I usually get home first and there on my porch will be that ridiculously huge WorldPac box stuffed with air cushions that I will quickly scoop up and hide in the garage before my better half sees it.
The last few weeks the Brown Boxes sitting on my porch when I come home have been arriving daily and not only from WorldPac. They have been coming from POR 15, Eastwood (powder coat gun), Harbor Freight (tools) and uhhh yes, some Ebay dealers ( some aren't that bad).
Yes I do have some angst over spending on parts but there are TWO REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T FEEL GUILTY: (1) If its safety related, I replace it with no questions--those slightly worn tire rods may carry my daughter over the Verrazano Narrows bridge, as well as the upper control arms. (2) No matter what, its cheaper than buying a New Car! My overhaul will extend the car to a daily driver for 2 more years at a minimum.
Prices have come down a lot on Parts --control arms, ball joints, you name it..and remember, if someone else did the work that $50 part would come with $150 labor charge. (3) We dont have frills like lawncare or new lawnmowers even--or new appliances, because I DIY them
..In these days of expensive fuel, limited time and Pep Boys, NAPA and Autozone domination of the parts market, its a lot more efficient to buy from the Internet in terms of cost, time and quality.

Well for my 85 300D overhaul so far
(1) Brake Rotors $50
(2) Tie Rods $70
(3) Powder Coat rims $40
(3a) Upper Control Arm $50
(4) Powder coat gun $100
(5) New shocks $150
(6) Bushings $20
(7) New tires (TIRERACK) $200
(8) POR15 $40
(9) Brake Pads $40
(10) New Interior from scapped car $150
(11) New bearings $70
(12) Sheets of 20 guage steel $60
(13) Loctite, Primers, Rust conditioners, Epoxyglass, 3M adhesives, $70
(14) Various inane tools, (uhh including a MIG) UNLISTED

I'm not going to total this because it would make me guilty--but yes its close to $1000...and oh yeah, dont laugh, I cracked the windshield when I went to remove the mirror with a pipe so I could put in a new headliner--but I guess like last time i can get one for $30 from a yard....

I have no guilt.

These three suck up about $300. per month.

But, a new Camry also sucks up about the same amount..........and it's a single vehicle.

So, I feel pretty good about the whole deal.

No problem, it would cost about $600 per month to drive a new CDI, so as long as my average is below that value, I'm saving money.

You mean $600 a month for.....9 years?

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

..........yeah.......and then you might even own it by that point..........

barring insurance, non warrantied repairs, accidents and so forth

and so the lesson is....if you have $60K in CASH burning a hole in your pocket buy one

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Only if you had a big enough down payment

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Here you go:

http://www.mbusa.com/models/main.do?modelCode=E320CDI

$539/month with $4000 down for a 27 month lease. The reality is that if you want to continuously drive a new one, you either need to pay cash every couple of years or plan on making lease/loan payments indefinitely. Personally, I would rather spend a few $100 per month on my old one. That was my point.

like i tell my mom when i blow money on parts.. it either i blow money on my car or go blow it on stupid stuff like drugs or fast girls.or shoes.... i must buy shoes...... wrenching.. the anti drug