Time for a Decision: ViperMan or CudaMan....?

[ViperMan]

This is gonna be a long post 'cause I'm bored.... 

This year at Carlisle I was talking to a handful of people about being ready to part ways with my Viper.  I've wanted one since I was 15 years old.  It would be 3 years or so before I'd learn to respect my dad's sadly-rotting '72 'Cuda.  But my relationship with my Viper soured on day two of ownership with a check-engine light that still taunts me today, a squeaking from somewhere aft of the passenger compartment, and a clunking noise during tight turns that even my friends at the Dodge dealership couldn't pin-point...

I've been shopping for another e-body since I parted ways with my '73 Barracuda.  I really don't want another project car as I just don't have the time or money to put towards one.  But it seems that every car I find that matches my criteria is either ridiculously overpriced, or gets snatched up before I can pull the trigger.  Just the other day I watched as a Burgundy '73 with a 440 in Coraopolis PA (20 minutes from me) and a Blue '73 with a 440 in Elizabethtown KY (where I have a friend) both sold within hours of each other.  I had already contacted both to try and see the cars.

My other problem is this - the Viper's state inspection expires this week.  I know it won't pass inspection because the tires are just-below state minimums, and of course the persistent check-engine light...

Oh - and I almost forgot: The battery died right after Carlisle, so she won't even start right now...

So basically all of my challenges are converging...  Do I "restore" the Viper so that I can get it reinspected and enjoy driving it again (possibly more than I ever have,) or dump it in the hopes that I can find an E-body to enjoy?

I've amassed a repair bill for the Viper:
New Battery - $150 or so - she takes a helluva battery...
New Tires: $1150 plus $250 for installation.
PCM reflash at Dan Cragin Performance to solve the check-engine light once-and-for-all - $450 plus shipping
Inspection - $100
She also needs:
A/C System Check / Repair - price range of $150 - ??.  (A/C repairs can easily hit $1,000 - and that's before the "Viper Tax!")
Possible Sway-Bar replacement or repair for front clunk - $250 to ??
Rear squeak - a few hours of dissasembly in my garage plus hopefully a few bucks for bushings or new clamps or who knows...

Or I trade it in on a decent used car for the wife and then go 'Cuda hunting.

I'm proud to be the ViperMan.  I made a dream a reality.  I've had a lot of great moments with her, but all the while dealing with her multitude of issues.  My old E-body was NEVER so frustrating...

I'm just really wrestling with what to do...  Of course I know my audience - I'm sure the general consensus will be "get an e-body!"  But just imagine being 15 years old when you first saw this.....



...and 14 years later...




Jeff

[Chryco Psycho]

Personally new tech rules , I would love to pry your Viper from your hands !!
No Cuda will drive like the Viper , every car will have issues even after being fully restored .
  I would keep the Viper check with discount tire for tires , keep saving pennys for the right Cuda !
Just my 

[burdar]

What's a used GTS worth today? high 30's low 40's?    You could get a restored big block E-body for that...or you could build one to suit your tastes.  I've heard that Vipers can be a money pit.  We all know that E-bodies can be the same way though. 

Your decision isn't going to be an easy one.  Which one do you think you'd drive more?

[67vertman]

Jeff,

If I was in your shoes, I would fix the little things on the Viper, that would help bring the maximum dollars for selling it.  Then I would buy a completed Cuda.  With the prices of completed cars these days, you should be able to find a very nice driver for what the viper would sell for.

Yes, 40+ year old technology rides rougher, still has issues (like the ones you have with the Viper) with things breaking or wearing out. However, owning a classic car brings a certain level of satisfaction the a modern car wont.

[usraptr]

Personally new tech rules , I would love to pry your Viper from your hands !!
No Cuda will drive like the Viper , every car will have issues even after being fully restored .
  I would keep the Viper check with discount tire for tires , keep saving pennys for the right Cuda !
Just my 

   I bought a used C6 Vette to drive while I finish restoring my 'Cuda which is still probably 3 years away from being done.  I love the 'Vette and will probably keep it even after the 'Cuda is done.   

