Thanks for the replys. BusyBenz, why a '95 E300D? Are they extra reliable? Do you know where I can find more info on that model?
Engatwork, any particular year to look for? And as for the maintenance, it will be all me and when I am in over my head I will find a mechanic. My husband avoids working on cars like the plague. He is willing to humor me though and let me do my own thing.
When I was 9, my Father retrofitted a '64 Ambassador with a propane tank in the trunk. He was my hero!! Quite the inventor and pioneer! He made my sisters and I learn at least the basics of car repair and gave us our own copies of Chilton repair manuals with our first car purchases. I am famous in our family for using a butter knife to change a fuel pump in a '72 subaru!!(I have since aquired some decent tools of my own) My daughter has the inventor bug as well and we have a friend who runs a chinese buffet!!! Just need to find the right car.
Oh by the way, I am constantly amazed at the youngsters on this site. Reading past posts, some of these guys I thought were old (sorry,my age!) mechanics end up being teenagers or 20 somethings. Makes me feel like an antique!! I am a firm believer that an old dog can be taught new tricks so keep teaching guys!!