Originally Posted by 97 SL320

The need a "first car" was addressed in another thread a while back.
Buy a mid 2000's front drive Buick sedan from an estate sale. The cars are cheep, plentiful , easy to fix and "safer" than any 80's design is going to be. Once you get a car, go through and change high failure / end of life parts like belts, hoses, electric fuel pump and such.

You need a car that you can walk into any auto parts store and walk out with whatever you need. The W201 won't fit that bill.

Also, having a diesel adds complications to a new drivers responsibilities. ( starting, fueling, low power. )