Tell me why I shouldn't sell my 80 300 sd - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stretch · #16 02-17-2013, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

...
The forces driving all members away from 30 year old vehicles are simple to quantify:

1) Wrenching
2) Time required for wrenching
3) The need for a backup vehicle to do extended wrenching

...

True true but perhaps number 4 would be whether you always need a car? Kerry started a thread recently on OD asking about the walkability of areas where forum members live. Whilst most forum members don't live in very walk friendly areas I have been surprised that some people in the US live in areas where a car isn't an absolute must. Sure even here in Holland where there are alternatives in virtually every part of the country, people want to drive everywhere - but - if you don't have to drive and you can take the bus...

...there's no better way to encourage you to get your bloody car fixed!

Skid Row Joe · #17 02-17-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Everyone on the forum will certainly attempt to convince you to keep it. That's who we are.

Unfortunately, there are always forces present that will eventually take the vehicle away from most of us. Although most on this thread will never admit it, all will eventually succumb to those forces unless they have unlimited resources. The fact that they drive such vehicles typically means that they do not.

The forces driving all members away from 30 year old vehicles are simple to quantify:

1) Wrenching
2) Time required for wrenching
3) The need for a backup vehicle to do extended wrenching

With regard to 1):

You must be a person who has some skills and doesn't mind the effort required to do this work. If you resent the work needed to maintain the vehicle, you can stop right here and get rid of it unless you have the funds to pay a mechanic to do it. I make the presumption that the latter point is nearly impossible to find on this forum.

With regard to 2):

You must be a person who can devote approximately 100 hours per year to do both the research necessary to perform the wrenching and the actual wrenching itself. If you do not have the 100 hours, or do not want to spend the 100 hours, then you can stop right here and get rid of it.

With regard to 3)

It is quite difficult for most of us to maintain a 30 year old vehicle in D/D status without a backup vehicle. Those that claim to do it are simply waiting for the day where the vehicle is out of service for several days or weeks awaiting both parts and the mechanic (you). If you decide to get a second vehicle (the Prius........already done), the question simply is a matter of cost. Presuming your are OK with 1) and 2) above, you must then decide whether the cost of parts, insurance and vehicle registration is acceptable to you. If they are, then you definitely keep the M/B because you have met the criterion of all three points noted in the list .

Many of us are just plain stupid and own four vehicles, paying over $3K in just insurance for them. This is ridiculous from a financial standpoint as Joe noted above, but, you have to spend your money somewhere.................

This should be a sticky here in Diesel discussion forum.

This tells the tale of the vintage MB diesel car as the means of transportation for some, because of it's ruggedness/economy and desirabilty, IMO.

Junkman · #18 02-17-2013, 02:18 PM

Give me a deal & I'll buy it. Don't ask what they sell for. I've never sold one.

Delibes · #19 02-17-2013, 08:45 PM

For the simple reason that the Prius will NOT keep any value. Any vintage vehicle I have ever owner always got my money back: my 1971 Volvo P1800, my 1979 300TD and my 1982 300TD. I was happy to drive them not only because they were a lot of fun, but also because I knew that their value was rising as time went by!

jusme · #20 02-17-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

...
I think you should keep the SD, then get a D, then get a TD, then get into the 124's and get a TD, and a D, then get several parts cars, and begin helping members on the forum and collect multiple versions for parts and skill... oh, wait you're most likely not TOTALLY INSANE like I am...

X2 on the insanity.

Back up to an even dozen!! Consisting of chassis W123, W124, W126, W140, and W211... So much for trying to slim down.

Always agree with keeping the Benz if you're able.

rosenfe · #21 02-22-2013, 04:04 PM

so i had a young guy come drive and inspect my car.as we were driving i realized what a great car and what good shape its in.i got so sad that i talked him out of buying it and am now keeping it.ive put so much work into it and know the car inside and out.all he really wanted was a reliable commuter car.he knew nothing about diesels.i advised him to look for a good japanese commuter.i would of regretted selling it.it truly is a gem and ill keep my prius for around town.

mikethezipper · #22 02-22-2013, 06:08 PM

Wow... that was touching
I know that feeling right now and it is actually causing me a lot of stress, more so than my girlfriend being a total #(*&#^ right now.

