It really is a pretty difficult decision.

On one hand, I hate the thought of depreciation expense. Plus, I don't know how many - if any - new cars can realistically be expected to last 20 years.

On the other hand, modern safety advances are nothing to sneeze at. My CD is pretty safe. My 400E is very safe, but I'm certainly not under the illusion that either car is anywhere near as safe in a serious accident as a new vehicle.

I would say spend the money and keep it. The reality is a new car payment will be at least $400/mo. for anything comparable. Say you spend 10K making your car nice. 10K divided by $400 is 25months. Not very long in reality. Yes, you will take a financial loss if there is an accident. Thats the risk involved. I'd take the risk over the financial liability any day. I also noticed you are in Texas? Even better, no winter rust issues to deal with. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Simple: never, never borrow money to pay for a car or anything else that will decrease in value.

Id rather fix up a $50k in 1980's $ and drive it around than I would a $20-30k car note for a Japanese 4/6banger.

However I will be sorely tested by the lineup of vehicles available in '09

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Its simple really:

Do you want to be a mechanic? Or do you want a turn key A to b car?

The people that I know that drive these old MB's that have money, don't do their own work. They spend probably $3k-$5k a year to drive these old cars, and rationalize it by saying its cheaper then buying a new S550. If the trans blows or the head cracks its not a big deal, the mechanic handles it and bills them. They are correct, driving a W126 this way is cheaper than buying a new W221. But these people are the fringe. $6k a year will lease you a new BMW 3 series, and you would only have to bring it in for service once a year maybe. An S550 costs about $1,200 a month, its a nice tax right off, and a lot of people buy them for that.

I enjoy working on my W126 as a hobby, but time is tight. If I had the money I'd lease a 325I or C300 as a daily ride. New cars don't break as much.

If I had $20k to put into a car, I wouldn't put it into an old car. I'd either buy a new Camry or a slightly used high end car. Keep for 5-6 years, and trade up again.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Neither.......unless you like spending night and day and thousands of dollars on a highly-deteriorating/deteriorated car.

I wouldn't own an Audi, if it was given to me, anymore than I'd own an '82 300SD, a Chevrolet, Ford, etc. if one were given to me.....

I'd shop intensively in Texas for a less than 100K miles, '98 -- '99 300TD, and pay $20-K TOPS.

Why the heck would I want an "Audi"?

[quote=mrhills0146;1665027]123Guy - I am in the same boat - a "suit" who insists on soldiering on in my CD. My colleagues think I'm nuts! ;-)

Right you are, my boss and I drove my car to the airport the other day and he likes to rag me about Elvira - so he hops in and acts surprised when he says, "gee I didn't know cars this old came with seat belts."

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Houston, Texas
1984 300CD 235K miles, Elvira, one owner
1987 300TD 180K miles
1974 TR6 78K miles Sarah Jane, one owner
OBK #27

1) The new cars are all shaped like a bar of soap. Cookie-cutter rental cars with no soul.

2) Any jackass can drive a new car. To make an old car reliable takes some skill.

3) What else do you have to do on weekends?

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'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means
'99 Ford Escort - good MPG

I thought about some thing I heard the other day talking about barrels of oil..... in 1980 money $38.00/ barrel is equal to $98.00/ barrel today. So in that line of thought 98 divided by 38 equals 2.6, now multiply the original cost of your car by 2.6. In my case I think it is like 39k, so today to buy a new car of equal value I would have to spend 2.6x39k or roughly $101,400.00 I think I will stay with my w126 as long as I can.

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If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

$101,400ish would get you into an S550 with some decent options.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yeah but my income doesn't show the same type of inflation, seems more like deflation at times!!! $100k would get you in a Maseratti sedan also.

__________________
If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

I thought those cost more? I see them running around all the time, they look interesting. Although IMHO the new S is sick! Its so nice!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I saw one in town and had to do a google on them, I was surprised to see them in that price range. They want to compete with MB and BMW in that line of luxury sedan. Anyway you are right the S class does look good, too bad no diesels. Good to see what would be affordable after 15-20 years deprieciation.

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If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

Yeah I'm hoping they import a CDI S. Maybe MB will import the S320 CDI in 2009.

The S420CDI would be even better!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I agree. I just purchased a 79 SD with 111k. Paint and interior are 9 out of 10. Mechancially I'll know more after I drive it a while but right now it looks like 9 out of 10 also. Better to take the time and look for the best example in top notch condition and work from there. I found mine on Ebay but it was local.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13