Give up....or stick with it???

[Super-G]

I bought my Challenger in October. It's my first Musclecar in about 5 years. I got out of Musclecars for a little while when my 2nd child was born. I sold my 71 Chevelle SS because my wife and I wanted to move into a bigger home in a better school district.

I branched off into 5.0 Mustangs for a short while due to the fact that they are V8, stick shift performance cars, plus real nice ones are available for a fraction of the cost of a Musclecar. $5000.00 buys you a really nice car.

But the overwhelming desire to be back into a Musclecar soon took over and the 5.0 Mustang was sold and some extra cash saved up was added to the Mustang money and I scored my Challenger.

I bought it off the son of the original owner because the body was straight and rust free. The car had been sitting in a garage for the better part of 4-5 years. I thought it would be relatively easy to bring it home, clean it up, and get it up and running.

The problem is that I keep running into little stuff here and there and little stuff all adds up. I really hoped to have the car on the road by spring and I'm not sure that's gonna happen now. It's the age old story, time and money I never seem to have enough of either.

My last car which was an 86 Mustang GT convertible was a running, driving, painted, super clean, nicely modified ride and I kind of miss that. I just feel like even once I actually get my car started there's still a ton of stuff to get done and I'm running out of time, money, and frankly patience. I'm not saying I want to be back into a 5.0 Mustang, I feel like that's out of my system but I'm wondering if I could sell my Challenger and buy a less expensive Musclecar that is more driveable and ready to cruise.

I don't know what decision is best and I'm just pissed!

[Super Blue 72]

Hmmmm....I can understand the frustation.  It's easy to want something you can just get in, turn the key, drive it, not be a headache but I think a Honda Accord is not the answer... 

Gotta see apples to apples.  Actually it's like apples to oranges.

1986 Mustang GT:



You car:


You won't be seeing many Challengers out there.  Mustang GTs, even the earlier ones are still easy to get.  Don't make any "I wish I still had it" moments... 

BTW: cute driveway art.  Got some yesterday courtesy of my 8 year old and the neighbor's girls! 

[challengermaniac]

Greg,

This is really a reality check. If I were you, I would make up a "project list" and on the top put the specific items that need to be addressed along with their estimated cost in order to get the car running and rolling.  Then below that, continue with specific items you want done to the car to make it your own along with their estimated costs.  Of course, if you can do the body, mechanical, electrical, suspension and interior work yourself---- great.  If not, be sure to include the cost of labor for each of the above that you are not able to complete yourself. 

Now the reality--------- unless you are an absolute jack of all trades, you are going to have a lot more $ in to this car than it will ever  be worth.  Fact is, the 72, 73 & 74 model years do not command the prices.  That's why they call this a HOBBY.  So, if you don't have the $ and passion for the hobby, then you likely bought the wrong car and while you will likely take a loss now, it's by far less than what you will take if you proceed without the $ and passion.

ps: most guys including myself have been in your shoes.  The best thing to do is a proper assessment so you can make an intelligent decision now.

[Chryco Psycho]

Older cars are never easy , it becomes a love hate thing !!
Make a list of the problems , we can try to help , you really need to fix them if you are keeping the car or selling it to get the best $$ out of it

[brads70]

   good advice! I've wanted a 70 Challenger since I was 9 years old. Value, money spent, blood, sweat, skinned knuckles, don't even factor into the equation! I'm not planning on ever selling my car.
If you bought it with the plan on flipping it, you as mentioned bought the wrong car.
IMO while yes Mustangs are a pretty good bang for the buck performance wise.... they are hemorrhoidi cars!
Every a$$hole owns one!  If you car is as solid as you say and it's just bolt on stuff, then dig in and get it done man! Figure out what HAS to be done to get it on the road , then go from there, add what you can when you can. Sure there are a few members on here with budgets bigger than most of us and can have it all right now but don't let that get ya down! Most of us scrape and struggle to get each part! Trust be first time you pull into your loccruiseize night with you car and there are the typical mustangs and camaro's dressed up to the nines.... people will go check out your car first because it's different and not so common!
If you quit now and sell it, every time you see a Challenger when your in your mustang.....your gonna have regrets! IMO

[NCtrueconservative]

If the above silver car is the car you speak of, that thing is nice man!There are people here (myself included) who would be sooooo happy to have what you have. Been in your shoes and will be again sometime. But that car is bad a$$ and worth ripping down the road in. Good luck!!!! 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

To me, there is a fine line of being content. Anyone can easily get caught up in trying to chase down little problems that they perceive as being a big deal.

I have been waiting years to tear down my car to a point where I can actually get it to "my standard". However with going back to school, it's not practical at all. The car needs lots of TLC, there are many cheap projects I can do to fix things here and there..however the car is 100% turn key. That's what matters, it goes down the road safely. If you can find a happy medium between stuff being "wrong" and "it works", I feel you will be happier with the car and enjoy it more.

I could make a list of thousands of dollars worth of parts my "car needs now", however I haven't spent more than $30 in anything but maintenance on it in the past 3 years. I hop in it and go. I put aside little things that aren't working right, minor exhaust leaks, creaks and pops...I'll get to it. Just not now, so enjoy the car! I'll toss in that my 318 has had less than 15psi of hot oil pressure on 15w-40 for the past 3years as well. Does it need to be addressed? Probably, but that "problem" popped up many full throttle pulls ago. It doesn't need work until it does an unintended oil change. 

[4Cruizn]

I guess I would like to see a list of what still needs to get done?  Your car looks completely awesome and I would be one happy camper to be driving that!   

