Honda Accord D - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

thesst · #46 05-08-2008, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Well its already a 10 year old car, and it still looks and drives like new. As expected of a MB of course.

Very few W123's amd W126's reach 400k miles, you have to spend a lot of time and money replacing parts to see those numbers.

It may be "very few" but that's relative... I've seen considerably more 123 and 126 MB's posting 400K+ miles than any other kind of consumer car/truck/SUV out there. Eastern European/African/any-other-third-world country cab drivers (not exactly the type who can afford to spend a lot of money...) like these cars for a reason.

turbobenz · #47 05-08-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Thats interesting, so it wasn't a new idea!

I doubt that the ones who have said that have actualy spent much if any time working/driving the newer cars. The comparison is so off, I can see a MB to a Lexus or Acura, but a Toyota?

A lexus is a toyota. I will admit however that my dads gs300 is a decent car. it has 177k on it and runs fine. But its just so boring. And it doesnt feel like a real car either. its big but feels like im driving a little rice box. The road noise sounds like everything suspension related is destroyed, but its all fine. The gs300 has a few burned out gauges but thats really about it, oh yeah, and the peeling plastic wood grain.

However my brothers lexus is built on the camry. It is a camry, but with a cd changer, a few power items here and there and gold lexus emblems.

Bio300TDTdriver · #48 05-08-2008, 12:42 AM

Know one that buys a hybrid cares about mpg's, a hybrid is just a status symbol saying your environmentally friendly[/QUOTE]

You couldn't be more wrong. Do you know anyone that owns a hybrid? The reason we got the Honda instead of the Toyota is it looks like a regular car but still gets 44 mpg. We bought it for the mpgs.

You are right about the diesel hybrid, I would love one of those.

thesst · #49 05-08-2008, 12:43 AM

and BTW: the Honda/Toyota/MB comparison is NOT about comfort, amenities, "how cool you feel driving it", etc. It's about which car will cost you thousands in repairs over the years, which car will just keep going mile after mile, general MECHANICAL quality.

Obviously you SHOULD get cushier seats and better trim pieces if you're paying $30,000 more for the thing.

Also, remember when you see "Uncle Jim's" 1986 Honda that that car has NEVER been cared for as an MB is cared for. People who buy a cheap car don't spend $100 to fix a cracked trim piece. People that bought an MB will spend $500 to do so. That's why you really can't compare "Which car held up better?" because car-care is a huge factor.

turbobenz · #50 05-08-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

You couldn't be more wrong. Do you know anyone that owns a hybrid? The reason we got the Honda instead of the Toyota is it looks like a regular car but still gets 44 mpg. We bought it for the mpgs.

Hybrids cost a significantly larger amount of money than say, a corolla, and don't return much better mileage. Not to mention you'll have to put 10 grand worth of batteries in it it 90k

Hatterasguy · #51 05-08-2008, 12:52 AM

Using the logic than a Toyota/Honda would be a "better" car than a Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Aston Marton, or a Porsche. Because those are expensive cars to keep going and they don't rack up hundreds of thousands of miles.

I see we are using a different definition of what a good car is. To me a good car is enjoyable to drive and be in. I also appreciate built in quality, like the wonderfull way in which RR finish's there door jams, or the very cool way MB does this or that. But maintenace costs are about number 3 or 4 down the list of how I judge a car.

IE I'm not going to run out and buy a V12 Jag because I know its going to cost a fortune to keep running, but an S600 would certainly be game. But a few bucks here and there won't keep me from enjoying a very fine car.

Quality is never cheap.

Bio300TDTdriver · #52 05-08-2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbobenz

Hybrids cost a significantly larger amount of money than say, a corolla, and don't return much better mileage. Not to mention you'll have to put 10 grand worth of batteries in it it 90k

Wrong again. After 5 years the HCH is cheaper than a regular Civic to run. There are hybrids with over 200k that are still on the original batteries.

Are you just making up your "facts" or do you have a source?

Hatterasguy · #53 05-08-2008, 12:57 AM

The Lexus SUV hybrid is pretty cool. I drove one and it was kind of neat crawling through a parking lot on the electric motor. Fast to.

It had like 90k miles on it and was holding its own.

thesst · #54 05-08-2008, 12:57 AM

Yep, we're definitely using different definitions. To me a good car:
1) Is reliable.
2) Is comfortable.
3) Is inexpensive to drive and maintain.

Somewhere WAYYYY down the list is all the stuff like "how nice is the door jamb" and "can I go 0-60 in less than 5 seconds?" and "rain-sensitive" windshield wipers (because turning on your wipers is just way too much effort).

So, if "quality = cool" then you're right: quality isn't cheap.
But if "quality = utility" then quality CAN be cheap.

Jim B. · #55 05-08-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesst

Anyone who thinks that current MB's are of a higher quality than Hondas or Toyotas is just kidding themselves. MB stopped making GREAT cars and started making "OK" cars with the demise of the W126.

^^^^ I DO know
that now, but did NOT when I bought my black 1991 560 SEC about 12 years ago from a Mercedes Benz dealer near Disneyland in Orange County.

They had a 1992 W140 300SEL, a white one, for about the same price (About $39k) also for sale at the time at the Mercedes dealer.

I actually thought about buying that W140, as it was the "new" body style at the time.

Today, I am sure glad I did not, and went for a low mileage last year certified preowned W126 SEC which I still have

Bio300TDTdriver · #56 05-08-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The Lexus SUV hybrid is pretty cool. I drove one and it was kind of neat crawling through a parking lot on the electric motor. Fast to.

It had like 90k miles on it and was holding its own.

On the original batteries no doubt.

Hatterasguy · #57 05-08-2008, 01:07 AM

Well lets compare the door's on say my car to my mom's new Toyota.

Quality to me is:
The thicker steel MB uses. They also use those nice door strikers.
Toyota gets points for the seal but its a newer design.

As for the door panal itself MB spent many times what Toyota did. They used cast aluminum parts and real wood, etc. Toyota used plastic and some kind of cheap carpet.

MB has lights under the doors, so you can see where you are stepping. Toyota does not.

The MB door panal itself is built to come off, and designed with repairs in mind. The Toyota door panal is a one time use deal, you can get it off but your going to break something.

MB used really nice hinges that have fittings so they can be greased. Toyota didn't since they cost a lot more.

Will the window regulator in the Toyota break? Most likely not, doubt it. Will it break in my car? Probably I'd say 50/50.

The Toyota has electric locks, doubt they will act up. The MB uses vacuum locks which are much smoother, chances are they will act up.

So the MB door design will cost more than the Toyota version. However the MB door sounds like a bank vault even after 21 years. I doubt the Toyota's will do this, even now they will rattle a bit.

Which one is better? I'm going to say MB's even though it cost probably 4 times what Toyota's design costs. I'm willing to live with a few vacuum problems and a window regulator here or their to enjoy the bank vault like feel. Thats quality to me.

turbobenz · #58 05-08-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

Wrong again. After 5 years the HCH is cheaper than a regular Civic to run. There are hybrids with over 200k that are still on the original batteries.

Really? prove it. weres your facts?

a nimh battery is good for about 500-1000 cycles. After that it begins to loose charge capacity and cannot deliver its rated amperage. I have no doubt that a 200k prius can still run. I just don't think it will deliver 40mpg and 13 seconds 0-60's

thesst · #59 05-08-2008, 01:14 AM

Your car is a 1987 300SDL. I believe that falls into my definition of one of the "great" cars that MB made (ie W126). So I have no argument with you there.

I'm talking about the MB's made post-W126.

Hatterasguy · #60 05-08-2008, 01:22 AM

I can make the same argument about any MB. Actualy I love the W210's door panal! I swear whoever designed the interior of that car worked on the W126! They fixed every little PITA thing about pulling apart the W126's interior.