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#1
02-09-2007, 07:07 AM
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Car purchase advice needed
OK, I KNOW this si a Mercedes forum, but...
My son, the musician finnaly got a (parttime) teaching job, so now he needs a better car. He's been driving a hand-me-dowm '96 geo Metro. He says his budget is $11,000. Remember, he is a Tuba player and need to trandsport his horn, and often a passenger. He drives in downtown Philly and NYC to various gigs. His list pasic parameters: 30+ mpg reliable < 30,000 miles model year 2003 or newer Sedan vs. Hatch back--either body style has some advantages and other liabilities, so thats a wash. OK, what would you fine members of the mercedesshop Open Discussion suggest? Thanks for any help. ( Anxious to see how this thread gets hi-jacked....)
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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags 
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#3
02-09-2007, 01:43 PM
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I want through a series a questions on cars.msn.com, entered the informationon for the kind of car your son is looking for and they came up with:
2004 Ford Focus Wagon Blue Book Value: $10,050 - $11,100 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2004 Kia Rio Cinco Blue Book Value: $8700 - $8975 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Blue Book Value: $10,950 - $14,100 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2004 Pontiac Vibe Blue Book Value: $11,550 - $13,100 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2004 Saturn L300 Wagon Blue Book Value: $12,350 - $14,750 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2004 Suzuki Aerio SX Blue Book Value: $10,200 - $10,550 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2004 Toyota Matrix Blue Book Value: $12,700 - $14,500 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2005 Chevrolet Aveo Blue Book Value: $8400 - $10,400 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2005 Ford Focus Wagon Blue Book Value: $11,350 - $11,900 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2005 Kia Rio Cinco Blue Book Value: $9825 - $10,100 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2005 Suzuki Aerio SX Blue Book Value: $11,550 - $11,850 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings 2006 Chevrolet Aveo Blue Book Value: $10,100 - $12,250 Pricing & Specs Search used car listings
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Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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#5
02-09-2007, 01:52 PM
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The questions only allow you to choose a car that's "nearly new".
I guess 2004 is the cut-off and a 2004 Golf is still above his budget.
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Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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#6
02-09-2007, 02:01 PM
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A nice Mercedes Diesel wagon, refurbished (sp).
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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL
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#10
02-09-2007, 06:19 PM
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Thanks for all the replies.
He isn't me--he is musically talented; I am mechanically talented. The two may not be mutually exclusive, but he also has no garage, and no tools to maintain a Mercedes. If he were handy, and had a place to do normal maintenance, I'd recommend the 300TD. But he needs a car that is a turn-key. I'll send him the list. Thanks again
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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags
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#12
02-09-2007, 08:49 PM
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I've had a 1990 and a 1993 Chrysler mini van. I put over 200k on both and aside from the expected transmission troubles, which they claim to have fixed now, they both gave excellent service. My family and I took them all over the States a number of times. They are good for kids because you can take out the middle seat, I guess the newer ones fold down, and they can play/sleep in the middle area. The 3.3 Mitsubishi engine is the best I have ever seen. In all those miles I NEVER touched the engine. A couple of water pumps and some belt tensioner, but never any repairs to the engine.
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#13
02-09-2007, 08:55 PM
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Quote:
She paid $10K incl TTL. That big-assed MOFO will hold a raft of tubas, and the horse they rode in on. B
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#15
02-09-2007, 09:36 PM
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Perhaps a used Subaru Outback wagon would be worth a look. They are quite reliable, get decent mileage and aren't a bad choice for ordinary driving, and the AWD feature is handy in rotten weather and light snow.
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 1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ... 1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold) 2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp 1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k 2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive  (sold)
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