Introduction and dilemma

[atomickite]

I've been a member of this site for awhile but haven't posted anything until now. Everytime I login though I receive this message,

"Hello atomickite,
Our records indicate that you have never posted to our site before! Why not make your first post today by saying hello to our community in our Introductions forum.

Why not start with your first post today and become an active part of Dodge Challenger Forum now! "

So..."Hi"

Now for the problem: Since I saw this car introduced at the Detroit auto show, I have been saving my pennies to get one. In fact I made a special trek up to the show from Cleveland, just to see this car in person. Now that the day is almost upon us, I'm thinking of just taking the money and restoring my 68 Firebird.

If the Pontiac was running it would be a no brainer and up until the Summer it was. Sure, I could just fix what's ailing it and get it running again but I've had this car for about 6-7 years and I haven't really done anything with it, so I could fix it and just wait for the next thing to break or just get a jump on everything while I have the funds.

New cars are great and this one will no doubt be an awesome experience but there's nothing quite like driving around in vintage iron.

What would you do?

Sorry for the long-windedness. I was saving up.

[Rallye72]

I've had my Charger for 13 years. It's not done, probably never will be. It looks good, drives well but there's always something else and it's not to the standard of perfection that I desire. I've been doing "old cars" since I was a teenager, I'm 50 now. I'm pretty sure my car will go up for sale in the spring to help finance an 09 Challanger because I'm tired of wrenching and pouring money into cars, there are other things I want to do now. The new Challenger fits the bill for me because I am a long time Mopar guy and I remember these when they were new and have owned a couple previously. I'll be going for at R/T, I don't need the meanest car on the block and I do intend to drive it regularly, I'm not interested in it as a collectable.

If you've got the money to actually do a nut and bolt resto on your car and make it absolutley right it will cost you at least as much as this new car. If you only have the cash to get it sorta right then you may never be happy (depending on what your personal standards are) and you could be sinking money into it forever.

How important or necessary is a new car to you?

It doesn't sound like your a hardcore Mopar guy but rather someone who appreciates the car but it may not fire you up the way it does some of the rest of us.

[atomickite]

Thanks for the post.
I'm still not sure what I'll do, but you offer some thought-provoking points.

Since I wasn't planning on purchasing until the '09 year, I'll wait to see what the production version has to offer and go from there.

The fact that your going to sell your old car to finance the new one says a lot.

[RRHemi]

My cousin owns a "freshened" 68 Firebird. It is a very nice looking car. I have to say that the 326 with auto is not remotely exciting. I don't think the birds have the investment potential of the Camaros unless it is TA or special in some other way.

I think your decision should be based on what you want to do with this car.
Daily driver, weekend warrior, car shows, or garage queen. If you really enjoy wrenching then old is probably the way to go. Full restorations are very expensive but do offer some peace of mind that something isn't leaking and rotting that precious metal.

Performance wise chances are this SRT Challenger will smoke an old school hemi Challenger so any Gen one Firebird wouldn't have a chance. Unless of course you have lots of cash and seriously beef up the bird.

[VFRMike]

I too have a 68 Firebird and have owned it since college (about 17 years). Everything is stock, it's a (dark green- yuck) car, has a 350 with a 3-sp stick on the floor with the console and a couple of other options. Runs fine but does need some minor attention. Although I love the new Challenger and have been following the the car for a long time I'd NEVER sell the Firebird. It would honestly take something catastrophic for me to sell that thing. Having driven away from college graduation, driven away from the church after being married, and driven my boy home from the hospital in that exact car had made for some wonderful memories with that car. I'd like a new Challenger also however and think, maybe, in a few years I can own both...we'll see.

Good luck on your decision.

VFRMike.

[RoostKing]

Interesting question with a some very insightful answers. On one hand you have the guy who has "been there, done that" and is ready to cruise. On the other, the guy has 17 years of memories wrapped up into his current ride (IMHO the 68 Firebird is one of the best looking muscle cars out there) so he aint selling. You, unfortunately, do not sound like either! Can you get away with getting your Firebird running and using it as a on-going project and still swing a new Challenger? Personally, I regret the day i sold my 68 Barracuda, with a 500 CC stroker Sixpack project that took years to get parts together for, just to move to Phoenix. If I could do it over again, Id keep the Barracuda and buy a 6 cylinder Challenger..

RoostKIng...

[atomickite]

True, I haven't had the bird all that long and I was born at the tail-end of the muscle car era so I don't have the memories a lot of you do but I do remember wanting to own this car since my high-school days so I definitely won't be selling it.

Honestly, if things go well, I will have both in my garage, its just that whatever I do, will put the other off for a signifigant amount of time.

I think I'll take roostking's advise. Since, I have the car, I'll get it running and try to maintain it the best I can until I can build my savings back up to do what I want.

Thanks for all the great comments and advice, I really do appreciate it.

[carkrzy]

Originally Posted by Rallye72

I've had my Charger for 13 years. It's not done, probably never will be. It looks good, drives well but there's always something else and it's not to the standard of perfection that I desire. I've been doing "old cars" since I was a teenager, I'm 50 now. I'm pretty sure my car will go up for sale in the spring to help finance an 09 Challanger because I'm tired of wrenching and pouring money into cars, there are other things I want to do now. The new Challenger fits the bill for me because I am a long time Mopar guy and I remember these when they were new and have owned a couple previously. I'll be going for at R/T, I don't need the meanest car on the block and I do intend to drive it regularly, I'm not interested in it as a collectable.

If you've got the money to actually do a nut and bolt resto on your car and make it absolutley right it will cost you at least as much as this new car. If you only have the cash to get it sorta right then you may never be happy (depending on what your personal standards are) and you could be sinking money into it forever.

How important or necessary is a new car to you?

It doesn't sound like your a hardcore Mopar guy but rather someone who appreciates the car but it may not fire you up the way it does some of the rest of us.

Very well stated. I too feel the same way as you do about these cars. I'm however not a Mopar guy but I do like the new Challengers and personally do own a Charger R/T currently. I do hope to purchase a Challenger in the future.