Folks,
I just bought this car today. I am in Tampa and will drive it home to Atlanta tomorrow.

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=77249669&dealer_id=&certified=n&max_price=&start_year=1985&end_year=1987&address=30096&search_type=used&make=MB&model=300TD&min_price=&distance=any&advcd_on=n&advanced=n&car_year=1987&ac_afflt=ATLANTACLASSIFIEDS.COM

Carfax checked out.

Front seats have been reupholstered in leather. Rest of gray leather in OK. Everything on inside works including cruise.

Sunroof and all windows work.

No rust

New battery

103,000 miles confirmed by folder of records

All service records including original window sticker

Been in Tampa its whole life

A/C seems to work fine

Mechanic who checked it out found the following problems. I included his estimates to do the work:
1)ABS sensors causing ABS light to come on. He recommended replacing all three ($700)
2)Front struts ($520)
3) Belt tensioner and belt ($245)
4) Rear outer control bushings ($320)
5) Motor mounts(even though they were replaced at 58K)($250)
6) Fan clutch

Bad news is the repaint is the correct Royal Blue color but it looks like it was done by Maaco or something! Lots of scratches and some abrasion marks in the paint.Some overspray on the rubber.

He wouldn't budge on the price because of the response to his ad. We agreed on $6000. I am having the tech go ahead and do the belt and tensioner before I drive it 440 miles to Atlanta. Other stuff will have to wait. Boy I hate that paint, but the low miles and strong engine I thought was too good to pass up on.

Did I get reamed? Why do I always look carefully for so long then get "buyers remorse". I know that low price, well maintained, 300TD's are not easy to find.

What do you think? Glad to be owner of my first Benz