First Cars

[H-townbenzoboy]

Take the poll too while you're at it. This is my first car. So far, it has the little problems you'd expect on a 22 year old car. I know some people who have for their first cars little Dodge Neons, Chevy Cavaliers, New and old VW Beetles, even in some cases, giant Buick Roadmasters, Mercury Grand Marquises or Lexuses!!! I guess those are the plurals for the Mercury and the Lexus... Well, not many can say, that my first car is or was a Benz, in my case, a S-class for that matter, I was almost able to say once, "I'm 16 and have a black on black 87 300SDL" (It's a long story). I know there are some here who are on their first cars, and are one of the elite Mercedes-Benz diesel drivers. So if anyone here has or had a diesel powered Mercedes-Benz for their first car, take the poll, and post about afterwards. I'm sure that there are plenty "including me" that want to hear about it.
-Joe

[DslBnz]

My first car was an '85 300D. I loved that car to death. Anthracite over palomino MB tex.

Moved up from that car to an S-Class Mercedes '84 300SD... I was practically drooling for that car, even though it was nothing special in looks(as far as body rot). I am, and forever will be, an old S-Class nut.

[The Warden]

When you say "first", do you mean as a primary driver, or as the first car you've ever owned?

The first car I ever owned was a '74 VW Bug that I drove for 2 whole months before it blew a piston. My 300D is Vehicle #6 for me (4th diesel), and is my daily driver (i.e. my 300D is my "first" vehicle and my truck is my "second" vehicle, even though I've had the truck longer)...

[H-townbenzoboy]

When I said first, I mean't "first" in the sense of primary driver.
-Joe

[sublettm]

My first car was an '88 Toyota, but I learned how to drive on my father's '82 300D. Nice easy car to learn how to drive in. To top it all off, it is a stick, so I learned how to drive a stick all in one lesson. That is the easiest stick shift car I have ever driven. I clearly remember the first time I drove it. I was a nervous wreck, sitting in a parking lot and I must have stalled it a hudred times because I was so afraid to give it gas for fear of running into something. The funny part about it is the fact that in that car you don't even have to hit the gas pedal, just ease out on the clutch and she will start to go. Clutch is smooth as silk and effortless.

Mike

[JimSmith]

I took the liberty to interpret the question so I could answer "yes" as my first car was a clapped out 1966 Fiat 124 Sport Spyder, which was a gift from my father. The first car I bought was a 1975 240D. So I figured I would interpret the question to be about the first car I bought. Jim

[lietuviai]

My primary car right now is my '85 300D turbo, while my first car was a '74 Mazda RX-4. It was a real screamer. That car would break the tires loose through the first three gears. I never really registered the car while I owned it. My true first car that I had registered in my name was a '72 Courier pick up. It was a good truck and I put a lot of miles on it.

[87MBTD]

My Dad bought my 87 300D when I was 15. I was always fascinated by diesels and managed to convince him that they were the best cars on earth. I was always looking for W123's especially coupes! I never would have dreamed that I would find a W124 in such great condition. It had been on the dealers lot for 6 hours when we just happed across it. It was a one owner vehicle and only had 78,000 miles on it in 1996. 8 years later we have doubled the mileage. Of all the cars that my family has, that 87 is, and will always be my favorite vehicle. I finally managed to buy it from my Dad three years ago and I can't ever see myself without this great car. It is the only car that I have ever driven where I can extend my left foot out all the way and still be in comfortable reach of the steering wheel. There is no greater pleasure on this earth than flying across the Wyoming tundra at 120 mph and feel nothing but the suspension working underneath you, hearing nothing but the hum of the engine in front of you, and still getting 27 m.p.g.! After 18 years the car is squeak and rattle free. Truly automotive perfection!

My first car was a 1976 Saab 99 EMS, awesome road rally car!!! My 300D that is now gone was car number 8 or 9. I miss her!

[Hatterasguy]

My first car is my current vehical a 1993 Toyota Camry. I have driven it for alittle over a year, put about 9k on it. If all goes according to plan, soon to be replaced by a W126 in a couple months.

[TX76513]

Oh yes I could just imagine my dad asking me what I wanted for my first car - " Dad, I would like a diesel Mercedes"
Well son you will be getting a 1969 Jeep Commando with a Buick V-6 engine - it will give you just as much trouble as a diesel benz!

[TomJ]

1969 Triumph 500 Daytona (it wasn't till my second broken leg years later that I broke down and bought FOUR wheels - 1970 AMC Ambassador station wagon - could drive with cast on).

[///alpinepower]

First car was a 1983 300D Turbo. Never broke down, never failed to start, never any niggles except an A/C recharge. I would let my friends do burnouts and donuts with it. My dad never understood why it went through tires, fuel and tierods so quickly. Really beat the crap out of it downshifting and redlining (no red line indicated, though...).

Father still drives his 1987 300TDT. It's on engine #2. The 300D Turbo is still in the driveway in perfect running condition, but the paint is a little scratched. I always loved the cars because they'd cruise from DC to Boston or DC to Pawleys Island WITHOUT NEEDING TO STOP FOR FUEL!

I have an M3 now, and the great thing is I treat it the same way! Every time I drive the thing, I redline the engine and rip up the tires. BMW and Mercedes engines/transmissions are really tough. I may ask to keep the 300D since they want to toss it soon. The only thing I really hated about it was the interior noise on the highway. Just loud as hell inside.

[sohj]

Originally posted by JimSmith
I took the liberty to interpret the question so I could answer "yes" as my first car was a clapped out 1966 Fiat 124 Sport Spyder, which was a gift from my father. The first car I bought was a 1975 240D. So I figured I would interpret the question to be about the first car I bought. Jim

Wasn't that the first year they made it?

I had a 1968 Fiat Spyder. Spent two days out of thirty driving and 28 days fixing, or waiting for parts.

[Russo 85300tD]

I decided that a Mercedes Benz diesel was the car I wanted back in 1971. A friend had a 1960 190D, nicknamed "The Sewing Machine" It had a 6 volt electrical system 3 on the tree, a barber pole speedometer and a bad starter. We drove it everyday one summer between Richmond VA and Culpeper Va. It wouldn't pass anything on the highway except a gas station. We usually parked on an incline so it would be easy to start when the starter gave trouble. I remember one time it was in reverse instead of 1st gear when we bump started it. The "sewing machine" started blowing smoke out of the air clearner and ran real rough. We decided it must have started running backwards. It was a nice old car and I was hooked. Finally bought my first 300D in 1989 and drove it until the blow by was so bad that that my mechanic said if I ever had a flat tire I could hook a hose to the valve cover and reinflate the tire. My current 83 300D just turned 21 and runs like a top