I'm currently having an argument with my brother, the Jag nut who lives in England about the merits/demerits of Mercedes and Jaguar. It got me thinking about how we like what we like etc.

I recall my father when I was a kid going on about how useless, nebulous, junky etc modern cars were wheras the cars of the 30's and 40's when he was young were instantly recognizeable individualistic classics (at least to him). To me they were just weired looking old things I could never distinguish apart. Whereas to me the current 1960's thru 70's etc Mercedes were the epitome of instantly recognizeable individualistic classics etc. I'm 44. And to me the W140 was the "last true Mercedes". I will never own one made since that series as quite apart from the quality issues I just don't like the look of them. To me they are nebulous Jappanese inspired blobs. They "do" absolutely nothing for me when I see them in the street.

Just wondering if age has anything do do with this? Do we automatically prefer the vehicles of our formative years over newer stuff that will appeal in turn to the next generation etc? What do the rest of you think?

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

We always like the things we liked when our testosterone was flowing at its peak.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

My teenage son and I are in agreement that the new Merc's are impossible to tell apart from Japanese-Korean appliances, especially now that the star is hard to see from a distance, the only exception possibly being the two seaters, whatever they're called. I'm not so sure it's a function of age.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I was born in 1991, and my favorite Mercedes are most certainly not The W210, W220, W202, W163, etc etc.

The first Mercedes I ever drove was when I was 10, and it was a W108 280SE.. I still find that body style the most beautiful Mercedes ever devised. However, my favorite 'modern' Mercedes are the W126 and W140. Also a special place in my heart for a W201... the things I'd do to toss one around the streets around me...

But I do share the inability to discern models of cars years past-- the way my dad can tell from 50 feet at a glance a 1963 from a 1964 Camaro is mind boggling until I put into perspective I can do that with a W126

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1987 560SEL (210,000 miles)

Sorry Snake, but they didn't make Camaro's in '63 OR '64. Since you weren't around then, you get a pass. No harm, no foul.

When I was a kid in the fifties, my Dad would call off the models of the cars from the thirties and forties and it amazed me that he could tell them apart. They all looked the same to me. When my kids were growing up, they were equally amazed that I could tell apart the cars of the fifties, sixties and even the seventies.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

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The Camaro came out in 1968...Yup, you're 20. LOL

My favorite Mercedes era was the 1970's and 1980's. It was a car that showed the world that you finally made it to the top.

Today's cars, regardless of the make, have lost true styling...they are all basically the same, with the exception of the sports cars.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Actually, the Camaro came out in 67.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Oops...don't like them enough to really care. I just knew that they younger than Snake stated.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

That would be a 1970 Belvedere GTX

Apparently we had more privileges back in the day as well!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Dunno. I never had a taste for older cars or other things. Maybe older (than myself) women but even that is to a point. I boinked a 60yo woman when I was 20, does that count as "classic appreciation"? Beyond that, I was born in 67 and aesthetics never played a role for me and I always prefered the newer stuff with the whiz-bang technology in it.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

The styling copycatting going on is ridiculous. Hundai exterior styling looks a lot like Acura looks a lot like________ looks a lot like________ (insert any up market car here).

Agree with the comments on 80's MB's (naturally) Top to bottom the best around...then and now. Specially the W124.

What I believe made W124 E-Class the mid-size luxury vehicle to have was that it was one of the most complete Mercedes-Benz cars to incorporate everything that is the Mercedes-Benz brand--and that encompasses a lot. It's about solidity, longevity, safety, luxury, engineering excellence and of course, prestige.
Best Mercedes-Benz Ever: W124 E-Class

Of course, I'm prejudiced.
Part No. W124 rim 1988


The earlier stuff from my teen decade? Well, I survived. That's a good thing.
Guys seen this old vs new crash test? Surprised the driver of the old Chevy didn't follow the windshield out the front of the car!!

Old vs New Chevrolet Crash - YouTube

The old muscle cars did in fact lack technology and gadgets. What they lacked in those areas, however, was made up for with HUGE amounts of low end torque.

Many of the old so called Muscle Cars would be run away from by many modern cars, but it's done with horsepower instead of low end torque. The Muscle Cars would lose the races, but they win big in the fun factor area.

Horsepower wins races, but low and medium range torque makes a car fun to drive. Those old cars had torque in spades!

Not only the muscle cars of the era displayed the torque factor. My heavy '64 Galaxie with a 289 and three in the tree feels really snappy. In a drag race it wouldn't outrun a 300D by much, but by comparison it feels like a rocket ship.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

I also would not discount the fact that gasoline octanes where much higher than, a big block burning hot fuel was something to behold.

Yes, regular in the late sixties was higher octane than today's premium. The higher compression ratios were indeed a contributing factor in the blood and guts torque equation. High compression makes an engine "snappy."

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution