Looking for a 2nd gen, how much pain and $uffering am I in for?

[toocheaptosmoke]

Hey everybody, new to the site.  I've always loved the chargers, but not until recently did I decide I needed one as my next vehicle.    Been trying to read up as much as I can to get educated about these cars.  Appreciate any help you guys could give. 

My goal is to actually have the car for use as a daily driver, granted it won't be my only vehicle.  I know it's not the best choice for that, but just the fact that very few people still daily drive these cars gives me motivation to do so.  Right now I daily drive a couple of '84s, and even that's a rare sight around this area.  I've owned old POS's since I could drive, I'm used to break downs, roadside repairs, late nights in the shop, etc.  I just can't think of any other vehicle that would make the drive to work more enjoyable.    To increase reliability and fuel economy I want to install a newer 318 w/ 5 speed.  I have that combo in a truck and really like it, and they are readily available.  I know it won't be true to original form, but I just can't afford anything of that quality right now.

So my question is, how much is a reasonable price for the type of project car I am looking for?  After searching through ebay, Cl, and the classifieds on here, the spread of prices makes my head hurt.     When it comes to vehicle aesthetics, my standards are pretty low...  I don't care about numbers, don't want a motor, tranny, or even rear end.  Any interior would be a plus, but again cracked dash or whatever is not a problem.  Would like the rust to be at least repairable, I do all my own work, so as long as the frame is saveable I can probably make it work.  Needs a title, having a front suspension would be a plus.  Body can have as many dents as you like, they're better than rust. 

[bbjones]

Right there with you brotha...

See my other thread, it's got some links to adds I looked up today throughout the US, I'd say you're looking at about $10k to get anything remotely driveable.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,85408.0.html

Cheers and good luck

[bill440rt]

FINDING the car should be no problem, there are many projects out there. It's what you do with it  AFTER finding it that's the tough part! 

There's a guy selling a '70 rolling shell right across town here, it's pretty reasonable. Comes complete with dents, too! 
I'm in NJ.

[Cooter]

 when I bought mine, it was a parts car. No dash, No wiring, no interior, no engine, no trans, no rear, wrecked on the passenger side with bent frame rail, rust in both quarters, winshield busted, roof had rust holes in it, trunk lid gone, finally got it loaded and fell off the trailer into a creek, and no title.....




Traded a 440 block for it...That's cheap..Put $6500.00 in it and am driving it for 9 years. Took 2 1/2 years to build...Too many get into this sh*t thinking they are gonna have "Instant gratification" and with AMD out there, a certain amount of that is possible, but unless you got deep pockets, buying and driving the same day is all but impossible. These cars are not rocket science, but they are NOT for the faint of heart either. I've seen it before, nobody is willin' to put in the hours anymore. All talk about how they can't, but I have the same amount of spare time as most and work on cars all week long. it helps if you sit in an A/C office all day and come home amped up looking to do a little "Dirty work". You gotta MAKE time if owning and having one of these things is truly your passion.

[Vainglory, Esq.]

A truck 318 with a 5 speed...

You are going to find that for a shitty combo like that, the amount that you'll have to pay to even get a car will make it a ridiculous proposition.  You'll be paying tens of thousands of dollars for something that, granted, will look good, but it won't be able to get out of its own way.  Not to mention the fact that isn't nearly as safe.  And it'll get crappy gas mileage.  Oh, and it'll be terribly unreliable.  And, let me reiterate one last time, it will be slow as balls.  You'll be paying out the nose for what basically amounts to a look. 

If I were you, I'd go buy a pretty painting (it'd be about as fast).  But if you've got the money and you don't care that you're basically wasting it, then whatever floats your boat, I guess.

[b5blue]

Your not crazy or alone, start saving money and doing research.  We'll help ya!

[Chatt69chgr]

I would forget the new 318 5-speed stuff and look for a 68, 69 or 70 with a 318 and auto.  Find one that is all in one piece and not rusted out.  Fix the 318 and rebuild the 904.  Go through the brake and suspension system to make it safe.  Enjoy it.

[toocheaptosmoke]

Thanks guys.   I definitely know about the "no instant gratification" thing.  Have done a few project cars before, if I was to get something anywhere near completed in a year's time I would be doing good.  I know how much free time they take up, that's why I wanted my next project car to be something worth it, not another 1992 grand am...  My cj8 was in the shop for over 2 years when it got a complete overhaul.

That is a good point about finding a car with the 318 already in it, something I might really consider if the right one shows up.  Most cars I've seen for sale aren't 318's, and their high prices often seem to focus on the drivetrain.  Complete cars also bring more $$$. I realize it's going to be a big project anyways, so if I can start with a fairly solid base I would be happy.  Once I get a chassis, I can gather the parts it needs over time and spread out the cost, just can't drop 10g in one shot.  Again, if not having a motor would help lower the cost of a chassis, all the better.  Seems that complete cars bring more than the sum of their parts. 

I have a 1996 ram 2500 4x4 with the 318 in it, and it has been a great motor ever since new(my dad's truck).  I know it's not a powerhouse, but it does just fine in a 6000 lb. truck.  And it will get a solid 18 mpg or better if driven easy, no lie.  I can't see it doing any worse in a car.  All my current junk is slow, so that's not my concern.     Thing is I've seen some nice low mileage stuff out of late models at very reasonable prices, which would be cheaper than rebuilding a tired engine/tranny.  And don't worry, the car won't look that good when it's done anyways. 

[Brock Lee]

The daily driver thing gets old when you have to have the bumps and scrapes addressed every couple years. Modern cars are expected to be disposable. Once they reach a certain age, you kind of allow the typical wear and tear to slide. On a Charger you plan to keep forever, you need to stay on the ball or you will have larger issues. Rust will happen. Either the small amount that was not killed in the painting phase, or in nicks and scratches. Even if you don't drive it in the rain, humidity will still get moisture in there.

[Arigmaster]

Looking for a 2nd gen, how much pain and $uffering am I in for?

That would depend first if you are married... And... if you ever consider getting a divorce. The later is very tough on anyone with a collector car. 

[super77se]

 why does it always have to be a 2nd generation? i mean the timeless looks and luxury feel of a classic 1977 char.....i mean.... crap ,nevermind lol

[toocheaptosmoke]

That '77 is where it's at. 


I know all too much about the R word.... 

[Paul G]

It is no easy task, what you want to do. Have you done a Mopar before? Chevy's and Fords are easy, parts are cheap and can be found easily. Not so for Mopars. Expect three times the price for a lot of the parts you will need, double the cost for everything else. And they rust! Finding a 2nd gen that is not rusted out is a task in itself. Expect to pay dearly, unless you get lucky. If you can do all the work your self it saves a ton of money.

Good luck, I hope you find a way to do it. It is a wonderfull thing to see another old Mopar get back on the street. I drove my 72 every day for a short time. Just didnt like what was happening to it. So I bought a Jeep.  

[toocheaptosmoke]

I have not done a mopar before, only trucks and jeeps.  I don't really mind the search for parts, going to swap meets and such.  How is the availability of say, "second rate" used parts?  For example, partially rotted out sheet metal, I've seen quarter panels replaced that I would have attempted to repair myself.  The AMD stuff looks great and would make life so much easier.  But for the type of project and budget I want, doing a less than perfect repair in my shop would be the only choice.  Do parts like broken grills and cracked plastic parts still bring a lot of money?   Also, how's the availability of glass for these cars?  (can't fix that with a hammer and dolly  )