I have been driving a W123 (300D or TD) as a daily driver now for a couple years and the wife has been on me about wanting to purchase a new minivan. The problem is that EVERYTHING we have taken a look at just turns me OFF big time due to the cheap plastic and, in my opinion, very low quality construction and we are talking about $20,000+ vehicles. I look at these things and can't help but wonder what a pos they will be like in 5 years after hauling two active boys around, especially the interiors. We test drove a VW Eurovan this past weekend and although I like the idea of being able to use it when we go to drag races, etc.. some of the interior plastic pieces were already broken and it has not even sold yet.
I blame it all on the 300D/TD's for "skewing" my perception
. We are going to test drive a Sprinter passenger van this Friday for conversion to a "weekend" (mini RV) type of vehicle. I'm optimistic that I will be more impressed with the interior build quality of it versus the Honda/Mazda/VW vans, we'll see.