Best car for $5k or $10k ??

[centroid1]

I'm thinking about getting another MB again after not having one for a couple of years. My last one was a 1982 240D manual 4 sp that I liked very much. It was totaled in an ice storm here in Minnesota.

Now, I'm in the market for something to replace it. I've narrowed down to two types of cars, old and new. For the old, I like the 1985 300CD turbo. I like the way it looks, the reliability, and the simplicity of it. But its a little bit old and I wonder if I should get a newer car that has more interior comfort.

For the newer car, maybe a 2007-2009 E350 or C class or ??? I don't know. I'm looking for recommendation on the newer version. It can go a little above $10k, maybe $12k. I'm looking for RELIABILITY, nicer interiors than 1985, and a classic look, decent MPG (27 range). I live in MN and would consider a 4matic.

If maintaining a newer car is too expensive, then I would go back to the 300CD. If there is a newer version that fits those other criteria, then I'll consider spending more. If I go with the 300CD, then I would buy in CA (less rust) and drive back and rust proof it (or rust prevention).

Thanks for your comments.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by centroid1

I'm thinking about getting another MB again after not having one for a couple of years. My last one was a 1982 240D manual 4 sp that I liked very much. It was totaled in an ice storm here in Minnesota.

Now, I'm in the market for something to replace it. I've narrowed down to two types of cars, old and new. For the old, I like the 1985 300CD turbo. I like the way it looks, the reliability, and the simplicity of it. But its a little bit old and I wonder if I should get a newer car that has more interior comfort.

For the newer car, maybe a 2007-2009 E350 or C class or ??? I don't know. I'm looking for recommendation on the newer version. It can go a little above $10k, maybe $12k. I'm looking for RELIABILITY, nicer interiors than 1985, and a classic look, decent MPG (27 range). I live in MN and would consider a 4matic.

If maintaining a newer car is too expensive, then I would go back to the 300CD. If there is a newer version that fits those other criteria, then I'll consider spending more. If I go with the 300CD, then I would buy in CA (less rust) and drive back and rust proof it (or rust prevention).

Thanks for your comments.

On a shoestring budget of "$5K - $10K," - your best consideration/bet/use of the money would be to *lease a new Asian compact. The money you will save by leasing, will pay for your penchant of hobby MBs.

[tbomachines]

5-10k is a shoestring budget? Jeez the dollar must be worth less than I thought...

[spdrun]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

On a shoestring budget of "$5K - $10K," - your best consideration/bet/use of the money would be to *lease a new Asian compact. The money you will save by leasing, will pay for your penchant of hobby MBs.

Or just spend $3k on a used car and budget for repairs. Unlike a leased car, you're not locked into a lease for a few years and no mileage restrictions. I've been doing this quite successfully since I learned to drive in the 90s

I don't think that I've spent $5k total for buying and fixing the 240D in two years, and I can still likely sell it for what I bought it for, if not more. I've driven it up and down the East Coast, and it's never left me stranded.

[tbomachines]

I can't recommend a w203, but youve got a lot of options I that price range. Important question though: are you capable and/or planning to Do your own repairs?

[suginami]

2000 to 2002 W210 chassis E320 or E430.

[centroid1]

I did a little bit of maintenance when I had the 240D. I'm not sure I have the time to this time.

I see that the 2009 E350 are in the $24k range. So maybe that's not a good example. So what is ?

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by centroid1

I did a little bit of maintenance when I had the 240D. I'm not sure I have the time to this time.

I see that the 2009 E350 are in the $24k range. So maybe that's not a good example. So what is ?

I'm not sure what you're looking for now?

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by centroid1

I did a little bit of maintenance when I had the 240D. I'm not sure I have the time to this time.

I see that the 2009 E350 are in the $24k range. So maybe that's not a good example. So what is ?

Well, the build quality and quality control is unfortunately NOT so great on the e class Mercedes Benzes from model year 2000-2009 compared to earlier and later E class cars for 2009 and up, but 2010 to date are pretty good cars.

