Hello everyone,

When I get back from college for my summer break, I was planning to start work on a 'new' car.

Now, please be advised that I do not want the project car to cost more than $1500... I know its low, but I think it can be done. ($1500 is for the initial car, this does not include parts price and outside labor cost!)

I am looking for a car that is VERY VERY DIY friendly. So, I am guessing a 4 banger? maybe an inline 6?

I would like to stay away from a W124 as I already have one, it's my primary car, I love it, my 1989 300E started as a project, I mean, it was running, but it was in rough shape... I BROUGHT IT BACK!! WHOO! (It honestly did not require much, needed OVP, front suspension work, wood refinishing, my own touch of gauge faces, new shift knob, new spark plugs, new distributor rotor and cap, new cosmetic parts everywhere, new antenna mast, headlight doors, brake pads, lots of cleaning and love... ) Still needs flex discs and motor mounts...

I plan to have any major work like piston rings and valve guides done by a professional, as I do not have the proper equipment for that...

I just wanted to ask you all, which Mercedes-Benz would you reccommend I purchase? Is there a 2 seat roadster I could afford? Could I do a vegatable oil project in this budget?

How about a different make? (I want a fun and somewhat unique project, so no friggen Civics or CRXs please! :-))

If you have experience, how about an older BMW 3 series, 5 series, or 7 series? We used to own a 1982 733i, I fell in love with that car! But we sold it because it was ugly(needed a paint job). So my mom kept complaining and finally my dad sold it... Had lots of electrical issues, HVAC offline, weird buzzing sounds... etc.... Never had time to fix it up... That was because this car was meant to be my brother's fun car... but he lost interest and this was before I even got interested in fixing my own cars and all....

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)