Classic Mopar as a daily... Crazy idea?
- Thread starter MopaR&D
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People forget they were "just cars" We drove them year round because that's what we owned. Here's my Dad's 68 Charger R/T in winter trim ( 15" studded snow tires and a couple bags of sand in the trunk) That car went like a tank in the winter. In summer trim that car was what made me LOVE CARS!!!
They are what was used to increase traction on ice. They were outlawed because they were tough on the road surfaces. In Pa, you couldn't run them in the warm months.
And, if I recall correctly, they would fly out of the tires and hit windshields, if you were spinning them hard enough.
DionR
Well-Known Member
They are what was used to increase traction on ice. They were outlawed because they were tough on the road surfaces. In Pa, you couldn't run them in the warm months.
And, if I recall correctly, they would fly out of the tires and hit windshields, if you were spinning them hard enough.
I'm still running studded tires in the winter. They are legal for several months, but not year round. Not that I would run them year round.
abdywgn
dismantler
friend had a set on his Ford for one season. Threw great sparks!
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
Remember a buddy had them on his Dart Sport 340, made some wicked cool sparks!
I got some hefty tickets from them Diplomat drivers back in the 80's...
I was just thinking yesterday. Just a rough estimate I have about $30k in my Duster and that thing was stripped to the uni-body and had a nut and broke lt restoration. I’m including everything from tools I needed, registration, parts, … I have been driving it (usually on a daily basis) but it hasn’t been out of service for repairs.
My wife and daughters TDI Volkswagens have had probably $10,000 in repairs and maintenance in that same time. They are older but quality control for ALL manufacturers has been absolute **** since 2020. Foreign and domestic.
I look at it like this. If you could buy a $30k new car or a $30k Duster, both in new or restored to new condition, you will be BIG money ahead for every year after. Duster price appreciates, repairs are wildly cheaper, save labor costs by maintaining and repairing yourself, insurance is less, …..
Of course, keeping out of the “Performance Aisle” is important. I’m talking about stock or improved from stock, daily driver.
If you become the RE-manufacturer of an old car you determine the build sheet; Bluetooth stereo, A/C, cruise, even power locks and windows if you want!
The ONLY downside is that you will never get the fuel mileage of a new 4 cyl. However, look what you are getting with your mileage. New car depreciation is wild! Repairs are insanely high, insurance is more expensive, planned obsolescence, nothing hardly has a manual transmission anymore, they’re ugly, stupid sensors and computers fail, ….
Average new car price in 2025 was $55,000. Unless you put down $20k in cash or trade you are immediately upside down the moment the ink pen hits the contract.
Without getting conspiratorial, the goal of the “one’s in charge” is to squeeze every possible cent from you. Auto industry and the Finance industry that accompanies it is probably the most successful way the wolves of industry take American’s wealth. Be a rebel and don’t play the game.
My wife and daughters TDI Volkswagens have had probably $10,000 in repairs and maintenance in that same time. They are older but quality control for ALL manufacturers has been absolute **** since 2020. Foreign and domestic.
I look at it like this. If you could buy a $30k new car or a $30k Duster, both in new or restored to new condition, you will be BIG money ahead for every year after. Duster price appreciates, repairs are wildly cheaper, save labor costs by maintaining and repairing yourself, insurance is less, …..
Of course, keeping out of the “Performance Aisle” is important. I’m talking about stock or improved from stock, daily driver.
If you become the RE-manufacturer of an old car you determine the build sheet; Bluetooth stereo, A/C, cruise, even power locks and windows if you want!
The ONLY downside is that you will never get the fuel mileage of a new 4 cyl. However, look what you are getting with your mileage. New car depreciation is wild! Repairs are insanely high, insurance is more expensive, planned obsolescence, nothing hardly has a manual transmission anymore, they’re ugly, stupid sensors and computers fail, ….
Average new car price in 2025 was $55,000. Unless you put down $20k in cash or trade you are immediately upside down the moment the ink pen hits the contract.
Without getting conspiratorial, the goal of the “one’s in charge” is to squeeze every possible cent from you. Auto industry and the Finance industry that accompanies it is probably the most successful way the wolves of industry take American’s wealth. Be a rebel and don’t play the game.
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
I haven't had a car loan in over 20 years now, I save as much as I can and look very carefully into the reliability of any vehicle that I am considering before making a purchase. I admit it has taken some time to change my behavior and habits, but it's nice to have $$ in the bank.
The idea of owning something that appreciates in value even while you are getting the use of it really puts a smile on my face too.
The idea of owning something that appreciates in value even while you are getting the use of it really puts a smile on my face too.
If I was to buy an old car for a daily It would be a Dart or Duster with a slant 6. Probably a 4 door since you can still find them cheap(er) than a 2 door.
I don't know if I posted this car on here before or not. (CRS!)
But it's exactly what I would use as a daily. (My wife even ok'd it!) It was for sale about a year ago, I haven't seen it since. In my opinion, it was priced too high. But it's like new!
No classic value to worry about. I would add a/c, cruise, and de-smog it while adding dual exhaust. We drive to Florida and Chicago, and I would take this with no qualms.
Low Mileage Survivor! 1977 Plymouth Fury Wagon
But it's exactly what I would use as a daily. (My wife even ok'd it!) It was for sale about a year ago, I haven't seen it since. In my opinion, it was priced too high. But it's like new!
No classic value to worry about. I would add a/c, cruise, and de-smog it while adding dual exhaust. We drive to Florida and Chicago, and I would take this with no qualms.
Low Mileage Survivor! 1977 Plymouth Fury Wagon
I've got a 78 2 door hardtop version of that way. My dad had a wagon just exactly like that one in the late 80s- early 90s.
Not a lot there to " de smog" compared to newer ones and which is good
As long as it doesn't have that gawd awful "lean burn" system on it!! I remember my Pap having a 78 Town & Country wagon with the 440 and "lean burn" system. After repeated problems we removed it and put a regular electronic ignition box and a thermoquad on it. It ran problem free after that.
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
H
Had one of those long ago, can't remember if it was a 77 or 78, but ran great, 400 lean burn. Didn't have trouble with the lean burn, but took it out anyway.
Those are great cars, my brother gave me one about 1991, 360, auto, air. Drove it 100 miles a day for work and to South Dakota and back every summer from Lutherville, MD by myself and 3 kids. I found some super comfortable leather seats from a Cordoba, front buckets and rear seat. The girls would fold down the rear seats and nap with pillows and a sheet. I parted it out in 1996. I would have preferred a 318, but you can't beat free. Only had to replace a torque convertor in all those miles.
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
I've been running a 1997 Thunderbird LX with a 4.6 V8 as a daily for going on 3 years now, thing is amazing. Decent fuel economy, power, comfort, ice cold a/c, and I only paid $500.00 for it. No rust, slight bit of hail damage but who cares? I did have to put a pcm in it when I bought it, along with front rotors and pads and rear shocks, plugs and wires, and I replaced the intake manifold a few months back as it developed a coolant leak.
Right! They were ALL daily drivers at one point.
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