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

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

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...

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

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

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...

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

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?

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

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

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Women or cars?

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

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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

1983 300D - parts car

1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


=========================

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol

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.

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

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

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 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.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

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. Have you ever looked under the hood of one of these?

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Jim

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.

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'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg