1994 E320 Wagon ready for CARS program? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ChipJ · #1 07-30-2009, 03:00 PM

It has 150,000 miles, some rust just starting on the right front quarterpanel, a new exhaust, in need of a 150k tuneup. The government will give me $4500 for it on a new VW Sportwagen TDi so why not? I hate the thought of that M104 getting destroyed since mechanically it is fine but let's not be emotional about it. I doubt anybody would give me more than $2-3k for it, right?

Arthur Dalton · #2 07-30-2009, 03:11 PM

Do it , b/c being the Wagon, you qualify..if it was the E320 sedan, or Coupe, they don't.
They drew the line between the wagon/convert and the couple/sedan.

Which is the Gov for ya '.....................

TylerH860 · #3 07-30-2009, 03:13 PM

Yes, you're right, but you can fix the issues and have a great running/driving car for many years. I'd rather be in that position than a car payment on a new, rapidly deprecating vehicle.

So, you can either 2-3 grand right now to have the issues with your car fixed and a repainted fender, or 20 grand for a new vehicle with a monthly payment holding you down for years.

savas · #4 07-30-2009, 04:50 PM

I'm in the same boat with my '89 300E sedan (which does just qualify). I am about to buy a new car (unfortunately it's a kia rondo

for my wife and kiddies). The 3500 I would get is more than my car with 250K miles is worth but I not sure I'll do it. Just had the head done less than a year ago and mechanically it's solid except for an nagging sporadic AC issue which is currently driving me crazy - maybe even crazy enough to get rid of it!

TylerH860 · #5 07-30-2009, 05:31 PM

Your 300E with 250k would probably out live a new Kia. This cars fall apart within a few years and rarely make it much over 100k.

If you're going to go econobox, pay a bit more for a Honda or Toyota at least.

necromancer · #6 07-30-2009, 05:38 PM

I've entertained a similar thought... however, to think of all the DD and tools I've acquired to keep my car running it just might be the cheapest mode of transportation for me now.

I don't know about the VWs... the newly designed particulate filters look very complex and costly to replace. I'd wait a few years to have them properly vet this design... like pumpe duse owners found out the hard way that those engines are very suseptible to cam wear.

Tomguy · #7 07-30-2009, 06:28 PM

I've thought about it too... For my Jeep Cherokee. $4500 for an old rusty truck that might fetch me $1500-$2000 if lucky isn't a bad deal!

What you do is your decision, naturally. The upsides: Your car will be newer, cleaner, more fuel-efficient and prettier. Downside: Working on it yourself outside of oil changes, brakes and other minor things will be MUCH harder, if not impossible without expensive diagnostic tools.

savas · #8 07-30-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Your 300E with 250k would probably out live a new Kia. This cars fall apart within a few years and rarely make it much over 100k.

If you're going to go econobox, pay a bit more for a Honda or Toyota at least.

Well we need a seven seater and I prefer a mini minvan, the other option was a mazda5 but it actually felt smaller that the rondo. They are easly found for about $13K new for a 4cylinder. I don't have high expectations about it lasting like my 300E but I hope by buying a new one and taking care of it, I'll get as much use out of it as possible. Basically, it's a 7 seat econobox with a 10yr/100k warranty that's cheap and meets our current needs.

Also the kia is much cheaper than my 300E, which I paid $17.5 for about 15 years ago and IIRC have reciepts for over $12K for parts/repairs/maintance. That last part is why I hesitate to get rid of it. So many new parts that I think will last, i.e I replaced the original mufflers at 210K! and really only the rear needed to be replaced the center was ok but I did it anyway.

Edit: I shoud really add that with the $3500 I would plan to pick up a 95 e320 that my indie has for sale for $4500. It's a low mile car but needs some attention.

babymog · #9 07-30-2009, 07:01 PM

That's about a thousand high for a '95 E320 that needs attention IMO.

Arthur Dalton · #10 07-30-2009, 07:27 PM

You can all forget it..our Gov once again has not done their calculations correctly and has cancelled the deal as of Midnight .....

ChipJ · #11 07-30-2009, 09:10 PM

Arthur - I was sure you were joking but NOOOOO - they DID suspend the program just a few minutes ago because it ran out of money. Unbelievable!

I found out that there are apparently NO VW TDI Automatic Wagons in the USA. There is a 3 month wait list at my local dealer. So - back to the drawing boards!

Arthur Dalton · #12 07-30-2009, 09:19 PM

Yes..they just yanked it.

Old News already.

cliffmac · #13 07-30-2009, 10:17 PM

nope, cant do that...wont work

TheDon · #14 07-30-2009, 10:26 PM

lmao

Chadahar · #15 07-30-2009, 11:04 PM

Well it did last more than four days. most dealers participating in the program began giving the money off the new cars and collectng the clunkers on July 1st and hoped to get reimbursed for their outlay. They sold/leased almost 24,000 cars since July 1.

I think this deal yanking is a ploy to get it up and running for a year or two, 12 or 24 billion dollars to get 288,000/576000 clunkers off the road in 1year/2 years (using the 24,000 cars sold /leased as a multiplier) is a great incentive for the tree huggers/greenies to go for broke and get all the Gas guzzlers off the road.

Off Soap Box now.