I usually get home first and there on my porch will be that ridiculously huge WorldPac box stuffed with air cushions that I will quickly scoop up and hide in the garage before my better half sees it.
The last few weeks the Brown Boxes sitting on my porch when I come home have been arriving daily and not only from WorldPac. They have been coming from POR 15, Eastwood (powder coat gun), Harbor Freight (tools) and uhhh yes, some Ebay dealers ( some aren't that bad).
Yes I do have some angst over spending on parts but there are TWO REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T FEEL GUILTY: (1) If its safety related, I replace it with no questions--those slightly worn tire rods may carry my daughter over the Verrazano Narrows bridge, as well as the upper control arms. (2) No matter what, its cheaper than buying a New Car! My overhaul will extend the car to a daily driver for 2 more years at a minimum.
Prices have come down a lot on Parts --control arms, ball joints, you name it..and remember, if someone else did the work that $50 part would come with $150 labor charge. (3) We dont have frills like lawncare or new lawnmowers even--or new appliances, because I DIY them
..In these days of expensive fuel, limited time and Pep Boys, NAPA and Autozone domination of the parts market, its a lot more efficient to buy from the Internet in terms of cost, time and quality.

Well for my 85 300D overhaul so far
(1) Brake Rotors $50
(2) Tie Rods $70
(3) Powder Coat rims $40
(3a) Upper Control Arm $50
(4) Powder coat gun $100
(5) New shocks $150
(6) Bushings $20
(7) New tires (TIRERACK) $200
(8) POR15 $40
(9) Brake Pads $40
(10) New Interior from scapped car $150
(11) New bearings $70
(12) Sheets of 20 guage steel $60
(13) Loctite, Primers, Rust conditioners, Epoxyglass, 3M adhesives, $70
(14) Various inane tools, (uhh including a MIG) UNLISTED

I'm not going to total this because it would make me guilty--but yes its close to $1000...and oh yeah, dont laugh, I cracked the windshield when I went to remove the mirror with a pipe so I could put in a new headliner--but I guess like last time i can get one for $30 from a yard....

I have no guilt.

These three suck up about $300. per month.

But, a new Camry also sucks up about the same amount..........and it's a single vehicle.

So, I feel pretty good about the whole deal.

No problem, it would cost about $600 per month to drive a new CDI, so as long as my average is below that value, I'm saving money.

You mean $600 a month for.....9 years?

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

..........yeah.......and then you might even own it by that point..........

Only if you had a big enough down payment

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

barring insurance, non warrantied repairs, accidents and so forth

and so the lesson is....if you have $60K in CASH burning a hole in your pocket buy one

__________________
1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Here you go:

http://www.mbusa.com/models/main.do?modelCode=E320CDI

$539/month with $4000 down for a 27 month lease. The reality is that if you want to continuously drive a new one, you either need to pay cash every couple of years or plan on making lease/loan payments indefinitely. Personally, I would rather spend a few $100 per month on my old one. That was my point.

like i tell my mom when i blow money on parts.. it either i blow money on my car or go blow it on stupid stuff like drugs or fast girls.or shoes.... i must buy shoes...... wrenching.. the anti drug

........at your age.........fast girls.........

I seem to remember a little something about drugs and "fast girls" at that age, but I must have missed out on the whole "shoe" thing.

"Fast Girls" can cost you more than several Benzes, especially if you marry the wrong one.

Here's one: "Do you know why they invented drive up tellers at the bank?....... So the bank could see all of the cars they own!"

Yes, we are fortunate to be able to find these cars that are actually enjoyable to work on. There should be no guilt about any vehicle that is paid for. After all, there are very few cars that are an investment.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Not too sure I'd call a daily driver an 'investment', but abhorring payments a owned vehicle is preferable by far; additionally there is a saving by not carrying collision insurance.

My first 300SD was eventually totaled at 60mph on the freeway, not called an urban tank for nothing - super safe. The second died of neglect. The present 2 I'm maintaining at an average of ~$100/mo. ea., the big expenses presently are upgrading the radio/speakers in both; an Audio 10 in mine and an Alpine CDA-9857 for my daughter (ipod thing). She hates the SD because its not 'new', she'll learn when she buys a car for herself.

On another thread the therapeutic value of this work was cited. Not too sure about that either but at the third repetition the job is a lot faster; bypassing the fader switch is a chore.

This is a swell forum, I read it for enjoyment now.

I was at MIDAS once and i saw them quote someone like $770 for new brakes and rotors.
Wow! For a BENZ 300D 85 that would be $150 for parts only with new ROTORS.

Paid 1700 for my wagon and have almost doubled that now (but also have a nice stash of unused new parts, bought before I learned "if ain't broke, don't fix it")....which is about what I budgeted. I'm looking at steering damper, SLS hydo hoses and filters, rear wiper relay, and fuel return lines...need them, should order them....the guilt is starting to set in! But, she is almost in "road warrior" condition.

STILL! What kinda car can you buy for 3500 bucks that COULD last another 3-400,000 miles?? I would spent that much or close with a brand new Chevy by now and still have thousands to pay off!

(the clear coat, body work stuff is what will break my penny bank! Think I could bail right now and come out ahead, after paint, break even would be real hard to do.)

I keep telling myself, "it's my money, I'll spend it anyway I choose"....myself keeps telling me, "You hate spending money"! So yeah! I think I am getting to the guilt stage pretty quick.

__________________
Mark
1983 300TD Wagon
Even a broken watch is right twice a day