New vs Old

[FishEyeMafia]

I'm still debating (and have been for about a year now) the merits of either buying an old cuda (my first love) or a new challenger.

Both have positives and negatives. Both would be garaged and babied. I'm no mechanic but have met a great guy just down the street who owns mopar/grew up with working on them who has offered to help me with any work if I buy one so long as I'm there to help and to learn to do it myself. This sounds great right? But at the same time, even he said he likes the new challenger and has considered selling his coronet/super bee clone for one, that as he's gotten older he's tired of working on the old cars. He suggests I seriously consider a new challenger instead since I'm not mechanically inclined. BUT he also said if given the choice to own an old challenger r/t or a new challenger he would opt for the old one. Plus, he said even he knows he wouldn't sell his super bee clone for a new challenger.

I know it's all a matter of preference but I like to hear/read as many views as possible to help me take the info. for digestion. This is a HUGE decision for me and want to make it wisely as much as I do with my heart.

My heart says cuda. My head says new challenger.

Between them both...
Cuda (clone) - The best look (to me). Hold it's value. Not as common on the street as a new challenger Or any car (DUH!!!). The wife likes it MUCH more than the new challenger. Negatives are that it will require of me more time and money in the long run, plus a huge learning curve.

New Challenger - Warranty. Hemi. Air conditioned comfort. Handling. Performance fun. 6 speed option. Pretty good job at looking old school. Negatives are that it's a bit bulky looking from the side view to me. The wife is not liking the look of it (says it's looks like a new car to her and too big and bulky) but says if it makes my day she backs me on it. I also don't like the depriciation of a new car. By the way, I would choose an R/T not SRT and I've driven them both in all trim.

I look forward to your thoughts! 

[72rtchallenger]

cuda all the way 

[FishEyeMafia]

But 72rt, why? I know its your opinion but...why? I mean let's make this more fun that that!  lol!!!

[whitesatinmopar]

If you have and are willing to spend the money on a new Challenger equiped just the way you want it......................go spend the same money on a restored Cuda    And beleive, me I like the new Chally, it's just if you are seriously considering either............Cuda 

[FishEyeMafia]

WSM, in fact, I would be financing either for a minimum of 5 years. And this one particular cuda clone with interest rate and sales tax all included would come out to within a couple dollars per monthly payment of what a new challenger with all my prefered options would be.

So yes, in my case monthly payment wise in either case both cars are equal. At the end of the term the cuda should hopefully hold it's value or have increased slightly while the challenger will lose money dramatically.

[Super Blue 72]

 The wife likes it MUCH more than the new challenger. Negatives are that it will require of me more time and money in the long run, plus a huge learning curve.

Enough said, if the wife likes it, get it and run!!!  Eh, these aren't that bad to work on, depending on what you are going to have to fix....

How many miles will you putting on it?  I dunno but the New Challenger is just that, a new car.  An old Cuda is a whole different ball of wax.  The visceral thrill of driving this car would be very different.  You have to see what you want in a car.  Keep in mind, the cuda will be that- a 40ish year old car with 40ish year old technology unless you get sort of a resto mod version that isn't all stock.  Who knows, fishing around you may find a semi custom car that fits your needs. 

I wouldn't focus on the value.  If you by the Cuda and you hate the way it drive, the smell you have on your clothes from raw fuel from the exhaust, the value issue is moot.  You have to see what you want from either of the 2 cars...

[barracuda7199]

Enough said, if the wife likes it, get it and run!!!  Eh, these aren't that bad to work on, depending on what you are going to have to fix....

How many miles will you putting on it?  I dunno but the New Challenger is just that, a new car.  An old Cuda is a whole different ball of wax.  The visceral thrill of driving this car would be very different.  You have to see what you want in a car.  Keep in mind, the cuda will be that- a 40ish year old car with 40ish year old technology unless you get sort of a resto mod version that isn't all stock.  Who knows, fishing around you may find a semi custom car that fits your needs. 

I wouldn't focus on the value.  If you by the Cuda and you hate the way it drive, the smell you have on your clothes from raw fuel from the exhaust, the value issue is moot.  You have to see what you want from either of the 2 cars...

i love that raw fuel smell!! i would definately go with the cuda. my mom just bought a '10 chally r/t it is a nice car for sure but it is very heavy and rather expensive for basically a 2 door charger. don't get me wrong if i could afford one i would have an orange six speed in a minute but the old one's are where it's at!!

[JS27N0B]

New Challenger, if you can only have one toy make it one you can drive anywhere, park anywhere and enjoy!!

