I had a Ford festiva. I bought it a year and a half ago for $1100. It had 50,000 miles and A/C. It was stolen on March 7th.

On Easter Sunday (April 7) I wrote a check for $2300 for my '89 TE. 161,000 Miles. Scratched, cracked Polar White, Great Tex Blau interior. Everything works except the Door switches.

On April 9 at 9:15 PM, I finished a phone call with my bank to make sure the check would clear.

Exactly 3 Hours later I got a call from the Vallejo Police Department. They found my car. I went and got it. It was run a little low on oil, but otherwise it was just like i left it. It now has 80,000 miles (it probably had 79,000 when it disappeared). Just to refresh, a Festiva is a Mazda made by Kia, sold by Ford.

Which do I keep. I've owned 2 Festivas and now 3 Benzes.

The Festiva has half the miles and gets 40 MPG on regular day in and day out. It is very reliable. It is also a Festiva.

My benz got 24 MPG on Premium for it's (babied) 1st tank. (IS this typical?) It needs paint and the mechanics promise to be a learning adventure. It is also a Benz.

Fire away

Zack

Gas mileage is about right. Strongly consider the safety aspect.

Zack, keep both ... so you have a backup next time one of your cars is stolen!

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Fred Hoelzle

If you like using your tools, MB, else Festiva.

But, since you're in the Bay area, take out a big loan on your wildly appreciated house and buy a BMW 330ci convertible and have some real fun in your life.

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Prost!

As the world's only Festiva / Mercedes aficionado you should probably keep both.

When I do only inner city driving, milage drops to mid teens. Hwy only is about 25 mpg.

BUT, I can fold the rears seat backs down and have 6' cargo length and removing the rear seat cushions gets another 6". If my math is correct: 31" H x 41" W x 78" L equals about 57 cu ft and you have a roof rack to carry all that weird shaped stuff.

Two completely different creatures. Keep them both.

Bob

Keep the car with character of course. MB.

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Green 1985 380 SE

MB'S SUCK!!! Keep the Festiva!!! Notice the # of MB's on my sig....... LOL !!

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**A few Hondas etc... etc... Not Worth Mentioning**
83 Euro W126 380 sel Money Pit (Sold)
91 W124 300e 2.6. (Sold) 3.0 Motor is Much better!!
93 BMW E34 Touring Wagon (Sold) Sweet Car!!
91 300e (Just 200k with Ease.)Best car ever ???(Sold)
90 420sel (Black with Tan Interior) Best car ever!!!!!!!

Gas mileage of your TE seems high - was that highway? You should only be getting high teens around town. Personally, I would keep 'em both.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Give me a Ford over my MBs anyday. Anyday.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Let's say you are sailing down the Interstate during the afternoon commute hours and you make a panic stop behind a Freightliner semi but the Ford Expedition behind you doesn't. Which car would you rather be inside?

Gas mileage isn't everything.

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Roger E.