tommy wants to know how much is he realistically going to have to put into it??

[RD]

Okay, so My friend Tommy is interested in cars thanks to me.. SO I find him a car, nothing really special at all, but they aren't very common as they once were.. The car is a 1980 Plymouth Volare 4 door, again nothin special, but he loves it and I really dig F body mopars.. The guy is asking $975, the car has no rot other than a small fist size hole in the rear quarter.. the chrome is all good and the interior is near immaculate.. The owner, this place is a trading post, said the car sat for 15 years, and needs new brake lines, but that it irn and drives..the car has 67,000 miles on it.. The car needs a new paint job, there are some deep scratches in it's metallic turd brown color and there is a slight rip in its tan vinyl top... He really wants this car and has the money, but the guy will not sell him the car without his parents consent.. What do you think of the car, is it worth the asking price? And tommy wants to know how much is he realistically going to have to put into it??

I am thinking $975 is way too much for a 4 door volare, but that is me.  Is it a 318 car or a /6 car?

[BIRD67]

its a 225 slant six with a 3 speed automatic.. What do you think iis a reasonable price for him to ask?

[Silver R/T]

I would pass on it. There's no way I would buy one for 1K, nothing special about it

[mikepmcs]

$300 car tops...and that's because it supposedly runs.

[BIRD67]

$300 car tops...and that's because it supposedly runs.

It runs, he started it for us, it sounds like a champ, the engine bay is immaculate and the underside of the car is flawless.. its a really nice car, but I don't want tommy to lowball the guy and get kicked off the property..Yeah, he's one of those guys..

[RD]

$300 car tops...and that's because it supposedly runs.

and needs brake lines?  condensation build up causing them to rust.. well that affects calipers and wheel cylinders to boot!

edit- which means that while you are replacing the brake lines, wheel cylinders and possibly calipers.. you need to buy brakes (front and rear), hardware kits, and adjuster kits.  If you are going to do it, might as well do it right.

[mikepmcs]

I'm sticking to my original answer because of what Jamey just said as well.  I would need to see pictures of this ride at this point to even think about bumping it up to say like $308 or so. 

[RD]

if he boots you off the lot, then to heck with him.. he is a shyster who takes selling cars too personally.  If he gets mad at you, it just means you called his bluff.

[BIRD67]

if he boots you off the lot, then to heck with him.. he is a shyster who takes selling cars too personally.  If he gets mad at you, it just means you called his bluff.

No, I dont know that for sure, Im just guessing that because there alot of people like that around here.. he seemed okay, deff. was alot of other neat stuff there..

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-22-1-5013-0-0-0&l=1&w=22&p=1&f=5014&y=1980&m=1142&d=5009&o=24734&vi=83231&da=1

[Ghoste]

Your friend should pass and keep looking for a better deal.

[Silver R/T]

Nada guides don't mean crap, especially on car that's old as that one

[BIRD67]

I know of a better deal, I think? My buddy Ed is trying to sell his 1966 Dodge Polara 4 door.. Its body is flawless and it only needs a rear seat.. its a 4 door but it has a 383/4 barrel and a 727 T-flite.. It has an 8 3/4 with 3.23 and suregrip.. he wants $2500, how does that sound??

[Silver R/T]

4 door cars are not in demand, period. I was young kid once and wanted 61 galaxie 4 door....Good thing I passed on it or I would've been out 3500 for rusty old 4 door. There was a local 68 New Yorker 2 door hardtop. Guy was asking $1500 but I probably could've gotten it for $800-900 tops. I didn't get it since I'm out of room and don't want to park it outside. Besides I have other projects to work on. It was a big block/727 car too

[PocketThunder]

How much bread does your friend have?  He might be more interested in an entry level Dart instead of a 4 door Volare.   

