Need some advise please!

[Supernaut]

I've been offered an opportunity to trade my '71 Challenger for a 69 Charger R/T plus cash and was hoping to get some input from the forum members.
The Charger was purchased for $60k as a survivor car five years ago, having been previously stored in a garage. The current owner purchased it then and has left it outside in the northeast since.
While it's still in nice shape it has suffered greatly from sitting like this, where the doors, lower quarters, rear window area and floors are starting to blister and/or rot.
The owner suggested a trade plus $42k for my Challenger which is in notably better shape and garage kept. The Challenger has the original 318/904.
He believes the Charger is worth $70k, Hagerty shows it at $60k in GC, but then Hagerty curiously lists my '71 Challenger at only $20k in Good condition. I really want the Charger but $42k plus my Challenger seems excessive.
Just looking for member suggestions, comments and advice with the limited info I can share here. I originally offered $30k plus the Challenger, however that number wasn't apparently very appealing. I have a great number of photos, I'll try and only post the most relevant, including what the Charger looked like 5 y ago.

 

[BriceRoad]

I too would love to have a 2nd gen Charger but I agree with you. I am always looking at what people ask for Mopars so the following is just my opinion: $42K plus your Challenger for that car seems excessive for two reasons. #1) There's no way your car, which appears to be in excellent condition, even being a 318 car is worth only $20K. I highly doubt I could find a '71 318 challenger in the same shape as your car for only $20k. Maybe 6 or 7 years ago but not now with today's prices. #2) The Charger does look like a really great car although in one picture the paint is somewhat faded and in the other picture you can see some rust bubbling. The question is what other rust or problems might it have? I think your offer of your car plus $30k was a fair offer but folks always seem to ask for the moon for those 2nd gen Chargers. If the Charger had a perfect body and paint then I would say pay the $42K but if you want the Charger to have body and paint as nice as your Challenger you are going to have to sink money into it. The question is how much will it take to get it the way you want it? I obviously don't know your financial situation and maybe you are okay with sinking a bunch of money into the Charger to get it right? Or perhaps you want to drive it as is as a survivor? If it were me it would be a very tough decision. I wish you good luck.

 

[rklein71]

That rust on the rocker is very troubling. I would say keep looking, your Challenger is too nice.

 

[MOPARMITCH]

Yeah, I'd pass on that car. I sold a numbers matching, highly optioned 68 Road Runner 10 years ago for 45K. And it was rotisserie restored, perfect. 383 4 spd . I also dont like the rust on that Charger. Think he wants Way Way too much. There are better options out there.....

 

[Katfish]

Wouldn't pay $42k, with no trade!
That Charger is going to need a lot of work to be in Good condition.

 

[DetMatt1]

I see it came through a particular dealership that is not known for being too careful about selling lipstick pigs. I’m not saying that is the case here but what I am saying is that Charger needs a thorough inspection…

 

[Old Mopar]

NO NO NO please don't let that turd into your garage

 

[Challenger RTA]

He believes the Charger is worth $70k, Hagerty shows it at $60k in GC

Here again the same line. It's worth 100K when fixed up. OK what does it take to get it there. 80K.
It's like a new girlfriend. What baggage comes with it? The girlfriend you have is trained the way you come to accept with all the quarks. Believe the trained part. I have a bridge in Jersey to sell you.

 

[440WB]

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1969/dodge/charger/102364342

I agree with the others - as much as something may look good, you got to have a
gut feeling about things. Take a step back to relook at what you think you want to get into.

If you have the time - check this Charger out - not the same color... but all nice original in your price range.

 

[Supernaut]

http://[URL]https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1969/dodge/charger/102364342

[/URL]


I agree with the others - as much as something may look good, you got to have a
gut feeling about things. Take a step back to relook at what you think you want to get into.

If you have the time - check this Charger out - not the same color... but all nice original in your price range.

I was actually looking at this one last night, trying to get a better feel for the market. Looks like a nice car from the available photos.

 

[440WB]

She does have the look! you may want to give a call -
ask for video -
good luck with your search !

perhaps a member here may be able to take a look for you?

 

[heminut]

The car is going to need rust repair, which will remove it from the realm of 'survivor cars' so that selling point is off the table! Personally I wouldn't trade your Challenger straight across for the Charger, he would be the one kicking in the cash! I can understand you really wanting a Charger but seriously, there are better deals out there. Have some patience and keep looking.

 

[Xcudame]

I'm going to throw my opinion out there too! Your Challenger looks great and drives great! And with a 318 it does fairly well with gas mileage. The Charger 440 above is a rust bucket gas hog with a replacement engine! Seriously, no 440 is going to get the fuel mileage of a 318. The guys on here that have done rust repair will tell you the blistering you see is never good or a simple fix! Sure the 69 Charger looks good, but remember what it evolved into - first the Charger 500 (flush rear window) - then the very aerodynamic Charger Daytona to get the "first production car" to 200+ mph. I have driven hundreds of old Mopars and there is a reason I have one Dodge and one Plymouth E-Body. They look better and have just the right fit between an A-Body and a B-Body.
If your set on having a 69 Charger, I wouldn't want the one shown above for that much money!

Never give up a good looking and good running vehicle for one that needs lots of work! Unless you have lots of time and money!