She's coming home again...

[blackmercedes]

For those that keep up on the continuing sage of my family and our various autos, here's the latest:

No major changes! The C230 is a keeper, and Helen is still in love with her Subie. However, our 1988 Mazda 626 is on it's last legs. Looks like the tranny is on the way out.

Why do we need three cars? Well, our shopping malls are havens for car vandals. It's almost a certainty that a visiting West Edmonton Mall will result in some damage to your car. Neither the C230 nor the Outback have so much as a single door ding. So, the Mazda is the "Mall Car."

I have been scoping 2000-01 Protege's as a replacement. They are a decent car, and a cheap used buy. Good value. Can get a 2000 with AC and slush box for $7K or so, taxes in.

BUT! My father has replaced his now-dead C230 with a new Subaru Outback Ltd. Picking it up tomorrow. His 190E 2.6 is suddenly for sale. He's tired of the insurance bills and upkeep on a fleet.

So, I bought it! Again! This is the THIRD time I've owned this car, in case you're foolish enough to be counting.

The 'ol gal comes home once again. Glad to keep 'er in the family.

[blackmercedes]

Original automatic, no less. The Mazda dealer is always surprised too. I did the "Mercedes regiment applied to other car" type of maintenance and servicing of the Mazda, including trans services every 40K or so. (abour 25K-miles)

I also used MB coolant in it and got 12 years out of the original plastic rad. I think the dealer mechanics started using the MB coolant in their own cars some years back thanks to me.

As to the 190E, Dad wanted the same price I sold it to him for last year! He throws 25K on 'er and wants the same price? We'll have to arm wrestle...

[suginami]

That's amazing! Owning the same car three different times.

You need to update your signature by moving the 190E 2.6 from the "SOLD" section and into your current fleet of vehicles.

How many miles are on the car?

I was also impressed that your father bought the Subaru Outback Limited. What a fantastic car. I think you know how much I admire Subaru engineering.

[Kuan]

It's like christmas fruitcake... it keeps coming back to you. Only this is a good thing!

[blackmercedes]

Originally posted by Kuan
It's like christmas fruitcake... it keeps coming back to you. Only this is a good thing!

LOL! I happen to really like Christmas fruitcake. However, my mom's receipe is quite different, and everyone gobbles it up after they try it.

Siggy updated. Now to get rid of the Mazda.

[suginami]

Actually John, you could truthfully keep the 190E 2.6 in both parts of your signature, since you've both sold it and owned it.

Am I reading the mileage correctly? 353k?

Is that miles or kilometeres?

What has the car's maintenance and repair history been like?

[blackmercedes]

353K-km's or about 220K-miles. (the 250K badge is on the grille...)

The car has been in our family since 102K when I bought it as the second owner.

The engine has never been opened and is tight and strong. The autobox seems to be doing fine as well. The rear shocks are on their way out, but being original, I think we got our money's worth from them.

We had to replace an axle assembly, got a rebuilt unit for $400 installed.

The rad is original (touching wood). The thermostat housing exploded when the thermostat broke in the closed position. One of the electric fans has been replaced.

The power antenna is constantly a problem.

The front ABS sensors are working, but intermittantly go out. I might just clip the wires as the sensor costs are too high for the 'ol gal.

The heater blows hot, the AC blows cold, and stuff like seat heaters still work.

It's been through many steering dampers.

The headlamp washers are not working properly.

The body is excellent, with many people going wide-eyed when they learn it's age.