Whats your average time of ownership before you sell it or get bored?
 

Its unbelievable, I never dreamed I would own 2 $40,000 cars someday. Granted I only paid $2,000 for them. But if you buy the right car, you can still get it back into brand new shape. I always look for ones with good bodies and interiors and litlle or no cosmetic flaws...the engine, we can all work around it.
So now I have a cream 940 Turbo 91 and a cream 87 300D and a decent 85 300D.
Unfortunately there is trouble brewing.
I am starting to get bored with the cars. Unlike new car buyers, we usually reclaim our investment within 2 years...$2000 for the Car and $1200 for things like struts, ball joints,timing chains, alternators, boneyard engines and trannies. I try to make them look brand new again, I'll search the junkyard for even small things like interior trim and knobs.
Then comes the day when you just get bored and sell it, give it to your nephew or whatever..because your next project car captures your fancy...
Currently I am at 3.0 years of ownership per car except for the 85 which I have had for 5 years. Am I eccentric? I imagine quite a few of us are doing that. Right now I want a 5 speed 91 SAAB 900 Turbo..

I've had my '85 for 5 years now which is the longest I've ever owned a car. I plan on driving it into the ground. I do fantasize every now and then about getting something "new" but I think the desire to do that has more to do with the excitement of having something new rather than logic.

Scott

I usually go about 1-2 years before I get bored or my wife and kids give me enough s*** about what I am driving. I am getting plenty of heat right now about the 300d. But it is so much fun to drive...

Please don't get me wrong, I am frugal..
 

I have maybe $7,000 worth of used cars in 3 cars. They give me the same reliability of 1.7 new cars, meaning at least one, if not all are always running, but once in awhile, one will be down for at least two weeks at the most...

Most people have at least one new car, which runs on the average of maybe $22K before interest?

I don't know that I could ever bring myself to spend that much money on a new car. Though sometimes I wonder if it's worth buying a newer car for say $12k and then selling after several years. Would the depreciation costs equal the maintenance costs of my 20 year old car? If so, it might be worth it considering the time I would save doing the repairs (I'd also enjoy the creature comforts of the newer car). But then, I wouldn't buy just any car. It would either be a newer diesel Benz or maybe a TDI.

Scott

I had my '82 240D for two years - said I'd never sell it. Then I was tempted by a turbocharger and bought 2 300SDs. Great cars. I'd love to drive them forever. But, I know that I'll get bored. Maybe a second car would help me stay happy with my commuter. There's a '73 280C for sale for $2000 that I think would be fun...

I've had my MB since 7/96. After finishing an engine rebuild last year, I want to get more of my time back in enjoyment. I consider myself lucky to not be at all bored with the car after 8 1/2 years. I drove Saabs for 10 years, but got bored of them by then. But again, you make a good point. I am on the lookout to head off boredom before it sets in. So what do I do? I think of a project that will allow me to keep the great car I have, make it better, and keep my interest. I throw down the gauntlet! In 2005, I will remove the front seats from my car and replace them with something much more comfortable, yet classy enough not to detract from it aesthetically! -or else I am a loser, slug and no account sissy pants! Hear me everybody? :D

Bored? Apparently you don't own enough MBZ yet.
 

There's never a dull moment at Area 51 (see sig). :D

Women or cars?

Oh wait..., you MUST mean cars. Women own men, not the other way around. Sorry.

What would you replace the Benz seats with?
 

I dont know if anything would really fit.
Come on, you're a smart guy!
Maybe you could up the HP, or do a Biodiesel, or put a intercooler on it.

Boredom--women or cars..
 

In my case, I lead a very special Life. I go to work in my Mercedes and at the office all I talk about is Mercedes diesel cars, I never talk about the Eagles, the stock market or the latest book or movie and never tell jokes--at lunch I post on Mercedes Diesel cars Forum, while I am doing my job, I daydream about Mercedes Diesels and then I come home in my Mercedes and then work on Mercedes diesel cars for 3 hours, then I clean my Mercedes diesel cars tools for 1 hour and then I read Mercedes diesel cars manuals for 70 minutes, and then I feed my dog..... named uhh,..Mercedes...then I watch TV, but only shows where they show Mercedes..then I go on line on Mercedes Diesel Cars Forum again and when I go to sleep, I just dream about naked Mercedes with the paint stripped off of them, once my very attractive 30 year old neighbor showed up in a string bikini and asked me to join her in a midnite swim, but I told her I had to adjust my valves..... on my...uh... Mercedes, she said I could adjust Her valves after the swim, and I said "Do u own uh... a Mercedes?" and she walked away coldly...


I jut dont understand women, why did my wife leave me?
(see below)





(uhh..just kidding.. I have a wonderful wife..her name is...not Mercedes)PS sorry if I offended anyone

New car fever is a very powerful thing.
BUT


1982 300TD purchased 1990
1988 560SL purchased 1995

I keep them forever.
See my signature


Dave

One of the reasons I got rid of my 78 Saab 99 turbo (the 1st production year of the turbo) for the MB was to accept a lifestyle change and force a driving style change. My then 5 year old just informed me last night that she will be old enough for a learner's permit next year :eek: I've adjusted my driving style to the SD. I can't go anywhere any faster without rear ending someone making love to their cell phone, or meeting officer Buster Stones. Maintained properly, my engine needs nothing. However, I know what my seats need - some accelerant and a match. Right now, I'm looking at seats from Volvos, Saabs and BMW. Seen a few I like. Better for my back. I want it to be the right thing, then I'll modify the mounting hardware so it fits. No hack jobs here. I'm in it for the long haul.

I believe that seats out of a '91 SE will fit the early 80's cars and they are alot more comfortable.

I get bored with them pretty quick. My way of dealing with it is if something nicer comes along purchase it and then sell one. This has worked out pretty good so far. The only one I kinda hate selling was a great running, no rust '85 300TD that I sold to make room for a manual transmission '83 240D. I wish I had kept the TD.

5 speed 91 SAAB 900 Turbo:eek:. Have you ever looked under the hood of one of these?

I buy used cars and hang onto them for long periods of time. I have a '78 280Z I've had for 15 years, and a '89 Toyota pickup I've had for 10 years. They both still run fine with 170k miles on both. I had an International Scout for 7 years as well. Hopefully the 240D will last me as well.