1973 Dodge Charger buying help!

[Axels73Charger]

Oh... Damn it! I was hoping that I could take it off cause I think it looks awesome that way... I don't know why but I really like it that way... Any way thanks for the info! Now to find the right Charger... well and get a job... and then get the money. But then I'll get the Charger I just have to wait for the right one right?

[PocketThunder]

Oh... Damn it! I was hoping that I could take it off cause I think it looks awesome that way... I don't know why but I really like it that way... Any way thanks for the info! Now to find the right Charger... well and get a job... and then get the money. But then I'll get the Charger I just have to wait for the right one right?

I used to be you 20 years ago.  (i'm 34 now)  I had no money, a part time job making $3.50/hr and big dreams of someday owning a Charger.  I had my sights set on a 69 though, so there is more cost involved.  All i can say is get two jobs and save save save......  And make your girlfriend pay for her half of the dinner and the movie.            

[Axels73Charger]

Haha... (sigh) Ok if I can get 2 jobs I will do just what you said. I need to not spend money on stupid things like video games and just save for the Charger and the parts i'm gunna need to buy. Still haha love the whole girlfriend part! Thanks that was some pretty good info/advise i'll make sure to do just that! Haha (deeper sigh)

[moparstuart]

Haha... (sigh) Ok if I can get 2 jobs I will do just what you said. I need to not spend money on stupid things like video games and just save for the Charger and the parts i'm gunna need to buy. Still haha love the whole girlfriend part! Thanks that was some pretty good info/advise i'll make sure to do just that! Haha (deeper sigh)

but dont forget to live your life   

[71383bee]

Don't fret it.  Most first cars are not the ones your going to end up with.  My first was 72 318 charger hardtop that had a nice blue Macco paint job.  The lights barely worked, the car leaked EVERY fluid, it would die if you hit the brakes too hard, but it had glass packs and was a charger.  After a trip to my uncles shop lift and I saw the holes in the frame it was outta there.  Sold it in a week.   

Then I found the super bee which started as a rolling shell with an interior and boxes of parts.  almost 10 years later and it finally hit the road. 

All good things take time and few things go as planned in this hobby. 

I still wouldn't give it up though!   

[Axels73Charger]

Oh... So i may end up buying a 73 Charger SE maybe find a problem with it then sell it and maybe get something better? Well that makes sence and i think i can make my plan to get the Charger a little more reasonable! Man do I like good word of wisdom from people! Thanks!

[Tilar]

This is a great starter car.

He's down to 5k now I think which is not too bad for what you get. 

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

He's got 6k in the ad, I really sorta wanted that car before I bought that 73 rallye but I didn't have the 6500 he was asking at that time. By the time I get all the little quirks out of this 73 I'm going to have probably 4k in it.

[71383bee]

He's down to 5500 now.

It looks like a very solid ride.

[THE STIG]

Check these 2 out:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1611518283.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1611500135.html
I'm pretty sure it's the same dude selling both I think the SE is priced pretty fair the other could use a little haggeling. I remember when I was a teenager and I wanted a Charger so bad I could taste it. When I was 15 I diden't know what I wanted, but as soon as I started to drive I figured it out pretty quick. My parents were having nothing to do with it and I got stuck with boring cars, and I diden't get my Charger until I was in my late 20's. So here's my advice go out and buy a PoS, like a little rollerskate looking hatchback or a small pick-up it will cost you less plus you'll pay less in insurance and gas. Then you can go and patienlty seek out your Charger with no pressure, and when you find the one that's right you can work on it and still have somthing else to get you around, you don't want to be in a situation where you daily driver and your resto project are one and the same because then you could end up dumping all your money into keeping it running and the stuff you want to do will never get done. And lastly, I know it's already been stated but don't stress over the SE's in my opinion they have the best interiors of any Chargers ever and in most cases they came with bucket seats and center console standard (but I have seen one w/ a buddy seat and column shifter) and they did have the bigger and better brake systems, sure the vinyl top and oprea windows give it a bit of a "dated" look but that's what makes them classics.

