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#16
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Go for the red one.
If you have the cash, go for the red one. It sounds like one that most any diesel nut with the cash would snap up in an instant.
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#17
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I think the red one has been repainted. If you look inside the R/R wheel-well you see red paint in there. That shouldn't be the color of the exterior should it? Shouldn't it be black like all the wheel well? I don't know this for sure but it seems like it's been repainted and they didn't do a good job masking off. Then again, like I said, I could be wrong. But I would think a repaint is a good thing as long as it was done in good intention and a decent job of it.
I personally like the black one. Limo's should always be black unless they belong to Elton John or someone like that. David
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_____________________________________________ 2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles 1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles _____________________________________________ |
#18
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Nah, no repaints there. That thing was as original as it gets. Just really clean, that's all.
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#19
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Thats my car!
I have the identical car to the red one except it is an '87 with tan interior. I paid $6K with 220K miles. I thought that was a bit high, but I had been looking for about 6 weeks and had looked closely at 4 or 5 cars. In the DC area, you don't find SDL's for $2-3K.
Anyway, several I looked at were lower mileage but I passed. When I saw and drove this one, I knew it was the one. Everything worked - everything. No buttons missing, no rust, everything original. Only drawback was the paint on the hood was terrible and in the center was down to the primer. I hear maroon cars have paint issues. Anyway, after driving it for 6 months, it is like a time warp. I have put about $1500 into mechanical issues, mostly preventive maintenance issue to make sure the car was worth repainting and another $2K into a paint job. Net result? A timeless limo that rides and drives like a brand new car that would cost 8 to 10 times as much to buy new. Since the paint job I smile every time I walk up to this car. There is just no beating the mileage and comfort of this drive. And if I get in an accident, I WANT to be in this car!. So figure $8K for the red one plus $2K in repairs for the first year. The $3K difference in price will never bring the black one up to the condition of the red one if it is what you say. Both will need mechanical work. They are 17 and 18 year old cars. But the cracked dash and the paint issues on the black one will nag at you. Just my $.02.
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Alan Hamm '87 300SDL 277K Miles '89 560 SL 68K Miles |
#20
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Thanks Alan. Great points.
I'm leaning towards the red one as well. A wildcard vehicle showed up in Baltimore yesterday that I have to drive tonight, but if it doesn't check out, I'll make an offer on the red car tomorrow morning. Don't think I'll go higher than 8k though, 9 just seems like too much. This same dealer has now made profit on this car three times, plus I found out that the car has been there for a few weeks now. I'm sure he's ready to move it. |
#21
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I forgot to mention. The person I bought mine from had owned it for a year. They bought it bacause their neighbor is a master machanic at a dealer and this car was traded. He know they were looking for a car and told them they "had" to buy this one. It turned out to just be too big for the woman who was driving it 30 miles each way in stop and go traffic. I could see that. They were not into the diesel aspect and I am glad they did not own it much longer as they were doing stuff on the cheap. Jiffy Lube, cheap shocks etc. This is why I spent some money getting some stuff fixed better.
$9k is real steep. I bet it will sit for a while at that price. But, be patient. I know it is hard, but one will turn up.
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Alan Hamm '87 300SDL 277K Miles '89 560 SL 68K Miles |
#22
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Don't let the price, apparent condition, and inconvenience talk you out of a PPI on the red one. If the dealer wants to sell it and isn't hiding anything, then they will let you take it for a PPI. Even if it takes all day.
The 300E that I bought in a rush a few years ago ended up costing me $8000 in repairs over two years. Nobody should have to go through that.
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Rick Miley 2014 Tesla Model S 2018 Tesla Model 3 2017 Nissan LEAF Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro Chain Elongation References |
#23
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Whatever you do, try not to jump too fast. There are good deals on 300SDL's that come around every so often. I had been looking for one for the better part of a year. After several false starts, finally got one in South Florida with only 65k on the OD. While I have not yet picked it up, word from a friend in the area said "you found a real gem". I'll post my experience on this one later this month (good or bad). Look a bit more and you will probably find something similar.
If you cannot wait, my vote is for the red one - but offer less than 8k. They have sat on this one for awhile. Spend a lot of time talking about service records . . . etc.; that is, take up a fair bit of their time. Be very inquisitive about any gaps in the records they have. Seem very disappointed in such gaps. Rick indicates, insist on an inspection. Then offer 7k as a starting point. They will not likely take it. Wait a day, then, in person, offer a bit more. Ultimately offer 8k "out the door" (taxes and all). If you do not come across as a complete green-horn they will take it - be stern. If they do not bite . . . wait. Worst case they pass; and you will ultimately find a better deal. Good luck, Dale Mitchell |
#24
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There are a limited supply of these cars in great condition, which would make it harder to pass up.
Conversely, there are also a limited number of people who want them. 8-9 k seems a bit high, unless it is a real gem. In any event, spend 100.00 and get it/them checked out. Someone on this board once said" there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes Benz" Have fun.
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Enough about me, how are you doing? |
#25
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So what happened? We're all curious! Do you have a new Diesel?
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#26
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I live in Philly. If you could let me know about either car you didn't get and why, I'd appreciate it. I may be interested.
thanks Dave |
#27
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What happened? ...
He bought an Audi 90 2.3L 5 cylinder Quattro. Red and in very good shape.
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#28
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Yes, as VeeDub said, I threw myself a curve ball, and bought an Audi. I needed something quick, and this car was too good and too cheap to pass up. It'll do as good reliable transportation for a few months until our other car is paid off, and then I'll look for another diesel. Despite being an '88, I have rarely seen a used car in the condition of this one, with the maintenance records and receipts to back it up. I'll take some pics soon if Spring ever returns to the East Coast.
There were just too many unknowns with both of the SDL's for me to pull the trigger. The red one is undoubtedly a beauty, but the dealer was completely unflexible on the price, and I felt it was just too much. Maybe now that its been sitting there for a couple more weeks he might listen to offers. |
#29
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You're absolutely right about the price being a little too high on the red one. And the black one had a whole lot of unknowns.
Keep your eye out for another diesel! |
#30
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Hey MM,
Congradulatins, looking fwrd to seeing the new Audi. Why don`t you bring it to the GTG and we can see how well that Quattro system does on the beach.
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300TD W124, Two VW TDI Passat Wagons,Cummins Ram 250, Kubota Tractor 23 cylinders sipping the sweet sauce of the soy bean |
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