Broke an engine last weekend. - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#46 11-07-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boblo_home

A 28 years old car is a 28 years car old not matter how you cut it.

If I was on the road all the time then I would like a more compfy car with modern days safety feature like air bags and amenities, aka cup holders. 300D is a compfy car at the time but things have changed. I would also fly and rent a car if I had to cover so much distance in such a short. time. Pleasure trip then it is fair enough to drive. But for work trip, it is hardly worth the time, effort, risks, fuel and hotel costs - except truckers.

However, if the OP has the justifications and the resources to do it then good luck.

I could fly if I wanted to, it would actually be cheaper; but I'm completely burnt out on commercial air travel, I flew over 100k miles per year for many years. I have changed my schedule so I don't have to fly anymore, now I can enjoy the trip. I could also buy a new car if I wanted one; but I probably wouldn't drive if I was forced to drive a new car.

hockeyboysomers · #47 11-07-2010, 01:11 PM

My vote would be for a new car. I envision many more potential car problems. Even with a rebuilt engine it is an old car. For $8000.00 you could put a large downpayment on something that has a warrentee, roadside assistance, and if you are traveling for work, you could write off most of the expense of the monthly payment on your income taxes. I love my 1983 Mercedes 240D, It is very reliable and can go any where. However I wouldn't want to have to count on a quater century old car to haul me cross country on a regular basis.

#48 11-07-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyboysomers

My vote would be for a new car. I envision many more potential car problems. Even with a rebuilt engine it is an old car. For $8000.00 you could put a large downpayment on something that has a warrentee, roadside assistance, and if you are traveling for work, you could write off most of the expense of the monthly payment on your income taxes. I love my 1983 Mercedes 240D, It is very reliable and can go any where. However I wouldn't want to have to count on a quater century old car to haul me cross country on a regular basis.

Then you should definitely buy a new car.

kerry · #49 11-07-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyboysomers

I wouldn't want to have to count on a quater century old car to haul me cross country on a regular basis.

For some reason, my car can't tell whether it's driving across country or across town so it behaves the same in both circumstances. I count on this ignorance and drive it anywhere.

Skid Row Joe · #50 11-07-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

For some reason, my car can't tell whether it's driving across country or across town so it behaves the same in both circumstances. I count on this ignorance and drive it anywhere.

Perhaps driving it coast to coast twice a month would expose how smart the car really is.

Stretch · #51 11-07-2010, 02:46 PM

Sorry to hear about your troubles Craig - I hope you get your car fixed soon and that with a new engine it brings many more smiles and miles.

It is heartening to hear about people who use old cars and shun new junk - go for it.

Skid Row Joe · #52 11-07-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boblo_home

A 28 years old car is a 28 years car old not matter how you cut it.

If I was on the road all the time then I would like a more compfy car with modern days safety feature like air bags and amenities, aka cup holders. 300D is a compfy car at the time but things have changed. I would also fly and rent a car if I had to cover so much distance in such a short. time. Pleasure trip then it is fair enough to drive. But for work trip, it is hardly worth the time, effort, risks, fuel and hotel costs - except truckers.

However, if the OP has the justifications and the resources to do it then good luck.

I've found most everything can be justified in a traveller's mind with the exception of time. Time is the most precious commodity a business person has, because it is finite - and always ticking.

Many (most) of the colleagues in my particular business endeavor are married, and their wife earns a living staying home. Many spouses at home earn a substantial living. The majority of indys would never be on-the-road, without that 'earning' spouse at home.

Some of them would rather be away from their families, so that becomes a determinant factor as to why they do somewhat financially unproductive work on-the-road. For many of them, being on-the-road is a way to escape family time and justify something that evolves into a poorly paying 'hobby' in some cases.

Nothing wrong with a hobby, but it doesn't pay for a family to survive without that second spouse's income.

#53 11-07-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

For some reason, my car can't tell whether it's driving across country or across town so it behaves the same in both circumstances. I count on this ignorance and drive it anywhere.

Makes me glad mine doesn't have a built in GPS.

#54 11-07-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

Sorry to hear about your troubles Craig - I hope you get your car fixed soon and that with a new engine it brings many more smiles and miles.

It is heartening to hear about people who use old cars and shun new junk - go for it.

Thanks, it's not a big problem; just an excuse to buy some new parts, and maybe take a train ride.

cirrusman · #55 11-07-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph_Conrad

Forget ebay. And, even though you know your car better than any other, have you considered getting a car from this place, http://www.mercedesmotoring.com/cars-for-sale/ ?

I love the cars they sell. They're beautiful. They also use Ebay to sell many of them.

@Craig, I understand, I like my car too and I wouldn't replace it unless it was totaled. These old pieces of metal have their way to get into a guys heart

panZZer · #56 11-07-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybob

I can't imagine why anyone would! I'm just trying to keep it real, the kid started his thread asking for advice, and different people gave him different advice. I would say that everyone can learn from Craig's recent experience that despite what otherwise appears a solid car with regular scheduled maintenance and regular professional service catastrophic ***** can happen anywhere and any time, and there should always be some Plan B contingency forethought devoted to that.

I doubt that the kid can muster the financial wherewithal upon which Craig strategically depends, so as a result and with that in mind his preparations and planning will need to be different.

Like having a 40k motor sitting as a spare

-and acouple with 200ish