1983 240D w/ 26k miles = $13,500

I'm not a shill for the dealer, but I found this to be interesting. Is such a car worth the asking price? www.gullwingmotorcars.com

I get really irritated when people don't put basic information in an ad. If it's an individual, I understand why, they are just not accustomed to selling cars. These people sell cars all the time and should know that they need to put basic information such as what transmission is in the car. All their ads are incomplete.

Something is worth what someone will pay for it. If they can get someone to pay $13,500, then that means it's worth it. It's for sure that they won't get ME to pay that much for it, even though I would like to have it.

Good luck,

[loubapache]

Larry,

Would you pay $10k for it?

If not, how much "would" you pay for it?

I found the absence of info on the transmission type irritating as well as I consider an auto-equipped 240D to be a pretty hopeless car from a driveability standpoint. What was the HP rating on this model? For some reason 62HP comes to mind. But if it is a manual, and you can get them down to $12,000 (I know, still a ton of cash) budget $1,500 for complete servicing and replacement of the battery and various rubberized components which have probably petrified with age, is a car like this a good value against a more modern car of lesser quality?

2000 Taurus or like-new 1983 240D? Which way to go?

If you are serious about this car, INSIST on EVERYTHING being RIGHT. If they are going to charge a RIDICULOUS price for it, it should be in PERFECT, I repeat PERFECT condition. You should not have to pay for so much as a new tire valve stem cap.

If you are planning on getting the car and driving it for a number of years, getting your money out of it that way, then a premium price MIGHT be in order. If I were going to pay this much money, or anywhere near this much money, I would INSIST on a compression check and demand that it be at least 350PSI on every cylinder.

If there is a speck of dust anywhere, I would make an issue out of it. I would hammer them without mercy for total perfection from a car with such a ridiculous price.

BTW, the early 123 240D's were 62HP and the later ones were 67HP. The horsepower reading will be misleading if you try to compare with a gas engine. Diesels make torque, gas engines make horsepower, this is probably more comparable to a gas engine of 100HP or better.

Also, to answer BO's question, I wouldn't pay more than about $5 or $6K for it, IF it's a manual transmission, but that's me. If the car is an automatic, I wouldn't be interested unless I could get it really cheap so I could find a stick shift car to rob the transmission and everything from. If there is someone out there willing to pay $13,500, then that means that it's worth that much.

Good luck,

Yes the car is interesting BUT, I would be worried about what has happened because it was driven so sparingly or not driven in many years. Seals (internal and external) could have hardened up, in the engine and transmission. All the external rubber too.

I know someone who recently put in service a 300SDL with 100K miles that sat for many years, wound up needing a new rear seal (massive oil consuption) and a new tranny because it wasnt shifting right because it sat so long. Not to mention alot of rubber under the hood. These cars are meant to be driven! And I mean DRIVEN.

Im not saying this isnt a good car, but these are things to look out for. As Larry said, make sure everything is perfect, as a 240D with only 23K miles should be!

Auto 240D's are real slugs, too. Some say almost dangerous to drive in today's traffic in the cities. A manual 240D isn't as bad, but still slow. Takes a special type of person to drive these cars. I think they are 67HP.

Let us know how you make out and good luck,

John

Also, If I were you, I would look for a MINT condition 82-85 300D Turbo in MINT condition for somewhere around $6K. Something that is all original, under 100K miles etc etc. I think you would be better off. Just my opinion!

This is the car I told all of you about some time ago. Its a four speed, and is ivory. All of you gave me grief for even mentioning this damn thing.... With under 30K, this is a new car...