For everyone to read

[rooks]

Rooks - I know what I want. Its a Lamborghini Diablo GT. Until funds allow for such a car, I figured I mayswell ease my way into 'exotic' cars. Hence my idea of the 308, cheap enough to get now, drive that for 12 months till I got the difference for a Testarossa, sell the 308, buy the testarossa, drive that till I got the difference for a Countache, then sell the Rossa for the Count, then drive that till I got the difference and sell the count and have ultimately what I wanted which is the Diablo.

I just figured rather than sit around and wait til the final result I could have some fun upgrading in steps.

My car 41Husk sold to me, there was 100 pictures of it on this site.
Howmuch? Not sure... will be driving it around Aus and see what people offer. Seeing what kinda junk sells here for 40 000, Id be looking at 50 000 considering its in great condition, everything fixed on it now, totaly original including the metal on it. But thats my guess, will see what happenes. Maybe I will hold onto it and just earn the difference for the 308, buy it, drive it. If I love it, sell the charger then, If I dont, sell it for the money baught and still got my 68.

MMmmmmmM - We will see.

Regarding the first paragraph, that's a lot of buying/selling - which means an additional stamp duty payment for each one (these arn't $2000 clunkers, so they'll be significant amounts) - and with every new car (which I would assume is more expensive than the last) comes increased rego & insurance costs. That's a lot of money unnecessarily wasted on continually buying/upgrading cars you only half want.

If the Lambo Diablo GT is your endgame - I'd be inclined to just keep the Charger, and keep saving until you can afford the Lambo.

But it's your money and time. If that's how you wanna spend it - go for it.


Regarding your Charger - I've searched for hours and can't find the pics. hahaha. Found the post on Cuda-Challenger but they were attachments, and that sites attachments are frequently deleted. Still no idea what it looks like. 

You also have to realise it may take some time to sell your Charger down here. The only Muscle cars down here selling and maintaining value are Aussie ones. There's been some fantastic US Muscle for sale down here of late, and a lot of it has been for sale for quite some time. Because of the GFC people here are struggling to sell - and it's not why you think. There are buyers, and they have money - but because the US economy is the way it is, people are doing exactly as you and I did and are buying direct from the US. They have more options at better prices - giving them a much better chance of getting the exact car they want, for a much better price than they'd ever pay for one locally. Also add to the fact that,because of the low prices, importers got in on it to make some quick & easy money - the number of US muscle cars in Australia has probably doubled in the last 2 years. Anybody who wants one and can afford it, probably already has one by now.

If you're not prepared to take a significant loss, then be prepared for a waiting game. You may get lucky and happen to find a buyer with money that wants you exact car, in a right place right time scenario - but chances are it will sit for quite some time.

There are cars listed now that have been on the market for over 12 months, come down 30% in price, and still not sold. Cars that 5 years ago would have sold within days.

Take this car for example: http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=9936469&ref=RecentItem&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__N=1216%201247%201252%201282%204294966380&Nne=

A genuine factory white, numbers matching 440 Magnum, 1970 Challenger. This was listed at the beginning of the year for $90k - has since dropped to $65k - and still not sold - and it is in fantastic condition.

If Kowalski's Challenger can't sell - well, you get the picture.

Not trying to be a prick, just letting you know what you may have in front of you.

[440]

We also learned the hard way in Aus depending on where you are to check the local registration rules.. If it's left hand drive in some states the car has to be 100% original down to the radio or you cannot get it registered without changing it, even if the car comes from interstate. It's a tough market so make your decisions wisely and don't jump into anything your unsure about.

This leaves another question, do you spend the money converting your car to RHD to devalue it in the long run? However this could increase the potential market in Aus as it makes them more sought after in those strict states.  

[mikesbbody]

When you say converting, are you also talking about Ferrari's and lambo's? is there any mention of G Man's Ferrari, and other Exotic being RHD? or LHD? so anything LHD 9not just American Car's) has to be converted in some states unless it's 100% stock (I just thought it was American Car's)?

[440]

Anything Pre 89 in some states has to be 100% stock as per left the factory if you want to keep it LHD. Anything post 89 has to be RHD, no exceptions. Converting a Ferrari to RHD isn't so bad as they made RHD cars... Converting your charger is a different story, especially if it's rare. Would you cut up a Superbird to make RHD ?

Up until the past couple of years everything had to have amber indicators as well   Nothing worse then seeing an American car with tacked on indicators.

Ever see an overseas Corvette? Looks ugly with one red lens and one amber/yellow lens.. The new ones also have half a lens red/amber. I think Canadian Vettes are the same.  