[71383bee]

Check these 2 out:
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1611518283.html
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1611500135.html
I'm pretty sure it's the same dude selling both I think the SE is priced pretty fair the other could use a little haggeling. I remember when I was a teenager and I wanted a Charger so bad I could taste it. When I was 15 I diden't know what I wanted, but as soon as I started to drive I figured it out pretty quick. My parents were having nothing to do with it and I got stuck with boring cars, and I diden't get my Charger until I was in my late 20's. So here's my advice go out and buy a PoS, like a little rollerskate looking hatchback or a small pick-up it will cost you less plus you'll pay less in insurance and gas. Then you can go and patienlty seek out your Charger with no pressure, and when you find the one that's right you can work on it and still have somthing else to get you around, you don't want to be in a situation where you daily driver and your resto project are one and the same because then you could end up dumping all your money into keeping it running and the stuff you want to do will never get done. And lastly, I know it's already been stated but don't stress over the SE's in my opinion they have the best interiors of any Chargers ever and in most cases they came with bucket seats and center console standard (but I have seen one w/ a buddy seat and column shifter) and they did have the bigger and better brake systems, sure the vinyl top and oprea windows give it a bit of a "dated" look but that's what makes them classics.

Ohhhh no question here.  I would go for the BB 73 SE in a heartbeat.  In fact that looks like a decent project.  Still a project though...they may be drivers, but if you don't take care of the body issues soon driving it can actually make it worse. 

Great advice you give too.

Put it this way.  I was 22 when I bought my first charger...as stated it was apiece of junk.  But i had my Super Bee two years later after selling the charger and using some of the cash to buy it.  Ten year later and the car is finally at a point where I can drive it and enjoy it.  I had many hurdles along the way from bad parts, lack of funds, space to work on it, and a complete lack of will for a while too.  I learned A LOT about myself, my capabilities, my faults, and my love for this hobby.  If I could do it over it would be different, but hey that is how you learn.  It takes time.  and it takes $$$.  There are deals out there, but they aren't the granny giving away the hemi for a grand type of thing.

As a stellar example my buddy last year picked up a pretty complete and solid 72 charger rallye plus a 400 4bbl powertrain for a great deal last year.  When it was al done he got everything to make a complete car for under 2.5k!  Now the car needs a COMPLETE restoration, which will probably take YEARS to do...but it is an example of 2 things...there are deals, but you gotta work for it to make it work.  This is his car http://gallery.me.com/gschmidt211#100047&sel=0

Give it time.  Get some experience.  Get a good education and a good Job and these things get a bit easier to do. 

[paulgrr63]

Hey man! This is my   on the whole Charger idea. I am 19 and have a Charger. I got my car when I was 18. My dad bought me the car, but I am paying him back for it. IMO, you should wait till you have more money. You are still young(not trying to sound like a wise old man). Get a job, get a daily driver and enjoy your life. In my experience, dumping all the money you make you get from working into the Charger will become more of a job itself than a hobby. Again, that's just my    Whatever path you decide to go down, take your time and explore every possible action. I looked for the right car(and price) for 2 years. Like 71383bee said, give it time  

[THE STIG]

Ohhhh no question here.  I would go for the BB 73 SE in a heartbeat.  In fact that looks like a decent project.

I tried to explain that to my wife but she was'nt hearing it. I even used the His/Hers bit and still no dice.

[PocketThunder]

Ohhhh no question here.  I would go for the BB 73 SE in a heartbeat.  In fact that looks like a decent project.

I tried to explain that to my wife but she was'nt hearing it. I even used the His/Hers bit and still no dice.

What i do in that situation is to buy it anyways and then tell her about it when it gets home.  I learned a long time ago that its easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.   

[jesterCT]

What i do in that situation is to buy it anyways and then tell her about it when it gets home.  I learned a long time ago that its easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.   

[Tilar]

Ohhhh no question here.  I would go for the BB 73 SE in a heartbeat.  In fact that looks like a decent project.

I tried to explain that to my wife but she was'nt hearing it. I even used the His/Hers bit and still no dice.

What i do in that situation is to buy it anyways and then tell her about it when it gets home.  I learned a long time ago that its easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.  

I bought a house like that once and really didn't care if she liked it or not. I couldn't pass up the deal. Once I politely explained that if she didn't like it she could go find her own house, she thought mine was a good idea.  Of course that was pretty much the beginning of the end on that one. 

[71383bee]

Ohhhh no question here.  I would go for the BB 73 SE in a heartbeat.  In fact that looks like a decent project.

