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Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 10:48 pm
by tsp
Hello,
I am glad that I found the "nest". I am close to purchasing my first RR. It's actually a '73 Sebring plus cloned to a RR. Does anybody know the car? It was out of Detroit before it ended up in Canada.
I saw the car in person and it is mint. The only thing that I noticed was that the doors did not align in the upper rear, but fit nice every where else. The owner told be it was a Satellite quirk
Any thoughts?
Thanks
http://www.pentasticmotors.com/used/Ply ... df01d4.htm

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 11:46 pm
by ILUV72RRs
It looks nice in the pictures of it. I always take a refrigerator magnet with me to see it holds on the body. If it falls off somewhere. Then you might have a question as to how much bondo is in it. You probably could have that much money in it, or more. To make one look that nice.

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 6:23 am
by CtownRunner
The door alignment is not a quirk to Sebrings.

The door hinges may need rebuilt.

It looks nice BUT seems pricey. U may get a nicer car for less or the same car for a lot less.

Do the magnet check very carefully.

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 6:49 am
by 471Magnum
Very nice combination, but that's a TON of money for a 73.

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:14 am
by Diriccatiticka
Agreed. Pretty sharp car, but that's a lot of money for what it is.

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:19 am
by moparite
24K for a clone with a small block! No Thanks.

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:33 am
by gcoupe72
Agreed, price seems high. I'm assuming Canadian Dollars?

Anyone know the exchange rate?

Very sharp looking car!

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 11:27 am
by tsp
Hey guys,
Thanks for all your responses. I love the look of the car and the restoration was nicely done. The doors have no play in them and close nice. The fender and door edges are sharp. The underneath is as clean as the top.
But, I feel the same. The price is too much for what it is. I did talk him down to $22000. If it was the real deal I would not hesitate.
I am going to go tonight and have another look and a test drive.
Cheers :beer:

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 7:40 pm
by moparmike
I have a nice 72 Sebring Plus you can have for only $14,000 and she is all metal.

Where in Canada are you ? I am in Ontario

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:57 pm
by tsp
"I have a nice 72 Sebring Plus you can have for only $14,000 and she is all metal.

Where in Canada are you ? I am in Ontario"

I am in Toronto. Looks like a nice car, but I am after a RR.
After a second look the car I was after I think that I am going to pass. It has some body imperfections, a couple pant blisters, needs door alignment, steering wheel needs replacing.
However, it runs good and strong but I did not like the handling. The steering felt vague. I though that I would have more road feel (at least as much as my old jeep). And the clutch had a long travel. Are these things normal for a '73?
Thanks for your help

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:56 am
by bruce
Vague power steering feel in a 70s-era Mopar? Nah, couldn't be... :lol:

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 11:37 am
by gcoupe72
Good one, Bruce!

But seriously, the steering, and handling can be improved significantly on all Mopars.

Sometimes steering lash adjustment and more +caster plus a little - camber will make a huge difference,

without spending much. After that, bushing replacement, and torsion bar upgrades will help.

You should drive one that's "right", unbelievable difference.

Keep looking, your car is out there!

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:48 pm
by tsp
bruce wrote:Vague power steering feel in a 70s-era Mopar? Nah, couldn't be... :lol:
I was waiting for that :cry: .
If it was an unrestored car then sure I would agree, but a car that has had a full resto with $35000 put in to it?
Why not spend the few dollars to make it handle better?

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:51 pm
by tsp
gcoupe72 wrote:Good one, Bruce!

But seriously, the steering, and handling can be improved significantly on all Mopars.

Sometimes steering lash adjustment and more +caster plus a little - camber will make a huge difference,

without spending much. After that, bushing replacement, and torsion bar upgrades will help.

You should drive one that's "right", unbelievable difference.

Keep looking, your car is out there!
Thanks for the tips. If the car was not so much money to start I would be up for the suspension redo.
I did a search and found a post on changing the power steering pump pressure with a simple washer. Has anyone tried this?
Lots of info on this site. :beer:

Re: Need advise with first RR purchase

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:05 pm
by bruce
tsp wrote:
bruce wrote:Vague power steering feel in a 70s-era Mopar? Nah, couldn't be... :lol:
I was waiting for that :cry: .


Sometimes I just can't seem to resist being a smartass. Sorry! Totally understand your point. Yeah, you'd think they have addressed some known issues with Mopar steering and handling, especially since there are some good modern solutions available. In the case of my own RR, I still have the original sloppy steering gear on there in spite of many other upgrades to the car. A Firm Feel box is in my plans for the car, just gotta save up.

And FWIW, concerning the price on that particular car--I'd ask less for my real RR 4-speed 383 car that now has a stout 440+6 than the asking price of that clone. Mine has issues of it's own and I'm not really looking to sell--but just saying for sake of comparison. You're bound to be able to find a real Road Runner worth having in the price range of that clone... especially if you're looking for a '73 or '74.