[doctor4766]

Like I've mentioned before, in WA we can pretty much do what we like.... to a degree.
The LHD vehicle only has to comply with the equivalent ADRs (Australian design rules) that were around for Aussie vehicles of the same year. ie I was able to leave the rear turn signals flashing red in Western Australia instead of having to install amber flashing lights. If it were a '70 model it would be a different story.

Even the installation of seat belts (front and/or rear) is only mandatory if the "foreign" car is built after or in the year that they were compulsory here.

SA (South Australia)n rules are almost draconian in my opinion.

[440]

Hence why I said some states 

[doctor4766]

Yeah I hear ya.
Maybe you outta move over this way <----------------------

[440]

I gotta move anywhere but here 

Where is G-man from ?

[doctor4766]

New South I thought....
But I could be wrong

[G-man]

NSW - Close to Sydney.

No issues of LHD, leaving red turn signals, only lap belts in front  etc all OK. Can modify the  stuff out of the car and still be OK.

As said... If I could keep both I definatelly would just  save up. I understand the 'save up for the GT' and then get the GT but that means driving muscle for next (quite a few years I assume). So I figured I can 'ease' my way into it by starting with something I can afford and move forward that way. But thanks f or all the posts, definatelly something to think about...

Infact, Im gonna go see that place I remember, go for a ride in a  ferrari and see if i even like how it feels... that may settle everything sooner  rather than later.

[440]

Pantera = Exotic Muscle 

[mikesbbody]

So I assume G-Man's Ferrari will be a RHD? (bought in Aus) or (if brought in from the States) LHD and if so (if he leaves it stock which I assume he will) he will leave it LHD? that is what I'd like to know. New Zealand rules are similar, but I think it's 30 years or older can remain LHD pretty much the only RHD stuff you will see from the USA here is later Model Trucks. Even some of those are not required by law to be converted the owner may choose to do so I could not understand this while it's not the same as converting a Superbird, if it doesn't need to be done (by law) then why do it? So, is it a RHD or LHD Ferrari your looking at G man?

[440]

The only problem is the legislation varies so much state to state on what is allowed or not. NSW is fairly lenient and legislation seems to be on par with Victoria. NSW has a 30 year cutoff to be registered in LHD, If his Ferarri isn't 30 years old it would have to be converted.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi40_rev1.pdf

[G-man]

I want a RHD car.

See, the Charger I would rather be 'RHD' considering the side of the road we sit on, but... because they ALL are LHD, it just feels wrong converting it. So what happenes in this situation, I dont convert it due to reasons however I feel "id be happier if I had a RHD car" (just not the charger as I would feel wrong converting that particular car).

The ferrari on the other hand, being LHD or RHD, both are correct.Infact the value of them is more if they are RHD here. hile Chargers ofcourse are worth less. So now I can have a RHD car that feels right being that way and its what I wanted, a RHD car. The one I found however that I was looking at was LHD... with the conversion however it would have still been cheaper than an already RHD car... so I would RHD it right away.

As far as Law... I dont know... I know 30+ years or older it can be LHD in NSW, any newer... not sure, but as said, im after RHD so if I find 2 identical quality feraris, one is $68 000 and RHD while the other is  $55 000 LHD, I convert that 55k one as soon as I get it and ive spent $63 000 for a car as good as the one going for $68 000. Id only buy LHD if its gonna be cheaper with me converting it vs buying one already RHD.

[440]

Personally I'd feel much safer in a car that was engineered to be LHD then an old LHD that was converted to RHD. I've seen some pretty scary conversions for which most older ones would most likely be. Double roller chains and tensioners for the steering box, water pipe with industrial bearing supports for throttle clutch movement and wooden dash pieces.

The newer conversions often cost nearly as much as the original vehicle itself... Look at the modern Camaro and Challenger, a 50 - 60 K car is now $100K +

Buying a RHD vehicle is the easiest option .

[G-man]

Personally I'd feel much safer in a car that was engineered to be LHD then an old LHD that was converted to RHD. I've seen some pretty scary conversions for which most older ones would most likely be. Double roller chains and tensioners for the steering box, water pipe with industrial bearing supports for throttle clutch movement and wooden dash pieces.

The newer conversions often cost nearly as much as the original vehicle itself... Look at the modern Camaro and Challenger, a 50 - 60 K car is now $100K +

Buying a RHD vehicle is the easiest option .

Yes it is and that way it doesnt sit for another month-2 before it gets done.
But in regards to new cars from 60K = 100k... from what i remember, its not because the work costs that much. Its the fact they hit u with "Compliance plates". Old car doesnt need compliance, so when its converted ur just paying for the work done. The new car would be the same but because u have to get a propper compliance for it once completed, thats where the 30k goes because they know u cant have it legal without it, so its not the actual work but the bull compliance they hit u up for. Btw - If I did end up with LHD to convert, it would get done at the ferrari specialist I found.

