"MORE NEW Pics" - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger *Updated*

Author Topic: "MORE NEW Pics" - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger *Updated*  (Read 7676 times)

Offline az-nick

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First off I am real sorry this is a long post............

I am in need of OPINIONS and or facts; I am not trying to start the Holy Grail War on which came first the chicken or the egg or which is better a Cuda or Challenger…..

Some of you know I have a 71 GTX, but I also have a GTO for sale or trade in the classified section here in this site. I have owned at one time in the late 80’s a 70 Challenger R/T that is also in the classified area but being sold by its current owner that restored it. I also walked into a Dodge dealership in 1969 and bought a new 69 Charger that I beat to death back then, heck everyone did. So yes I am an old guy and not a young guy, remember that when you read what I am about to ask.

If I sell my GTO and I want to fund my next project I will be looking at a few different body styles to purchase, 68-70 Charger, any GTX and a 70-74 E body. I am old enough and having more than my share of medical issues that I am pretty sure I do not want to buy a builder because I will never get it completed and I do not have the stamina to put long hours in any project anymore.

I was Spring Fling this year Selling as a vendor and I met a few guys from this site and they were friendly and offered me advice on my subject, I thought it was great.
Since I was unable to see the show cars that attended I sent my wife out into the show field to look at the cars and give me her opinion on what she liked. She came back and said she would be happy if we owned a Cuda or Challenger or a 68-70 Charger. She liked them all in certain colors.

Since this is a Cuda and Challenger forum I feel I can ask this question and get an honest answer, I hope.

I am NOT looking for a show car………….
If I was looking for a 70-74 E body, what is the list of desirable cars I should look at?
Please do not mention any 6-pack or Hemi cars that will never happen, no funds and I want to drive the car not just look at it. My budget is small, (up to about 25-26k) but I think I should be able to locate and buy a nice car in the 15-20k range. I know of a 70 R/T with a NOM and funky paint and bright work that falls in my price range and I have seen others also.

I am confused, is it better or money wiser to purchase a 70 or 71 R/T with NOM or a 72-74 with an original motor, this works for both Cuda and Challenger?

What about a nice 74 that has been updated with a 440, which was an original 318 car but has had allot of work done to it.

I have purchased cars in the past without any research and there have been some that I have paid way too much for so I need your input on this matter.

Sorry for it being too long, but it happens………
« Last Edit: May 17, 2008 - 08:38:08 PM by az-nick »




Offline bb71challenger

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2008 - 07:05:31 PM »
Everyone must do what they feel is best for them at any given time but since you asked I will tell you what I would do. 68-70 Charger, great car to look at, they are what I would consider luxury laden Musclecars, much like you would find today, power windows, air conditioning, upscale interior, etc. I would personally look for a 70 or 71 'Cuda or Challenger because they are the models I like best for one thing, the other being that they were still available with big block power. I would look for the model in those categories( 68-70 Charger or 70-71 'Cuda or Challenger) that first pushed my buttons the best and second, I could afford. Good luck, I sure hope you find the car thats right for you  :burnout:
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Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2008 - 07:20:45 PM »
I know this isn't what you want to hear, but you could get a 72-74 E-Body in real nice shape for your budget. Minimal work. To get a 70-71, would mean you might/probably have work to do on it. The same deal with the 68-70 B-Bodies. Everyone wants them, so the real nice ones cost $$$.


  Mike

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Offline Moparal

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2008 - 07:29:31 PM »
AZ, if you search back some pages, you will see pictures of my 74 black challenger with a brand new 440, 727 with a cheetah vb and has black interior. I sold it to v8 440 for 10k , no rust, he has medical issues and needs to sell it now and offered it back to me for 10. I even installed a complete acurate exhaust system 15" rally's yadda yadda. The car is not beat up at all but only needs a paint job. I had a few issues fixed and the body man put black primer on it. It also has a new front end I did to it. Go wing and stuff. For the buck, you couldnt go wrong for playing with an e body and having cash in yer pocket. The member is neil  V8440 is his screen name. This car runs on pump gas. New rad, new rpm intake, new 750 vac. 410 sure grip. A fun car to play with and has ac stuff still in it, 42k actual miles on the body

I hope you satisfy your urge no matter what car you get. I am just saying deals are out there.   Good luck

Offline xylic

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2008 - 09:40:49 PM »
I wish I had your 71 Charger R/T you sold a while back.