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Dodge-Dart-Sport_W0QQitemZ220556837484QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item335a36426c

[Sublime/Sixpack]

I know of a better deal, I think? My buddy Ed is trying to sell his 1966 Dodge Polara 4 door.. Its body is flawless and it only needs a rear seat.. its a 4 door but it has a 383/4 barrel and a 727 T-flite.. It has an 8 3/4 with 3.23 and suregrip.. he wants $2500, how does that sound??

Four door cars are becoming more accepted as the two door versions are getting more difficult to find at reasonable prices. If he likes the Polara and the car is solid, runs and operates well, I think it could be a fun car for him and he should consider it. $2500.00? It's hard to say without seeing it.

[BIRD67]

He's currebtly workign on the owner of the Polara, got him down to $2000... And those who are saying 4 doors aren't worth it, please recosider yourself..these cars were the workhorses of America, and they can still fit more buddies than a 2 door

[Silver R/T]

He's currebtly workign on the owner of the Polara, got him down to $2000... And those who are saying 4 doors aren't worth it, please recosider yourself..these cars were the workhorses of America, and they can still fit more buddies than a 2 door

lol I hope that's a joke

[BIRD67]

He's currebtly workign on the owner of the Polara, got him down to $2000... And those who are saying 4 doors aren't worth it, please recosider yourself..these cars were the workhorses of America, and they can still fit more buddies than a 2 door

lol I hope that's a joke

Oh, it sure as hell isn't! I already did a drawing of it for the current owner... I'd much rather own a 4 door than a 2 door, that way I can fit as many of my buds or my girlfriends friend as I please.. Tommy feels the same way, cause the only things in this town are 4 door Mopars, if even that, this is a Chevy town, there are maybe like 5 Mopar guys here and they'll take anything!

[Silver R/T]

Ok, kid. Whatever you want to buy for your buddy. You asked for advice and most everyone told you to get something else. If you don't want to listen to people's advice why did you bother posting in first place?

[BIRD67]

Ok, kid. Whatever you want to buy for your buddy. You asked for advice and most everyone told you to get something else. If you don't want to listen to people's advice why did you bother posting in first place?

Hey listen pal, I am paying full attention, but all I am hearing is the same stuff, whats so bad about 4 doors!?!?! I'm not buying anything for anybody, Tommy makes his own choices, around here you simply scoop up what you can and I'm not seeing many 2 door Mopars around here.. He decided against the Volare, he said he wanted something older, so I found a '66 Monaco..Nothing different from what you have, whats Mopar is Mopar, plain and simple!

[The70RT]

I wouldn't give that much money for a 2dr. Volare or 66 Polara. 4 doors are good for a Police car clone. Look around I'm sure there are two doors out there somewhere around you.

[BIRD67]

I wouldn't give that much money for a 2dr. Volare or 66 Polara. 4 doors are good for a Police car clone. Look around I'm sure there are two doors out there somewhere around you.

Thats one thing he said he wouldlike an old cop car.. Our pd used Polara's way back when.. Yeah there are 2 doors, but he doesn't have the cash to replace every panel.. It's weird how 4 doors fare better than 2 doors for the mostpart..

[The70RT]

I wouldn't give that much money for a 2dr. Volare or 66 Polara. 4 doors are good for a Police car clone. Look around I'm sure there are two doors out there somewhere around you.

Thats one thing he said he wouldlike an old cop car.. Our pd used Polara's way back when.. Yeah there are 2 doors, but he doesn't have the cash to replace every panel.. It's weird how 4 doors fare better than 2 doors for the mostpart..

Most of the nice 4 doors were owned mostly by old people so they didn't get out as often. They also didn't get out in bad weather or hotrod them either.

[elacruze]

Brake lines SUCK B***S!

I should go back to the 'repairs you hate worst' thread and add that.

If they are already a known issue, pass on it. You'll be chasing pinholes as long as you own the car. And that fist-sized rust hole has a lot of brothers and sisters under the paint elsewhere, too. Believe it.

Find something where the bottom is pretty and the top may not be. Fixing it is easier, and the results can be seen by everyone.

