Originally Posted by ah-kay

I drive old cars but sensibly in $$ terms.



It was your decision and good luck with that.



I honest do NOT concur. Even a jumbo jet has a limited working life.



There is Every FW that one can lease a 2011 E350 for 60 months as of NOW and would come at less than $0.30 cents a mile for doing 50K a year.

http://www.leasecompare.com/quick_lease_quotes.php?ModelYear=2011&MakeID=500&ModelID=220&StyleID=135&vehicle=2011+Mercedes-Benz+E350

$688/month lease + tax at 8% = $8916. I add 8% tax just to be realistic.
50K/yr @ 30mpg, ( official hwy mpg is 33mpg ) #2 diesel at $3.2/g = $5333

Total costs/mi = $8916 + $5333 / 50K = $0.285/miles.

45K/year would be $0.3048/mile
40K/year would be $0.3295/mile

If one averages 40-50K a year then $0.30/mi give or take is really doable for driving a 2011 BRAND NEW MBZ E350 Bluetec off the dealer lot. Why settle with a 28 years old car? One would be way ahead to lease a 3 years old lease returned car.