Hello. After years of owning 123 diesels, I may be coming to the end of that string. I've noticed that mid-90's 300 series cars are not terribly expensive, and am wondering they make a fitting replacement for a 300d. I have the following questions: '81 300d has a 5spd manual, which I like, but...
4) does a diesel get much better mileage? I think that higher diesel prices are with us permanently. Here I pay a 15% premium for diesel over regular gas, and so the mileage difference would have to be at least that.
5) Are the sedans a lot nicer to drive than the wagons? I have kids, and they have friends, and they like to go skiing, and we go on periodic road trips.
6) Are there any years, models, types that you'd particularly seek out, or avoid.
7) Given that I live up here in the land of road salt, and the car will also spend some time riding on ferryboats, are they pretty well sorted out for rust? Compared to the 123?
I have to admit that I also have looked at a Ford Crown Vic. Not the most sophisticated vehicle on earth, but they'll tow a boat, and it's funny how eveybody gets out of your way on the highway. Almost like you were a cop.
I've also kept an eye on Cadillac Cateras. The last couple years of them are supposed to be pretty well sorted out, and it is a sort of German car for not a lot of money. With the additional benefit that I can swagger around like a loudmouth Rotarian, and everyone will blame it on the car.
Thanks for any input, advice, jokes, etc.
seo