I agree you can get much more fuel efficient cars, but I don't know of a more fuel efficient car that you can get for the price ($500-$2000) that is also as dependable and easy to troubleshoot and work on. Also, it is diesel which matters here in California, because it means that you never have to deal with the smog laws or paying to have it tested.

I have looked into getting an old VW diesel due to the fuel economy, but the price of the cars are often as expensive or more, and are more prone to failure than MBs.

For overall combination of economical factors, I think an old MB diesel is actually quite affordable in comparison to almost anything else I can think of... plus you can be pretty certain that you will be able to sell it a few years later for the price you bought it for if you want to... not many other cars that fall into that category.

BTW, if anyone can think of a car that is more economical in the areas mentioned, please name it, because I am in the market for a used car. I'm pretty set on an MB diesel because I have owned two of them before, but I could have my mind changed if there was something else obviously better... (not that I am going to find a lot of opinions about that here )

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