Been reading posts for months, and finally joined.

I've bought into the hype about the 300D turbo, and now want one, no matter what problems lie ahead (may the force be with me). Don't mind spending a little more than the going rate, which looks to be around $2500 - $3500 for something in nice condition. Just don't want to spend all my time in the shop. In other words, I'd just as soon spend the $5K up front. $7,000 however, seems crazy. The nicest vehicles on ebay seem to be going for $6500 - 8500, though. I'm in Michigan, and NOTHING nice ever comes up on Craigslist here.

Is it going to end up costing me an extra $5000 to get everything working on a $2500 car? Should I go ahead and buy something like:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170079266157&rd=1,1


Please help me not make a huge expensive mistake. Thanks!

where you located.. Ill sell you mine for 3k

Also I wouldn't trust any W123 from ebay without being able to personally inspect it..

I'd set up an oodle search in sunbelt locations to look for a rust free example.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Please forgive my ignorance!

www.oodle.com. It's a search engine that focuses on local classifieds in newspapers etc and Craigslist. You can set up a search for specific cities and it will e-mail you if anything shows up.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Just tried it--you rule!

Nik:

Where in MI are you? We have a bunch of us in the GR area. We would be happy to share some advice but in general it goes like this:

1. Paying more $ for one of these doesn't guarantee anything. They are all older.
2. Getting one that has been driven consistently is your best bet.
3. I'm with Kerry. Buy one from the South. I've purchased them from TX, GA, VA, KY, It's easier to fix engine stuff than to fix body stuff.
4. One of two things should be true before you buy one:
a. Either you like wrenching or
b. You have an independent guy who will do your work at a greatly reduced rate from the stealership
5. Many on this forum agree that once you have the bugs worked out, these things will deliver tons and tons of carefree miles. But the issues can also come randomly.
6. I had one deliver 22 months of daily driving without ONE SINGLE issue
7. I've also had weekly issues with another for 6 weeks straight.

Hope this helps

Diesel Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Thanks!

I'm in Detroit--maybe I'll have to take that road trip, after all.

Good to know that they will run once they're fixed. I'm OK with some driveway work or finding a decent mechanic, but I want to drive one of these--not the type to buy a car just to tinker under the hood.

Also, this will be my only car--plan to get rid of my Volvo once I find a 300D.

I watched craigslist of michigan, ohio and indiana for months, went and saw two cars that were trash, and finally found a RUST FREE example in eastern MI, we had to Blast over there, cash in hand ready to buy, because some other guy was coming out the next day to buy it. Needless to say, we have a very nice 300D in the garage, it was only $1500. Score. All it needs are: throttle bushing, glow plugs (possibly relay...it is finicky), oil cooler, and its fluids changed. Otherwise its in great shape...tons of parts replaced by the previous owner.

I almost went insane searching for one. After reading about 30 pages of craigslist everyday for 3 months...you do kinda go insane...

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

If you find a good example in the South, its not all bad. Fun to do road trips and several of us could call on the car.

The best way to go about it is to NOT send any money ahead of time, but to get there within 24 hours of the sale. If a few people have a phone conversation with the seller, we can pretty much figure out whether its a good purchase or not.

dp

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed