Totally agree, I did not set out to buy an astro, just needed a van for work, preferably a mini van, and the combination of maneuverability, reliability, excellent tow rating, combined with a really cheap one popping up right when I needed one and I was hooked. Since then I have been completely surprised by what these vans can do. Just recently I hooked my nearly 200,000 miles 89 up to a double axle 6000 lb fully loaded trailer and had no problems, despite the stupidity of doing so.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

I do not have an outrageous credit card balance to eliminate, just the fact that there is one is a torment to me. I recently started a small business and debt is a standard thing in that circumstance, but I have a religious dread of any personal debt and paying interest on it, so since cars are sitting around waiting to be turned into cash, that would be best applied to this situation.

You and I are on the same page though. Credit cards are dangerous, however necessary or useful, its amazing how many people float along amassing enormous debt without thinking about it, and just buying whatever they want without even the slightest fiscal responsibility.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Have decided to sell the 123. I went and started up the 115 and bombed around town for an hour in its shocking high volume, car alarm starting smokey violent way, and had a big grin on my face the whole time.

Since the clutch is about gone, I also taught a neighbor to drive stick on it yesterday, was a lot of fun. She couldn't find 1st multiple times because of the slop in the stick, and the pull start drove her crazy when she stalled it at an intersection. Good car to learn on, forgiving on engagement even with a 10% clutch, but complex enough to restart that you start sweating thinking about what will happen if you stall it.

Apparently I have an affinity for beaters, the crappier the car, the more in love with it I am, plus I can slowly work on this over time

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Lol. I relate. Beaters are the best. I would always fix one up get it good and drivable, then find another beater and sell the one fixed up. always making money and driving a "free" car. But spending waaaayyyy to much time on cars. And never actually all the way getting one daily driver fixed.

Now, i've thinned the heard -- 1 MB 87 300TD Wagon, i can focus on it and it's awesome just to have one car to fix up. Although i have been ignoring my suburban and isuzu pup pickup.

Something about mb's that suck your attention.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

I have a beater 123 240D 4 speed. I love this car. I got it for a song, to keep the miles off my 99 Dodge 1 ton Dually 4 x 4 and my 1985 500SEL.

She's a beater, but she's my beater and I smile a lot driving her in all situations. I hadn't driven a stick shift in over ten years, but grew up with them.
Didn't take long at all to get the knack of the old, slow 240D.

BTW she ain't so slow and has been known to hold her own in Los Angeles Traffic on the 5 freeway. Passing her share when needed.

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1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

Just be glad you don't have to thin the herd because of Code Enforcement. Believe me, it is no fun. I have had project & parts cars here for years, until a neighbor called the city. I can only have two "inoperable" vehicles here now. I would agree with others, and turn them into cash, and keep just the minimum number to make your creditors, and Code Enforcement Officers happy.

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

I'd sell 'em both. You might find it amazingly liberating.........

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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

ouch! Code enforcement is not really an issue in my area. For work, we have a 3500sf commercial space that comes with access and use of a 40 car parking lot. Fortunately or unfortunately. I can stash as many cars with no plates in there as I want, and the neighborhood is ****ty enough that you will never hear a complaint like that from a nosy irritating neighbor as long as you are not starting stuff up at 2 in the morning. Theres random smashed TVs and tires here and there, to give you an idea of the local area.

The lot currently has a VW in it that I inherited the key for when I took over the space, there is a sapling growing up through the bumper.

The three beater VWs though are inside and kind of in the way, so I need to get rid of them.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

wait, you want me to follow in your traitorous footsteps?

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

You just might end up as pleased as I am......
There isnt a day on this planet I would ever go back to a W123!! Still wouldn't have too much problem with a W124, '95 flavor, but doubtful about that also.
It's over a hundred degrees, I'm sitting in my car eating lunch, and I'm freezing!! Priceless.......
Oh, and a rusted 240D has little value at all, so selling both is closer to selling one than you might think. Just sayin'.....

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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

Meh, just move to a climate that's not uninhabitable 8 months out of the year. Hint: W123s and W124s have awesome heaters!

I've been down that road and ended up discontented. At one point, all I owned was a very reliable nissan truck, and it was not as fun as having project vehicles.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Keep the 74, the W123 has about as much Character as a Volvo 240.

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With best regards

Al

123 is sold to another forum member! I am now officially a 115 guy, and hope to still see my old 123 at GTGs

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Sage advice here!

Keep your work van obviously. Take money you save by not paying exorbitant credit card fees (after paying them off) and save till you have enough to buy a decent MB that don't need alot of work.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)