My sister is 16 nearing 17....and she has no interest in driving/cars/or even taking drivers ed....my brother is neutral on the subject and doesn't share much interest either, he's almost 15....

I guess I am the *addict*. My dad and I are pretty much the only ones in our household that share an interest in cars....and I'd rank myself as #1 due to my diesel addiction.......

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Danny, it sounds like you're getting yourself into something good. Your daughter will make someone a great wife one day. Cook, clean, do the laundry and change the oil. Perfect.

Now teach her how to split wood and start the wood stove , mow the grass including maintaining the mower and she'll be SUPER.

Cheers,

Bill

Actually spoke to my 17 yr old today , who is 6'5" and about 250....and he asked me about him getting a diesel pick up vs an MB diesel...so I wanted to search what are best options for a greaser pick up .....
Any input on this??

good he stilll wants to burn veggie!

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

I just posted my story sort of relevent to this post.....

I had always wanted an older car with styling, I love diesels, and loved standard transmissions...... So the first time I saw...and drove a 240d..stick I was hooked. I have been obsessed since then. That was 6 years ago. Unfortunatley The one I drove had some issues, and he wanted WAY to much($2,800 w/320k rebuilt head), and it needed about $1500 in parts(I could easily fix) He wouldn't take my offer said he would rather it rot in the barn than sell it to me. To this day he is doing just that . Any way, I ended up getting a 300d 5 years ago, drove it as a second car for 2 years, dad wrecked his car, he took the benz over . after 3 years, I finally got it back, and at the right time too, I drive a 96 land rover Discovery (gas guzzler). I have been using the benz(Sally) as a daily driver for a little over a month now, and even took a 400 mile trip in her . Obsession is now an understatement. I love driving both of my cars but when you turn off the radio to listen to the diesel engine, you are certifiably obsessed .
Sorry for the long post just wanted to share my story!


...... but to add to this. I think more younger people are into "retro" which on top of that happens to be quality, and on top of that is effecient.... I hope I have this right I just turned 29, and I remember seeing the 123 body style and loving it as a small boy. The symbol, and yellow fog lights entranced me, (having no clue as to diesel) These mercedes are timeless, works of art that have personality beyond anything I know of. I bought my first... and only MB 300D when I was 24 and have loved every second of driving it. All of my friends love it, and I am unmistakable in driving it. I was recently 200 miles away going to a cousins house and she ended up behind me in her home town, she new it was me by my MB. Their friends who are into Rice Rockets loved it too!!! I volunteer at my church with the youth group, they love my 300D too(they think its P.I.M.P.) . I am a proud owner and I really believe there will be more young people who buy and adore these cars!

Your comment about the retro look reminded me of the time my 11 year old, who was probably 7 at the time, said "Man Dad...this thing is cool. Looks like a 70's car".

So some of you young guys really do prefer these old diesels over a Judge or an Opel GT? Or least not forget the Maverick Grabber or the infamous Vega GT. Oh...how about the Monza Spyder. maybe because you've never seen one of those...LOL Thats because the MBZ has outlasted most of the above cars....

Cheers,

Bill

saw a real live opel gt recently in muncie indiana. not running and kindof rusty. still, it was nice to see one. they are really nice looking cars.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I really do need to thank my dad! I wouldn't be able to own these cars without his help and support!

As for where me love of MB's came from well I don't really know. One day when I was about 14-15 I decided that I liked the way old MB's looked and it kind of started from their. My dad thinks I am nuts and crazy to spend the kind of money I do on a car. I have been on this site for a few years now and really enjoy seeing more people my age getting into these cars.

My 300SD is 3 years older then me and my SDL is 2 years younger. When I get out of school I would like to get a newer MB to replace the SDL as the daily driver. But the SDL will never be for sale, never. I am going to my grave with that car or my kids will get it.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Perhaps it's because the elder generation has found that their children are now "the right (ripe) age" to drive these wonderful machines.

It was my grandma's car, not dad's. They were moving to some place so had to part with the Benz. We saw it and asked if we could have it (we're a close-knit family). She just handed it over, including all literature included -- Haynes manual, owner manual, maintenance manual, some notes, etc.

I plan to visit her in Ridgecrest once I have time, ball joints and front bushings are being done. 1.5 years with a worn pair of ball joints and this thing still runs. I'm too excited to find out how she rides again tomorrow, new ball joints, upper cont. arm, bushings, etc...

At 22, my car's younger than me by a year. All my friends at school compliment me for such a nice classic, they all drive late model or new Jap cars. I often hear a complaint here and there about something wrong with their car...

Well, live and learn.

__________________
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

Probably the last one in exisistence.

Cheers,

Bill

It is so great to see how many families are involved with these timeless cars. They seem to make for a wonderfull bond between generations.

Not quite the last opel gt Bill. Two in my neighbourhood still. One looks pristine and I see it on the road locally about once or twice every two years. The other one a young fellow owns and when I thought it was for sale had a close look at it. Was pretty rough but looked like a fairily easy car to restore if a person really wants one bad enough. Anyways was surprised by its simplicity for a german engineered product. I also think these old diesels are a great ideal for young people. The experience of owning them and doing a little work on them from time to time does build their self confidence and actual abilities. Kind of like a right of passage as well as they are indeed a learning experience. There is only a slight to non existant chance there will be cars encompassing the various qualities of the 123 diesel ever again so a young person should perhaps develop a mindset of long term ownership or keep improving on their cars general condition. I could write endless verse about some of the cars I should have kept when I was young.

