My Message To CC

[Prowler Orange Challenger]

Guys, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about things in my life and everything and I've decided I will be putting up the Challenger for sale. Parts are getting too expensive and this is becoming more of a collector's type hobby and not a fun one. I know some of you all or majority may not agree with my logic but, if things work the way I want them too I'll be hopefully getting a Prowler to replace the Challenger with. They're two different cars but, with the Prowler I can get and turn the key and go ya know. Some argue that I could do the Challenger like that and I could but, the problem is while I'll make okay money I'm still at the bottom of the barrel compared to what half of the people on this site make for an annual income and in order to make it better technological wise I would dump quite a bit of money into. More than I would like.

Some say, I should wait until my finances catch up but let's be honest, parts and these cars aren't getting any cheaper. Per granted I'm still 25 but, I also have health problems; minor injuries that I have recieved while in the military. I have osteoarthritis in both my knees and the doc says eventually I'll need a knee replacement or knee replacements in the near future. I have fallen arches in my feet and a minor bone spur on the right heel. I'll be having to take Cortizone shots soon. But, in all honesty there have been days I wanted to work on the Challenger but, couldn't because I have some days where my knees throb from the arthritis and it becomes a fight to work on the Challenger. I try to fight it but, sometimes my body gets the best of me even though I try my hardest to push on with things.

Anyways, I guess the point I'm driving at is that I need to enjoy my life a little more while I'm still somewhat young and in fairly decent health. I know someday it's going to get me but, I'm about living my life to the fullest for now. I'm sorry to annouce this but, I will not forget this car. I've had a few good times in it but, at the same time I can't be worrying about working on it all the time either especially since my health has declined slightly within the past six months. I hope everyone can understand on this. I know it seems as if I'm asking for a pity party but, I'm not. I guess I'm saying if I can sell the Challenger for what I want then I probably won't be around as much. But, I'll still be around. Hopefully, some of you all understand.

[Carlwalski]

The hobby is what you make it, don't let the market value of some of these cars get to you. 
You may regret selling your Challenger but who knows which way the market is going.

One thing about your Challenger is it will never depreciate.
The Prowler may or may not, but a Challenger is a sure fire asset.

Even if you're not in it for a financial investment (most of us aren't) the money you're putting in (which you're worried about) isn't going to waste. Your basically maintaining your retirement. lol

Hope you reconsider your decision as it's sad to see someone lose their pride and joy. 

Cheers,
Carl
NZ440R/T

[Prowler Orange Challenger]

NZ,

    You have a valid point however, there so much a person can spend on a monthly basis. My car payment on this car is $250 a month. Not bad but, you must consider I have two other vehicle payments atm and when you throw $500 a month at it becomes a bit of juggle especially since I'm only bringing in $2200 a month after taxes. It's not horrible but, at the same time I do have other bills. As for the financial investment you could say I'm in it for that partially but, at the same time I grew up around these cars. I love them but, at the same time there is a line to be draw with things as well. I'll see what happens but I believe this is the best decision. If I sold the Challenger and got rid the other. Took some money and traded in the Ram I would have ideally one car payment but, two vehicles. At least that's how I look at it.

[Carlwalski]

I got ya. 

You do know that if you sell now it maybe hard for you to buy another one.  Could you park the Challenger up and tie the money up so at least if you find a better job or something good happens you still have it in lockup? At the end of the day it's your decision and you'll know what the right thing to do is.

Just make sure you've thought about every possible choice.

Cheers. 

[340kiwi]

Prowler
At the end of the day a car is just a thing. If that particular thing doesn't fit with your current life circumstances then no one else has the right to criticise you for making a change. For some people the enjoyment of cars is working on them, for others it's driving them (sometimes it's both) But if working on your Challenger hurts you physically, where's the enjoyment in that? It's no fun having to turn your back on something you have put time and effort into but life isn't always fair. Anyhow, I think Prowlers are cool and look like they'd be fun to drive.
Cheers and good luck
Paul

[Ravage]

Hope that prowler brings you much happyness.Let us know if/when you get it.

[tactransman]

Prowler
At the end of the day a car is just a thing. If that particular thing doesn't fit with your current life circumstances then no one else has the right to criticise you for making a change. For some people the enjoyment of cars is working on them, for others it's driving them (sometimes it's both) But if working on your Challenger hurts you physically, where's the enjoyment in that? It's no fun having to turn your back on something you have put time and effort into but life isn't always fair. Anyhow, I think Prowlers are cool and look like they'd be fun to drive.
Cheers and good luck
Paul

It sounds like you have been thinking about this for awhile. If you get one post the pic and we will enjoy it with you I am sure.

[Topcat]

I say sleep on the decision for a week.

[Bullitt-]

Brother Prowler, I can identify somewhat with your situation, when I was your age I was too busy living the high life to worry about my car, fortunately I have been able to hold on to it all these years and now at 47 I have been able to find some time. Maybe some day you will too, just hope it doesn't take you as long. 

[RusTy/SE]

Take care of yourself first , the cars will always be around at some show or cruise-in, and then come back as Prowler Orange Prowler   

[74MOPAR]

 Prowler orange-  It's your money and time.  It will probably be several years [ I'm guessing 15-20] before prices start dropping on the E-bodies .  It's an age related thing.  Once all the guys on this board are 60 and 80 yrs old, they'll quit buying old musclecars.  It'll be like 57 Chevys or Model A fords, at some point the nostalgia kicks in and people find they can afford them so they buy them 30+ years after they were built.   I doubt 57 Chevs are rising very much anymore pricewise , and Model A fords - well probably dropping $$ when you factor in inflation.  A guy born in 1960, 1970, or 1980 just doesn't want a Ford from 1915.  And soon, guys born in 1990 or 2000 won't want a 1970 vehicle.  OK, maybe they want them but they won't buy them. I want all sorts of cars , but realistically I can only afford a few.
    Really, you'll only see the appreciation of the Challenger $$ once you Sell it.  But Until Then You'll Be Putting Money Into It...