Rooks - http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,65091.0.html

They are the pictures of my Charger

[rooks]

Mate that looks absolutely gorgeous. Love that colour combo. An absolute pity you won't let yourself enjoy it.



Regarding the LHD/RHD decision - absolutely get one already RHD. The cost of converting a Ferrari would be frightening. Well beyond just parts & labour. Engineers need to be involved and as you said for compliancing.

A new Dodge Challenger (SRT8) costs over $30k to convert to RHD.

[440]

Mate that looks absolutely gorgeous. Love that colour combo. An absolute pity you won't let yourself enjoy it.

Agreed 100%... Stunning ... One of my favorite color combinations.

I hope it goes to a good home, someone will surely love it if G-Man doesn't.

[G-man]

what ya mean someone will surely love it if G-man doesnt?

If i didnt love it, it would be easy to just kick off and no big deal.

I got full history record with the car, who owned the cars over the years, when it was registered, where it was registered, all the places the car ever got serviced at (tires and everything), receipts from everything ever done to this car. Still has original boot (trunk) floor, still has original quarters, original floor pans... never rusted out. Sure its been 'resprayed' but the whole thing is how it would have been in 68. I even got a set of NOS mirrors to go on to keep that 'original' aswell. The only thing in it not original is the Alloy Radiator (which is a bonus) but I do have the original one sitting right here in the shed.

I wish I had the money to have both!

I understand I can sell this, do whats better for business then buy a charger again later but... where will I find one so original? The most important part to me is the metal. Where can I find a charger with all original body panels on it that dont need replacing/cutting... to me thats the most important part on the car to be original. I dont mind if gearbox, engine etc isnt, as I wanted to stick a 528 hemi in it anyway with a 5-6speed manual, but the metal to me needs to be.

Ill give u I dont love this car

Hmmmmm LET ME THINK OK? 

[mikesbbody]

When I think of a Ferrari, or something similar I think of RHD despite my Boyhood Hero Magnum P.I  :Lil: but I am in New Zealand which is in your
Part of the world (driving on the same side of the road etc) I don't think I have
Seen any LHD Exotics down here I've seen Older Euro Car's that are LHD.
There are a handful of new Challenger's and Camaro's here I only know of one of
Each that were converted why? they didn't have too (there's a way in which new Car's and trucks can be left LHD) having said that, I know conversion's these day's are Professionally done but I would not have it done. As for the Ferrari? if it were Me, it would be RHD.

[440]

I agree with a car that has that much history included and originality that you shouldn't cut it up. So the car doesn't meet the requirements that you have.

From your posts you don't seem that keen on the car, but somewhat torn as what to do with it, so I'll substitute "love it" for "passionate about it".

At the end of the day it's your car and you can do whatever you want with it. You need to appreciate it for what it is, not what it isn't. If it's not what you want then either change it to your liking or sell it to get what you want and let someone else enjoy it.

Whatever you decide I wish you luck, whether you keep it or not...    

[aussiemuscle]

It is also probably the cheapest and most practical of the super cars that you mentioned.

yes, practicalness of supercars is worth considering. i've heard that to reverse in a Countach, you have to open the door and sit on the sill, because the rear window is like 2 inches high and practically useless.

[mikesbbody]

Wasn't there something on Top Gear (Jeremy Clarkson) Parallel parking one by leaning out the door? (this was a older Lambo) I know it has nothing to do with G- Man's Ferrari  maybe a video is on Youtube.

[G-man]

I think all lamborghinis are that way (useless rear view window). I loved Jeremys comment though when he pointed out the rear window and looked at it lolz.

Well I got an update. Made few phone calls to people this Ferrari specialist gave me numbers to... nobody has 308s, nobody has 328s, nobody even has the Countache OR the diablo. They say they are 'too old'. They also asked me why am i looking for something that old, is it budget or what. So i told them, the 308 is due to budget but the Diablo is because all the newer lamborghinis (gallardo etc) lost their lamborghini look and look like everything else these days. He didnt like that comment very much but bad luck, thats just how it is to me. After Audi took over, they produced all this modern looking stuff that lost its Lambo uniqueness.