If you get one, best to go to a Mercedes Benz dealer and get a Certified Pre Owned one. It costsd more but it will have been cherry picked, well serviced and warranted, all services up to date, so you could buy with confidence. if you do this be sure and ask for the actual work order to see what was done to the car, the Mercedes Benz VMI, (vehicle master inquiry) if you can get one, it shows all dealer history with the car, and helps you avoid one that had problems under warranty.

A CARFAX and/or Autocheck would be mandatory;

Leased units tend to obviously have usually only the basic required services done as the people that lease them aren't fanatic about caring for a car they most likely won't keep at lease's end; and why should they?


A pretty good bet on the LOW end of your budget would be a really nice w124 E class from 1986 to 1995, as these beauties are the very last of the iconic Bruno Sacco styled cars, build to a cost no object standard of build quality control.

Look for a good well kept unit, preferably no more than 3 to 4 owner, with books and records.

For 1993-1995 ones make sure the wiring harness is NOT the biodegradable one, and the AC blows icy cold.

They great cars, I LOVE my Red Plum, my last year of the w124, the top of the line E420 with a lively and peppy V8, it is well balanced, reliable and quite fast. Mine's jazzed up a bit with a Remus exhaust, AMG 17" monoblocks, a Lorinser spoiler, a factory skid plate and a warning triangle. Sadly I may have to sell it in the fall as I have too many cars; but I honestly ought to keep it though, I think. It is such a pleasure to enjoy, maintain and drive.




With good care, they can last almost forever, parts easily available, safe, reliable, and engineered to be mechanic friendly.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by spdrun

I don't think that I've spent $5k total for buying and fixing the 240D in two years, and I can still likely sell it for what I bought it for, if not more.

How did you calculate that $5000? I would figure out what the cost of the car was, parts cost and most importantly, what my time was at book rate. Otherwise, it is like saying "Because my dad owns a refinery and gives me free fuel, we don't calculate fuel cost and my operating cost (although the car gets 3mpg only) goes way down."

[aklim]

Originally Posted by centroid1

I did a little bit of maintenance when I had the 240D. I'm not sure I have the time to this time.

IF you don't have the time, go along with SRJ's idea of leasing some Asian vehicle or something withing reasonable costs. It takes knowledge and tools and time to wrench. It's no shame to say that "I prefer to keep more of my time to do the things that are higher on my priority list and fun things as opposed to wrenching.".

[super SEC]

1998 - 1999 E430 or 1999 E55. Not a whole lot of electronics or gadgetry but enough to make it nice. The 210 E was the safest vehicle on the road according to the NHTSA for the entire production run. They are very reliable, easy to maintain, good mileage, and have enough acceleration to get you out of trouble.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by suginami

2000 to 2002 W210 chassis E320 or E430.

I don't think they'll come close to the mpg he's asking for.

[spdrun]

Originally Posted by aklim

How did you calculate that $5000? I would figure out what the cost of the car was, parts cost and most importantly, what my time was at book rate. Otherwise, it is like saying "Because my dad owns a refinery and gives me free fuel, we don't calculate fuel cost and my operating cost (although the car gets 3mpg only) goes way down."

Chump change. I've spent maybe an hour or two per month on average working on it. Less than most people spend driving their cars back and forth to the dealer.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by aklim

IF you don't have the time, go along with SRJ's idea of leasing some Asian vehicle or something withing reasonable costs. It takes knowledge and tools and time to wrench. It's no shame to say that "I prefer to keep more of my time to do the things that are higher on my priority list and fun things as opposed to wrenching.".

By the time we get enough information to make an educated Rx, the guy will have been prescribed anything from a non-running, $500 '76 240D, to a CPOed, $25K 2011 E350 - and everything in between.

Prescribing the *leasing of an inexpensive, new Asian car - covers ALL the bases. -In these cases.