Thanks for th links! Wow, I wish popping out to ca to grab a non rusted car was an immediate option. For that we might need to save up 8-10k. 5-6k for a nice example CA creampuff, and a couple grand for retreival. Our current budget might be 2-3k, which keeps us drivable local, and a car with issues that can be fixed instead. Depends on what we get for both volvo wagons being sold.

Fortunately a 123 is actually a cost effective dd option for her considering my parts hoarding on that model, and its identical components with my dd also. The fiance is actually the senior partner when it comes to old diesels amazingly. I got my dd 240 from her, she was driving it for 8 years. If there is anyone who can jump into a dd 123 with workable issues and enjoy it, its her.

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Yeah it is, wow. Little to steep right now, but what a nice car. Despite owning these cars for years, I'm still constantly amazed at the number of really nice ones there still are floating around

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I'd figure west coast cars are not realistic for you, but I figured I'd give a shot for enticing you to at least be saved from rust hell in one w123.


Oh definitely! Here is another very nice one out of you range.

Near Mint Condition, Classic Mercedes 300TD- Diesel Station Wagon!


Perhaps this might be in your range, two for one a little further south of you..
Mercedes 300td wagon. 1984 &1983


Or just a bit over your range close to you.
For Sale or Trade: 1983 Mercedes 300td


.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

so, in what may have been a poor idea, Ive purchased one. Cheap, high mileage (over 300k), 1985 300TD. Originally white, and painted a custom color, now almost a hot wheel dark purple, apparently a union of two different hyundai colors. Work needed on some interior bits though
The plus side-

Engine runs fantastic, shifts perfect, SLS fully functional, and the PO has made a very effective policy of eliminating rust problems the right way. Lots of welded in metal. Several patch areas that could be redone, but he took me around and showed me every single repair he wasn't proud of and where it was glassed and bondo instead of steel. (rear wheel arches and spare tire compartment floor).

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what color/s shape is this car in? trailer hitch?

had an 83 wagon for a bit.

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1991 300D

No trailer hitch unfortunately. Color is metallic purpleish burgundyish. Might clean up well. Rust is an issue in a few spots, but not an immediate concern. Id call the interior pretty rough. Palamino, but with a pair of blue front seats. A dog had its way with the passenger door panel and a pillar cover so those have to be replaced. Headliner is coming down in places.
However, with a major cleaning on the inside, replacing the seats with something that matches, and steam cleaning all the carpeting, it might look better. Same for the paint. I have a feeling the paint could really pop washed waxed and polished.

It has a manual sunroof that's been epoxied in too. That will be interesting to sort.

Mechanically, I'm looking at freeing up the brakes from sitting and doing a basic tune up, but it was a runner. Sounded and performed great

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newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/4069975576.html

digieditny's 84 Euro 300TD

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Putting the words Ford and Escort together, for me, is like concatenating curse words.

Sorry... did I type that out loud?

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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)