Really? Our Caravan ran rings around my two SDs The '81 SD is cut from the same fabric as the 82-85.

Sixto
87 300D

If the OP wanted a Caravan I doubt he would have posed the question here just sayin'

Besides have you ever seen a Diesel Caravan?

Unless someone created a FrankenCar, and I would love to see how they shoehorned an engine meant for a longitudinal application into a vehicle set up for a transverse engine.

My seat of the pants opinion:
My kids are 15 and 18 so I haven't had to deal with baby seats in a long time. However when my kids were little I had an 87 and a 92 Honda Accord, and had no problem at all getting a baby seat back there. I'm 6'3", and I know that I could not sit in the back seat of either car, with the seat all the way back. But I can fit fine in the back seat of my 98 E300D no problem even with the seat all the way back.

Best way to tell is to bring your baby seat along when checking out the car. But also remember you will only be in rear-facing mode for the first year, then the seat can be turned around and it fits the car a lot more naturally that way.

And then before you know it your kid will be getting behind the wheel and driving off down the street. Biggest fear factor moment as a parent I have ever experienced.... everything before that was minor, to include the fact my 18 year old was born at 30 weeks and weighed 4 pounds at birth.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Ooooooh, that reminds me. I have a 1987 Caravan with a 1990 2.5Ll engine with 42K miles on it. And the coolest thing is the van is the rare coveted 5 speed manual trans!!! $600 takes it! Haha

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Dealer installed AC works well too!

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

I wasn't suggesting the OP get a Caravan, merely that an 82-85 SD can be beat

You skipped the phase of kicking the driver seat. That's when a LWB W140 makes perfect sense if only because I can't afford a LWB W100 or Maybach 62.

Sixto
87 300D

Save that caravan for sixto!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'd give it to him for $400!!!!!!!

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Wish I had the room! I love old "unique" and "unconventional" cars, and the Caravan 5-speed is one...

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."