Good for you for being able to walk away from a deal because the current owner is a moron. I mean really, spend $6 to make $2800? Duh. If he won't do this, think of all the maintenance he has neglected to do on it if he refuses to spring for $6.

You'll find one that you know is right. I looked at a few Suburbans this summer before I got mine. When I bought mine, everything about it was just right.

Buying a car can be like looking for a wife. Very rarely should you 'buy' the first one you 'look' at. Do some 'shopping' and 'inspecting' what is out their first.;)

... and lots of test-drives?

I have the SDL, and my buddy has the SD model. I like the SDL a little better. Definitely less maintenance, and more power. I think the transmission is much smoother too. I would go with the SDL. The price is high especially right now with the slow economy there are a lot of good cars at a reasonable price out there. For that particular car I would not pay more than 2000. I bought mine for 1500, but with 250K, in really good condition.

There are a couple of SD's in Phoenix, and Las Vegas on CL, the one in Vegas has (claimed) less than 90k on it for $3600 if I remember . . . I use http://www.searchtempest.com/ these are not a long way from you . . .

DOn't believe it...
 

I've been corresponding wiht that fellow and when they sent me the photos of that car it was nothing to look at - I don't believe that car had 90K on it... IF tha'ts the same car I'm thinking of...

Found another 300SDL...
 

I found another '87 300SDL today in OK - this one has 126K miles on it - lots of records, seems the owner was pretty good about the maintenance - think he has 4 MBs total. This one looks clean, especially the engine bay, never in a wreck, AC and all the systems work, new breaks, glow plugs, block heater, new paint... but the guy wants $5000... now how you gonna get him to a reasonable $2500-3500 without putting a gun to his head?!

That's just the problem - there are plenty of cars out there it's just that most of them are junk and the ones that aren't are pricey... so, at least from my vantage point the last 2 months or so you almost have to pay a bit of premium to get a clean car with low miles... otherwise, you've got to make tough choices...

Case in point is this one here: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/ctd/1444544898.html - now lemme know the 'voodoo that you do' to get this one down to $2500 and you'll get a $500 bonus when I sign the title... :)

$5k for a decent (not perfect) low mileage car is very reasonable. If you only want to pay $2500, you are probably going to buy something that needs $3000 worth of work anyway. The car that appears perfect probably only needs $1000 worth of work. These cars are now old enough that the unmaintained ones are junk and the maintained ones aren't cheap.

True...
 

Well said - that's very consistent with what I'm seeing as well every day.

Here it is:http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/1442374052.html claiming only 59000 actual miles!

Yep...
 

Yep - that's the car.... good story (older couple that got their cars, motorhome and house reposessed... kid selling bought two of their cars). I got high resolution photos from them... it just didn't wow me - the 59K is intriguing but the photos somehow didnt' jive with the claimed mileage... The seats were worn pretty good, and there was a wire from the bumper to the trunk! I didnt see the engine bay in their photos... I think calling it 'immaculate' is definitely a stretch... CHeck out this photo and see for yourself... sorry, I'm a little bitter now... :)

Yeah I agree, the WHOLE story does not seem to be being told! That is why is used the word "claimed" . . . When things don't add up, it is time to move on . . .

Keep looking . . . you will find the RIGHT car, and when you do . . . you will KNOW it!:D

Obviously a car from the south should be in better shape rust wise . . .

I just saw the car that we "thought" I wanted (4 months ago!) still for sale . . . so GLAD he did not accept our offer! Amazing he is still looking for a sucker for that money pit!