'70 Charger question: 2012 R/T vs 70 SE which one would you rather have?

[jdiesel33]

Bring in another choice to add to the mix. Do a combination of both like the '68 Gary Dourdan Charger. I think I have seen threads on here about it before. Anyways, he took the shell of a '68 and put it on the chassis of a new Charger. Then you would have the comfort, mpg, and some safety of the new mixed with the exterior look of the old.
Not that this is really a "realistic" choice for most, but fun to think about it.

[resq302]

Hmmm... well, as others have said, the new 2012 will only go down with value and in my opinion, are built far cheaper made than the 1970.  Also, if I was worried about miles per gallon, I could always do upgrades to the 1970 like adding a fuel injection conversion and such.  I also feel safer driving my 69 than I do driving my 2007 F150.  Maybe because the steel from back then was so much better than it is today or what,  I don't know.  Another factor for me is the ease of repairs.  My 69 I can practically stand inside the engine compartment where as newer cars, you have absolutely no room to even stick your hand in.  Also, the lack of computers in the 70 would make it a no brainer for me as well.  Granted, the computer control makes the car run more efficient however, with computers come sensors, with sensors come relays, with relays come headaches along with all of the other electronic stuff.

Brian, seriously?   You think a '70 is "safer" than a '12 because of the steel thats used?   So I guess 40+ years of crash protection technology (air bags, crumple zones, seat belts, traction control, ABS ETC.....)is meaningless to you?
Adding "fuel injection & such"m is NOT even gonna get you close to the mileage that a new car would get.

I get everyone's allegiance to the classics but for a daily driver give me a NEW car every time!

Again my

Yes.  I know it sounds weird but thats how I feel.  Now if my kids were riding along with me daily, I would have said about a "safer" vehicle with air bags and such, however, since they do not ride in my truck that much, I still would go with the 70 over the 2012.  As for traction control, I could care less about that.  My wifes car has it and I have never even felt it kick in or even felt the need for it.  As for ABS brakes, I absolutely hate them with a passion!  I learned how to drive a car without them and hate the feeling of not being able to stop when the ABS does kick in.  Id rather have myself in a skid where I know how to turn the wheel and stop sooner vs. slamming on the brake and getting a nice foot massage only to have the vehicle continue forward.  This even includes when I am towing as I have had people cut me off on the way out to Carlisle and other shows only to try to have the truck and trailer stop on a dime.

Im well aware that the 70 would not get mpgs close to what a 2012 would but I would not be wanting a 70 for mpgs.  IF I wanted a vehicle for MPG's I would be owning an electric or hybrid car which would probably have to be a cold day in hell before something like that would happen.  I would just do those improvements to try and get a little bit better mileage out of it since it would be an every day car.  This way you still have the classic ride with some upgrades.  

[UH60L]

Would the fuel economy, lack of modern safety equipment and or lack of creature comforts impact this decision at all?

Remember, this would be a daily driver, regardless of weather, job AND it would be your ONLY car.

The thing of it is, once you OWN the '70, you could add in most of the creature comforts if you really have to have them.  My '69 has keyless entry alarm and an alpine stereo with an amp.  We're even thinking about rigging up remote start, just to mess with people at car shows (using a trunk release actuator to set the choke first....).  Gas would have to be A LOT more expensive to have an impact on the decision.

Definitely the '70.