ok, so we've talked alot about the car and it looks like i'm going forward with it. just to refresh your memory, its 1982 240d manual with 230k in santa cruz, ca, $3200. mechanic cheched it out and gave it the thumbs up. i'm flying out and driving it back to minneapolis, about 2000 miles. it should be fun. managed to talk a friend into it. here's the link to the car (the site belongs to the owner's son):

http://www.kuhgott.com/temp/benz/

some questions. what to bring just in case i need to do some kind of mcgyver trick. such as fix the car with a piece of string and a stick of chewing gum ! i don't know, maybe i'm looking for more anecdotes of good bringing home trips to psych me up. i'm also thinking about routes to avoid altitudes as much as possible because i heard the 240d is not too good in the mountains. is there anything you can add to the fuel to help with the high altitudes?? i was thinking 80 across nevada then down to 70 across utah and colorado for some nice scenes. i want to do it in 3-4 days but not still see some nice views. the stereo has an ipod hook up so i'm good there. i'm going to have the mechanic change belts, maybe new wipers, and maybe flush the radiator before i taking off??