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  #1  
Old 06-29-2010, 04:47 PM
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300D Purchase Advice

I need your help to evaluate a 1983 300D with 275,000 miles, for sale at a Thrift store used car lot. The car was donated to the thrift store so there is no car history. The paint and interior are good, the engine runs good, and after warming up the transmission shifted smoothly. The power windows, and sunroof work. The car front end felt tight and drove really nice on the highway. Their was blowby but it wasn't bad. The car was very slow pulling away from a stop (expected), but once up to speed felt powerful enought. I pulled a carfax report, the car has only been driven an average of 5000 miles a year for the past 19 years. In the last year the car has only been driven 200 miles. I assume the car needs a tuneup, valves adjusted, etc. They want $1900 for the car, I think this might be a fair deal for 1500? What do you guys think, is this a good deal?

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  #2  
Old 06-29-2010, 04:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by conkrot View Post
I need your help to evaluate a 1983 300D with 275,000 miles, for sale at a Thrift store used car lot. The car was donated to the thrift store so there is no car history. The paint and interior are good, the engine runs good, and after warming up the transmission shifted smoothly. The power windows, and sunroof work. The car front end felt tight and drove really nice on the highway. Their was blowby but it wasn't bad. The car was very slow pulling away from a stop (expected), but once up to speed felt powerful enought. I pulled a carfax report, the car has only been driven an average of 5000 miles a year for the past 19 years. In the last year the car has only been driven 200 miles. I assume the car needs a tuneup, valves adjusted, etc. They want $1900 for the car, I think this might be a fair deal for 1500? What do you guys think, is this a good deal?
If it's rust free, it sounds like a good start.
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  #3  
Old 06-29-2010, 05:06 PM
toomany MBZ's Avatar
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The closer you can get to $1000 or even lower, the better, without a history. It only has one obvious problem, a slow take off. However, that could be relative to what you're used to.
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  #4  
Old 06-29-2010, 05:54 PM
Craig
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It really depends what you want to do with it. At this mileage, it is probably due for some significant work if you want to make it correct. In that case, the purchase price will be irrelevant. If you are just looking for something to drive as-is, it might be a decent deal for a couple $1000.
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  #5  
Old 06-29-2010, 05:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by conkrot View Post
I need your help to evaluate a 1983 300D with 275,000 miles, for sale at a Thrift store used car lot. The car was donated to the thrift store so there is no car history. The paint and interior are good, the engine runs good, and after warming up the transmission shifted smoothly. The power windows, and sunroof work. The car front end felt tight and drove really nice on the highway. Their was blowby but it wasn't bad. The car was very slow pulling away from a stop (expected), but once up to speed felt powerful enought. I pulled a carfax report, the car has only been driven an average of 5000 miles a year for the past 19 years. In the last year the car has only been driven 200 miles. I assume the car needs a tuneup, valves adjusted, etc. They want $1900 for the car, I think this might be a fair deal for 1500? What do you guys think, is this a good deal?
Explain that it has NO records, 26 years old, and 275,000 MILES on it, and that you are taking a huge chance to take it off their hands.

I would offer them $950.00 cash, (which is plenty) because of the above reasons - if they don't take it, walk. Leave your number for them to call you when they want to deal - since you will likely have to plow $5,000 into ANY car that old/miles to bring it back to right.

