Ebay Car-Need some advice!

Hi folks,

I am looking really hard to find a suitable mate for Hildegard, my '84 300SD. Not sure if I want a 300TD, 300D, or another SD. All I know is I want sort of a beater; can't spend much money at all.

What do you think this car is worth? Yes, there's rust, but wondering what it's gonna take to fix. I tinker on my car now, but would have to have a pro do this sort of stuff.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2451879603

Any advice would really, really be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Brad123D]

Wolfpack,

This car was north of you...look for cars south of you ! I've welded a bunch of patch panels and my advice is simple...avoid rusty cars like the plague ! Unless the car is rare and collectible, large rust repair projects are a monetary black hole.

It appears that this car did not sell to you or anyone else...be happy!

[engatwork]

There is a fella selling a 300D (either '83 or '84) here local that would make an excellent beater car. A couple of minor surface rust spots but overall the car is in pretty good shape and it drives real good. There was no pressure on the cooling system after is had sat overnight. It will need new glow plugs and a valve adjustment. He is asking $1800 but I suspect he would take $1500. Let me know if you are interested and I will email you the phone #.

[wheelguru]

fix it, that's a good one!! I live in Minnesota, where pretty much everything is going to rust if you drive in the winter. It is not a question of fixing, at least not here. It is just way too expensive. you either live with it and try to slow it down as much as possible, or get a southern car and clean it a lot in the winter.

[diesel don]

I've done both. Bought with rust and without rust. What a pain in the butt with the rust options. However, if you can live with it you can buy decent running cars for $1000 or so.

Is that guy willing to deal following the close of his auction?

Don

Guy (lady actually) wants $1250. Considering I would have to fly up there and drive back, I think I will keep looking around here (Southeast), unless you guys tell me it's a sweet deal!

I would prefer to buy one from a forum member when something comes available. I think I would get the most honest assessment of the car.

Wheelguru--you said "fix it"---did you mean the one in Georgia or the ebay one I intially asked about?

[wheelguru]

I meant don't even mess with trying to fix any rust - way too much work or money. At least that is my point of view. You either live with it or get a car without.

[Rick Miley]

Looking at that Ebay ad, all I could see was "it needs", "it needs", "it needs." Geez, make it $500.

Get the one in GA through engatwork. He has a good eye for these things.

sounds like a consensus (sp?).

Thanks guys.

engagwork--what color is it?

[engatwork]

Not sure if it is metallic dark gray or not. It is a dark gray color though.

If you can find a 300TD (wagon) without rust in as good a condition as the ad says for $1700 I would definitely take a hard look at that one.

The one in GA is worth the asking price of $1800 but he may sell it for $1500. The interior is in very good condition. I look at every 123/126 that comes up in this area and only post the ones that I would consider purchasing myself. I do not say anything about the ones that I consider "junk".

I am just worried it's like a "primer" grey? Please tell me no...

[engatwork]

It is not primer gray. Not sure what shade of gray it is called but it was an original color. It is not silver gray like my 300SD. The nice looking paint job on it is what first made me take a look at the car. It was in the parking lot at a car auction I was at. I walked over to get a closer look (at the interior) and the owner saw me and asked if I was interested in purchasing it. That is when I test drove/checked it out.

[diesel don]

That is a no brainer deal in my opinion. I'd buy it in a minute except I already spend 20 minutes a day rearranging cars in my driveway.

Don

[engatwork]

As close as I can tell this is the exterior color.
car on ebay
but this is NOT the car in this area. SC is at least close enough to come take a look at it if you are interested. The car does need a valve adj and glow plugs in my opinion - a little hard to start and I don't feel it is compression related.

And for digging up that ebay pic to give me a reference! Wish I'd come down this weekend, talked to the owner, think I'll come down this coming weekend if the car is still available.