A VOLVO sounds like a good SAFE car ...

Why?

Coz no one would dare go near one if driven on the road (I know my 300se is terrified of them - and so am I at the way they're driven).


*Disclaimer* This comment is not intended to cause whether knowingly or otherwise any insult offence discrimination or insinuation whether directly or indirectly on any current Volvo drivers in any part of this World.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

As I pulled out of my office car-lot this morning and noticed a the vintage 280SL (probably about a '76 make) parked in front, it reminded me that my friend bought his daughter (also 17) a similar car for her birthday. She really liked it so much that she took time to learn more about MB cars and even enrolled in a course for car maintanence.

I believe her Dad was really proud of his investment - more for the value of seeing his daughter so pleased with the present.

So its a Sunday routine, or so I hear, that the daughter will take her Dad out for a drive while they learn more of the 280SL.

What does her Mom do when Dad's out?

"Shopping".



*PS. Btw - MB is the #1 best selling car in Singapore. However, BMW might now just overtake that pole position this year. And yes, its nice shopping in Singapore ...

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Ken,

For the record, We got a '79 300D for our 18-year old about a year ago. Since then, it's been reliable and never failed to start. If you get one, check the condition of the vacuum pump along with brakes & suspension, since vacuum = brake assist.

His friends love riding in it, and after the past year, I'd do it all over again and will be looking for either a 300D turbo or 300 SD for my own use.

Best Regards,
Nate Stanley
'79 300D
'85 F-250 6.9L Diesel

yeah nothing beats the look on someones face when you tell them your car has 350,000 miles

I bought my 16-year old daughter an '88 420SEL to drive to and from school -- would have preferred a 300E of that era, but the 420 came in on a trade at my dealer with only 75,000 miles and I got a good price on it. It is a lot of car for her (the length takes attention, particularly in backing out), but she likes it and will probably come out ahead in a crash with anything short of an 18-wheeler.

She is a careful driver and, I think, very responsible -- she doesn't like to drive my C43 AMG [only with me in it!] as it's too fast and bumpy!

I have to disagree with the whole logic of buying a Mercedes as a first car for a youngster. Call me old fashioned if you want, but I believe that the best car for your daughter would be something inexpensive and reliable such as a Toyota Corolla or something similar. Even that is actually pushing it. I bought my first car at the age of 21 and it was a 76 Volvo 264 with more than 150K miles on it. It would brake down almost every other day but it taught me the value of money, as well as the fact that the road to success would be long... I managed to buy my first Mercedes a few months ago at the age of 34. Needless to say the fact that I had to wait all those years taught me to show appreciation for the car. Just my 2 cents...

Simple, safe, econmomical, classy, built like a tank. LONG LASTING!

Whats the car purchased eventually?

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I would be alarmed about a 16 year old complaining that your car is too slow. When I was 16, I bought my first car, a seven year-old '71 Firebird Formula 400. I loved the car, but I'm lucky to be alive considering all the crazy stuff I did in that 350 horsepower car, with my crappy teenage driving skills. So rule number one is: ignore her complaints about speed. On the other hand, I personally think most MB diesels are so slow off the line as to be dangerous for a new driver when merging into traffic or crossing a busy intersection. An automatic 190 2.3 gas model would be a good choice, as would a 1980s 300E or 260E. The '91 BMW 318is is also a really sporty, great handling, economical, and not-too-fast car, but was only made with a 5-speed. If you consider one of these, make sure the profile gasket has been replaced. When it fails, coolant can spew everywhere, creating a dangerous condition. Other great cars for new drivers are Volvos. A nice 240 or 740 can be had for well under $6000, and they are safe, reliable, cheaper than an MB or Bimmer to care for, and will last forever. The non turbo ones are better than the turbos for reliability and longevity, and slower, too, which is a good thing for a new driver.
Good Luck
Colin

If we had a daughter, I would think a small but sturdy SUV would suit her well. Not an old marque, or Bimmer ... until she is able to make her own choice and pay for it.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Hi all! Thanks for the great and diverse advice! I really appreciate every post.

I've pondered and looked and made offers but today I had a very unique and hopefully profound day. I went to Sarasota (70 miles away) to buy a 89 Toyota Cressida with 109k miles and in pretty good shape. I had it looked at by a local shop and they found it needed a new exhaust and rear rotors and pads. I asked the seller to split the $450 with me but he said no. My wife and daughter was with me and both felt as I did, that we weren't getting good feelings from this seller, so I said "adios" and paid the local garage or a job well done.

On the way home, I told them about a 86 300E with 141,000 miles on it, I had called on in our town that was priced right but needed a transmission repair. They wanted to look at it so we did.

A body shop owner had it for sale. He bought it from an elderly couple that had banged up the front fender and decided they shouldn't drive anymore. He had painted the whole car and planned on driving it himself until he decided to move to a new high profile location and needed the money for the move. The car had sat for 5 months and when he started showing it to buyers, it had developed a few problems. The AC had leaked down and wasn't blowing very cold and the transmission would shift into 2nd or third until you ran up the rpms until almost redline. He lowered the price to $3500 to get rid of it so I looked at it. I started it up and was testing the windows, lights, etc., when my wife tells me there is a liquid pouring out from under the car. I shut it off and went over and smelled it, gasoline!

I showed this to the owner and needless to say he wasn't happy, in fact he said he must be jinxed with this car! He has an 81 300sd with over 250,000 miles and has never had any real problems. He told me that he had $3500 in it with the new paint job but if I want it I can have it for $2500 or else he's going to smash it in with a truck and put it out front for advertising his auto body business. I told him I would bring my mechanic over tonight and go through it with him. We just left the car, where we replaced the fuel line in the rear and drove it around. The prognosis is it needs freon, a transmission filter or possibly a valve body rebuild, and possibly a valve lifter. My mechanic says BUY!

So it looks like my daughter will be driving an '86 300E for her first car.

Thanks again,

__________________
FL Ken
89 300SE, 157,212 miles
new addition, an 86 300E, 188,900 miles for 17 yr old daughter
97 Expedition 4X4, 114,230 miles
98 Honda Valkyrie, 48,987 miles

Past Mercedes:
82 300SD, 168,350 sold
78 300CD, 118,600 sold(wish I still had)

Thats pleasing. Indeed, the right place at the right time. The 300E is a marvellous built with an impressive power house. 24 valves aint it?

Cool. I wish I had a 300E as a first car ...

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Up here in the frozen North I have found the answer to be early 90s Saabs. Good winter driving, reasonable mileage, easy to fix, and best of all excellent occupant protection due to the massive frame rails.This is from our experience in 2 major accidents which my kids walked away from (neither their fault)
190s are undriveable here ( personal exp) in winter.
Radios are easy to exchange, tires are a standard size, and used parts abound.
I dont know what climate the car is intended for, Just my 2c.
BTW, the hatchback 2 dr will get an average kid to college with as many possessions as h/she needs, and will also take a roof rack!

__________________
John
92 500e, 85k, silver/gray,all stock.
96 Club Wagon,Hypertech chipped( College Hauler)
97 320 SL 50k
1980 BMW e21 323 Baur conv.
1990 300GE 99k