Anyways, after all failed calls I decided to go see that service centre just to speak to the guy face to face. When I got there, there was a nice red ferrari there. It was an older model (1997) which I absolutelly loved the look of. We spoke a little, he said not to sell the Dodge to get a 308 because I would be 'downgrading' and im better off saving that little extra coin to get something like the 355 that was there as its 15 years newer, much more reliable and has the power to back it up to still feel like what I own (charger). So anyways, we went for a drive in this Ferrari F355. Only 6 cylenders were working because the rich guy that owns it doesnt wanna spend 1500 dollars to get it sorted out, to him its not priority on the list (never understood rich people, they got money but dont wanna spend it... very weird). So he drove it around the town with me, reved it up past 5000rpm (this is when the engine absolutely sounds amazing), it goes pretty hard and should have gone 'harder'. Nice and stable, doesnt brake your back (firm but comfortable), its not too loud like the dodge inside while cruising, its quite comfortable on the ears, ur heads not gonna blow up cause ur hearing exhaust vibrations inside ur head at 35-40mph (which I kinda hate that about the dodge) and yet when it goes hard it really screams some sexy sounding notes out the rear. It is RHD and it is correct being RHD which I also prefer as I would prefer a RHD car over LHD. The part I loved very much so was that the mirrors are quite functional, has pretty good visibility, out the rear window u can see the end of the car which I also liked, its much smaller than the dodge, so easier to park etc which was also a bonus, and I guess sitting inside it, feels like a race car. I know the dodge can be made a race car but because its so big on the inside and how its designed etc, it just wont 'feel' like a race car sitting inside it, while the ferari, how its kinda tight, on the ground etc felt like i was about to go on a race track, n that I liked about it. Charger can drive like a race car but would 'feel' like a muscle car sitting inside it... I liked the race like feel about the 355 aswell.

On the way back, he turned a corner hard and wanted to show me how good it handles but the 20 year old tires that have never been used, were so hard that they had no traction, he totally spun out after turning left, I saw a parked car getting closer and closer as we started sliding towards the ferrari (So ofcourse i felt like "O man dot smash it on my behalf"... but wwithout ever guessing, this guys got race car driving experience so he just did whatever he did and the car rather than sliding just did a donut and stopped behind the parked car and then continued driving back to the shop.

After getting out of the car, I got to the back of the car and I read "Berlinetta". Now to me that was special because if I prefered ferrari over lamborghini, the Berlinta was the one I would get, to me thats the Best looking ferrari, and the best looking Lambo is the diablo. Funny thing is, there both 1996-1998 model cars (the diablo and berlinetta).

So conclusion that I came up with.

1: I prefer RHD cars (ferrari wins here as converting charger would be just wrong to do to that car)
2: Ferrari is nice and quiet while driving normal (which Im kinda over all the noise inside my head from the charger) - hence more comfortable to drive from this aspect.
3: I always liked light cars because they dont need as much HP to move them as quick. (Ferrari 2900lbs, nowonder 375 HP with 2 cylenders not working felt as quick as the dodge)
4: Ferrari will definatelly be better for business
5: Ferrari feels race like without having to drive it, due to nature of its interior design, position u sit at etc (charger always feel muscle even if it drove on rails)
6: The ferrari does sound Hot when u take the revs right up to 5000+ rpm, it almost started singing like the dodge does, so i was very impressed. I thought it would sound like a jap car... but no, inside it had a really really nice race like growl to it 5000-6000-7000rpm. So it was practical in slow friving (quiet) and yet when you open it up it sounds like its meant to aswell.
7: Its a lot smaller and easier to park/see through (like a normal car)

So overall I loved the car and suits me better due to those reasons. I guess I just want a normal car, thats quiet, that can handle, that can sound awesome and race like when you nail it, and that feels race like sitting inside it which is also Right Hand Drive, the ferrari does all those.

So my Charger is up for sale. I know when It sells I definately wont have the means for the F355 but better to have money in the bank to add to than find a good F355 and then start selling the dodge which could take a while to sell.

Thank you everyone!

[Brock Samson]

G-man I have read your posts on here for a long time since the debacle with your first Charger and I think you are doing the right thing by selling up.

You need to be passionate about these cars to enjoy them, whereas I notice you always just focus on the faults and what they can't do. 40 year old muscle cars are always going to have quirks and faults, that's why we love 'em! Obsessing over some ridiculous horsepower figure and whether it will outhandle a modern sports car based is completely insane, especially given the laws over here now mean you can't even fart without getting your car impounded.

I don't want to be rude, but in your posts you do not really come across as a 'car guy' let alone a 'Mopar guy', maybe get yourself some nice new turbo jap/euro thing from a dealer for some speed thrills, then stick to Gran Turismo and Top Gear to get your exotic supercar kicks, as it sounds like these cars will ultimately not live up to your expectations either.

All the best, whatever you decide. 

    X2!