Dilemma with my Charger

[elanmars]

My dilemma is with the economy the way it is, I've found "nice" cars for cheaper than it's going to end up costing me by the time I'm "done" with mine. I at least could make my money back on my initial purchase of the car and more. I love 69s. I love MY 69. But...doing some craigslist searches, I've found some reaaaallyyyyyyyy nice 68s for less than $15000. Of course, I'd have to go check them out and make sure...these aren't special cars, I don't need a numbers matching, rt anything. Just a simple, nice cruiser to drive and enjoy. The 69 I have was originally a 318 car anyway.

my car, it just needs more than I can afford at the moment-because of an accident in my girlfriend's maxima, it's derailed my Charger fund greatly
Plus the issue I had with the guy doing body work/paint, which I'm not hopeful I'll get money back but I'm going to try. Eventually I'll have more money with photo shoots and work but I'll only be able to do Charger work in parts-and not by me, since A) I don't know how to do body work/paint and the things that need to be done B) I don't have the time to learn (school, work, baby).

what I need-I would eventually need a passenger's side front fender due to bondo. I need metal work for both front windshield and back window. I need metal work for bottom of driver side due to bondo. Either patches for some parts of the floor or a whole new amd floor (and to be welded in since I can't do that). I need paint. I need new carpet, AC, either new seats or have them upholstered, new seatbelts, complete audio system (wires, speakers etc).

I feel like I'm way over my head but at the same time, I hate to give up on this car and this dream...but you gotta face reality sometime right?

[Cooter]

I've found that when you build your own car, you know what's in it...

Those Nice 68's you describe? How do you know what's hiding underneath all that "nice"? I've had friends do this very thing only to get in WAYY over their head and be stuck with the second choice...While the first needs some work, there are those out there that are willing to "Try" and do bodywork and sell it to you for $13K with a shiney top coat...Do what you will, but Sometimes, the grass just isn't greener on the other side..

[Brock Samson]

It never hurts to weigh your options. With the way things are just now - what with xmas time and the poor muscle car market and the new lower prices other folks hobby cars are avail for it maked total sense to look around, but your gonna need to have your $ liquid and avail.
So it's not always just as easy as "I'll take that one!"  

[elanmars]

yeah I'm well aware that the grass isn't always greener, I definitely won't be jumping at anything right away and checking it out the most possible. I'll also hopefully have someone help me out wherever I find a car at, I figure we have enough members spread across this country, if not, I much rather pay someone's flight and meals to check out a car than be stuck with a money draining turd.

My car isn't that bad, it's just so much temptation right now I guess.

[bull]

Have you seen these "reaaaallyyyyyyyy nice 68s" in person? Before buying a for sale sign go look at a few and make sure they're as nice as you think they are, if you haven't already.

[Belgium R/T -68]

I also think it's cheaper to buy something ready then to do what I have done but then they are definetly not in the 10-15K range.
Yes, if you have 25-40K you can have a very nice car but still no guarantees. As said, if you build it yourself you know what you have and
the feeling of driving it will be much nicer.

Per

[Troy]

The major flaw with the plan is you have to give up what you have in the hopes of finding what you want. It's much nicer when you can find what you want and then sell what you had. In this market you could unload your car for the minimum and then get stuck paying a premium once you find the right car. I agree with bull, seriously look at these cars that seem like good deals (to get a solid handle on the market) and come up with a dollar amount that you'd need to buy one. If you can swing that then make the move. Be realistic about what it will cost to finish any of them (including yours).

Troy

[PocketThunder]

The major flaw with the plan is you have to give up what you have in the hopes of finding what you want. It's much nicer when you can find what you want and then sell what you had. In this market you could unload your car for the minimum and then get stuck paying a premium once you find the right car. I agree with bull, seriously look at these cars that seem like good deals (to get a solid handle on the market) and come up with a dollar amount that you'd need to buy one. If you can swing that then make the move. Be realistic about what it will cost to finish any of them (including yours).

Troy

Exactly what i did this August.  I found a real nice driver that i liked, bought it, then sold my Charger.  However, i came up $5000 short on the deal so i had to make that up.  But, i would have spent over $5000 just in sheet metal alone to "start" working on my current Charger at the time. 

So yes, i agree that you are doing the right thing, or are in the right frame of mind.

Sell your car to viper r/t (Kendal) in the cars wanted section.   

[bakerhillpins]

Exactly what i did this August.  I found a real nice driver that i liked, bought it, then sold my Charger.  However, i came up $5000 short on the deal so i had to make that up.  But, i would have spent over $5000 just in sheet metal alone to "start" working on my current Charger at the time. 

So yes, i agree that you are doing the right thing, or are in the right frame of mind.

Sell your car to viper r/t (Kendal) in the cars wanted section.   

Didn't you have a sweet red with white BB stripe 68 too? And sold that a few yrs ago? Or am I thinking of someone else? I couldn't figure out why you sold that car.

Personally, I would hang on to it and keep moving.. Its the old saying 1 in the hand or 2 in the bush.

[PocketThunder]

Didn't you have a sweet red with white BB stripe 68 too? And sold that a few yrs ago? Or am I thinking of someone else? I couldn't figure out why you sold that car.

Personally, I would hang on to it and keep moving.. Its the old saying 1 in the hand or 2 in the bush.

Yes, i had a 68 red with white stripe.  318 car converted to 440, automatic.  I sold that in 2008 to pay off my credit card, which was mostly Charger parts purchases for this car, and to pay for a bigger house down payment for my family just before my third child was born.  I still kept my rust bucket 69 Charger 500 which i owned free and clear.  That is the car i sold this summer to buy the survivor 69 R/T from California in my signature picture.  

[Supercharged Riot]

im a 68 fan but since ur a 68, id stick with the one i love. unconditional love man, u might end up with a complete caar. and like cooter said, u bever jbiw wgats undeneath.

just make sure its in the right conditioon before you weigh out yoyr costs,