Recent daily driver purchase...wish it was an MB but oh well...
 

After my cherished W124 was totalled a couple of years ago, I've been wanting to get a comparable replacement.

As things go in life, the daughter reached driving age, so funds were diverted to getting her a vehicle. Sorted out the issues (including tranny replacement), and she is on the road with a decent ride.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...g/IMG00058.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10904-1826.jpg



Not much left after sinking money into making her car something she would be happy with, so I'm down to finding something far less impressive than I would have liked.

I did stumble on a clean 190E, but the owner balked at the last minute and decided to keep the car...understandable.

Anyway, I picked up this "beauty" really cheap. It's got a salvage title, and needs a few things sorted out. I had always liked these cars when they were new, but I guess I'll have to settle for a clunker version until I can get it fixed up.

Here are a few pics. The early morning pics taken with my phone make it appear much nicer than it really is. In the bright sun, you can really see the "imperfections" :D


The 1995 Lexus SC400...my wife affectionately named it "POS"

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-0913.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-0913.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-1424.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-1425.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-1425.jpg

Engine has almost 180K miles and it pretty strong. Gas mileage isn't too bad, but I may be fooled by the monstorous fuel tank.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-0915.jpg

Interior was okay except for the front seats and console armrest, which looked as if a large dog munched on them. I scored some decent ones from a salvage yard and will install those later. Wife refuses to ride in the car until the seats are swapped out.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-0914.jpg

I don't plan to do much other than fixing the broken stuff and driving it daily. I'm hoping this car will last me though my daughter's college years, and then I might be able to get something far better in the future.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...10918-0913.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Those lexuses are in fact very nice GT cars, especially the 400 with the V8. Just wondering - what is the salvage from?

I'd never buy a fast convertible for a young driver. A Mustang to boot? It screams "I'm easy" in addition. Sorry, just my thoughts as a Dad myself.

Can't tell from the pics, but it was hit in the driver's side fender and probably bumper. The repair was horrible! Paint did not match, overspray on the hood and fender, and I had to polish all of the glass to be able to see from all the overspray on them!

Actually, Mustangs (especially the newer ones) are pretty popular choices for teen girls down here for whatever reason...must be a lot of "easy" girls in Texas! ;)

The SN95-98 series GTs with the 4.6 L V8s were anemic horsepower-wise by most standards, so she can handle the car quite well. And when her car is in the shop, she drives my wife's CLK...she can get in far more trouble with that car than the Mustang if she wanted to!

I had her test drive an R129 SL once, and she always managed to get the rear end to break loose!!! Now "THAT'S" a car that I would not have her drive as a teen!

The ML doesn't get used daily?

It's a lease...we already put enough miles on it on weekends going to soccer events!

Wow!

Anyhow,
I raced one of these with my 560SEL on the interstate years ago. It was fast! :D

ML500 or ML350? I wouldn't think the 350 could hold it's own with the profile and weight it has to deal with...

Ah I see the mismatched paint on the top picture.

Dude, if you ever get that steering wheel cleaned please LMK how you did it. The steering wheel on my clk looks just like that. :D

Actually, found a site that's located in Dallas that refurbishes them. They even had a pic of one from a Lexus SC400:

http://www.dallassteeringwheel.com

http://www.dallassteeringwheel.com/p...C400_Front.jpg

...and one from a Mercedes E320...

http://www.dallassteeringwheel.com/p...E320_Front.jpg

Wonder how much that would cost, also how hard is it to remove the steering wheel. :D