[torredcuda]

I think it really depends on how you are going to use it.How many miles a year do you plan on driving and for what pupose-just cruising,car shows,Sunday drives or longer trips,more often?The old cars can be very reliable but I hate leaving my cuda parked anywhere I can`t see it for fear of it getiing banged,scratched or stolen where as a new Challenger I would not be afriad to park and leave anywhere.The maintenence is also an issue if you cannot do the work yourself you need to find someone who knows how to work on old cars and it sounds like your friend down the street may not always want to.Someday I may get too old to work on these old Mopars and just sell them all and buy a Viper but I`m not ready yet!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

To look at another issue, if this car is to be a daily driver, I'm not sure how the insurance would work on the old Cuda. You can get classic car insurance cheap, but the car has to be registered as a classic and there are mileage or usage limitations...Like this car can not be used as a second car, or can only be driven 2500 miles a year. So unless you already have a car to use as a daily driver, I would go with the new Challenger.

[willhaven]

'Cuda.

[Road_Runner]

Since I recently went through this I'll give you my .02.  I still have my first car a 1970 Roadrunner I bought used in 74 and wouldn't trade it for any car,  but I've always wanted an E-body with Cuda/Barracudas being my slight favorite.  I began to look last year about possibly buying a new 6 speed Challenger, hadn't really decided on whether it would be an RT or SRT8.  The RT's better gas mileage, lower price & the classic's stripes were big pluses, the SRT8's better handling wheel/tires, brakes, exclusivity were its big pluses to me.  Big minus on the SRT8 was the Fuel 'tax' you have to pay up front due to its lower MPG. 

Then I started thinking about just how much I'd drive the new Challenger.  Unlike what others have said, especially an SRT8 would be a fair weather decent parking space kind of car for me.  If I couldn't be sure that I could keep door dings off of it, etc.  I'd probably just drive my truck instead.  So I asked myself do I really want to spend $38-46K on a new Challenger or would I rather have a classic 'pony' car like a Barracuda that I've always wanted.  I started looking around on found a decent 73 Barracuda 318/auto car with A/C, PS & PB that seemed like the perfect solution for what 'I was looking for'.  I got the guy down to $8k and bought it a few months ago.  Ever since I've been gathering parts to restore it, but its still going to be more of a driver than a show or race car.  That I'll leave for my 70 Roadrunner.  So for me the older car made more sense, but to be honest as I've seen more & more of the new Challengers on the road, there's a lot to be said for them as well.  Knowing me as I do, I probably have 'one more car' in me so I wouldn't be surprised if I still end up with one of the new Chally's before I'm done. 

What do you want to do with the car?:  Transportation, car shows & cruises, learning about working on cars a little, having something rare to drive, how much does comfort matter, performance, dependability, etc.

This may sound simple, but I'd make an honest list of pluses & minuses for each car and see if that doesn't help you make up your mind.  Either way you'll end up with a great car.

Good luck, Jim

[73Chally]

Like has been asked before, what is the purpose of the car?  If it is solely going to be used as a toy, then go with the Cuda.  If it will see a lot of street use and daily driver duties, go with the Challenger. 

As far as financing an old car, personally I don't see that as a good idea.  If you have to finance in either case, go with the Challenger.  I would never buy an older car unless I can pay cash.  If you have to finance, then to me that means you don't have the disposable income to afford the maintenance, insurance and upkeep of a classic car.  No matter how well restored it might be, you're going to have issues, and spend a lot on gas.  The less cash you have, the more it might sit around.  Also, what happens if your current daily driver has to be replaced?  Can you handle 2 monthly payments?

[72hemi]

If you are not mechanically inclined I would vote for a new Challenger, plus if you haven't owned a classic muscle car before you may want to go with a new Challenger. While I love my 72 Challenger it is a 38 year old car that does not have AC, does not have power windows, does not have ABS brakes, does not have fuel injection, does not have a lot of creation comforts and does require attention. While you can make a classic muscle car have a lot of the creature comforts of a new car it comes at a high price tag. Also you said you are going to be financing, personally I would not finance a classic car.

[CHL2T]

For me, when I need to run to the store or whatnot, I will take either the Challenger or the Cuda over the wifes new phord phocus, the phocus is great don't get me wrong, it's just for the longer drives and hauling kids to school.

 I would LOVE to have a new Challenger, however I do think that if one of those along with the E's were sitting in the driveway, I would still drive either the Cuda or Challenger.