Warden your right about opinons. The pasture always looks greener till you get on the other side. Then there all the same. Your probably right about the D's. The 300D that my father owned was great for just jumping around town and overall was good. I just never liked not be able to get the back wheels from leaving a black streak behind me. Course I was 20 at the time and who wouldn't. Now the SDL has some pep. The 123 chassis isn't your statesman car that the SDL is but it's a great car. We all go round and round on which is the better. It's good to get opinions and experiences. It may help someone in deciding on a particular type of chasis, with a diesel in mind. I drove an 87 300D, and I liked it really well. The SDL has more room and does get good fuel milege.