I also see an Opel GT around my area a couple of times a week. It has faded paint but it appears to be solid. The headlights almost close all the way, as usual.

Well born in 82 I was drivin home in a 1979 300SD metallic blue with a tan interior. I still remember all the fun we had with that car till its last day we owned it (just under 2 years ago got rear ended by a truck). That car was so loved that my father took it to Africa when he retired in and brought it back as my 21st birthday gift, lots of awsome memories. Today I drive a 85 300SD , 87 300SDL , 86 420SEL (just bought it today) and a 87 BMW 635CSi (summer car). These are the loves of my life and even come before my wife (well soon to be wife). Hopefully one day I'll be able to hand down the Benz's down when the little ones come (I will be buried with the bimmer ) just as my father did.

I always loved the 1965 230SL my dad had when I was in junior high (this was the late 80s), enjoyed tinkering with them in college (good buddy had a '72 220, 70 280SE, and '58 220S) admired my neighbor's 300SD which he purchased new in 1983, and when the confluence of three things happened: I started work at an indie import shop, Dad bought an SLK230, and I drove my first 126, all in the same week, it seemed "this is the car for me"; a little while later, my boss was looking to sell his 1981 300SD and the rest is history! I've been an early-era Audi Quattro geek for ten years; I also had a big thing for Datsun 240Zs (had 2) ; now I hope to have a nice 300SD for the rest of my days. Taking control of that huge steering wheel, just feels like "this is what driving is all about"... I'm building a really ferocious Audi 5000TQ right now, but old faithful 126 takes me everywhere these days while the Audi is under construction. And since the Audi will be boosted enough to require octane boosters, i think it will remain so.

The younger generation having an interest in these lovable old tanks is a great thing IMO. A buddy of mine just bought a 300Dt and details it weekly- he much prefers it to the 2002 Nissan pickup he sold to get it. What's even cooler than having others to cruise with (OM617 gang anyone?) is striking up a conversation with attractive members of the opposite sex over the icebreaker of the MB diesel... no kidding, had a nice young lady gawking at my SD as I pulled up to "da club" last weekend. She had good taste, and a lovely '76 240D. Always nice to have something to discuss, eh? (I can't believe the start knob on those real old-school Ds)

A footnote: When I told Mom I got a Benz, i said it was just like "Helmut's old white one" (the '83 300SD I mentioned before). She understood and said it sounded like a nice car. The next week, she ran into our former neighbor at the grocery store. Guess what he was driving?? Still gleaming perfect at 22 yrs, the SD! (This is the sort of fellow who can afford any car he desires.) I think his choice speaks volumes about the greatness of the 123/126 era.

Well I'm glad I can help restore some faith in my generation, which I think 2/3 of them should go bug somebody else
I am 15, and my car is 15 years older then me... Very cool I think. The car was my dads. I dont know what sort of condition it was in, because I dont have any pictures of it. I still have his log book, and smile when I read it... He passed away 8 years ago, so I dont remember very much. The car sat in our shed, uncovered, untouched, for 6 years... I was feeling kind of emotional, and sat in it with my friend (both knew it was cool, didnt know what it was though). We were just talking about how cool it could be, and he gave me a hard time because it has A/C (and the truck he was supposed to get, at the time, did not have A/C)... Well I dont remember when, but I do remember thinking about some memories of my dad. I remember him pulling the engine out of my grampas truck (which I plan to also inheret because Grampa kept it for me)... I also remember a trip around the block in it with my dad. I sat in it and I think I cried because it was just so awesome... So I got to work. I put in a new battery, checked the air cleaner, and foolishly turned the key to ON waiting for the plugs to light... The light went off, and I cranked... ITS ALIVE!!! I know I could have hurt it, but I was hooked... SO far I've (again, foolishly) put 2 batteries in it, because the first one didnt cut it (so I thought)... New batt, new cables, changed oil, antifreeze & hoses, then did the tranni fluid...
I also cleaned the bejesus out of the interior... I did my best on the paint, but it was left uncovered for 6 years, so I do have alot of tiny scratches and small chips... I've driven the car now, and I love it... When It starts, its awesome. I love the ride, I love the feeling... I also love the mpg... My mom loves that its a freekin tank, and slow to boot (yeah so?)

This weekend I plan on a new air filter, new fuel filters, and diesel purging it. I only have my temps, so It will just get driven around the parking lot by me to clear it up.... but laws be damned I'm gonna do it (i say that too much)

I plan on keeping the car forever, and putting myself into a horrible debt in order to save this car from dieing, being scrapped, being totaled, rusting out (WILL NOT BE DRIVEN IN WINTER), and ridiculed for that darn green color. I plan on painting it blue or red, but thats later... I think the green builds on you...

Now I gotta get to bed, but I want to say thanks for letting me share my story...

~Nate