Quote:
Originally posted by tkamiya
If your budget is tight that it would rule out 1992 models, you should really consider, if buying a E class Mercedes are right for you. (I mean no disrespect here - just doing reality checks)
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I agree. The problem with an older MB is that the purchase price is high for a 10-12 year old car. That means that the budget for repairs is often tight thanks to the relatively high upfront investment. Many people become frustrated when buying a 10+ year old MB.
When buying many other 10 year cars, many wear items have been replaced at 6-7 years. Not so with an MB. Many items last 12 years, maybe longer. That means a 10 year old car is just coming due for some bits to be replaced, and owners have to be prepared for that.
For someone looking for a superb driving experience on a fraction of the budget required for buying a new Mercedes, a 7-10 year old model can work well. However, for someone expecting a purely economical means of transportation, a 10-12 year old MB is not going to be it. For the same dollars, a much newer Honda or Toyota can be bought that will cost much less to operate over a 3-5 year period.
Example? A 1993 E320 in my area is still a nearly $20K car. That's for one with 150K-km's and good records. $20K buys a 2002 Accord with nearly no km's and factory warranty. I'd pick the E320 myself, but that's me. If it's a decision pased purely on the economics of the car based on the next three years or so, the Honda wins.