I found my car!! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dieseldork · #16 12-07-2002, 01:20 AM

Well, I don't mind saying, however, I also don't want to make anyone mad. I was very aggressive in trying to purchase this car and the current owner turned down other offers, and sold the car to me. There may be people on this forum who also tried to buy this car. I paid more than 5k and less than 7k. I felt it may have gone for more than 8k maybe 9k to the right buyer. I think I got a good deal. Ask me next week after the trip home, I hope I feel as good about it then.

#17 12-07-2002, 01:24 AM

That sounds like a good price if you don't have to put alot of money into the car.

Fisherman · #18 12-07-2002, 10:31 AM

You will NOT, be able to take your tools on the plane as carry on. Plan on checking them or not taking them. I rolled the particluar tools that I figured I needed in soft cloth and then packed them in a hard case old style suitcase.
You cannot carry anything on the plane that could be used as a weapon and trust me most everything in your toolbox will work as a weapon.

Stevo · #19 12-07-2002, 07:19 PM

Good score. That is a fine looking car. its no doubt mentioned above but make sure you use dot 4 brake fluid. My VW bug sat for 5 years and the slaves were compleatly frozen.

At that time I had not know to use dot 4. wouldn't hurt to put some of that anti algee stuff in the fuel tank and as mantioned above, have spare fuel filters.. once again GOOD SCORE

slowmoe · #20 12-07-2002, 09:57 PM

Congrats,

I second all the advice on bring extra fliters of every sort and being aware of how to R and R them!!! Also, please change all the fluids ASAP. They may have been in there for a very long time. Make sure you take the car out for a long test drive befor you buy. Make sure there is no trans or overheating issues that could leave you stranded.

- Fed Ex you tools.

- Locate MB repair shops along your planned route.

- Pray

Good luck

unkl300d · #21 12-07-2002, 10:24 PM

You done reel good D -dork.

Now enjoy.

dieseldork · #22 12-07-2002, 10:54 PM

Just as luck would have it, we will be passing through Atlanta on Sat. the 14th. I gave the wife notice that we may be making an unscheduled stop at MB Autowerks for the GTG. It would be great to meet some of you and see your cars!!! Can anyone out there tell me how many hours it is from Tampa Bay to Atlanta. We will be on our way back to Indiana from Sarasota with the new car.

dieseldork · #23 12-07-2002, 11:21 PM

Here's another look from the inside.

engatwork · #24 12-08-2002, 08:05 AM

My guess was 6-8 hours from Tampa to Atl. www.yahoo.com put it at 7.1 hours, 456 miles. Be careful coming through Valdosta area on I75. It is a bad stretch of road (construction going on) and there are alot of wrecks through there.

Hatterasguy · #25 12-08-2002, 08:31 AM

I think I saw this car on E-bay. Anyway it looks great. The interior looks new, and exterior look like new!!! I like the color combination as well. These pictures make me want to work harder, to be able to afford one in that kind of condition!

searaypaul · #26 12-09-2002, 10:20 PM

I am jealous!!!!! I have been looking for a good car for awhile now and have had no luck at all. I looked at a car this weekend and it was not as represented.

Do you have anysuggesetions?

I would love to find a good MB but. I lived in Florida for many years and my family is still there. I know for sure there are lots of hardly used cars down there, I just can not find one. A lot of the older people buy a new car and then have a health problem, unfourteantly, and then can not drive it and it just sits. Oh well. Suggestions are always welcome

Paul
1999 E300D
86000

dieseldork · #27 12-10-2002, 03:51 PM

Paul,

I have been looking for 3 months. I was in no hurry to find a car so I have had time to do my homework on cars as I found them.
I live in the mid-west so it is very difficult to find these older MB diesels in good shape around here. I have found many nice cars in Florida and California that are rust free and in good shape. I also found cars that had been shipped into Florida from the New England states and were being sold as "rust free" Florida cars. BEWARE! Make sure you run a VIN check on car fax or autocheck.com to see where the car has been. I like autocheck.com. They seem to give more information than car fax.

Whatever car you buy, be prepared to spend a little money on it. I have an extra $2k set back just in case something does come up. Hope I don't spend the whole 2k on the AC system this summer. Every 10 to 15 year old car is going to have things pop up that will need fixed, and on MB cars you can save yourself a lot of money if you can do some of the work your-self. You should look for a car that has been properly maintained and the owner has the documentation to prove it. If you have done your homework on the car and the owner has the maintenance documentation, you should feel cautiously optimistic that you have a sound car. MB cars were enginered so that with proper maintenance they would go for 100's of thousands of miles. (I'm talking the old MB cars, not so sure on the new ones)

Even if you find a nice looking car that has no service records. I would not turn my back on it. Get it check out with a qualified mechanic so if there are problems you can make an informed decision before you buy the car.

BTW, there is a lot of luck involved in finding the right car at the right time and at the right price. Many people will tell you to stay away from the dealerships when purchasing a used car. They will be asking high dollar full book value for nicely maintained MB cars.

A trick I found that has worked for me more than once is to find a car you like, decide how much money you are willing to spend and return on the last day of the month after lunch and make a cash offer on the car. Many sales people and sales managers are willing to sell cars for less at the end of the month to meet their sales goals and get their bonuses. This is especially true for northern states if the temp. is below freezing and/or more than 12" of snow of ground. I once purchased a truck off of a dealers lot, the day after a 12" snow, and payed $2000 below book value and $3000 below what the sales manager was asking. Be prepared by doing your homework early in the month, and have cash in hand.

I hope this helps.

RG5384 · #28 12-10-2002, 07:03 PM

6-8 hours is about dead right, although i'd say closer to 8. It all depends on traffic, and if there is construction on I-75 traffic may be a problem. Traffic going into atlanta is also quite bad, and the exists come up real fast so be sure and know where your goin first and not just count on road signs.
Ryan