How about some numbers

[Dino]

We're constantly grading cars and sticking a value on it.  We're pretty good at it as well and in fact, we ARE the authority when it comes to these cars BUT when we estimate a value, we're sometimes still all over the place and the reason is that we are looking at market value.

Depending on the time of day a car can be worth x, y or z dollars but ultimately who decides what the value of a given car is?  The Dow Jones average?  Nasdaq?  Of course not, it's guys like us.  WE decide what they are worth because WE are the buyers.

So in simplified econimical terms this means that when lots of us are looking for a Charger, the price goes up.  When we stop looking, the price goes down.  All this is fed by the overall state of the economy of course, but we're still the ones making up price as we go.

I know it's hard to stick a price on something, especially when it needs a lot of work but in the end we're still guessing.  How many times have we heard a member say that they have double or triple the amount in their cars than anticipated?

For that reason I think we need a sticky that has some real numbers.  On 2nd gens I can recite all the body parts you will need to fix the average prject car, so why not list it all so people can see a good representation of cost?

What about value on finished cars?  What is an R/T worth in very good condition?  What about a 383 2bbl with A/C?

Something to think about maybe?  Just a thought.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Following these cars for the past 25 years++, I have a pretty good idea what they are worth in today's market, with the perspective of value over time.   

I remember when a 1968-1969 R/T was a $5,000 car, in good shape. And when Hemi Chargers of the same vintage could be had for around $20k. Some may recall when they were even less...

[Homerr]

To clarify: you're asking for a sticky of the cost of typical repairs and components, not cars themselves?

Such as cost or man hours to replace a full quarter?

If so, I like the idea.

[johnnyseville]

Following these cars for the past 25 years++, I have a pretty good idea what they are worth in today's market, with the perspective of value over time.  

I remember when a 1968-1969 R/T was a $5,000 car, in good shape. And when Hemi Chargers of the same vintage could be had for around $20k. Some may recall when they were even less...

I remember when Hemi cars were less than 3K and a Superbird was $1500 in a used car lot. Beat that.

[Dino]

To clarify: you're asking for a sticky of the cost of typical repairs and components, not cars themselves?

Such as cost or man hours to replace a full quarter?

If so, I like the idea.

Exactly.  We can actually post ballpark figures for cars as well but I believe it will work ONLY for good condition cars.  The ones we see that are in real nice shape but are usually overpriced by several grand.  The 'bit overpriced' post I started this morning comes to mind.  It makes it easier for new members as they can read the thread and see a ballpark figure so right away they realize that the $70K 383 car may be a tad on the high end.

The majority of the sticky should be cost of parts, labor AND time.  Too many people buy project cars thinking it'll be a quick, fun job but we know that's not true.

Another plus would be having a sticky regarding the sellers to avoid.  We should list all of HLPAQ's aliases and any seller we can think of.  Maybe we can do it in the same thread or a seperate one.  A starting point for new members if you will:  'Welcome to dodgecharger.com, please read this thread to familiarize yourself with the do's and don'ts of buying a classic charger.'  Something to that effect. 

Thoughts?

[Cooter]

So, with this sticky, there shouldn't be anymore threads with bashing idiots for asking too much then?? YAY!! All for it.

[rt green]

some of us like a car, some of us wont  like the same car. two different prices.  but it always seems roughly in the same ballpark when it comes to wiw.  we should call it the charger blue book.

[johnnyseville]

Good luck putting that together, will be worse than a thread on the General Lee. I know I tend to undervalue cars, since I leave emotions at the door, I treat the purchase as an investment, as opposed to others that tend to overvalue due to emotions, so I know prices will be all over the place and confuse some poor guy even more.  

[Dino]

Good luck putting that together, will be worse than a thread on the General Lee. I know I tend to undervalue cars, since I leave emotions at the door, I treat the purchase as an investment, as opposed to others that tend to overvalue due to emotions, so I know prices will be all over the place and confuse some poor guy even more.  

In the end when they post a wiw, we confuse him anyway.   

So let's add that argument to the thread, these are guidelines, not hard numbers.  Emotion does have a price, charger owners can post their own experience.  Hindsight is 20/20 and others can benefit from that.

[jar1292]

To clarify: you're asking for a sticky of the cost of typical repairs and components, not cars themselves?

Such as cost or man hours to replace a full quarter?

If so, I like the idea.

Dang where was this when I got my car? I love the idea, it would save some pore sap like me days of research and price guessing. even now I would use it to set my monthly budget and buy parts more economically.

