I've owned two 123 diesels. I've driven a few 124 gassers and I didn't like them. I did however like the 210 gasser that I once test drove. The newest 123 is 30 years old, so I can see the issues of trying to keep one as a daily driver if you don't have much time to work on it. I vote 210 (wagon if you can find one) for your situation. They also came in diesel, but for some reason they never sold a diesel wagon here.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.