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2008 - 09:45:26 PM »


IMO the 'Cudas are more sought after. Any year looks good to anyone, not just us enthusiasts. 70-74. Where as Challengers (no offence) get picked on a bit for their "sad mouth" grille and rear lights in 72-74 so compared to the Cuda, people go for the 70-71 if possible, the "desired years" for Challengers where-as 70-74 'Cudas are all good lookers. I like them all but prefer 70 for Challengers and 71 for 'Cudas and that's the reason my hard earned is/has gone into both these years.

For the majority of your questions, it's all personal choice & preference. You could pick up a nice 70 Challenger R/T with non-#s 440 and what ever trans you like for around $25-$30K. Cudas will be more expensive to purchase for the same year (1970) and 71s a step up from that (usually). I'd be looking at a 70 R/T if I were you. It won't be numbers matching but is a more desirable year than a 72-74 'Cuda with a numbers engine, in my opinion anyhow. Depends, does #'s matching really appeal to you? I'm easy, nice to have, nice not to have.


:2cents: :wave:
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
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Offline Ghost

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2008 - 10:17:25 PM »
Honestly, I prefer the 72-74 Challenger grill and taillights over the 70-71s.  If it were me, I'd look for a nice 72-74 Challenger.  Since they aren't as popular, they're the least expensive E body.

Offline 72hemi

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2008 - 10:30:36 PM »
Get whatever you want that is of course within your budget. Now as far as what looks better yadda yadda that is totally personal opinion; for example I found that women actually prefer the blue Challenger in my avatar to my 70 cuda as far as appearance goes.
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline nakita7

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2008 - 11:46:06 PM »
Honestly, I prefer the 72-74 Challenger grill and taillights over the 70-71s.  If it were me, I'd look for a nice 72-74 Challenger.  Since they aren't as popular, they're the least expensive E body.



I'm not huge on the grille, but I think the 72-74 tailights are by far the coolest Challenger tailights. I'm partial to 72-74 Challenger Rallyes myself. Best bang for the buck IMHO.
72 Charger Rallye (440 auto)
72 Charger Rallye (318 auto)
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Offline Goehner

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2008 - 11:51:12 PM »
My personal preference is 71 cuda or 70 Challenger. They are the most sought after and will pay a little more.....but with the market in the crapper right now, this is the best time to buy. Good luck. Like everyone has said, it is a personal preference, I just gave you mine...
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Offline 71340RT

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2008 - 11:58:07 PM »
I'm looking for another car myself and it is tough as I like cuda and challenger models but would love to have a 68-70 charger again. I would look for a done car that is not numbers matching as you will save some money and get a nicer car as lots of people stay away from these cars as they think they may loose money. Clones can have some nice options installed and be a blast to drive and own. I think you should be able to get a nice cuda or challenger for under $25,000.


70 Plymouth Cuda 340 4-speed
71 Dodge Challenger RT 340 automatic
1973 Dodge Challenger 360 automatic EFI
2002 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
2003 Dodge Stratus RT coupe
2009 Challenger RT Classic B5 Blue
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Offline Moparal

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2008 - 09:04:06 AM »
I'm looking for another car myself and it is tough as I like cuda and challenger models but would love to have a 68-70 charger again. I would look for a done car that is not numbers matching as you will save some money and get a nicer car as lots of people stay away from these cars as they think they may loose money. Clones can have some nice options installed and be a blast to drive and own. I think you should be able to get a nice cuda or challenger for under $25,000.

 :iagree:  Well put.

Offline az-nick

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2008 - 10:02:17 AM »
Yes I agree also with this statment, I am not looking for a numbers car, I have one and I feel awfull when I look at the Hemi in the garage and I have no car to put it in. I will keep looking, I havn't sold the GTO yet so I have lots of time to look.


Hey Moparl: I could not find the thread you said about the car you sold?

Offline az-nick

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2008 - 10:12:14 AM »
I wish I had your 71 Charger R/T you sold a while back.

I sold that a year ago, that was the one of the best 59kmile Survivor cars you would have seen but, it was not my kind of car so it had to go, I bought it to help a friend out and kept it a year waiting for him to buy it back, then he didn't want it so I sold it.....


Offline jeryst

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Re: Opinions needed - If I Purchase a Cuda or Challenger
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2008 - 10:18:59 AM »
Challengers are a lot less than Cudas, for virtually the same car. The 72-74 models go for less, again for virtually the same car. I'm not talking desireability, just basic  "What you get for your money".

If you want to keep resale value, stay way from clones. Some people think that if you take a $10k 318 car and put a hemi in it, its now worth half the price of a real hemi car. In reality, it just a NOM 318 car, and will be avoided by collectors and investors, so they are the cars that lose value the quickest in a down market.

I see a lot of beautiful  72-74 340 4-speed Challengers for sale in your price range and below. I think they are probably your best all-around choice.