[Homerr]

I suggest also using something like this format, here are a couple of hypothetical examples:

Repair type:  replace full quarter panel
Starting condition:  painted, daily driver quality
Parts needed:  full AMD quarter panel
Parts cost:  $xxxx
Work done:  removed quarter up to upper body line and to about 1" from door jamb and tail panel
Time taken:  xx hours, shop charged $xx/hr = $xxxx, shop had car for 4 weeks
Finished condition:  repainted to match adjacent panel quality

Repair type:  add 440 to rolling body
Starting condition:  original 383 car missing motor but with 727 in place
Parts needed:  full engine, carb, motor mounts, hoses, rings, gaskets
Parts cost:  engine $xxx bought used off craigslist, $xxx parts from _______
Work done:  re-ringed and refreshed
Time taken:  xx hours
Finished condition:  running car

Something like that, anyone want to add anything?

template:

Repair type:  
Starting condition:  
Parts needed:  
Parts cost:  
Work done:  
Time taken:  
Finished condition:  

[cdr]

right now if you asked me what my charger is worth i would tell you 5.00!!!!! after fighting this stupid AMD quarter panel all morning 

[RCKSTR]

right now if you asked me what my charger is worth i would tell you 5.00!!!!! after fighting this stupid AMD quarter panel all morning 

I thought AMD made the nicest panels out there? 

[polywideblock]

always reading" NO" special threads for 1st,2nd, 3rd gen their all represented here. but here again is someone wanting 2nd gen to be "SPECIAL" what about 1st and 3rd gen cars shouldn't these be in special "numbers "thread too!

[cdr]

always reading" NO" special threads for 1st,2nd, 3rd gen their all represented here. but here again is someone wanting 2nd gen to be "SPECIAL" what about 1st and 3rd gen cars shouldn't these be in special "numbers "thread too!

what about the ones that have 4 doors   

[Homerr]

So I'm hearing:

Year/model:
Repair type: 
Starting condition: 
Parts needed: 
Parts cost: 
Work done: 
Time taken: 
Finished condition: 

[Dino]

always reading" NO" special threads for 1st,2nd, 3rd gen their all represented here. but here again is someone wanting 2nd gen to be "SPECIAL" what about 1st and 3rd gen cars shouldn't these be in special "numbers "thread too!

It would have to be for the 66-74 Chargers but I see nothing wrong with having others in there as well.  I know only about 2nd gens so I would hope members with different gens would chime in.  This is not meant to be a 2nd gen only thing.   Heck, even General Lee's are welcome!      

[polywideblock]

always reading" NO" special threads for 1st,2nd, 3rd gen their all represented here. but here again is someone wanting 2nd gen to be "SPECIAL" what about 1st and 3rd gen cars shouldn't these be in special "numbers "thread too!

It would have to be for the 66-74 Chargers but I see nothing wrong with having others in there as well.  I know only about 2nd gens so I would hope members with different gens would chime in.  This is not meant to be a 2nd gen only thing.   Heck, even General Lee's are welcome!      

my bad only to happy to support something beneficial to all of us  :2thumbs:getting some work on the roadrunner soon but I'm in OZ so don't think you'd be interested in prices etc from here Phil

[Back N Black]

Sounds like a great idea!

[1974dodgecharger]

Movies always increase 2nd gen...last  big was Fast and furious...the first one brought the values up considerably and made imports on the map..well helped it.

[polywideblock]

i know its a road runner but its a 3rd gen car .cost to replace 2 quarters both rockers (iner/outer   l/r) strip and refinish gards/hood/trunk/doors media blast body shell  repair top drivers side of firewall+repaint fc7 (show quality) is $35 000  give or take a couple of grand to cover contingencies  .please note here in australia paint/pannel guy gets $60 hr.what do you think? anybody had similar done ?approx hours in this job?  i know its a lot of bread but one of 438 made ,is it worth it or should i bail now?  thanks phil

[JB400]

If you want it, go for it and post pix

[polywideblock]

i'v already got it had it 2 years drove the wheels off last summer 340 4 speed numbers matching but it came from maryland and has the dreaded rust

[JB400]

Looks pretty.  I say, fix it if you're planning on keeping it.

[polywideblock]

Looks pretty.  I say, fix it if you're planning on keeping it.

was planing on keeping it but for 35000 i could get another car

[JB400]

Is $35,000 what the paint shop quoted you?

[polywideblock]

yea for a full boogy resto blasted body etc etc  the whole 9 yards

[Fred]

Looks pretty.  I say, fix it if you're planning on keeping it.

was planing on keeping it but for 35000 i could get another car

But in what condition?  You can bet your bottom dollar that whatever you get (for $35000)  it will need work too. You could be back at square one.

[JB400]

Well, in my book, it's worth it.  But, I like seeing Classic mopars around and think that preserving these cars for the next gen is a good thing.  If you have the coin to do it, go for it.  But, if your still wanting to keep this a daily, that seems a little high.  I think you could get by doing some work yourself and saving a buck here and there.  You might want to post a few more pix so we can get a better idea of the damage.  Of course, it dawned on me that your on the bottom half of the planet, so things are higher.


By the way, how do you guys keep from falling off into space?

[polywideblock]

magnetic shoes but don't tell anyone

[Fred]

By the way, how do you guys keep from falling off into space?

Come night time, we're up on top!!