There is a "sweet spot" of car ownership, it seems:

* On one extreme, when you buy a brand-new car, you expect perfection and are extremely careful about even the smallest nicks and scratches; the smallest imperfection is cause for dissatisfaction
* on the other extreme, you have an old car that just nickel-and-dimes you to poverty, is just so unreliable, or can't bear to be seen in, that you can't wait to get rid of it

There is that spot somewhere in the middle, where:

* you know the car inside-out so as to be predictable and reliable, having "bonded" with it on long-distance trips ...
* you have been past the big-ticket repair items that need to be replaced only once in 10years or so, and all maintenance/repair costs are incremental (knock on zebrano) ...
* you don't care that much about nicks, dings and small rust spots, where you park it, or how it looks ...
* although it does not perform as well as the newer cars, it can hold its own (and for Benzes, that is on the highway), especially considering its age ...
* the age does not show, due to its timeless styling ...
* the insurance costs are not that much, due to the car's age ...
* you cannot bear to get rid of it ...

My guess is that this is the general feeling of owners of old Benz diesels ...

in general, it's the feeling of getting your money's worth, with respect to whatever you expect from the car ...

LOVE my TE, but got some very dissappointing news yesterday. The tranny has all kinds of spring parts and metal shavings in the pan,,, so guess what? New tranny time, cost will be right around 3K. Trying to ease the pain a bit, I used to spend thousands on dirt bikes and parts every year, but I have since gotten over that. So for a few bucks,,, about the price of a used dirt bike, I should be able to enjoy the TE for a few more years. Oh well.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Sweet Spot: I asked my daughter out to the garage to look at the new grill I just installed (should have known better...) She smiled and said, "Dad... looks like you've got a hobby!"

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1977 Mercedes 240D. 4-speed transmission. Windows, A/C, and sunroof: all manual. Medium Red. 204K miles.
1988 Subaru GL wagon. Dual range 5-speed 4X4. Daily driver w/ twin parts car.
1994 Subaru Loyale wagon. 5-speed 4x4
1966 International 3/4 ton 4X4 truck. Ooh yeah!
1952 Ferguson TO-35 farm tractor.
1984 Snapper rear engine riding mower. Just like Forest Gump.
1988 Nimble 20 sail boat
--Older stuff is built better--