Reply #73: How about a Mercdes?

[parkia00]

A good cheap alternative is to buy a 1983-1985 Mercedes Benz 300D Turdodiesel. They only cost a few thousand and those things are built like a tank! The engine with proper maintainence can easily last 300k. They get good milage too. I drove down from San Francisco to Santa Barbare with one tank of diesel using Highway 101. Comes is Coupe, Sedan or Estate. Spare parts are easily found. Many are still on the roads and all over Europe. Parts are still being made by OEM manufacturers.

They are simplier oldr cars with less electronics and gizmoes. No ABS or airbag however. They drive great and there is really nothing quite like the feel of driving a "true" Mercedes at highway sppeds. Nothing feels like it. I can only describe it as confident. Sorry I just don't like the newer Mercedes. They feel too plasticky like any other econo car. And don't you just love the solid sound the door makes when closing? Acceleration is not the greatest but once you have built the speed up, travelling at 70-80 mph is no problem.

I had an 85, the last year made and absolutely loved the car. No problem, no rust and engine was so smooth (for a diesel). Had to sell it when I moved though. Really was a loss. Seriously thinking of purchasing another and have it completely restored.