 Take some good pictures of it, so you can look back at them, and I say write down the VIN# or save a registration slip, so if in 20 years you want to find your old car, it'll be a lot easier to find, than saying " I'm looking for a 197X Challenger ,used to be [ insert color], anyone seen it ? "

 I sold my 'Cuda and it's been gone about 2 months. I miss the hell out of it, but I made a conscious decision to put the money towards something I felt I would enjoy more.
  Like some folks said, there will always be a car show somewhere close by if you need to touch an E-bods sleek metal flanks. 
 Good luck and let us see that Prowler once it is in your driveway !
 

[EvilTwinATX]

Prowler... you dont actually have to have a car to be a true car enthusiast. At least that is how i look at it. When I was 23-24 I bought a numbers matching 70 GTO Vert. for $5400!! Two years laters (after lots of enjoyment) I had to sell the car to pay for college. At the time it sucked, but it was a means to an end for me at the time. When I think of how much that car would be worth now I just . Now though after graduating college and a couple of years in the work force I own two rare cars. I got lucky though... you just have to save your pennies.

What I am trying to say is that if you cant afford the hobby right now - there is no shame in that... if there was ever a choice between going under financially and keeping my car, I would sell the car in a heartbeat...you have to enjoy life. To me that doesn't mean living out of your car and eating beans every night just to keep your car.

Sell the car, remain active on the board, go to shows and enjoy life. You still have many years ahead of you. Sell the car to a board member - it will be easier to trace that way! (Just dont sell to quick... something may come up and you might win the lottery! 

[fantum]

PWC,

Not to change the subject, but ......

After nearly a decade of military service, I can relate to the sore knees as I, too, have developing arthritis in the knees.  It used to be very painful for me to walk up and down stairs, and when I asked my doctor about it he recommended Glucosamine & Chondroitin (hope I spelled it right).  That was about 8 months ago, and now my knees are much less painful ... more like the dull soreness I felt after a long forced march with backpack. 

As far as the car is concerned, I'm with those who say that it's your decision and only you know what is right for you and your family.  However, I can tell you that I have kicked myself almost every day for the last 20 years for having sold my '70 Gran Coupe.  I, too, put a lot of time and money into my car and ended up selling it for family reasons.  Had I kept that car, today I would be "fine tuning" it rather than going through a total rebuild on a car that cost me 7 times my original car and is not nearly as nice as the one I had.

Good luck with your decision.  I hope you manage to find ways to improve your health and enjoy whatever MOPAR you end up with.


fantum

[Robb]

Prowler
At the end of the day a car is just a thing. If that particular thing doesn't fit with your current life circumstances then no one else has the right to criticise you for making a change. For some people the enjoyment of cars is working on them, for others it's driving them (sometimes it's both) But if working on your Challenger hurts you physically, where's the enjoyment in that? It's no fun having to turn your back on something you have put time and effort into but life isn't always fair. Anyhow, I think Prowlers are cool and look like they'd be fun to drive.
Cheers and good luck
Paul

 

POC,
It can feel at times that there's a few people on here that seem to have more money than brains, and from what I just read, your'e not one of them.  (thats a compliment  )  

Youre more in the majority than you may reallize.   These old cars... you gotta be able to work on them and enjoy working on them or else its just a pain. (whether you do the work yourself or you have to pay/coordinate someone else to do it all for you)  Even what is fun today, can get stale and be a pain later.  

If the thrill is gone, get out from under it, and move on to your next thrill.  

[Prowler Orange Challenger]

Everyone thanks for understanding. I know it won't exactly have the speed of the Challenger but, it should get better fuel economy (25 mpg) highway and be a little more comfortable. The only thing I will miss somewhat is the wrenching I do as I have learned some about these cars. I don't mind wrenching but, like I said sometimes my body doesn't like that too well even though I do try to push myself. But, sometimes there's only a point where you can push yourself so far.
Some guys can drop big money a restoration and that's fine. But, I myself can't necessarily do that and I'm more about enjoying the cars. When I bought this thing last year I was in better health but, now as I have age very slightly some things have crept up on me. Just a few months ago the bone spur in my right heel started creeping up. I don't understand it but, it just happened. And I got a weird problem with both of my feet. It's like if I sit too long or when I wake up in the morning I can't barely walk on the back part of my heels. I suspect I'll try Cortizone Shots and see what that does. But, anyways I'll have to ask about the Glucosamine & Chondroitin for my knees. I already had one surgery on the right knee which was unsucessful in terms to speak. Still trying to figure a way rehabilate that one.
As for the not being able to afford it well it does get pricey when you have 71 Cuda Parking Lights on Ebay Selling for $800+ dollars then you figure those 70-71 Challenger NOS Marker Lights for $525 and let's not forget the Rallye Guage Clusters sell for $700+ and onward. Even though most on this board are older, I still remember the days when you could walk into a junkyard and pick up a mint dash pad for your 71 B-Body for $75. I remember a lot of old cars that sat in the junkyards that could of been saved but, unfournately went to the crusher.
Anyways, I'm off of here to head to work but, you all have a good day.