Thanks for all your great suggestions and advice. Via CL, there are many 1994/1995 124 wagons for $5K or less, most with high mileage. I haven't found any more expensive cars out there to even consider. That is, except for this one:
1995 Mercedes-Benz E 320

A bit steep, ya think?

I am in the midwest until December, and hope to find a rust free vehicle once I am back in CA.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).