Would you turn down a free car?

[JimFreeh]

I've been trying to prepare for retirement and a cross country move next year, and have been trimming the fleet (MB and non MB).

So..... I'm on leave and visiting my family in Tucson, AZ. (Mom, siblings, daughter), when we have lunch with an old family friend. He's been a MB dieselhead for many years, and recently sold his home (4 car garage) and moved into smaller digs.

I enquired what he was doing with his cars, and he told me he was looking to get rid of one of them. He wanted it to go to an appreciative home. Even though I need another like a hole in the head, I had to ask, how much?

Here's the zinger. Free. No charge.
Well, given my last name, he was singing my song.

So the next day, my cousin Tim and I went down to the storage building where the car was. The paint was flat (not a surprise in Tucson), but the car is rust free and no big dents. The interior was decent as well, except for the usual cracked dash. Car looked stock, down to the round headlights and Becker GP radio. The antenna worked, as well as the A/C. It had been sitting for two months, we hooked up the battery, cranked it over and it started right up. Sounded great for 229K. Drove it around the lot a bit, needs a tranny mount/ front flex disc, but otherwise ran and drove smoothly. Called my daughter up and told her we were dropping off a spare car, drove it over to her place and parked it under the carport.

Now, to get it registered and insured, then address the issues next time I'm out for a visit. It's driveable as is, but I'm picky, so I want it to be right. Nice set of Michelins on it as well.

It all happened so fast I didn't get a chance to take pictures, and now I'm trying to get my daughter to send me some...

The really cool thing is what the car is...... It's an 85 300TD, silver with a creme interior. Surprisingly, even my wife was happy, she has always missed her 87 300TD. Ironically, it is also the third silver MB wagon in a row for us.

Jim

[MagicBus]

Congrats on the free wagon. I'm curious - how can you tell, from a test drive, that it needs a flex disc and transmission mount?

[daw_two]

congrats. I would not turn a free car, either.

[mach4]

Great find - you made the right decision...

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

I've been trying to prepare for retirement and a cross country move next year, and have been trimming the fleet (MB and non MB).

So..... I'm on leave and visiting my family in Tucson, AZ. (Mom, siblings, daughter), when we have lunch with an old family friend. He's been a MB dieselhead for many years, and recently sold his home (4 car garage) and moved into smaller digs.

I enquired what he was doing with his cars, and he told me he was looking to get rid of one of them. He wanted it to go to an appreciative home. Even though I need another like a hole in the head, I had to ask, how much?

Here's the zinger. Free. No charge.
Well, given my last name, he was singing my song.

So the next day, my cousin Tim and I went down to the storage building where the car was. The paint was flat (not a surprise in Tucson), but the car is rust free and no big dents. The interior was decent as well, except for the usual cracked dash. Car looked stock, down to the round headlights and Becker GP radio. The antenna worked, as well as the A/C. It had been sitting for two months, we hooked up the battery, cranked it over and it started right up. Sounded great for 229K. Drove it around the lot a bit, needs a tranny mount/ front flex disc, but otherwise ran and drove smoothly. Called my daughter up and told her we were dropping off a spare car, drove it over to her place and parked it under the carport.

Now, to get it registered and insured, then address the issues next time I'm out for a visit. It's driveable as is, but I'm picky, so I want it to be right. Nice set of Michelins on it as well.

It all happened so fast I didn't get a chance to take pictures, and now I'm trying to get my daughter to send me some...

The really cool thing is what the car is...... It's an 85 300TD, silver with a creme interior. Surprisingly, even my wife was happy, she has always missed her 87 300TD. Ironically, it is also the third silver MB wagon in a row for us.

Jim

Yes, I would turn down a free car - provided I didn't want it.

I've given away two cars - one was worth close to $10K and the other was worth scrap, and I had to pay for the tow truck!

Sounds like you're enjoying the experience of getting a free car. Thanks for relating the experience here! Mazel tov !

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by MagicBus

Congrats on the free wagon. I'm curious - how can you tell, from a test drive, that it needs a flex disc and transmission mount?

Great Q !

I'm all ears on learning the answer from Jim.....

[zu!]

I was approached by a lady at a gas station. She wanted to give me 2 300Ds. One was working and the other a parts car.

Why? Because, she said, I looked like a good father (my 3 girls were all laughing and joking in the car) and I had good taste in vehicles (I was in my own 300D.

I wish someone gave me a wagon though that's a good one! I could never find a rust-free 123 wagon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vstech]

A Grand Prix radio in an 85 TD? That's odd... Should be the Europa or later model...

We just GOTTA have pix ya know...

Sounds like you are the grand praise winner of the cheap wagon club to me... ( ha, autocorrect changed prize to praise, and I like it...)

Get some deep wax on that dead paint ASAP, take care of it, and let's get some PICTURES!

[t walgamuth]

I've paid good money for cars that were worth nothing....does that count?

[barry12345]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I've paid good money for cars that were worth nothing....does that count?

Certainly. Just the other end of the spectrum. Anyways you are far from alone.

[jt20]

Score. yes I would. regardless of the situation.


Im not retired, but I have experienced enough to know that you want a dependable car in random places since you will move around quite a bit.

Have fun, put the wagon somewhere near me, and when you're done with it, give me call.

These cars are worth more than their money trade value - its that simple.

[OM617YOTA]

Great score! Glad the car is going to a good home.

[ShakotanRon]

Would not turn down a free car, especially one that fits your discription.
I would spend the money saved, on making the car 100% sweet again.
I have a huge soft spot for wagons, my lady does not.
I am sure she would learn the love, once she found the practicality.
They took many years to grow on me, now I simply love the way that they look.

[ShakotanRon]

I would take it off your hands, if it was to much for you.
I would even be willing to try to muster up some change to get it..I know me and the lady would love driving in this, her only real stipulations are air conditioning (florida) and reliability.
This has both, I am jelous.

[sloride]

You can start a new club, the free wagon club. There would be a very short list of members to keep track of.