[tommyg29]

beautiful car.
Wish I could trade ya. My truck would have a "little" brother!
I agree you could buy a nice cuda for high $30s, but you will probably end up spending more on it in the long run, or at least just as much.

[burdar]

I just came up with the perfect plan......

Find and purchase a nice Cuda, then trasplant the Viper running gear into it.  You'll have the best of both worlds.  It's been done a few times before but would still be cool.

[ViperMan]

Well, my problem is I'm looking for a 'Cuda in the 20K range and below.  Deals can be had at the price - but it's not easy.

See, truth is I financed the Viper.  I don't believe that you have to be able to pay cash to have fun.  I can easily sell it for more than I owe, as 1) I got it at a real deal and 2) I've been very aggressive in my payments.  I want to trade it in on a car for my wife - she really deserves something new to drive - and then get a 'Cuda so that my total payments between the two cars is equal-to-or-less than the Viper payment (which not-surprisingly is rather high.)

However even since I've made the original post I've been shopping for cars and estimating payments, and it really just doesn't look like a feasible plan at this time.  I think Neil's got the right idea - fix up the Viper (in all honesty it's not THAT expensive...) and save up some money for another 'Cuda, in the hopes that prices won't skyrocket any time soon.

Besides, if I exercise a little bit of patience, I could probably find a way in a few more years to have my cake and eat it too - aka TWO cars to display at Carlisle. 

Jeff

[ViperMan]

I just came up with the perfect plan......

Find and purchase a nice Cuda, then trasplant the Viper running gear into it.  You'll have the best of both worlds.  It's been done a few times before but would still be cool.

LOL - yeah I've seen at least one of those at Carlisle a few times.  Honestly though, the 'Cuda can perform just as well - and SOUND a whole helluva lot better - with a stout 440 or Hemi under the hood.  Not to mention then you're taking two fantastic vehicles and only ending up with one!

[HemiOrange70]

Buy a new Challenger, that way your keeping new technology and not fussing with an 'old' car all the time
if that's not an option then fix the viper and drive it. Tough times are now and the viper won't fetch much. You can get a great deal on a done Cuda-but it is someone elses car. 

[ViperMan]

Buy a new Challenger, that way your keeping new technology and not fussing with an 'old' car all the time
if that's not an option then fix the viper and drive it. Tough times are now and the viper won't fetch much. You can get a great deal on a done Cuda-but it is someone elses car. 

Actually I'm really not too crazy about the new Challenger - BUT - my wife wants one.  So that's actually what we'd be looking to get if we sold the Viper.

I definitely want a done or at least close-to-done 'Cuda.  I don't do body work - so I at least want one that's restored and painted.  If it doesn't have the matter I want, it's not that big a deal.

But I want something I can basically drive home - if I decide to buy one.

[72cudamaan]

Jeff, my opinion (not that it matters much), is to fix up the viper,keep it, and look for the cuda that you want.
Of course, then we would have to call you cudaBOY.      

[ragtopdodge]

What year Viper is that?  If it's '96+, just get a OBD2 reader and reset the codes to make that check engine go away.  If it re-appears, the reader should tell u right away what it is.  It's like a $75 tool max.

clunking is probably exhaust hitting something.

I'd fix the Viper.  You get a 'Cuda after driving the Viper would be a step backwards.  Slower, braking will suck, handling will suck, and will rattle more than your Viper.  Plus finding one that's rust-free in the $20s...very hard.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Jeff,

  Did you see this beauty at Carlisle in the car coral? Only 3K. You could become PacerMan.   

   

   

[brads70]

Jeff,

  Did you see this beauty at Carlisle in the car coral? Only 3K. You could become PacerMan.   

   

   

 
Good one!
I agree ( for what that' worth?) keep/fix up the viper, save up for your Cuda. You will take a bath on the Viper selling it now. It's a great time to buy a Viper.... terrible time to sell one.
Do what you have to do of cource....don't be "car payment poor" That's no fun I'd imagine!