I most definitely agree. I'm not the type to try to pick up a project on Craigs for dirt cheap and then pour money and time into it and be frustrated. The purchases I've made have been through fellow forum members that have vouched for the car. And I'm not completely new to old cars, I had a 69 squareback (not sure why VW made wagons with only two doors), and 74 FJ40 previously. I've been fortunate enough to not have to work on them myself too much. And I have a two car garage and do have room to work on cars.
As for the wife... so long as she gets a nice spa day every once in awhile, she doesn't mind the car stuff.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacharias
Old saying: "The most expensive car in the world is a cheap Mercedes...." It is worthwhile to buy the best car you can afford, when dealing with these old dears.
These are old cars. Stuff goes wrong. Like all cars... usually not when we expect/want/have time/etc.
You need to be honest with yourself about your basic level of hands-on ability (in general) and put that in the equation with your ability to free up time to work on the car.
Other considerations: You have other vehicles. Good. Do you have a garage with space to work on a car? Do you have a spouse who'll come out and bring you coffee and be interested (or at least act it)? Or will every new announcement of "the Mercedes needs...." bring another glowering silence?
Not trying to be rude. But these cars are what they are. They can be outstandingly reliable but frustrating as well.
You sound interested but you can't ask a 27-odd-year-old car (in the case of a w123) not be that.
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