Ugh...which cuda to buy ?!?!?

[HuntinCuda]

Ok, so I have a dilemma, although it's a good dilemma to have and I need to hear some pros and cons.  A guy I know locally has two cudas for sale and I get to pick one.  Both are the same price at 28k so that makes it even tougher.  I originally had my heart set on option 1 but after driving both I may be leaning towards option 2.  Here's the details.

Option 1:  This is a 72 cuda done in limelight green with a 440, slapstick automatic, manual steering and manual brakes.  This car is super clean and completely restored.  He doesn't know the engine specifics or what rear is in it but I can tell you this thing is scary fast!!  You can tell that whoever restored it wanted it to live a quarter mile at a time.  The paint on this thing is perfect, the car is straight and nearly everything on it is brand new.  From what he told me though is that this car is meant to go fast and really isn't something you'd want to cruise around town in or take on longer trips but not much on the street will touch it.  I went for a ride in it and I can tell you, he's not kidding!!



Option 2:  This is a 74 cuda with 71 front fenders.  This car has a 340 in it, has power steering, power breaks, pistol grip 4 speed, aftermarker stereo and amp and to my surprise...nitrous.  This one is nowhere near as fast as the 72 but is as clean as any resto I have seen.  It looks like it just rolled off of the showroom floor and I don't think it even has a 1000 miles on it since the guy restored it.  It still has some get up and go to it but seems more like something you could practically drive on a road trip, take to work or take the family to a car show in.  I like the style of this one better as I really like the billboard graphics, hood and rear spoiler better than the 72.  So I guess my dilemma is that I'm really leaning to the 74 now but hate to give up on a more original 72 that goes waaaaaaay faster.  Should I listen to the sensible husband/father who will have a ton of fun in the 74 or the 20 year old in me who wants to go a 1/4 mile at a time in the 72???      What do you guys think of the prices too?  From what I've been able to find 28k sounds like a pretty good deal for either one of these cars.  The only ones I have found cheaper were usually rusted out and needed completely restored.

[69ChargerRT]

i like the 74 better myself.  but you cant go wrong with either.  sounds like both have been well taken care of and are good solid cars.  whatever you like about one could be done to the other. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

For me it would be option #2.

 I have to ask how you plan to use any given car you buy? I'm not into 1/4 mile times, but maybe you are? Then I can see the appeal of option #1.   

As far as pricing goes, I'm not an expert on Cuda's, but 28K doesn't seem that far out of line.

[Chryco Psycho]

Just grab both of them 
 I like 4 spd better & can build a strong big block , I love power !!

[Haddixj]

looks like opt 2 has gills cut into 72+ fenders it still has the later marker lights, also has a 70 wing on it. For me I would rather have the 4 speed over an auto. Even though it isnt faster it feels like it when your grabbing gears.
Price wise you probably couldnt build it for that amount of money but I dont know that you could get that out it if you ever sold it. There is a guy in placerville pro street 70 challenger cant get 20k for it and it is rebuilt

[Chryco Psycho]

Would the guy with the Pro Street Chall trade fo my Charger ?

[Haddixj]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/3946051400.html

cut the cage out of it and it would be a nice car

[Haddixj]

I dont know him but the car has been for sale for awhile now and I would guess 17 would take it. Let me know if you need someone to look at it I could.

[HuntinCuda]

Well, seeing as how I don't plan on selling it ever (well, at least for a few decades anyway) I'm not too worried about getting my money out of it but could probably get it by then if it came to it.  Thanks for clarifying the fender, I'm not up to speed on all the details but I'm learning    The guy that owned this car originally had it for 15 years and spent the last 7 restoring it from the ground up.  After he was done he just sold it so he could move on to restoring a convertible so I doubt he even ever enjoyed it.  I think he did what he liked and to me it's almost like he was reading my mind.  I'm not a 1/4 mile guy as I'd like to drive it to work and to dinner and stuff and cruise to local shows.  I just have this little devil inside my head saying "you sure you don't want the fast one"?  I just wanted to see what you guys and gals had to say so I wasn't regretting not listening to that voice. 

[Haddixj]

not to hard to make the 340 faster, cam swap and gears will make it move quick

[CUDA JAS]

as a father of two, who still has his high school cuda...74 btw, that is set up like a teenagers car, standard steerign, standard brakes, hot cam and loud muffs...I would go with option 2.

There is nothint cooler then taking your kids out to a crusie night, or your wife to dinner, in a nice running classic.  I am now taking the time to tone my car down a bit, power steering, power brakes, and maybe, just maybe a more gentle cam, all to make those type of events more enjoyable.

So yeah number 2 for me.

Besides, once the kids are older, and that little devil does not shut up, you can always hop up the car a bit and go chasing that timeslip etc.

Jason

[4Cruizn]

Well no one is picking option 1 . . . and personally I would also pick option 2!  I do think the price is a bit high but then again . . I haven't viewed the cars personally.   Good luck with the one that you decide on! 

[ToxicWolf]

I would have to go with number 2 and it is all about the trans.

[moparman82]

I would take option 2 also, power steering and brakes make it so mucho re enjoyable to cruise, plus it's a 4spd, and there is soooo much potential in 340s, some airwolf heads, big cam and carb and that thing will fly!  Love the billboards too, only thing that bugs me about #2 is the wheels and tires, don't like em at all, I would message TommyG and get his wheel and tire specs, perfect size in my opinion, other than that, the 74 looks awesome to me, and I will tell you, I have a 340 in my chally that is canned with a lot of compression and it's more than quick.  And if u don't have faith in the small block, I'd be happy to take you for a ride in a 9 second all motor 340 duster

[dvldwg89]

Me I would go with option 1. I know a lot of people who have sub 11.00 second street driven cars . Both cars are beautiful.
But its entirely up to you. My Wife is excited now that my Cuda is running again but I bet once its road worthy she will want it to be faster then it is. Go with what YOU want !