Unfortunately, we are not quite debt free but will be once the VW is sold back. We weighed the option of keeping it, but the debt freedom won out! We will have about 3-5k available to put into whatever we buy be it vintage or more modern.

Good point on the second car also, and in this case it is a truck. Owned free and clear with low miles...

True about the diesel/gassed choice also. I don't think the W123 wagons came in gas, did they? We are going in order from favorite body style/ model to least and we won't be turning down an awesome deal on any MB wagon in our price range. We would even come up,with additional funds for the right car.
Thanks ! Kyle

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I don't know anything about these engine models so I will do some reading up on them! I have read about the aluminium heads and the problems with overheating. Our primary goal is the body style we enjoy as we want to look cool as we motor around... Hahaha! Just vanity I guess!
Thanks! Kyle

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Update to all....

I have been contacted by several different forum members here and elsewhere that are in my approximate area and they have graciously agreed to help my wife and I attempt to acquire a new to us Mercedes wagon! I would like to thank all of you for your kind inputs and suggestions and will post again hopefully after we get our car!
Thanks!
Kyle

If it was me I think I would keep the V.W. Im sure you will pay it off soon enough. You will spend a lot less time and money on repairs. A mechanic ounce told me he could take a v.w.engine out rebuild it and put it back in running in 1 days time. If you want a rebuilt M.B. 617 cost is at minimum $6500 metric motors. I spend most of my off time working on mine I barely get one thing fixed and before Im done another thing needs repair. You will get a better ride,be able to haul and tow more weight and pollute less save more $ running veggie oil with the M.B. but with all the increased cost of repairs I sometimes wonder if Im gaining anything. I use my 300sd on a daily 100 mile commute I will not usually even start it up unless Im going 30 miles shorter trips I'd stick with a gas engine fuel is cheaper and with normal care most are good for 200,000 now a days. It does not hurt to look hope you are able to decide and have a good vehicle to your liking.

If all that stands between you and being debt free is a loan on a reasonable car that you like, I'd tend to keep the car and pay it down as rapidly as possible. ( This is coming from someone that paid their house loan off in 2 years after purchase and has never bought a new car. )

However, the whole emissions buy back / future service parts issue makes a mess of things.

If the buyout does not clear the loan payoff, you are basically giving away a good car and paying $ to do so. For a device that is going to be kept long term, I don't look at what it is worth at early in the depreciation curve. I look at it from the perspective how long can I make it last and what is it costing me overall. ( RE If you keep a device 2 X of what typical ownership / expected life is, you have cut your device expense more or less in half. )

Sure you can get a lower priced car but expect to do major preventive maintenance, ( as in changing starter , alternator , water pump, radiator and other parts when they reach expected end of life not after they fail at a random point in time.)

If you are up for the adventure, getting an older car is OK.

That helps, can wife drive truck and how long can you live with one car?


My first choice for a small wagon would have been a W202 95 to 2000 C class, however they were never brought into the US , or Canada or Mexico. The 2nd choice would be the W203 from 2004 ish however I don't know much about their reliability.

There is no guarantee of an EPA approved fix, and tho this may not be a problem in the next 4 years, who knows what will happen after that! Also, a know problem with the VW injector pumps often results in a $4500 repair and many diesel VW owners have parked their cars rather than risk this repair prior to the buyback. Even if the chance is only 2 in 100, since we get 100% of our purchase price back, I feel that it is worth selling the car back to VW.

Debt freedom outshines any desire to keep this TDi...

This is true for the old air cooled.... and maybe 1st gen water cooled, but is not true for their modern cars.... We are considering these cars after the MB if we don't find one we love.

Thanks!

Kyle

We will be 100% debt free and get 100% of our investment back from VW. This frees up enough money for us to invest heavily in our retirement funds, as well as not worry about repairs on our house/vehicles/tractors... Dave Ramsey rocks....

One of our primary concerns with long term support of this car.

100% refund (for us) so no worries there, we put over 50% down on the car when we bought it a year ago.

Everything can and does eventually fail, that is the truth! With the TDi from VW it is the injector pump/fuel system. A $4500 repair.

Adventuring together is a big part of our life together! She drives like a champ, even with a horse trailer attached...

Not a wagon, but some people on this board love the 05-06 CDI. TylerH1806, i think is a guy to talk to about those.

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

We really need a wagon as 50 pound bags of grain/feed for the farm, let alone animals in crates, are a bear to get out of a trunk!

Thanks!

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x2

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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.