Help me understand difficulty of ownership

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Fizzer6001

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Absecon, New Jersey
I’m looking to buy either a Dart or a Duster in the $20k-$25k range.

My technical abilities are quite low - I have only done fluid and filter changes on my daily driver so far. But, I do have a garage at home and I am taking a night class at a tech school on how to fix cars.

I completely understand that something like a Mustang or a Nova would be easier for a beginner like myself, but I love these mopars.

How is owning an A Body in terms of part availability and repair work? Is it something that is feasible for a beginner like myself?
 
IMO, those early Mopars are much easier to understand/fix than the other manufacturers. 65
 
Finding a repair shop for a Mopar is not as common as GM or Ford so taking a class is a step in the right direction
 
Fizzer6001 said:
I’m looking to buy either a Dart or a Duster in the $20k-$25k range.

My technical abilities are quite low - I have only done fluid and filter changes on my daily driver so far. But, I do have a garage at home and I am taking a night class at a tech school on how to fix cars.

I completely understand that something like a Mustang or a Nova would be easier for a beginner like myself, but I love these mopars.

How is owning an A Body in terms of part availability and repair work? Is it something that is feasible for a beginner like myself?
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If you buy the right car you won't have to work on it much unless you want to modify it.
 
A body Mopars are not a complicated car, but they do have some unique parts and features that Fords and GM products don't, at least in the era that you're looking at. Getting some education is a great way for you to learn how to service and repair your own vehicles, regardless of make or model.
 
Those other manufacturers don have "FOR A BODIES ONLY" With a few basic tools and some mechanical aptitude (learning in your class), you'll have no issues. The support on this site is fabulous with lots of folks willing to share their expertise. Good luck :thumbsup:
 
I would say it depends on what you buy. If its all stock or OEM upgraded parts have been used then its pretty simple. If the car is highly modified with aftermarket parts then things can get a bit complicated because you don't know what they used, the condition its in, or how they may have wired it.

The good news is you found a site with a lot of knowable folks, so ask away. It will be the easiest way to gain knowledge on what your doing.
 
Mopar or No car. Don't buy a modified car. Make sure it is completely original. Fixing someone else's problems is the biggest downfall of buying someone else's ideas of custom work. That is with anything you buy. If its original and you do the mods it will be easier to do your own repairs. They don't make shop manuals for custom cars.
 
I think Dano is correct. My Ragtop is close to stock with simple upgrades like still Mopar, electronic ignition conversion. My hardtop. Heavily modified hotrod is much more complex and lots of Drivetrain and wiring changes. Without records of what was done or how it's wire can be a challenge. Stay safe and try for stock or close to stock then as you learn more you will enjoy modifying if that's what you want. This site is a wealth of members with lots of info. always willing to help.
 
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Chevy and Ford will be cheaper but not necessarily easier.

You've got FABO and YouTube university as well. If you spend $25k on a Duster, you should be buying a car that is pretty much ready to go without much hassle other than routine maintenance. Things will break as you go and each piece that breaks will be a new learning experience.

Your biggest investment after the initial vehicle purchase will be tools. You can get by with basic "100pc tool sets" with some jobs but others will require more than that. Tools that make the job easy and comfortable will be an additional cost as well. It's up to you if you want to go down this route.

I'll say it's a nice feeling when you lift the hood up and know exactly what's going on instead of lifting the hood thinking "where do I even begin?".
 
biggest problem is finding a good solid car to start with. lots of thrown together junk out there in that price range.
 
Fizzer6001 said:
I’m looking to buy either a Dart or a Duster in the $20k-$25k range.

My technical abilities are quite low - I have only done fluid and filter changes on my daily driver so far. But, I do have a garage at home and I am taking a night class at a tech school on how to fix cars.

I completely understand that something like a Mustang or a Nova would be easier for a beginner like myself, but I love these mopars.

How is owning an A Body in terms of part availability and repair work? Is it something that is feasible for a beginner like myself?
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I'd take a hundred or three of that and pay somebody who actually knows what they are looking at to protect your 20k investment. It'd be a lot cheaper than paying 22k for a 9k car.
 
