Which car would you keep? The poll - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 03-24-2011, 12:27 AM

Inspired from the discussion in the sale thread. If you were to pack up your life and move to Florida with your '85 500SL and '94 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, what would be the third car to make the move? I like all 3 for different reasons, so choosing is a challenge for me. Right now I'm just letting the market decide which one to keep.

Here's the choices:

1: '95 E300 with 190,000 miles. 30+MPG no matter what I do, low cost car, low maintenance. I love this chassis of car, the looks, and simplicity. I don't have to worry about stopping for fuel (600-700) a tank, but the higher price of diesel puts a damper on that. Certainly flies under the radar with the average Joe, and I wouldn't have to obsess, worry about it so much sitting outside like I would the other two.

2: 2002 SL500 Silver Arrow Edition: 70,000 miles. Great Grand tourer, and I'm convinced this is the most beautiful car I've ever owned. The perfect balance of old and new. The most valuable car of the 3. Much more complicated than the E300.

3: 2001 Jaguar XJR. 85000 miles. I imagine this one won't get many votes being a Mercedes forum, but I think this one is a close second in the looks department, but the Superchaged V8 is exhilarating. This car is completely sorted and hits the very narrow sweetspot of a reliable Jaguar. Its backed with the same MB transmission as the SL500 I've discovered. Price is right in the middle, and is much more comfortable than either cars.

The '85 SL is the untouchable car, though I'm so obsessed with keeping it nice and safe (have trouble leaving it out of sight when its not garaged) that it limits what I can do with it. The Roadmaster is too useful, relaible and comfortable to part with, especially since it would make little difference to the bank account.

Skid Row Joe · #2 03-24-2011, 12:44 AM

I voted to keep the E300D. That said, I would sell 'em all. ALL of 'em.

Regroup/reload in Florida when you get your income wits about you down there. I take it the '85SL will stay in one of the (6) garages?

I would drive Chuck Snorris to Florida and start at rock bottom, frugal living while using my head to grow my income. The pickup might come in handy, versus an E300D. One of my closest friends in Dallas for over 30 years drives a pick up - he's 10 years younger than me, self-employed, and over 25 years has accumulated several wonderful pieces of assorted Texas real estate that now exceeds my net worth by just a tad.

He would drive the PU to Florida to start over - I am certain of that, and he can drive whatever he wants to. It's what you achieve in life anyway ~ not what you own.

MBeige · #3 03-24-2011, 12:46 AM

Personally I'd ditch the Roadmaster and keep the 500SL (for sentimental reasons), the E300, and the Silver Arrow.

Or let the Silver Arrow go in favor of the Jag, so you have a newer car in your fleet and since you already have a roadster (500SL) anyway.

2001ML270CDI · #4 03-24-2011, 12:50 AM

Definitely get rid of the Jag !! It will cost you $$$$$ in the long term. Does it have any oil leaks yet? Standard equipment on a Jag !! There is nothing cheap maintenance wise on a Jag.

mgburg · #5 03-24-2011, 01:18 AM

I think that hanging onto the E300 would be the best for you...although, I do envy the fact that you have the 5 of them to begin with...nice variance for whatever mood you're in...and at such a young age!

The practicality of the E300, the KMY attitude of the '85 SL and the utilitarian usefulness of the RM seems to be a "catchall" for the a bit of everything you're bound to do while you can still do it.

When you get to be about 50 or so, you'll want to rid yourself of the "Hey! Tyler has a ___ to help us move" vehicle (RM/Any truck you're going to own between now and then) and then it will just be a toss of the coin for the SL500 or the Jag to replace that newly opened space in your heart. Or both if you're in a better seat with coin.

Otherwise, find a nice, cheap covered, sheltered garage and store the others and come back every now and then to pet 'em.

I wish I were in your shoes...but I'd hate to polish 'em!

Good luck w/the decision.

compu_85 · #6 03-24-2011, 01:22 AM

Selling now? The Jagggggggg

Selling in the summer when fuel prices go up? The E300. Selling in the summer when the weather is nice and someone wants a drop top? The SL.

I'd imagine insurance is cheapest on the E300?

-J

JohnM. · #7 03-24-2011, 01:39 AM

Tyler, what are those wheels on your SL? Are they 17's?

