of course not... we will all be driving reliable electric cars that do not need any trip to the gas station, with the self driving option, no need for insurance or driving license... only a degree in EE will be required

__________________
Michel
74 wagoneer
79 450sl

Yes, They're the only car I've driven for 27 years, up until last year.

Yes, unless someone makes a better car.

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

I always figured my doomsday car is a 240D.

__________________
[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.

Yes.
They seemingly run forever with little to no maintenance, if you don't mind the quirks of having a high-mileage older diesel German car.. for what they are, they're absolutely fantastic. I can absolutely see myself driving one into the days of ol'.

__________________
04 Sprinter 3500 - 310k
"Ich mag die Dieselgeräusche"
https://youtu.be/YjrxHqNy5CQ
✞

How much longer you expect to live? Internal combustion engine will go the away like your type writer, whether you like it or not. You probably can hang on to it for as long as you want but there will come a time the government will 'phase' the cars out. Voluntary or involuntary. So enjoy them while you can.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

This forum, in 5-10 years, will be full of people doing electric conversions. I'd drive mine forever but diesel will eventually be $6 a gallon and I will then be charging my car up instead.

The sad part will be no more cool diesel sound, and I will be bored not having to find a good deal on the best filters.

Yup, and there’ll be a fee of O2 ingested and CO2 emitted so even WVO won’t be economical.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

I'm already into it. Of course, I can't possibly live that mutch longer anyway.

I'm 50. I will drive the 240D as long as it's possible for me to do so, no matter what other vehicle I may have along side it. I believe the eco freaks will win out in the end and there will be nobody allowed to drive a car on their own at any time. But I'll be dead before that happens.

Rather like Johnny Cab's from "We can remember if for you wholesale" aka "Total Recall".

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

The simplicity of the W123 CD, plus having 3 parts cars ensures that I will be driving a diesel coupe for many years. Sure, the wifes E320 might ride a little bit better, being 20+ years newer, but all the newer electronics get "woonky" when temps get below -10F, key fob does not work, dash/gauges do not work etc. Plug in the W123, and it starts/runs. I have no problem with simplicity.

I'd love to say yes of course but even though I'm a Journeyman Mechanic I'm also old and feeling the pains , some jobs I farm out, few others do I trust to do anything right .

Too bad as I'd be quite happy driving my '81 240D as my last car ever, it's simple and robust, safer than most new cars too .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I've been learning more about corrosion control so I can keep driving my simple cars.

The newer cars are getting worse all the time. Nobody wants the used cars of today - they're like the "hot potato" of potential repairs and a real testament to useless technology.

It's so hard for the average person now. Car manufacturers have screwed everybody over. So yea, I'm going to keep fixing and driving the IDI - a protest of pleasure.

__________________
1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI

Maybe I'm just in a crabby mood from a high workload and lack of sleep lately, but I would dearly love to get in my car in the morning, tell it "take me to work" and then sip coffee and start on emails while the car takes me to work in greater safety and comfort than I can do myself.

I looooooooooove throwing a fun manual transmission car through the twisties. Most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Daily slog to work? F that, bring on the self driving electrics. I don't want soul, I don't want "character" in my daily driver. What you call character, everyone who isn't enamored with the vehicle(most people) read as "pain in the ass." I want reliable transport to and from work with as little cost and trouble as possible.

__________________
617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

Re technology, as more new vehicles become all electric, the price of fuel will drop. I read the Volvo CEO saying they expect all their models will be electric in a decade or two. If you believe the Tesla electric semi will be practical (a marketing show?), then diesel fuel will also drop in price. Bio-diesel will also become cheaper and more available. I already use Propel's Diesel HPR, which is bio-based but a direct substitute for fossil diesel. Only avail in CA and competitively priced. Much of that pricing is due to state subsidies, but the true price can only decrease with time. Airlines are also converting to bio-fuels (jet fuel is very similar to diesel). While bio-fuels do emit CO2, they emit no "net carbon", so should be exempt from any emissions costs.

The other future aspect is crowded roads. Anyone who has been to a large Asian or European city has experienced this. In Jakarta last Aug (2nd largest population after Tokyo), it took us 3 hrs to travel 2 miles during rush hour. Individual cars don't work in that environment - electric, self-driving, or whatever. 90% of the vehicles in Jakarta are motor scooters (2+ passengers), but even that doesn't work. They are completing an elevated commuter rail, which is the only solution. Of course, a world-wide depression would also work, since the streets in Pyongyang are quite open, as were Eastern Bloc cities under the Soviet Union, but nobody wants that. When I lived in Atlanta, MARTA worked great to get to and from the airport in 20 min, but you should see how suburbanites feared mass transit, like Marietta doesn't have ample crime without it. Thus, more mass transit and keep the cars for trips where it doesn't work.

__________________
1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans