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  #1  
Old 02-07-2002, 12:26 AM
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As Capt Kirk stated in an earlier post, the123 is a cult car by anyone'sdefinition. Just look at the enthusiasm in this forum. Valuable Collectable - not likely! Hold its value - yes, definitely!
I subscribe to a British magazine that rated stuff like 123's (both gas & diesel) along with oddball stuff like Citroen 2CV's, as potentially collectable, in the same vein as Alfa Romeos and Rovers were a few years back.
Honest! I read it somewhere. It Must Be True...

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  #2  
Old 02-07-2002, 12:57 AM
Holson Adi's Avatar
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I guess it kinda depends where...
back in Jakarta, a W123 280E w/ a 5-speed is not rare at all...
even a W124 300E Sportline w/ a 5-speed is so common...
in fact... 280E (123)'s with Auto trans is considered the rare ones... (I saw one priced like a W124 300E)
they actually put a badge (where the Turbodiesel would be) that says Automatic.. and yes it's factory.
but... the 123 is very famous among car nuts.. even if they hate Mercedes-Benz... - They call it 'Tiger'... I don't know why.

oh... the 280GE! Yes the mighty G-Wagen...
those cars run around the streets as if they were VW beetles... not taken care of, rusted away... and they cost almost nothing!

for some reason.. there are not that many W126's... in fact.. I usually see only one in a year... kinda weird.. but there's a lot of 140's.
but, if I were to guess..
I'd say...

500E
190E 2.3-16/2.5-16
W116 6.9
W108(?) 6.3

but I do feel that the 123 might find a place somewhere...
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  #3  
Old 02-07-2002, 01:06 AM
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I couldn't help but notice that my 280SE was on the list
Seeing how its going to be worth alot of money in 20-30 years, I have an idea....(hehehe)..You can start sending me regular payments for the next 20-30 years, ( say $1200/year ) and in thirty years you can have the car.

just kidding of course... I think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and the market determines the price.
I'll see what the market can bear in a few months, as I am seriously considering parting with my 280. But, I may have to wait for that "appreciation in value" to arrive, as I just put more money into the trans. than I paid for my first car. ...and it needs fresh paint too *sigh* and, as we all know, those things (functionality&appearance/integrity) determine the value of a car the most. ( well, ok, "looks" too..they got my butt into the 280 in the first place!) :p
-Larry
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  #4  
Old 02-07-2002, 01:07 AM
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I have heard of the W123 called a "Mercy Tiger" in Indonesia.
"Mercy" being short for Mercedes, I can understand - but "Tiger"...
My two GTO's that I used to own back in the seventies - THEY were "Tigers".
Sunbeam Tiger...(drool...) now there isa Tiger.
But a 123???? I just cant imagine my stolid old tank being called a Tiger.
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  #5  
Old 02-07-2002, 11:52 AM
Randall Kress
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Holson, I hope your post was written tounge-in-cheek, and about the 123 being called "tiger...." I've also heard them being referred to as "cat's eye" for how the lights look at night when they are all on (with the amber fogs) but I really have no clue. On the collectability thing, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay. If you have a guy 30 years from now who wants an 85 300D for his father had one, well, there you have it, someone want's your car. About sedans not being collectable, take a look at some old Deusenbergs and Packards.... Anything is possible, for it is the market that will make it up. Another variable not discussed is what will these cars be like to live with when they are old. Will the computers hold up? Will the chips manage correctly? Will parts be around (with Mercedes, this isn't an issue.) Another factor in the market is ease of ownership... A lot of old cars are popular for their ease of care/parts avail... Think about it.
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  #6  
Old 02-07-2002, 01:44 PM
Jim B+
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Mercedes and Packards...

I've owned and enjoyed old Packards for about 20 years, and Mercedes and Packard have a lot in common. One thing is I know a lot of people who first picked up an old Packard as a "beater" back in the '50s, found out that if you took care of them they never wore out (so they held on to them), and now they have collectible cars of great interest and in some cases, decent cash value.

The '80s Mercedes' now being bought up for their value as durable daily drivers could follow the same path. These two makes of cars are durable, reliable, comfortable, generally attractive, and overbuilt, and people love them for these qualities. Because they contain no "electronics," I think even '80s diesel sedans will last and last, and may be the last autos to be built which can be used and kept up into an open-ended future.
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  #7  
Old 02-07-2002, 09:07 PM
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One bit of evidence I shall add as proof that Mercedes are potentially collectible is browsing eBay for cars. We all know that there are Mercedes of all ages for sale. Take a look at Toyota, Nissan/Datsun, Honda, Hyundai, Yugo, etc., and you will notice that most of these cars for sale range from 1989 to present models.

What happened to pre-1989 cars? It seems like the design philosopy of these cars is same the as kitchen appliances: inexpensive, trouble-free, and disposible. When they break down, you throw them away. They are too expensive to fix, and besides, the interiors are falling apart. Collectors will shy away from these car with this design philosopy. The pre-1989 cars did not survive to become collectible since they didn't have a chance for a long life anyway.
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  #8  
Old 02-07-2002, 09:38 PM
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I remember 1972, when I first got my drivers licence. The 55 6 7 Chev's were still plentiful, as millions were made. Everyone liked them, but no one thought that they would become the sought after collectibles that they eventually became (even the sedans & wagons, and I had a 2 dr. 1955 sedan delivery wagon that I paid $300 for; wish I kept it...) So much for the postulation re: limited production as a prerequisite for collectability.
I believe that the 123's will be very sought after in 10 years. The preceding Packard example being the probable scenario that will affect the 123's, even the sedans. The 123 body style really lends itself to a sedan styling, and especially since they aren't & will never be considered "hotrods" a sedan or a wagon (particularily a wagon) will be cool. A coupe is nice, though, but will be overshadowed by the SL's.
I think the 123 sedan looks great. It has the same classy panache as a Bentley or something.
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  #9  
Old 02-07-2002, 10:09 PM
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Randall, are you referring to the G-Wagens?

Actually I'm pretty serious...the 280GE's are quite common and a lot of them are not well cared for. But, I've seen some 280GE's modeled as a G 500... quite an attempt really..but it is pretty hard to hide its vintage....especially its utilitarian interior.

There are nice G-Wagens though.. especially those with Brabus parts on 'em. (Mostly 300GE's)

BTW....
I've also heard some people refer to the W124 as "bulldog"....
don't ask me why..

A lot of people do not like these old Mercedes and do not consider them classics... when I show people how nice the W123/124/126 and the 500E are.. they'd be like.. "UGLY"...

But, when I show them old Mustangs, GTOs, and 'Vettes they like 'em... well I like them too.. but in a different way.
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  #10  
Old 02-07-2002, 10:18 PM
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Hey Greg,I've often looked at my 300D and thought it looks like a 4/5 scale Rolls ,only engineered better. I bought my MB because it won't depreciate any quicker than it will wear out.As far as collectibles go you should buy what you like and if they appreciate,great if not you had fun doing it.
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  #11  
Old 02-07-2002, 10:59 PM
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When ever I'm out working on my 300D and I pause to admire it I always think it looks like an Old Mercedes. It seems to follow the lines of the 108/109 bodies (the non existant sloping of the hood, trunk) as a sort of natural progression instead of a big change. I know though that the mechanical changes like the trailing arm rear suspension as leaps and bounds over the older ones.


I also think that is why it is more endearing to those that own them and drive them. It really does look like a proper old Mercedes but with many modern features.

Some times when I encounter a new Mercedes the driver seems to be a little more respectful of my car since they understand the lineage. (or since I have a Diesel they don't like the exhaust characteristics, but I like to think positively). But most of the time the other driver zooms past me wondering why my Mercedes looks so different from theirs (happens a lot around Park Place Mercedes, damn snobs)
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  #12  
Old 02-08-2002, 09:41 AM
Randall Kress
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Ducati, interesting you give that 55 6 7 Chevy example... Those became popular classics for few good ones (okay, numbers correct) still exist for so many people had them and used them for a myriad of things. That is the "classic" example of the opposite of what should happen...
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  #13  
Old 02-08-2002, 02:43 PM
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Randall, there is a difference, I agree. Those old Chevvies were populist cars that everyone either owned, or someone close to them owned. They figured large in everyone's life during the Good Old Days. Not so with the 123. The 123 is a "Cult Car" with a following of enthusiasts; eccentric oddballs (not my term, but I will not be offended, as I know it is a common perception) like us, for example. Look at the afficionados of oh say, Nash Ramblers - is there a simmilarity? We love our reliable old 617's; the Rambler Guys love their old L-Head six, as an icon of simplicity and reliability.
People collect old Ramblers & pay big money for the real nice ones. Our 123's are comparable to the Rambler Following.
Im sure there are other cars that have cult followings that although not as widely populist as the 5-6-7 Chev, or sixties muscle cars, or even Alfa Romeo "Alfisti", still will ensure appreciated value, continued parts availability, and ongoing interest in owning, maintaining, restoring, and trading in them.
Ergo, this Forum...
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  #14  
Old 02-08-2002, 02:44 PM
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...and, perhaps sadly, increased prices.
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  #15  
Old 02-08-2002, 02:59 PM
BlackE55
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Right on Ducati:

I think the ability of a car to become a collector's item depends on whether or not there is a viable base of collectors/owners/enthusiasts to promote the car: take it to car shows, get it press, thus in order to create a market FOR that car and get it out in the public arena of car enthusiasts and collectors.

Also, the car needs a viable and recognized club or association, companies that supply parts and like Ducati wrote, "ensure appreciated value, continued parts availability, and ongoing interest in owning, maintaining, restoring, and trading in them. "

Rarity does not always figure into this equation, but it sure can help!

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