tbennett017

Okay, I am not talking about buying a 911, as I want to keep my 964.... but I need some sanity about a different type of classic car.

Rationalization (the lies I am telling myself): My son is getting huge. He's 5'6" already at 12 years old. He doesn't fit in the 964 all that easily in the back. I need to drive him around a lot (adolescent taxi, with lots of in-town short trips...) and he will eventually want to drive a family car (coming soon to a nightmare near you). My 964 daily driver is beginning to feel a bit cramped and threatened with this scenario. I need a taxicab.

I tried to get Steve W of Rennsport to talk me out of this.. and he was no help at all. He thinks its a good idea.

It has 186K, 300D with some Biodiesel bits thrown in. (Not that I care that much) Its immaculate, but the owner wants $7900... though I think its worth more like $6K...

It's going to be slow, but its so beautifully made....

Big enough, built like a brick privvy, and slow enough that my son will stay out of trouble (except for the big-assed back seat)

Opinions?

Bearclaw

Ahhh, 300D - The Ultimate Tank, and I say that affectionately. Has a cult following all its own. This thing, properly maintained, will outlive your grandkids. I drive 25,000 miles a year and drive Volvos for longevity; if I drove 100K/yr., I'd probably have one of these. It may not be your son's first choice when he turns 16, but he will be happy initially just to have wheels.
If he even does get in an accident (I should say, "when"), he will win, hands down. I put my kids in "Vovos" despite their initial lack of enthusiasm for the brand, but they grew to love 'em, and they bent more sheet metal than I can describe here. They always come through without a scratch. Having that peace of mind of a safe vehicle is invaluable.

If it's nice and has been taken care of, buy it. You really can't go wrong.
I'm asthmatic and I instinctively hate all diesels (even/especially the new eco-friendly bs ones), but if you're gonna have one, this is the one.

newsboy

I don't think that you could get a much better car for the price. When my daughter got her license, I got her a Volvo 240, it was like a tank, but she loved it.The diesel and good mileage are an extra value.

Erik@GBox

If you can get into it for $6,000 then I would say go for it.

mojo747

It has a cool factor. I paid a little too much for my daughters 1991 525i but it was an immaculate one owner. How hard is one that nice going to be to find cheaper? What else can you by that is that cool for that amount of money?

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Thankfully, he's not as dumb as he appears to be,........

Nine11

Is that a classic 6 series beside it?

mada1

That's what all the cab drivers in Budapest drove. Unbreakable.

jneteler

My first car was a '64 190D with starship miles on it...

My father felt that 2 tons and 40hp were just about right for a new 16 year old driver.

It never let me down but I cannot say the reverse was true.

JNeteler

Dan J.

Tom,

Nice color too. Dude, you might as well just sign up for the ASE classes and open a German car shop. You sure are building an eclectic collection. Nice.

Dan.

Dan J.

Just looked at the picture more closely...what about that 6 series sitting next to it? Drew might prefer it...
Dan.

ilko

There is someone in my neighborhood who has that car and I drool every time I see it. What an awesome machine. Sorry, can't help you...

Sultan

my dad had a 79 240D kept for like 15 years, I drove it at 16 when I got my license back in the day. The thing was a beast, could drive through a brick wall and come out pristine!! LOL As for speedfactor, yes your son will get punked off all the time as I did, definately a safe option.

One thing to note, it was a beeyotch in the winter, because you had to wait for the coils to heat up and sometimes they just didn't, so you're stuck. Not sure if Portland gets the same kind of winter we do in Toronto, but you'll have to invest in a block heater or something to keep it warm.

tbennett017

Yes, it is a classic 635 sitting next to the 300D... its got a terrible respray on it with bubbles, and some suspect body work in the rear driver's quarter. Great car, suspect presentation.

The 300 is solid as the day is long... and I want it bad. I will keep y'all updated.

cwrm4

I was just watching the news, and they showed footage of a 240D driving around in Haiti with its half of its roof smashed in. You can't stop those cars.

However, I have looked at that vintage of Benz from time to time and agree that $6k would be all the money for that car.

Do not be tempted by the 635...now that's a car that would be a money pit.