I tried to explain that to my wife but she was'nt hearing it. I even used the His/Hers bit and still no dice.

What i do in that situation is to buy it anyways and then tell her about it when it gets home.  I learned a long time ago that its easier to ask for forgiveness than to BEG for permission.  

I corrected your statement!  

[Black Charger]

I don't know where you're located or how far away you are willing to purchase a car, but a classic car dealer in my area has this 1973 Rallye hardtop for sale: http://www.hclassics.com/listing.show.php?Listing=475

I know this is a bit more than you're probably willing to spend but I thought I would post it anyway.

[Tilar]

Wow, Price: $11,900.00  for a 73,751 mile car that is listed as the mechanical being "Parts Only"? I'll sell my 47,000 mile one owner (before me) for 8k and you can drive it home.... Just be sure to slow down way before you're ready to stop. 

[flyinlow]

Hello Axels,

Started our 73 Se 318 car with my son 2 years ago. Paid $3500 (cheaper now) for a complete ,drivable , minimal rust ,second owner, 80K mile car. Local car ,Craigs list .

Lessons learned:  Its a lot funner being a mechanic,then fixing rust.

                        Do the Brakes,steering and suspension first.

                        Ebay is a great tool, but nothing beats checking out the car in person

                        Not many places you can really use 500 hp (for long ) .   

                        Be patient and enjoy the project


Welcome and Good luck                      

[lisiecki1]

Wow, Price: $11,900.00  for a 73,751 mile car that is listed as the mechanical being "Parts Only"? I'll sell my 47,000 mile one owner (before me) for 8k and you can drive it home.... Just be sure to slow down way before you're ready to stop. 

this was the BEST PART of the ad....

Listed: 10/26/2005

[Black Charger]

I just stumbled onto the site and thought I would post the ad for the '73 Rallye. I didn't expect the guy to run out and buy it or anything. Heck, if nothing else, this ad will show him what kinds of BAD deals there are out there. I thought about calling them up to see if they still had the car and if they actually did anything with it, but as much as they're asking, I don't think I would get very far in dealing with them.

[Axels73Charger]

Well I just went through a LONG and tiring road trip for a funeral. The cadillact converter in our Yukon xl died and in easy turms Shit happened. So I was over joyed to see 2 things. You guys were talkin and giving advice! And the 73 Charger Ralleye that is in my state is still there with basicly the same info with the new little note at the bottom price is not set in stone and he will settle for a lower price thats is reasonable! Heres the link hes got 2 new pics up too! http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/1636568116.html
I still think its a good deal but then again im only 15.

[71383bee]

Axel

For what its worth I saw this car on ebay a week ago.  it had a bunch of pictures and from what i saw it looks like a pretty decent project.  BUT it is a project.  As long as you realize that it is not a drop in a motor and run type of thing then it looks like a decent deal.  its mostly taken apart already.  The best thing for it is to continue on and disassemble and restore it.  If you go backwards and make it roadworthy it will take 2x the work to do it right when your ready. 

It actually is not too far from me either.  i lived in Milwaukee for most of my life and am now in Kenosha.  If you can swing it this car will be a great ride when its all said and done and it is a true 73 BB rallye which makes it worth the effort. 

If you can swing it I say go for it!   

[Axels73Charger]

If it stays on craigslist while i get some cash together then I'm gunna shoot for it! I live about 1 hour or so from it but its more about getting the cash the guy wants or something around it. If I can get a job of yea know some more money at least then work out a deal with the guy then I'm hoping I'll get the chance. I don't want to drive it JUST yet I really want to finish restoring it THEN make it driveable! So if you think its a good project then i feel better about talking to the guy. Thanks

[71383bee]

If it stays on craigslist while i get some cash together then I'm gunna shoot for it! I live about 1 hour or so from it but its more about getting the cash the guy wants or something around it. If I can get a job of yea know some more money at least then work out a deal with the guy then I'm hoping I'll get the chance. I don't want to drive it JUST yet I really want to finish restoring it THEN make it driveable! So if you think its a good project then i feel better about talking to the guy. Thanks

Yeah it sounds like he already has the quarters for it which are the hardest to do.  Unless it looks like complete swiss cheese or theres big holes in the frame it sounds like a decent deal. 

Be sure it has a title though...Wisconsin does not play around with that.  It MUST have a title to transfer ownership or they won't even look at the application.