240D (A.T) $3.2k worth it in 2020?

[Frank Reiner]

Originally Posted by soilsminor

Thinkin of buying a mercedes 240D (automatic Diesel) with 90k miles for $3.3k ... it runs. But signal lights, one electric window, manual seat recliner and A/C arn’t working!

- if i bought and fixed it, would i be able to get a profit on resale? Or does no one care about 240D these days

Originally Posted by soilsminor

Jesus.... its. the wild Wild West with these cars

sm:
If you have it in mind to be a profitable, proficient trader in used cars, consider an apprenticeship with the guys who favor maroon slacks with white belts.

[Benz Dr.]

Originally Posted by soilsminor

wow... it seems like an overwhelming consensus that this classic car won't be a money maker. ... Yes the exterior looks perfect and the interior looks perfect. But the springs are weak in the drivers seat because the owner was heavy set. ..
- Yes I definitely worry about the slow acceleration esp living in New York. and I also worry that of a buyer is looking for a 240D, they would want a Manual transmission because of the acceleration advantage

Classic car? A 240D is a classic? An L29 Cord is a Classic Car, a 240D or anything built since about 1948, not so much.

[240D.Bill]

Worth it? That’s a good one. If you love them, you own one, your’re competent with a wrench,, auto body, etc. and you like to be covered in grease and black oil with regularity then it ‘might’ be worth holding onto but let’s face it. These are enthusiast cars and no more. I’ve never owned but one petrol car in my life so I can’t speak to the gassers. I do love mine and it’s worth holding onto but.... time is money. They require attention. I bought my first ‘74 240 for $3k in ‘95 which was too probably much then but loved it dearly. When my now ex-wife totaled it I bought a ‘78 240D for more than $6k, more than twice it’s worth but that was at the beginning of the biodiesel/WVO craze. I justified it because it was the only black on black I had found and the motor was Benz rebuild. “There’s another sucker born every minute” and you just never know what some damn fools are willing to pay for Mercedes answer to VW’s success. Their US Marketing slogan at one point was something like ‘The world’s first Luxury Economy Car.’

Finally, I have a question for someone in the know. What is special about 1979? I thought the w123 First debuted in 1977.