If it were me, I’d look for a less than pristine Mercedes 240d or 300d. Use it as the winter beater and when it rusts out you’ll have a lot of spare parts for the 240. I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but here in Virginia they do come up every few weeks for a decent price.

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'83 300D turbo diesel (334k daily commuter)
SOLD '80 240D 4 speed manual, #2 piston pitted from crushing a 10mm nut. Running it 'till it burns through.
'78 F-150 300cid 4spd od (with my great unkle's original sales receipt)
SOLD '66 Ford P-350 delivery truck (almost driveable)
'49 Dodge B1D (1 ton Pilothouse era truck) not running but all there, candidate for om617 and 4x4 conversion when money permits.