Objective Opinions On Car Swap and Purchase: Nissan for MB
 

This might be the wrong place to for an unbiased opinion on this money saving car swap, but here it goes.

In an attempt to further my diesel collection and find a fuel saving vehicle, I am looking at purchasing a W201 baby benz with a 2.2L diesel engine, automatic. I currently have a Nissan 200sx with 5speed. Savings would approximate to $1400 after repairs of the Benz. Details below.

1985 MB 190d asking $1450
95,000 miles - seems legitimate after inspecting interior and engine.
Some failed windows, good interior, runs smooth.
For sale at a junkyard with a salvage title and 17" Infiniti rims (dear God).
No rust
cracked windshield
Broken rear light, no major dents
up to 40mpg


1996 Nissan 200sx ~$3000
103,000 miles
some minor electrical glitches
engine was not cared for lovingly - tarnish on the camshaft and dipstick
5-spd
good tires
clean title
nice int / ext good paint / some chips
Has a recurring CEL from the spedometer.
up to 32 mpg


What do I do?

All signs point to the 190d.


1. Its already cheaper to buy and with fewer miles so if something does break you'll still have plenty of cash left to handle any problems. (Talk them down to $800 or $900 if you can)

2. You would be minimizing the amount of spare parts or tools in your garage due to the surprising amount of part commonality of the 190d your 85 TD

3. Styling;Lets start with the Nissan.....


http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/12/116924111.jpg

"Oh man what is that boring shape thats a two door but by no means a proper coupe"


Now the 190d

"Cool, good looking, nice car" ;)

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/797...osworthsid.jpg


4. The 190d will be more economical in the long run.


5. Come on, don't you know how good two Mercedes-Benz look in a driveway? ;)

If the Mercedes I was buying looked anything like that, we would not be having this conversation.

my concerns are based more on: What could go wrong with W201 that I have not planned for? Why does the junkyard have this car? Who salvaged it with no real body damage? etc...

Possibility for photos?

A ton can go wrong with a 25 year old car, lets start with everything.

I'd love to know why it has a salvage title, was it smashed at some point in its life? Drowned in a flood? It didn't get to the junkyard because someone thought it was a good car.

You should pass on both and find a better Mercedes.

I already own the Nissan. I thinking of trading it up for a cheaper car.


Thats the one thing that's stopping me: "....why is it in the junkyard?" do they get repos sometimes?

YES they do. Here in KY if your breaks down on the side of the road and stays there for more than 5 days they are picked up and sent to the car crusher, some of these cars are nice. :D

In East Texas they give you a nice three day grace period before the locals take the 12 ga to 'em.

I would not purchase a car based on carfax alone. Carfax is only as good as the people who input the information. My car showed nothing from the time I purchased my car in 2006 until when I registered it in 2009. It did not show any previous registrations or inspections in the interim. (correct use?)

If you can work on it or know of someone who can and have access to a pick-n-pull then by all means GET THE BENZ....if your relaly interested take it and have a PPI done. That will save you alot of heartache and possible coinage in the future.

The Nissan has R134 refrigerant - easier to find and cheaper
The Nissan has OBD1 or some kind of ECM troubleshooting "help" - if its a a '96 it might be OBDII...not that we like computers, but I do like ones that tell me where to start.
The Nissan is a newer car, the likelihood of obscure plastic parts failing is less
The Nissan has a timing belt? - (advantage MB)
The Nissan has a 5spd - one less hydraulic-mechanical system to break.

I'd forget a bargain-basement 190D if you have a '96 Nissan already. Stick with the newer hardware and the devil you know.

Do you already have a buyer for the Nissan? $3,000 seems a bit optimistic to me. I am not sure where you are located but KBB lists it as $1700 for good condition in a private party sale.

There is nothing in this world more expensive than a cheap Mercedes. A 25 year old salvage title car in a wrecking yard is not the one to buy if you are going to depend on it for daily transportation. Older MBs aren't cheap to maintain, even if they start out clean and in good shape. Fuel economy ratings aren't guarantees and assume that the car is in like-new condition and state of tune. You aren't going to get 40mpg regularly out of that W201, I don't care what condition its in. If cost is your concern, keep the Nissan and drive it until there isn't anything left. Nissan makes a sturdy, reliable car.