Thanks for all the great advice. I've decided I'm going to probably buy my old 1983 300SD back for 3500.00. It has less than 200k, everything except the clock works.

I had the car for years, gave it to little brother, he drove it for years, I got it back when little brother died and sold to friend (half price and I got right of first refusal if he got tired) on the condition that he fix everything, he did. New mb tex seat covers front, ac cold, smoke silver, new tires, valves just adjusted, etc.

I'll put some miles on her tomorrow and see what the wife says, then buy it anyway.