Trucks vs Mercedes... FIGHT

I just had a "friendly" chat with a friend of mine over which kind of car we were each gonna get. He has already started making payments on a fairly new Dodge Dakota and when I told him about early 80's Mercedes (I did not want to mention which brand or give the address of the forum or our little secret around here may get out) he said things like

"the maintenance costs on that car and the time you'll spend with it in getting repaired are not worth it"
"jarod youre wasting your money"
"I happen to know quite alot on the subject"
"and my truck owns any ten year old benzie your gonna find"
"the uneducated are the ones who would spend their money on a car with 300k+ on it"
AND THE GRAND FINALLY

"lol, fine man, waste your money, just remember this when my words become reality"

I thought I would post this here and get some response on what all of you think about this.

I wonder how well that Dodge Dakota will run with 500,000 miles on the odometer!

Have a great day,

[Ether]

Originally posted by LarryBible
I wonder how well that Dodge Dakota will run with 500,000 miles on the odometer!

Have a great day,

That's an easy one.

It won't.

As a matter of fact it will be rusting away in a scrap heap long, long before it even sniffs 500k.

[JimSmith]

scubahood86,

Well, this debate rages in all circles of society, and like TXBill says, once you get a little more experience applicable to this subject you will appreciate the fact that you might have more black gunk under your fingernails, but in the long run you will have more cash in your pocket and the confidence you can take an old MB Diesel anywhere regardless of miles recorded on the odometer.

Your buddy will need some pretty expensive equipment to attempt to keep his vehicle running for even half of Larry's challenge to hit 500,000 miles. Chances are by the time he finishes his payments he will be making semi annual donations to the local dealership to keep it all working as even trucks are run by computers these days. All this while you buy an occasional wrench, ask a few questions on this forum and get a little greasy while you keep the money he spends on payments and repairs.

As both Larry and TXBill suggest, the argument can last a lifetime, or atleast as long as it might take to drive half a million miles in a couple of vehicles. In the end, the decisions must be made based on what you want to do with your money, how much you like becoming a competent mechanic, and whether or not you appreciate the prospect of keeping an inherently superior example of automotive engineering for a long time. This is not everyone's cup of tea - just look at the number of cars leased for two or three years. Many people make automotive decisions based on considerations that go no further than the car's color, the interior or some other styling feature. Most of the characters you will hear from on this forum will not be the type to pick a car based on any of those features alone. Most of us on the forum are impressed with the mechanical design and execution that is only apparent over time. Take the fact that this forum even exists to be testament to the uniqueness of the qualities of the Mercedes Benz Diesel automobiles. And good luck with your selection! Jim

Thanks, and I think I can use all the help I can get. Most people say they like how Im always willing to learn and Im all for sleeping in the engine till I get what it needs fixed. I could end up being one of those guys everyone will swear Ill die bent over in that engine.

I bought and/or leased new and newer used cars for a long time. I found it quite limiting to realize that if I wanted to spend my $ on something else, like a move or taking a new job or traveling, that I was stuck: there was no way I could sell the vehicle for what I owed. THAT SUCKS! Plus, there's the simple notion of what would happen if your friend would lose his job and be unable to pay for his new truck anymore?
My wife and I decided that we would NEVER want to be in that negative quity position again. True freedom lies in knowing that you can ALWAYS unload your car for whatever you may have left on a loan, or better yet not have any loan at all.

[Michael]

I originally took some heat over my choice to pick up my 300TE about 5 years ago. A nine year old car? For nearly $20k? I must be crazy, stupid, or both.

Well, the same people that gave me crap are all on their second or third replacement car since I picked up my wagon. And they know it, and give me no flack at all.

What is it they say about "He who laughs last..."?

And, Larry, that truck will run just fine at 500k miles, albeit on the third or fourth engine...

'Leaves more MB for us.

[DALE DORIA]

Dodge Dakota with 500,00 miles on it???? It's a soda can by then!

[TCCBass]

Interesting argument. You'd get further discussing this subject with an oak tree than someone of that mindset.

I found the "uneducated" comment amusing. Highly amusing.
I would be VERY interested to compare the level of education achieved by the average Benz diesel driver compared to the level of the average Dodge Dakota driver. One look at the "what do we all do" thread should shed some light on that.

In five years, you'll still have a classic German automobile. He'll have an old truck. What would YOU rather take to the country club?

Have a great day!

I also have one further question and I would honestly like to know this to be sure. If I were to purchase a 20 year old benz how long would it be drivable for and/or what would I have to do to keep it going for a long time other than regular stuff.

[Gilly]

Tell your little friend that Gilly sez "real trucks have air brakes".
Gilly

You are probably right I will eventually tire of the car but I will always keep it as it will be my first (hopefully not last) Mercedes and will always be special to me. As for keeping it for a long time I plan on keeping it running for at least 6 years if all goes well because I dont want to buy another car for about that long.

[Holson Adi]

Unless my 300CD gets smashed I am definitely keeping it for at least four years or for as long as I stay in the USA. I am just planning on restoring it and improving it gradually...

I mean no matter what it is MY first car...I do think that it will be special in that way. I'm happy that I got what I actually wanted as my first car (W123). I like the fact that people were amazed once they rode in the 300CD especially once they know how much it costs.. (I think I paid a lil more than what it's actually worth)
Their opinion when I told them that I wanted to buy it was negative or neutral at best...

On the subject of trucks. I love SUV's...
my favorite SUV is definitely the Mercedes G-Wagen (it's been that since I was young - 280GE) and the second would be Toyota Land Cruiser...
However.. most people do prefer souped up Lincoln Navigators, Ford Explorers, and the Escalade.

[The Warden]

He's buying a brand-new Dakota, eh? I feel sorry for him...

A friend of mine's been researching them (he wants one...well, wanted one as well), and on a forum similar to this for Dakotas, he's been finding amazing problems with QC and such. The biggest and most scary was that more than one truck's been found, fresh off the dealer lot, with loose cab-to-frame bolts

Kinda scary for me as I eventualy want a Ram diesel pickup...

As to a truck vs an M-B, I'm trying for the best of both worlds. I've got an '84 diesel Ford pickup, and as soon as I get my van sold and find a decent-condition M-B at a decent price, I'm hoping to have either a 300D or a 300TD wagon as a commuter.

You find me a g@$$er that goes over 150K miles (and IMHO that's being generous) and runs well without any major maintenance, and I'll be amazed. My 6.9l International-Harvester engine, on the other hand...well, the van's at 130K miles with no problems and the truck's at over 200K miles with no problems other than needing a fuel pump at the moment. Compare that to the two g@$$er cars I owned in the past...I'm happy to stick with a diesel.

Put a 4 cyl diesel in the Dakotas...now that wouldn't be such a bad thing! Someday, hopefully...someday...