Restore or buy. What would you do?

[N96cuda]

Let's say you have $75,000 in your car fund  . You have a nice complete no rust 440-6 Cuda that needs restored but you have no time to work on it because you have your own business that requires work 7 days / week. Considering the current Mopar prices, would you be better off to buy a finished car, perhaps a 6-pack B-body with the 75 grand or spend 40,000-50,000 to restore your Cuda. In other words you could have a nice B-body AND your non-running Cuda or a finished 6-pack Cuda. Just curious, what would you do?  Hypethetical question of course. 

[willhaven]

Personally I'd restore the Cuda since they're more rare.

[bb71challenger]

If I had that kind of money to spend on my hobby then to me its a no-brainer. I would look around and buy the best done car I could afford. Don't get me wrong, I like working on my car but I love driving it oh so much more! Factor in the no-time thing in your post and why wait? My brother in law has the 2 cars in my avatar in his garage. Both are gems but neither one is streetworthy at this time. He has had them sitting in that garage for almost 14 years. I cant say much because I let my Challenger sit in the backyard for almost 10 years myself before getting interested in it again. I dont want to be like that any more, I wanna cruise my car.

[Chryco Psycho]

You can usually get a better car done for the $$ than build your own But is ti better , I have seen tto many nightmares after the purchase with poorly built engines & shoody body work that looks ok in pix or for the first year until it starts to fall apart , it is not easy to find really excellent built cars

[torredcuda]

You can usually get a better car done for the $$ than build your own But is ti better , I have seen tto many nightmares after the purchase with poorly built engines & shoody body work that looks ok in pix or for the first year until it starts to fall apart , it is not easy to find really excellent built cars

 

Biulding the one you have you know what you have to start and it will be done the way you want it as long as you have a reputable shop do the work.May take a while but you`ve been waiting this long already so why have the car sit for another 5-10 years? 

[hemiken]

Let's say you have $75,000 in your car fund  . You have a nice complete no rust 440-6 Cuda that needs restored but you have no time to work on it because you have your own business that requires work 7 days / week. Considering the current Mopar prices, would you be better off to buy a finished car, perhaps a 6-pack B-body with the 75 grand or spend 40,000-50,000 to restore your Cuda. In other words you could have a nice B-body AND your non-running Cuda or a finished 6-pack Cuda. Just curious, what would you do?  Hypethetical question of course. 

Can you post your fender tag details, just curious to see how rare a car it is being a six pack car.    Will be able to help with an assumption then.............. just my 

[moparmussel]

  i would buy a driver/ beater to hold me over while restoring the cuda! waiting sucks,at least going for a drive will help be patient while dealing with time frame and set backs on a resto.

[Carlwalski]

I would definitely restore. Buying a car complete is nice and it's the faster option but I'm picky and have OCD. Most importantly, I like to know and have peace of mind knowing that the car was checked over and had the best work possible over every inch. When you buy complete, no matter who the restorer/builder, with paint on you don't know and can't see jack, who knows what's under there or what short cuts were made. At least doing it or getting it done yourself you can see the progress and call the shots on it's finally build quality and work.

[moparnut]

You can usually get a better car done for the $$ than build your own But is ti better , I have seen tto many nightmares after the purchase with poorly built engines & shoody body work that looks ok in pix or for the first year until it starts to fall apart , it is not easy to find really excellent built cars

Besides the fact you have the pride and knowing the car was done right and you did it.BUT...if you dont have the time how are you going to do it yourself?More than likely you would be in the process of having someone else do it step by step,but someone else would still be doing it.So if you dont have the time buy one but be careful to check out everything

[426HEMI]

With that kind of car I would restore.  If you have no time to do it I would find a real mopar guy and get him to restore it for you and to keep you updated on the progress.  Restoring cars exspecially e-bodies is what I want to do when I get back.  I will be most likely doing only e-bodies for a living when I get back.  So keep that in mind if you don't mind. 

[JH27N0B]

What I have found over the years is that projects tend to take on a life of their own, and the costs and time that you estimate at the beginning you can pretty much bet will grow quite a bit as time goes on.
I hate to suggest that a guy not pursue a nice rare E body project but it is important when considering a project that you go in with both eyes open!

[73Chally]

I would definitely restore, and if you have the extra money pick up a nice 318 71-74 dart/duster to cruise around in while it is being done.  Since you would be paying to have someone else do it, it will hopefully not take more than 12 months.  I'm getting mine stripped and painted with new quarters over the winter, and it is really exciting stopping in the shop every now and then to check in on the progress.

[challenger470]

For me its all about working on them. I dont have enough time to work on mine but It will always be there.

[n9671x2]

Well, it definately sounds like that Cuda is a keeper.   I know the PERFECT person to restore that car if your interested, he just rotisserie painted my Bee.   He does awesome work, is very reasonable, and has done ALOT of rotisserie restorations on high end E bodies.   Shoot me an email at psrde@aol.com if your interested. 

[HemiOrange70]

you could get a done cuda 440 for 75k. 30-50 k at least to get a car done now. The deals are out htere...especially now. look on this board or moparts and you will find one. My Challenger has been getting a resto for 2 years now and I am a year away. 16 for body and paint, 5 for metal and trim parts, 4500 for motor and 800 for tranny, plus bumpers chromed, parts parts ande mor e parts. Would buy one done the next time. I just don't have the space, time and expertise to paint and do bodywork..... my two pennies..... :