Up here in Toronto Canada rust is the major problem when considering any older vehicle. Hell, I've seen vehicles that are under 5 years old with rust! So, I ALWAYS ask a seller if their car has any rust. I ask if there are rust bubbles. I ask again if there is any rust or any rust starting, anywhere". Some people then start to say, "well, there is some rust starting but it's only superficial" or they simply say "no, no rust". That was the case today. I drove all the damn way across the GTA to look at a "rust free" 300SE and sure enough, rust bubbles on three fenders and rust all over the bumper. I didn't even call the guy to say I was there, I drove away and called him from the car to thank him for wasting my time and gas money. He played dumb.
Why?!!!
Why do people waste my time? Do they think that I won't NOTICE the rust? Do they think that I'll have a change of heart once I see their super awesome rusty old car?!!!
Sorry, rant. But I've wasted so much time and gas money to have the same thing happen over and over again it's getting depressing. I'm not even that picky! I'll take a nice W124 or a nice W126, don't care! I want a six cylinder benz from the "golden era". Ultimately, my favourite favourite is the 300TE but up here, they mostly come in "rustMatic". Top pick for colour combo is palomino interior black exterior. But, I'll take most anything as long as it's in great shape!!! The only cosmetic deal breaker for me is the blue interiors. Just not a fan.

What does a guy have to do to get a nice benz?!!!
Oh! And I search "allofcraigs" pretty well every day for examples in the states. I've spoken on the phone with sellers and emailed back and forth and most sellers don't have the stomach to deal with a foreigner
I'de gladly go on a road trip for a nice old benz. The car doesn't have to be perfect, in fact, I can't afford perfect .. but it has to be rust free!


edit: I do love my 190e but it's kinda rough. There is no rust! It's a California car, but the paint is all baked off the roof and tops of the driver side doors. A proper repaint is more costly than simply buying a car with good paint on it!
It was rough when I bought it but back then I was buying my first car and I didn't want to buy a nice example for fear of wrecking it (this was my "learn to wrench" car). Now that I've learned some things about these old M103 powered cars I feel more confident that I can maintain a nice one. And I'de like a bigger car.

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1992 190e 2.6