I am thnking about a 1983 380SE.......185,000 miles.....

Engine jumped time...valves bent....heads still on motor.

Comes with rebuilt heads.............missing a tail light and a trim piece on trunk.

Car is in fair condition and I can get it for less than $700 , how problematic are these cars on average.....and does this seem like a good deal.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

What would you do with such a vehicle?

1) It appears that it's condition, based upon "fair", will require quite a bit of time and money to get it to a level where you would keep it for your personal use. I'm using the W116 as a comparison.

2) If you are looking to purchase it with the intent to resell it at a profit, these vehicles don't bring much on the used market, except when in pristine condition. After you put all the effort into it, what can you sell it for? Maybe $3.5K if you are lucky. Your parts have to run at least $1K. So, what can you make on it? A bit over $1.5K? Doesn't seem like a good proposition to me.

3) You already have brought home one "project" this month. I might have to save you a room over here if you buy that one.

Good point....intentions were to fix it as a daily driver..........but only if its a fairly easy fix...... money wise. Not in the resale business.......May be better served keeping my eye open for a clean low milage 126 300SD........

THe "Project" if it has lots of cancer will get stripped rapidly when warmer weather arrives. If the rust I have seen is limited to the front fenders and the rockers I may grab some seats for it and patch it up as a 12 month work car......

Or pull the drive train and stick a 4 wheel trive truck driveline under it just to be different.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

The 380 is probably the worst choice as a daily driver. You get just a bit more power than the diesel (if you wind it up), and you get the poor fuel economy that is typical of these V8's.

If you want the fun of driving a higher powered gasoline V8, then at least buy the 500.

But, why would you want that anyway. If you want to drive a fast, gasoline powered vehicle, just take the Honda out for a spin.

Another good point and a reason I asked................

I am going to forget about this one............

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Your wife can call me up and thank me.