Talk me out of it...

[R.Diesel]

Disclaimer: below it a sally sob story that will waist at least 3 minutes of your time


About two years ago I was the owner of a beautiful 1984 w123 300D. I sold the car about 2 years ago and Bought a Ford Fusion when my wife was pregnant my daughter. Since then, I bought my wife a new car since her impeccable Volvo 945 Wagon looked a little dated besides my brand new car While the Ford has been flawless, I very much miss the days of cruising with my elbow out the window listening to that 5 Cylinder Diesel Plant purring perfectly by the virtue of loving care and intricate knowledge. I love the smell, the sound and the 1980's interpretation of luxury. By that i mean, modern luxury is measured by the amount of electronic gadgetries that they can fit until the bean counters say "stop! we will beat the competition until next years model". In my opinion these don't belong in a car. They stupefy the driver and puts him to sleep by performing all but a few essential tasks. 1980's Mercedes definition of luxury standards were set forth by engineers, of whom I have much more respect than some gel-haired fashionista and his electrical engineering buddy. I want the safe-like door slam, I want springs in my seats, I want to be able to drive over a speed bump at 40 miles per hour, and I want real wood!
My problem with driving the Fusion is that the car tries to entertain me with its gadgets and gizmos but in the end it is what it is. Boring transportation. Driving an 1980's Mercedes Diesel is a different experience altogether. It's like being the driver of a steam locomotive. It needs you to be there to maintain, operate and monitor the systems for it to function properly.

The reasons that i don't have one are:

I'm not home a lot to work on the car.
My wife hates the smell.
I need my car to be reliable.


What do you guys think? Am I being overly romantic because I don't own one and wan't what I don't have. Or should I go for it?

[bandit86]

get a newer benz diesel, and try to find a low mile one. I'm never happy with anything new either.

Thenagain, I get a new car old car every 6 months. I want something nice, then I want something good on fuel. Then I get fed up and go for nice again. I bought a 2001 range rover as I was tired of workign on the old and the toys sounded like fun. now I bought a 92 range rover, want to put it on the road and sell the 2001. But I need something good on gas so I'm looking for a benz to jump out and make me buy it.

In the end, you probably shouldnt listen to me, I love old stuff that wasn't built cheap to get the most profit but built to last.

If your wife doesnt liek the smell though, that could be the problem. go newer diesel

[Darthgrader]

I had my 85 300D for seven years, until an untimely crash. For over seven years, it never once left me stranded. It never didn't start, never broke down on the freeway. It was also inexpensive to maintain--even though I use a mechanic. I cannot yet work on my own car, and I still saved a ton of money over that seven year period. The Honda Civic I had previously had 100,000 miles on it, and broke down constantly. The repair bills were far more expensive, and parts were never cheap.

My 300D was utterly reliable and economical. Still, it was a low-mileage, one-owner car with service records when I bought it, not a cheap beater. I've only owned one, so maybe I was just lucky, but I sure hope not, because I will get another.

As for your wife not liking the smell, how often would she actually have to smell it? I can't smell it when I'm driving. If she's not standing in back of it when it's running, how is the smell a big issue?

I would imagine that she would want you to have a car that you love--one that is both safe and practical. Tell her the Ford Fusion depresses you. It would depress me. . . I'm driving a borrowed mid-90s Lincoln, and I don't want to go anywhere in it. It just bums me out.

Maybe I am biased. I do not like any of the new cars; and I hate the idea of being saddled with a car payment. Even if I were wealthy, the newest car I'd own would be an 85 Mercedes. With newer cars, after the first few years of ownership, you have a car payment and maintenance costs, not to mention the insane depreciation and interest payments.

Get what makes you happy. This is a great time to be looking at older Mercedes. The market is soft.

[JHZR2]

Any issue you mention can be taken care of wit money, so Ill ask, do you have any?

Not being home a lot can be dealt with by having repairs taken care of at a dealer or indy (especially one who gives loners).

Not liking the smell can be minimized by good tuning, no leaks, etc.

Being reliable, if you find a low mileage, well maintained unit isnt a big deal, especially if you fix the known trouble spots.