[elacruze]

I know of a better deal, I think? My buddy Ed is trying to sell his 1966 Dodge Polara 4 door.. Its body is flawless and it only needs a rear seat.. its a 4 door but it has a 383/4 barrel and a 727 T-flite.. It has an 8 3/4 with 3.23 and suregrip.. he wants $2500, how does that sound??

Sounds high, but I don't know where you are.

Don't worry about the 2-door guys. I don't like 4-doors myself, but so what? If that Polara was a wagon I'd be all over it.

[FlatbackFanatic]

If your buddy wants the car, buy it. He's the one that will be driving it. Who cares if its a 4 door. If its in that good of shape, I'd give him$700 for it.

[zoecube]

I'd go with the polara,those year polaras rock and they are getting hard to find,but just a word of advice,the police package version of those are even harder to find so just a heads up for your friend.

[Tilar]

Personally I think the Volare would be perfect for him. Apparently he's young since the owner is hesitant to sell him the car without the parents permission so the car would be a fantastic entry level car. If he does something to screw it up he's out less than a grand. That's not a lot of money. It gives him a chance to learn to work on a car plus it having low miles and the leaning tower of power he can't go wrong.

The guys around here are thinking from a collector viewpoint which is not bad, but it gets away from the original idea of getting this guy an entry level mopar.

Just my  

[PocketThunder]

BIRD where do you guys live?  California?

[draftingmonkey]

His profile says New Hampshire.

As for 4 doors, my first car many moons ago was a 4 door '61 Plymouth Fury and later for economics I had a 4 door VW Rabbit (35mpg city/55mpg highway).  An acquaintance of mine has a buddy who has a stickers on the rear doors of his 4 door that says it all "4 Doors, No Waiting".

[jb666]

When I was a kid, one of my neighbors had a Dark Blue 4-door Torino. The car was MINT, and had a kick ass motor... He entered it in every show, and drove it like he stole it... But when it came time to sell it he sat on it for the longest time.. No one wanted it, so he said, because it was a 4-door... Shame..

My only 4-doors have been my Taurus SHO, Impala SS (96) and my '06 Charger...

[stripedelete]

He's currently working on the owner of the Polara, got him down to $2000... And those who are saying 4 doors aren't worth it, please recosider yourself..these cars were the workhorses of America, and they can still fit more buddies than a 2 door

My nephew still can't sell the  "work horse of america" he fixed up.   Old four doors can be fun, but it's better to inherit them.  Keep looking, there's a two door out there somewhere.   

[BIRD67]

See, now they're getting respect.. Yeah, this is mostly a Chevy town so if he wanted a Nova then he'd be set, but He has offically been converted to Mopar! Yeah, the ratio of old Mopars around here is like 14 Monaco's to 1 Duster.. its that weird.. He's already fallen head over heels for the Polara, its super solid, the 383 four barrrel doesn't hurt at all and there is absolutly no rust on the car, all it needs is a back seat, which shouldn't be too hard to find..Stripedelete, I'm all over the wagon idea, I love wagons, I myself wouldn't mind a '67 Satellite wagon, that would be my current dream car, in T5 Bronze, man, that would be a gorgeous car...

JB666, My dad used to have a Blue 74 4 door torino, he put glasspacks on it and a fourbarrel on the 302, then he gave it to his brother and he drag raced it, his best time was 16 seconds haha.. I wish I had that car! PocketThunder, I wish I lived in california, but then again, I don't cause its nice here in Keene, NH. A quiet little town with some breathtaking scenery!

[PocketThunder]

Screw the Monaco... this is what you guys need.!!  This is the definition of baddass!

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1588501035.html

[BIRD67]

Screw the Monaco... this is what you guys need.!!  This is the definition of baddass!

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1588501035.html

ahahaa, yeah but it all comes down to what he wants, hes now a genuine Mopar nut, but that would be cool.

[adauto]

Screw the Monaco... this is what you guys need.!!  This is the definition of baddass!

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1588501035.html

That be the only 4 door I'd like... rag top the better!

[PocketThunder]

Ok here is a mopar and its a wagon.  This baby is one black Macco paint job away from beating off the ladies with a stick.  Put the rest of your money into some dubs and boom boom in the back and you are all set.   

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,63390.0.html

[The70RT]

3100 for a primed Lincoln  .........

[BIRD67]

3100 for a primed Lincoln  .........

lol yeah he has it set that he wants the Polara.. He hasn't met the seller yet, but the seller's son, Ed goes to school with me and we are good friends, have machine shop class together so I'll try and be the middleman? I got tommy into cars, he is a senior, I am a sophomore and he saw pictures of the Firebird and said, Zach, can you find me a project car, so of course, like a good friend I have been looking all around town..

[greenpigs]

2k isnt bad if its as solid as you say. Try to avoid dumping any more cash into it than whats needed to keep it on the road.

[BIRD67]

Okay, well, I found a 2 door.. My mom's best friend Cathy has a 1973 or 1974 Dodge Charger in her garage that she has been storing for her Ex.. It needs some body work, it is in primer if my memory recalls correctly.. I've seen the car once.. It has a 400 Big Block, 727 Automatic and I think it has bucket seats and a console.. Anyways, Joe, her Ex, wants $5500 for it, and I have no clue if it runs or not.. Its underframe looked solid, but I think that it had some bondo in it.. I'll keep you updated, It is out of Tommy's budget at the  moment, but ya never know..

[PocketThunder]

BIRD, your job today is to get on some photo's of these cars.  Pronto..   Right after school today take a drive around and get some snap snots for us.   

[BIRD67]

BIRD, your job today is to get on some photo's of these cars.  Pronto..   Right after school today take a drive around and get some snap snots for us.   

School? what school dude? It's February break!! I'll see what I can do, I'm hanging with a friends the rest of the week, and one of them has a '73 Road Runner  I'll also grab some pictures of that AAR 'CUda I found a while back..

[stripedelete]

BIRD, your job today is to get on some photo's of these cars.  Pronto..   Right after school today take a drive around and get some snap snots for us.   

School? what school dude? It's February break!! I'll see what I can do, I'm hanging with a friends the rest of the week, and one of them has a '73 Road Runner  I'll also grab some pictures of that AAR 'CUda I found a while back..

Don't worry PocketThunder, I only remember having Presidents Day, Good Friday and Memorial day off myself.  I think back in the day "February break" was called "Strep throat".   

[69bronzeT5]

Good luck on the picture adventure dude!

[PocketThunder]

BIRD, your job today is to get on some photo's of these cars.  Pronto..   Right after school today take a drive around and get some snap snots for us.   

School? what school dude? It's February break!! I'll see what I can do, I'm hanging with a friends the rest of the week, and one of them has a '73 Road Runner  I'll also grab some pictures of that AAR 'CUda I found a while back..

Don't worry PocketThunder, I only remember having Presidents Day, Good Friday and Memorial day off myself.  I think back in the day "February break" was called "Strep throat".   

My kids are only in preschool right now and they have at least 1 day off a month.  They started spring semester in mid January and 4 weeks later they had 2 days off for "semester break". ?  What?   

[bakerhillpins]

BIRD, your job today is to get on some photo's of these cars.  Pronto..   Right after school today take a drive around and get some snap snots for us.   

School? what school dude? It's February break!! I'll see what I can do, I'm hanging with a friends the rest of the week, and one of them has a '73 Road Runner  I'll also grab some pictures of that AAR 'CUda I found a while back..

Don't worry PocketThunder, I only remember having Presidents Day, Good Friday and Memorial day off myself.  I think back in the day "February break" was called "Strep throat".   

My kids are only in preschool right now and they have at least 1 day off a month.  They started spring semester in mid January and 4 weeks later they had 2 days off for "semester break". ?  What?   