[71340RT]

Having 3 Mopar e-body cars now I can relate as even the 2 I have done and driving I always seem to be fixing somthing every few months as I drive them all the time. Your challenger looks great and I would also make a list and see what it will take to fix it the items.

[NCtrueconservative]

I guess I would like to see a list of what still needs to get done?  Your car looks completely awesome and I would be one happy camper to be driving that!   

 

[Super-G]

For starters I have NO desire to return to the 5.0 Mustang scene. I've always been a Musclecar guy and have no regrets on selling my 5.0 and really don't want another one. Honestly I was thinking of a lesser valued Musclecar such as a Dart, or maybe a Nova.

OK here's a list of things that need to be done to get the car roadworthy:



run all the fuel lines from the new fuel pump to the carb...cheap and easy



buy a new throttle cable bracket and install...about $100.00



new air cleaner....$45.00



new plug wires....$50.00



install the new head pipes (already bought and paid for)....buy new mufflers ($100.00) and then take the car to a muffler shop to have tailpipes made (about $250.00)



miscelleanous fluids and oil change....$50.00



The entire brake system needs to be replaced...needing new master cyl, new front rotors, new bearings, seals, calipers, and brake hoses....all new rear brakes including new drums, wheel cylinders, new shoes, and combi kits... about $500.00 worth of parts plus an entire weekend to do the job.



The old tires are dry rotted so I need 4 new tires plus I HATE the Centerline rims and they must GO. So I'm figuring about $600.00 for tires and another $5-600.00 for a set of Magnum 500's or if I can get lucky and score some used Torque Thrusts...so about $1000.00 to $1200.00 for tires and rims



All totalled up I'm thinking that I need another $2500.00 to get my car on the road.



That total probably doesn't sound too bad to most people...but also figure in that in the past 3-4 months I bought the Challenger, I've already spent about $1500.00 on it in other parts, plus I spent $800.00 in the beginning of December on much needed tires and an alignment on my Suburban which is my daily driver. Then my wife and I spent about $1500.00 on Christmas for our 2 kids and our 2 families. Then 8 frigging days after Christmas the heater in my house took a crap and that was a $3200.00 bill. All the while I have been re-doing my family room which required new paint, new trim, new ceramic tile in the attached powder room, new carpet, and yesterday we spent about $3000.00 on new furniture.



All totalled up I've spent well over $10,000 in the last 3-4 months and the well is running dry.



I love my Challenger and I hate the thought of parting with it but I'm at the end of my rope and beginning to hear crap from my wife who for the past 15 years has been an avid supporter of my car hobby and has never once squawked about my cars or the money I've spent on them.



I'm just lost as to what is the right move.

[Gumby]

Sounds like you are really getting overwhelmed from a lot of different fronts all at once. Step back. Take a deep breath. Exhale. You don't have to do everything at once. If needed, you don't have to do anything at all. Park it and take care of the other things you have got going on, and just set aside $20.00 here and there, and take care of what needs to be done as you can afford it. No biggie! Looks like most of the stuff that costs huge amounts of money are already done It almost sounds like you have buyers remorse, or are regretting your purchase? Step away from it for a bit and put it on the back burner. You have an absolutely gorgeous car. No need to go nuts all at once. If you sell it, I would almost bet you would regret it as soon as the ink was dried on the papers. It doesn't sound like it needs that much. Why do you think that a Dart or a Nova would cost you any less? For $2500.00 you can have a car that is infinately way, WAY cooler than a Dart or Nova, and you would probably have to buy plug wires and plugs and fluids and tires for them as well! (you have a fantastic looking car, and I would bet any amount of money that you would end up spending MORE on a Dart or Nova when all is said and done) You would be far better off to just keep the car that you have. yeah, ebodies are somewhat pricier on trim items and such, but they are worth it alone in the cool factor. If you think about it, $2500 is chump change in the long run. Just relax, and do things bit by bit when you can. Don't go crazy doing something that you will regret. Life happens to everybody. But, not everybody gets a chance to own a cool Mopar Ebody! They are very few and far between. Enjoy life while you can, and just remember - there are a lot of cool guys on here that will give you support and help when you need it. Don't let this be the one that you let get away. You might always regret it. Maybe you and your wifey need to sit down and regroup a little. Make sure she has input as well. It's better to have a spouse that supports your hobby and wants to share it with you than otherwise. Don't make a mountian out of a molehill. Take it one step at a time. Good Luck! 

[NCtrueconservative]

you could prob sell your centerline rims and use that money to buy some magnum 500s  save every dime ya can, I know that dang little stuff adds up

[hooD]

dude...i have had my cuda for 40 years and there were many times i seriously thought about selling it to pay bills and stuff.  There were years when money was so tight that i didn't even uncover my cuda and drive it.   Sometimes 2 years would go by and the cuda sat in the garage unused. 

Your hobby isn't ALL the money that is sucking you dry.  It's a combination of holidays and household remods.  If you give up your challenger it's gone, period.  Put it on the back burner for now until you get more cash flow going.  I hope you can find a way to balance it all out and keep your e body.

[Cooter]

Sell the Challenger? Hmmmm, I guess, just try not to get too upset when you have over $10K invested, and your getting top bids/offers for around $4500.00.........






Tell the 'ol lady to have a Coke and a Smile, finish your ride, But don't OVERSPEND, try not to let the "Instant Gratification" theme dictate your build, and step back, make a plan of attack. Frankly, I can't see spending over $10K in your ride in the condition it's in in that pic...What did you do, Chrome plate the Chassis?