Looking for a car $3K-7K. What are the advantages
of diesels? A 190D or 300D seems about the size we
would like. Are diesels a poor choice for short trips
around town? What years and models are best?

Thanks Dave

Boy, you've asked some loaded questions! The answers will probably confuse you more than your ready for from this group. I don't mean ANYTHING bad about us all. I just mean that everyone has their favorites, and for different reasons.
I went for a 300SD for a diesel with more power(turbo), and an earlier one to stay away from the 6-cyl versions. I wanted the "S" class for comfort.
I do alot of "combination" driving. Both around town and freeway. I feel this car gives me the best compromise of manuverability and comfort for the driving I do. And I get about 25 mpg on average.

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

I have a 1983 300D that has been owned by my family since new and I think it's a phenomenal car. It's incredibly well engineered and has a wonderfully solid feel with a terrific engine. It's not terribly fast, but it merges on to the freeway just fine and passes surprisingly well. I get about 26MPG both on the highway and in the city and I spend about $800 a year on random maintenance (sometimes preventive maintenance) and oil changes. I like it more than my BMW.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

In general, shorts trips are not good for diesels. If its just running around town, I wouldn't.

If you'll combine it with trips longer than 5 miles and if you enjoy your own maintainence, you simply cannot beat these cars.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I usually never drive my diesel less than 15 miles, if I really have to I leave the engine running while in the store. Cuts down on alot of wear.

Ahh...the new improved Tank Welcome back!

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

When I first started looking for diesels I saw a very nice 1985/6 190D 2.5 Turbo. Its interior was very nice and the body only had one rust spot (not bad for a NE car) that was on the fuel tank door.

The engine sounded just like the OM617 though. Just sounds a little more modern at idle. The OM617's just sound so distinct (could tell a 300D/SD is coming w/o looking.. even my friends who ride w/ me often coul). Maybe because I've spent so much time with one.

I'm sure that the 190D 2.5Turbo would be a great car for city driving. If it hadn't been sold by the time I was gonna buy a car.. I would've been mine.

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe