Should I Get This 74 CHARGER?! Please Look

[ajay716]

i hope so...thanks everyone for your input i will definitely use all the tips next time..it just sucks cause i really wanted it, funny thing is he didnt tell me about it till this morning, then he tried saying that the leaky water pump was causing the tranny to do that cause it was overheating when its almost freezing here and the engine wasnt even fully warm. i told him it was unlikely that was causing it to do that without any other evidence of overheating. yeah hes a good ole shyster alright. AND HE RAN NO AIR FILTER FOR YEARS what a dummy 

[1974dodgecharger]

That steering wheel decreased its value....no thats a good price f a running charger.

[will721]

Well at least you learned something. I hate people like that. With the tranny and engine issues the car is still probably worth about 3000 if the body is in good enough shape but you aren't getting a great deal by any means. Let him sit on it for a month then go back and offer him 1500. If he's still got it, I'd bet he'll take it.

[ajay716]

how much do you think it would cost to get a reputable(but not expensive) shop to rebuild the tranny and possibly the engine?

[nvrbdn]

the main difference is if you have to have it for your main transportation. with the few problems going on, you can bargain the price down. but it still could be the car of your dreams. if it doesnt need to be the main transportation you will be able to repair/hire out to repair according to your talents/ the issues and cruise that bad boy around. good luck with whatever you choose.

[nvrbdn]

the rough running engine could be a bad tune, old plugs wires shorting out. start it up at night and look under the hood with no lights on. if you get an electrical show. bad wires etc...  if its not blowing smoke out the back, it could be a tune up. if the trans wasnt taken care of, could be clogged filter. you cant just diagnose these things that quick. but if its been slipping for a while, probably needs a rebuild.

[will721]

how much do you think it would cost to get a reputable(but not expensive) shop to rebuild the tranny and possibly the engine?

Well that all depends on who does the work and what transmission it is. For instance a 727 is more expensive to rebuild than a turbo 350. It also depends on what all you want to do with the transmission once it is completely rebuilt. Not to mention the condition of the internals of the transmission. A slip is caused by worn clutch packs, but other things could be damaged from the over heating tendency of a slipping transmission not to mention the extra wear and tear of suddenly going into gear. Assuming you had a decent shop do the work, and nothing major needs replaced I would guestimate around $1500-2200 for a good full rebuild. However, a trip to the transmission shop is also an opportunity if you have the funding to spend. Since the transmission is already at the shop, you could use upgraded parts. Such as better clutches and bearings, hardened components, shift kits, and manual valve bodies. It would be cheaper to have these things done during the rebuild rather than wait and have it done afterwards.

If you are still considering buying the car, please consider my initial advice for inspecting the body work. Make sure you negotiate the price further now that these problems have made themselves known. Try and get it down to 2500, that will take care of the majority of the transmission work alone for your initial investment.

As far as the engine is concerned the way it runs could be a number of things. Assuming the idle is where it should be it would be a good bet that the cylinders simply aren't all firing. Giving it that lope feeling. If you can, ask to test drive the car to a shop where it can be inspected. Business is slow this time of year you might be able to shop around for a free inspection. Assuming the engine isn't making any weird noises such as knocks or ticks you can have a compression test done which will tell you if there is something physically wrong with the block or if it's more simple. If the compression test comes out ok, the car is easily worth the money. Because that means that the nature of it's lope is probably due to something simple and could likely be taken care of with much less work. You would be surprised what a good tuneup can do for these old cars since they are much simpler than their modern counterparts. Replace the plugs, cap, points, condensor, fuel filter, rebuild the carburetor, and set the timing. You would probably be good to go, and your bases would be covered for the future as well. All for less than $150 if you do it yourself. Water pump leaks are easy to fix anyway.

Sorry about the wall of text. Just want to make sure you have all your bases covered if you are still considering the purchase.

Yours truly,
Will

[twodko]

The biggest loss here is that hella nasty ugly thug steering wheel.
No matter how bad a day might be walking into the garage and seeing that
POS hanging on the wall would ALWAYS be good for a belly laugh.

[Ghoste]

Or the handle on an old beer fridge.

[RallyeMike]

Start looking outside your area to the South and spend few extra $$ to transport a non-rust belt car.  You'll save double $$$.

[1974dodgecharger]

how much do you think it would cost to get a reputable(but not expensive) shop to rebuild the tranny and possibly the engine?

There's brand new rebuilt 727 on Craig's for 400 bucks....at least in my city.

[twilt]

Start looking outside your area to the South and spend few extra $$ to transport a non-rust belt car.  You'll save double $$$.

The best advice offered in this thread.

[ajay716]

i was just scared about the engine cause this guy is dumb and the air filter thing scared me, i dont think its going to be worth it for this one, but hes going to part it out and i dont know when im going to find another so this sucks. he txted me and said he found one and that he could get it put in for 3800 altogether for the car.. i just dont know cause this guys a shyster lol. i would have looked down south already but id want to drive it back i dont wanna tow it.

[ODZKing]

There is lots of stuff out there, be patient. 

[cudaken]

Seems you are passing it by Jay, not a bad idea. If he comes down to $1500.00 you might look at installing a late 90's or early 2000 small block from a Dodge truck.

If you have another car, good with your hands and don't mind work 

Far as the rust, believe it, it is worst than it looks and primer hides everything.Most people here farm out there body work so it cost a lot. My self, I like doing body work so to me it not a big deal.

Cuda Ken

[Ghoste]

I was an early proponent of your getting the car until your drive experience.  If it were just cosmetic or just mechanical it would be fine but you are looking at both with this car.  Its cheap but it is going to  cost you a lot of time and money so ask yourself if it is really your dream Charger or not.  If it is then fine but if it isn't you are going to be frustrated and broke in short order.
By your description this isn't what I would call a driving car, it runs, but it can't be relied on to continue that and do it safely.  If he thinks an air filter is no big deal, how does he feel about tougher maintenance such as brakes?
Pass it by.  I know it seems like you are giving up your only chance but trust me, you aren't.  There are plenty of other opportunities out there.

[1974dodgecharger]

What ghoste said.....


If this what u want then putting money into what wont hurt since it be for the love of it all. 

[1973rallye]

I think it for the best you stay away from that car. As it has been said there are still bargains to be had with a lot less hidden treasures. Patience is the key.

[ACUDANUT]

ajay


if its able to be driven safely the price is a good deal. looks old school.

remember you will not make it a 30k car with out spending 35k first.

Good luck with that logic in a 73/74 Charger.

[RGA]

Tell him you want the wheel and let him keep the charger.

Chain steering wheels are perfect for get away cars.........you can drive with your handcuffs on.

That's a $1500 car where I come from.

[myk]

If funds are limited then you will have to do your fair share of waiting.  If you're unrealistic like me and want things like 440's, 4 barrel carbs, etc, then you'll wait even longer.  Keep at it though, you will get your chance; use the interim to save up more money to buy an even better car...

[ajay716]

BUMP. okay so on to the next one. if you guys think this one is a good buy then im probably going to go out there today and get it so hopefully i get alot of replies real quick. this one is nice!!! its a 73 se brougham! its got 47,000 miles on it, and it has the 400 engine! automatic with a/c. its also the special edition whatever that means. im going to be driving the car home... so hopefully its good like he says it is lol..all it needs is a quarter panel repaired or replaced which he has and it could use some new brakes. the frame and pans are all mostly solid too. the interior is golden. brown color white hardtop. well let me know guys here are the pics. is this car worth 5000? is it worth more you think? thanks for the input

[ajay716]

the pics are big so i have to do one at a time.

[ajay716]

yepp

[ajay716]

mhmm