BTW: Does it have any RUST on it? If so, run!
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  #6  
Old 06-29-2010, 06:03 PM
Craig
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Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe View Post
...since you will likely have to plow $5,000 into ANY car that old/miles to bring it back to right.
The $5000 figure is probably reasonable with or without records, which is why the original purchase price isn't a big part of the cost.
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  #7  
Old 06-29-2010, 06:30 PM
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  • Pick up the carpets to see if there is any rust on the floor.
  • Does the A/C work? That right there is an expensive item to fix.
  • Is there evidence of the windshield leaking? There might be telltale signs of water in the corners of the windshield.
  • How is the dash? Any cracks?
  • Do the climate control buttons work? Try them and see if the air comes out of the proper vents. You might need to consult the owner's manual for this.
Depending on what you find, you can then make an informed offer. I also would try to buy it for under $1K, knowing what you will need to put into it and not knowing it's history.
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  #8  
Old 06-29-2010, 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Craig View Post
The $5000 figure is probably reasonable with or without records, which is why the original purchase price isn't a big part of the cost.
I'm a little surprised to see people throwing around this $5,000 number. The poster didn't indicate that there were any issues other than a slow start, which could be as simple as tight valves or clogged filters. On what are you basing your speculation that it will cost $5,000 to bring this car into order?
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  #9  
Old 06-29-2010, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by jdh122 View Post
I'm a little surprised to see people throwing around this $5,000 number. The poster didn't indicate that there were any issues other than a slow start, which could be as simple as tight valves or clogged filters. On what are you basing your speculation that it will cost $5,000 to bring this car into order?
Experience.
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  #10  
Old 06-29-2010, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Craig View Post
Experience.
Why would one fork out $1000+ for the car and spend $5000 to fix it up? Out of pocket is $6K+ plus the intangible time and stress for a 27 years car. It does not make sense, not to me anyway. For $6K+, there is a lot of good cars to be had, nothing to fix up and no stress, no downtime.

It is an experience I can do without.
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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.
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  #11  
Old 06-29-2010, 07:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe View Post
Explain that it has NO records, 26 years old, and 275,000 MILES on it, and that you are taking a huge chance to take it off their hands.

I would offer them $950.00 cash, (which is plenty) because of the above reasons - if they don't take it, walk. Leave your number for them to call you when they want to deal - since you will likely have to plow $5,000 into ANY car that old/miles to bring it back to right.

BTW: Does it have any RUST on it? If so, run!
X2 Exactly what Skid Row Joe said- in specific, the three points he listed about the car. Name your offer, list your reasons, and leave your number.

side note: SRJoe, you would do well in the Bazaar in Istanbul. They bargain HARDCORE there!!
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  #12  
Old 06-29-2010, 07:38 PM
Craig
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Originally Posted by ah-kay View Post
Why would one fork out $1000+ for the car and spend $5000 to fix it up? Out of pocket is $6K+ plus the intangible time and stress for a 27 years car. It does not make sense, not to me anyway. For $6K+, there is a lot of good cars to be had, nothing to fix up and no stress, no downtime.

It is an experience I can do without.
Just trying to give the OP an idea of what's involved. If it's not your idea of fun, you should just buy a new car.
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  #13  
Old 06-29-2010, 07:49 PM
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I do not want to get into a debate on the merit or otherwise of buying an old car. I have had enough elsewhere. What I am trying to point out is that the math is wrong and you are putting off the OP. I am not the only member who questioned the wisdom or otherwise of the $5K. I think any members with some DIY experience can get the car up to daily driver spec for under $500 if the engine and tranny is in good shape. If you want a custom paint job then it is different story.

Enough said, I am signing off.
__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.
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  #14  
Old 06-29-2010, 07:58 PM
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Conkrot,
First welcome to the forum.

MY experience, about 10 months with my 240D, is that these older cars are a joy to own and drive.

a point to note: Owning one will cost you TIME, or Money. One or another. When issues arise, you can find a trusted mechanic to fix your car. Or, the Time aspect, you can spend time and Learn about your car, chat with forum members, etc. This route is much cheaper and is what brings us together on thos forum!
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  #15  
Old 06-29-2010, 08:05 PM
Craig
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Originally Posted by ah-kay View Post
I do not want to get into a debate on the merit or otherwise of buying an old car. I have had enough elsewhere. What I am trying to point out is that the math is wrong and you are putting off the OP. I am not the only member who questioned the wisdom or otherwise of the $5K. I think any members with some DIY experience can get the car up to daily driver spec for under $500 if the engine and tranny is in good shape. If you want a custom paint job then it is different story.

Enough said, I am signing off.
I agree, you can probably make a car run for $500; however, I doubt we agree on the definition of "daily driver spec." At 275k miles, we are probably talking about a car that's due for a transmission rebuild, timing chain, injectors, radiator, AC compressor, climate control, cruise control, radiator, front suspension, rear suspension, vacuum pump, master cylinder, oil cooler and lines, half-shafts, etc. I have replace all those parts at least once, not to mention replacing the engine once. For $500, you can probably limp along for a few 1000 more miles. If you want to have a reliable car (equivalent to the average 5 year old car), $5000 is a conservative estimate.

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