Thanks all for the responses. They really helped to define the issue for me.

It is just a money thing. I know that I will love the car, and I have found a nice example with less than 30k, but $33+ large for a 9 year old car without a warranty? Yikes! And only 800 or so made? That has to affect parts costs. And labor costs on an e-class with a 5 liter stuffed into it is probably high.

I guess I still feel like I should be driving the 73 Plymouth Scamp I drove in college! Now there was a car - slant six, low-tech construction, vinyl so tough that it could probably be used to make car tires, and ..... oh sorry, wrong forum.

My wife has even given me permission for the 500e.

I am sure that some people have real problems, unlike me, who can't seem to decide between two high-performance Mercedes!

Jack
93 400e (for now), MBCA, North Texas section