It apparently doesn't change when they get into Elementary school!? My kids are in 2nd/4th and they have all sorts of days/weeks off and teacher in-service days. I don't recall any of that when I was young.

[Silver R/T]

Okay, well, I found a 2 door.. My mom's best friend Cathy has a 1973 or 1974 Dodge Charger in her garage that she has been storing for her Ex.. It needs some body work, it is in primer if my memory recalls correctly.. I've seen the car once.. It has a 400 Big Block, 727 Automatic and I think it has bucket seats and a console.. Anyways, Joe, her Ex, wants $5500 for it, and I have no clue if it runs or not.. Its underframe looked solid, but I think that it had some bondo in it.. I'll keep you updated, It is out of Tommy's budget at the  moment, but ya never know..

Ya, you totally should get your buddy to buy that cause it's a great deal NOT. Last time I looked at 74 for sale it was $500 project car, not much worse shape than what you've described. I'd keep looking.

[Ghoste]

On the other hand, the 74 Charger is one that will increase in value especially if it is an original 400.  Pics would help.

[PocketThunder]

Damn Silver is busting the kids balls big time in this thread.  Ease up big guy.. 

[BIRD67]

Damn Silver is busting the kids balls big time in this thread.  Ease up big guy.. 

Hahah, thanks Pocket Hey, when will we see some more pics of that Charger of yours??
I'm not sure if the car is a '73 or a '74.. I do know it is a factory 400 four barrel car and it has bucket seats and a console.. It runs, just needs body work, but it is structurally sound and the interior and engine bay aren't too shabby.. It's just your basic fixer upper, didn't mean to describe it as a complete bondo buggy, 'cause it just has some mud in the rear quarters, and if that.. I cannot remember what hood it had, I wanna say it had the Bulge hood the Rallye's had but I am not sure..

[Ghoste]

It could be a good way to learn more about the hobby.

[Tilar]

$5500 seems high to me. I bought a 73 rallye, 400 - 4 barrel with 47,000 actual miles from the original owner for $1900. http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,66769.msg752450.html#msg752450

Granted that was probably a rare situation, but the point is there are still deals out there.

[Black Charger]

If you friend isn't limited by funds, here is an Aspen 2-door that he might be interested in: http://www.countryclassiccars.com/cars/spcars/spcars_341.htm

[Silver R/T]

Damn Silver is busting the kids balls big time in this thread.  Ease up big guy.. 

Nope, just giving him friendly advice not to waste his money and get fooled by some guy that will take advantage of him.
For a 1K more he could have a nice project Challenger
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/1608583562.html
and here's 73 Charger
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/1580023412.html

[Silver R/T]

Check out this 70 Newport, only $400, it's a big block car too!
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/1620696581.html

[mikepmcs]

oooh, i'd be all over that one myself.  Engine in the trunk though. eek.

[Silver R/T]

oooh, i'd be all over that one myself.  Engine in the trunk though. eek.

For $400 I wouldn't be complaining lol

[BIRD67]

Hi silver, I love that Newport! The only problem I see is getting it here, I'm on the east coast, but I'll definatly show it to Tommy!

[Silver R/T]

I'm not saying that you should get your friend to buy it. Just cause there's no cool Mopars on your block doesn't mean there's none for sale in next town or somewhere around the area. I was told about my Charger by a friend who knew a friend...And guy that sold it to me had a son whom I've actually went to school with...really weird. World is not as big as we think it is.

[teddy1500]

The charger sounds over priced, and a 4 door anything? The biggest problem with ANY four door is not the car, Its the number of teenagers IN the car. Not many want to ride in the back seat of a 2 door on cruise night..... my 2 cents

[Tilar]

If he's going to spend $5500 on a project car, Go ahead and spend another $500 and get this one. I thought about this one before I bought my 73 but I didn't have that much cash to spend at the time. It's a beautiful car.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,63443.0.html