TylerH860 · #8 03-24-2011, 02:11 AM

Joe: Starting from bottom looks great on paper, but really can't there be some middle ground? From a $$$ standpoint the 10 grand swing between these cars is not a game changer for me. Part of the plan is to also pay cash for a house down there as the market is just incredible. Finding a job will not be an issue for me. Finding a job/setup as good as I have now will be the challenge. That will probably take years. The cost of living will be lower, and traveling will have to be cut back. Hopefully I can have the dealership again, but not until after I learn the market down there. The biggest obstacle here in Wichita is the location. I'm not close to any big auctions, nor am I close to any big market. I'm forced to deal with shady wholesalers at the local bottom feeder auction. Most of the big dealers in town ship their trade-ins off to Kansas City 3 hours away. What people want here in Wichita car wise I don't really care for, and 10% of the MBs and oddballs I like sell to anyone local.

Mbeige: The Roadmaster is absolutely amazing. So cheap, so reliable, can haul an ungodly amount of stuff, and I love the wood paneling. There's no reason for me to get rid of it unless I keep the '91 GMC Sierra Diesel "Chuck Norris" which would be much more impractical. I don't need a 4x4 truck in Florida. Poor Chuck Norris, though. I'll miss him.

2001ML270CDI: You are striking a nerve with me on the Jag bashing. Exactly how many 2001-2003 XJRs have you owned? How many hours of research have to you done to come to the conclusion you've made? Your well founded bias is based on it its predecessors' well earned reputations. I'd guess this one would be easier to keep running than the Silver arrow with its hydraulic top and more complicated technology in the long run, but only time will tell.

mgburg: I agree, the E300 is the smartest choice in the scenario I laid out. I do imagine, though, that it will be the easiest to sell. Nice ones really don't pop up that often, and cheaper ones have always gone the quickest in my experience.

Compu85: Good sum up there, though Spring is the best time for convertibles. Insurance difference is not much of a consideration as the biggest swing would be about $300 annually. What does hurt the more expensive ones is I'll have to buy them from the dealership for exactly what I have in them and pay sales tax, tag and register them. The E300 is a $500/$750 savings from that standpoint between the two.

John: 16 inch vintage AMG pentas that I had refinished and mounted last spring.

chilcutt · #9 03-24-2011, 02:26 AM

Keep the Jag..it has charecter. If you plan to move near Cocoa Beach, I can recommend a very good Indie.
Dunno how much you know about Fla, but I was defineately not impressed with it.
Lotsa shady charecters laying in the weeds. Keep an eye on your wallet

TylerH860 · #10 03-24-2011, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Keep the Jag..it has charecter. If you plan to move near Cocoa Beach, I can recommend a very good Indie.
Dunno how much you know about Fla, but I was defineately not impressed with it.
Lotsa shady charecters laying in the weeds. Keep an eye on your wallet

5 Trips to Florida in the last year.

Isn't that the case just about anywhere? What's nice about my current place is I know pretty well who they are and where they congregate. Orlando is so large I imagine that's impossible.

I'm surprised the Jaaaaag is trouncing the silver arrow right now. The thing I don't like about the Jaaaag is it looks like a much, much more expensive car than it actually is. Same goes for the Silver Arrow. I love the cars, but I don't like the attention they get. The E300 gets attention from the right people.

Stretch · #11 03-24-2011, 04:32 AM

Keep the Jag - get rid of that hideous buick (sorry to be so aggressive but fake wood really rubs me up the wrong way!)

JohnM. · #12 03-24-2011, 06:24 AM

I was referring to the wheels on your Silver Arrow, details?

engatwork · #13 03-24-2011, 06:44 AM

If you will sell me the E300 I can take delivery of it as you pass through Ga on the way to Fl

. I already own two of them and continue to be interested in picking up another at the right price and that is a good looking car. Not sure how the black would work out around here though.

When it all boils down to it you are going to want to daily drive the automobile with the BEST A/C during the summer when you get to Fl.

SwampYankee · #14 03-24-2011, 08:48 AM

The Jaguar for the reasons you stated (rare reliability sweet spot, style, comfort), plus I think it's one of the best looking sedans ever designed. Jags used to look noticeably different than every other car on the road, but not any more. That looks like a proper Jag!

You've got Zippy for top-down cruising. And while I envy you for being in a position to have two 2-seaters (damn kids!

), one is probably sufficient. If you can sell the Silver Arrow for the right price, it'd be a nice one to liquidate before you have to start maintaining it too much and a nice chunk of change to have in reserves. Plus, I'd think it'd be a pretty easy sell in FL if you got it there. The E300 looks like a beautiful example, but like you said, probably the easiest to sell.

Now if you ever decide to sell that Roadmaster...