By now, these cars are 50/55 years old; rust never sleeps.
Make sure you are not buying something held together by hope and prayer; as in
I hope the buyer doesn't see "this", and
I pray that bondo stays glued on.
I would trust a FABO member before buying elsewhere.
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BTW
While Darts and Dusters are both Mopar A-bodys, they are more like distant cousins.
If you are alert, you may have noticed that ;
the long-wb cars, all have standard rear wheelhouses,
whereas the swb cars are all big-tub cars; except for;
Scamp/Valiant, which can be had both short and long, but never had big tubs at all.
If you just want a Cruiser, just pick one. But;
If you value rear-seat legroom, or trunk-space, the Dart is the one for you.
Scamp/Valiants are a sortof in-between car; the 4-doors are long wb cars like Darts, whereas the 2-doors cars are shorties , and all have standard rear wheelhouses.

If you ever get into performance, the swb cars will do more for less. These have shorter wheelbases, they weigh less with less weight behind the rear axle, and the wheelhouses are big enough to swallow 295s.(Except as mentioned)

IMO, 2-door Scamps are a sortof oddity; they Look like Dodge-Darts, but are Plymouths. If you install the big tubs in them, you end up with a super lightweight short wb, Mopar, that with bigger tires on the back, can be a pretty good handling street car.
Growing up, I never knew this about the swb Scamps/Valiant until much later in life, else I would most likely have bought some of/or at least one of, those.

Dart-Sports, are the Demons of old with a politically-corrected name, and carry the 73-up Dart beaks.
 
When looking at a 50+ year old used car take someone else with you that knows cars. Otherwise you will be easily snookered into a junker.
 
Fizzer6001 said:
I’m looking to buy either a Dart or a Duster in the $20k-$25k range.

My technical abilities are quite low - I have only done fluid and filter changes on my daily driver so far. But, I do have a garage at home and I am taking a night class at a tech school on how to fix cars.

I completely understand that something like a Mustang or a Nova would be easier for a beginner like myself, but I love these mopars.

How is owning an A Body in terms of part availability and repair work? Is it something that is feasible for a beginner like myself?
Click to expand...


A lot of us on fabo had these mopars for first cars, they are really simple and actually fun to work on. With some basic knowledge, you will do fine. I like to keep things like water pumps, master cylinders, alternator brushes etc (common parts) here at home rather than have to order and wait.
 
If and when you find a Mopar, best to have an open mind and be willing to invest a good chunk of time into learning/research. If something comes up that is beyond your skill set, it very well could be beyond the garages skill set as well. Unfortunately a lot of garages won't admit to being ignorant to mopars and won't refund your $$ and could very well f**k up your ride.
 
Mopar Sam said:
A lot of us on fabo had these mopars for first cars, they are really simple and actually fun to work on. With some basic knowledge, you will do fine. I like to keep things like water pumps, master cylinders, alternator brushes etc (common parts) here at home rather than have to order and wait.
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I'd rather change the alternator on my Duster than oil in my '13 Ram :)
 
Fizzer6001 said:
How is owning an A Body in terms of part availability and repair work? Is it something that is feasible for a beginner like myself?
Click to expand...
Not too bad, some parts are harder to find than others, but that is to be expected with 50+ year old cars. Sometimes it's the hunt for parts and discovering the cool stuff you can do that makes it enjoyable. Just make sure you buy something solid and maybe original since you are at a beginner level.
 
Fizzer6001 said:
I’m looking to buy either a Dart or a Duster in the $20k-$25k range.

My technical abilities are quite low - I have only done fluid and filter changes on my daily driver so far. But, I do have a garage at home and I am taking a night class at a tech school on how to fix cars.

I completely understand that something like a Mustang or a Nova would be easier for a beginner like myself, but I love these mopars.

How is owning an A Body in terms of part availability and repair work? Is it something that is feasible for a beginner like myself?
Click to expand...

out of curiosity, how old are you?
 
Fizzer6001 said:
I’m looking to buy either a Dart or a Duster in the $20k-$25k range.

My technical abilities are quite low - I have only done fluid and filter changes on my daily driver so far. But, I do have a garage at home and I am taking a night class at a tech school on how to fix cars.

I completely understand that something like a Mustang or a Nova would be easier for a beginner like myself, but I love these mopars.

How is owning an A Body in terms of part availability and repair work? Is it something that is feasible for a beginner like myself?
Click to expand...
I have a 1965 Barracuda in the $8K range… much cooler car!!! Tons of parts, most all Valiant parts are interchangeable, and there were over a half million ‘64, ‘65 and ‘66 Valiants. Also a lot of Dart parts fit, and, unfortunately, you’ll find rusted out Barracuda parts cars in almost every small town.

AND, most mechanical parts you can just get from your hardware store.

Just a thought. By a cool, mechanically sound, A-Body Barracuda for $8K (mine ), and have $17K of your budget left over for all kinds of cool stuff.
 
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