[JB3]

I say do it. The wife has a new car, this is yours. You know the car, you know what you are getting into, and what it would be like to repair it if it breaks. Ultimately, we are not talking about you wanting to buy a 40,000 dollar sports car, just a 3-5 grand old car that you love and know.

You don't enjoy the fusion, and life it too short to waste time on something you don't enjoy. If another old diesel becomes an issue, there is always a market for them, and it will sell.

[Junkman]

Put 4 grand in an account & buy yourself a 81-85 that is in good condition. Don't get in a hurry. A family needs 3 cars these days. I remember when my parents considered 1 car a luxury. I also remember selling a perfectly good 1970 bug because my new wife and I didn't need 2 cars.

[R.Diesel]

Thanks for all the answers. I don't have a lot of money but i'm not completely broke either. I was looking at a nicely kept 85 300SD with a lick under 100k on it. It's a one owner with records since new. The guy wants $7K for it. maybe i can talk him down a little...

[cmbdiesel]

Go for it, and when all the modern crap breaks down, the old Benz will be the lifesaver.

If your wife is no longer pregnant, she probably won't mind the smell as much either, there's something about odors and pregnant women...

BTW...you picked a real bad place to 'be talked out of it' right now its unanimous...

[charmalu]

I also say go for it. you bought your wife the new car because the Volvo looked dated. not a good decision from my perspective. but "happy wife, happy life". You have to live with her, we don`t. when you said, "I DO" she said "YOU WILL< AND YOU BETTER FOLLOW DIRECTIONS"

I don`t follow the Diesel stinks statements, I don`t notice that problem. It is the gassers that smell like poison.

The 85 300SD sounds like a good deal with less than 100K and records one owner. check the service records for the milage to see if it corresponds. the speedometers are known to fail.
85 would have the 2:88 Diff. (a one yr thing) but also have the trap oxidizer, minor detail.
$7k might be a lot, but no rust, no accident damage, good interior, and under 100K, and records with one owner, maybe not. you could dump a lot of $ getting a run down higher milage one in order.

I guess iam blessed, I have a good wife that loves these older Diesels. she doesn`t understand women that won`t let their husbands have the car they want. we would have a yard full of them if we could. she also doesn`t stop my PNP addiction . YET!!!

Charlie

[Stevo]

Simple..If your wife hates the diesel cars either get a new wife or live in harmony with a "gasser" OR, get your own car

[bobodaclown]

I'm whipped, but my wife indulgences my diesel fetish. With that being said, I had a 85 300D then got a 92 300D. As long as it runs and has A/C and I do the maintenance she's happy. Your situation is a lot different. From what I understand: You don't have the time to maintain, she's not supportive, and your family harmony is more important than the car. All Good Point on not getting one.

If any of those factor change I might change my opinion.

[Darthgrader]

I cannot imagine attempting to prevent my husband from driving a car he loves, or doing anything else he enjoys; as long as it doesn't harm him, me, or anyone else, it's not my damn business. He supports me in the same way. We are not eachother's boss, parent, or overlord. We're a partnership.

As long as one is not neglecting relationship and family responsibilities, not being disloyal, and not spending money carelessly, it should not be an issue. Family harmony should not be dependent upon this kind of choice.

Tell the wife it will make you happy, and promise not to neglect other things that need attention to work obsessively on the car. Take it to the mechanic for major issues. Enjoy tinkering in moderation. Everyone's happy!

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by R.Diesel

The reasons that i don't have one are:

I'm not home a lot to work on the car.
My wife hates the smell.
I need my car to be reliable.

A 25 year old MB diesel passes none of your criteria.

The car will need work.
Some people despise smelling the diesel fumes.
A 25 year old car is not reliable - and you stated you don't have the time to work on it.

Stay with a near-new Ford.

[cmbdiesel]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

A 25 year old MB diesel passes none of your criteria.

The car will need work.
Some people despise smelling the diesel fumes.
A 25 year old car is not reliable - and you stated you don't have the time to work on it.

Stay with a near-new Ford.

You have some sort of proof of this statement?? maybe it's just your 25 year old cars that are unreliable. Damn sure you're not talking about mine.

[BridelessRacing]

I didn't like my focus either. I sold it am looking for a new toy