I'd drive it until the rust was real bad, then I'd do transplantation.

$500 is a steal for a vehicle with so many good parts though!

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-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)

And some lucky young forum member is going to benefit greatly from that awesome blue interior. Sadly, I'm not young..........
It is mind boggling to think of that much $$$$ spent on that wagon. So much in the way of good parts!!!
BTW, you really have a knack for coming up with very applicable car nomenclature. Rotchester is very clever, and very fitting......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

x2. There is DEFINITELY $500 worth of parts in that car. Good Buy, Tyler.

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1982 240D 4spd, 327,000mi