My 300SD got totalled last thursday and now every time I look at it I get so sad thinking of the countless hours I spent working on it and that it's just gonna get scrapped.... and then every other car I get in and drive around just feels like a toy compared to MBZ I've been driving.
My 300D which is no longer registered or insured I seem to be just keeping because I don't have the heart to see her go.
What's wrong with me....

speedy82 · #23 02-23-2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosenfe

so i had a young guy come drive and inspect my car.as we were driving i realized what a great car and what good shape its in.i got so sad that i talked him out of buying it and am now keeping it.ive put so much work into it and know the car inside and out.all he really wanted was a reliable commuter car.he knew nothing about diesels.i advised him to look for a good japanese commuter.i would of regretted selling it.it truly is a gem and ill keep my prius for around town.

I am so glad you saw the light. To me, my 1980 300SD is the most beautiful car on the road. I have loved this model since I was a little girl. Keep this car for many years, keep it perfect and when you are tired of it, let me know. I will gladly pry the keys from your hand and give it a good home.

vstech · #24 02-23-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Many of us are just plain stupid and own four vehicles, paying over $3K in just insurance for them. This is ridiculous from a financial standpoint as Joe noted above, but, you have to spend your money somewhere.................

Wow... 4 vehicles can cost some OVER 3K in insurance?? I've got 7 registered, and am nowhere NEAR that annually...
what do most of you pay in insurance on these old vehicles?

DieselPaul · #25 02-23-2013, 09:35 AM

I pay $3,500 in insurance on 6 cars. I'm pretty young and unmarried.

To the op, if you have somewhere to store it indoors I would keep it, if it has to sit outdoors I would sell it.

Its a $3k car. You stand to gain very little by selling it, and you stand to lose very little by keeping it. However if it sits outside un driven it will go from a nice car to a crappy car in a hurry. But with all the stuff working on the car I would think you've got more in it than its worth, but it would also be a shame to let it die outside.

I've got 3 Pontiac fieros, an 84 with 10,208 original miles and a 1 owners 88GT. If fieros ever were collectible those are them. They are worth very little and I haven't driven a fiero in years, but since I can store them indoors and they don't cost me anything to own, I've just held on to them. Maybe someday ill spend too much money on restoring them, who knows.

shertex · #26 02-23-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Wow... 4 vehicles can cost some OVER 3K in insurance?? I've got 7 registered, and am nowhere NEAR that annually...
what do most of you pay in insurance on these old vehicles?

I only have liability (plus uninsured motorist) on mine....about $350 each annually (after dividend).

jcciem · #27 02-23-2013, 11:30 AM

It's a 1980 with a salvage title (rebuilt salvage, branded title?) With the branded title alone, you've eliminated almost all your potential buyers. You're already buried in it financially. It's impossible to recoup anything spent on a salvage history vehicle. The only person who it doesn't bother is another person who buys salvage title vehicles. But they're not buying it from you because they alraedy know how to buy good cars cheaply. It really doesnt matter whether you keep it or try to sell it. All my cars have salvage titles, I've tried to sell them on this forum and elsewhere. It's difficult to get an inquiry let alone a sale. Enjoy the Prius, if you get tired of it there are tens of thousands of salvage title Mercedes out there, all of them available at a fraction of the cost of a non-salvage car. But you already know that anyway!

Squiggle Dog · #28 02-23-2013, 12:39 PM

Good decision! I wouldn't rather be driving anything else other than my 1980 300SD, except maybe the old fintail models. I miss my W110 200D, but it was just too rusty to use anymore. I have replaced so many parts on my 300SD that now it's almost like having a new car.

shadetree77 · #29 02-23-2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Wow... 4 vehicles can cost some OVER 3K in insurance?? I've got 7 registered, and am nowhere NEAR that annually...
what do most of you pay in insurance on these old vehicles?

$330 a year, that's with full coverage for a subaru outback H6 and liability/unins. for the SD and my D21 truck

Adv_rider · #30 02-23-2013, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikethezipper

Wow... that was touching
I know that feeling right now and it is actually causing me a lot of stress, more so than my girlfriend being a total #(*&#^ right now.

My 300SD got totalled last thursday and now every time I look at it I get so sad thinking of the countless hours I spent working on it and that it's just gonna get scrapped.... and then every other car I get in and drive around just feels like a toy compared to MBZ I've been driving.
My 300D which is no longer registered or insured I seem to be just keeping because I don't have the heart to see her go.
What's wrong with me....

What's wrong?

The only wrong is that instead of suffering, you should be happy to have a new opportunity to do it all over again but now better.... with more experience and knowledge