Yeah I wouldn't be opposed to going some distance to get a car, but I'd like to be sure it's "the one" first. All the 190's around me seem to suck. I'm pretty excited to go look at the cars though.

Honestly if I were looking for a trans swap it might almost be easier to consider converting it to a trans that is plentiful and cheap, then try and find the parts.

for someone who sells books for a living, I find it hard to believe could fail so hard at reading comprehension.

"He wants to buy an inexpensive expensive car that he'll eventually dump a whole lot of money into to make it go fast.

The elegant styling of the 944 and the large aftermarket/go fast support out there make it a great candidate, even with its suspect suspension geometry."

I never said anything about him buying an already swapped car, but you assume that's what I'm talking about. assume.

it doesn't matter though, because he's sticking with the MB idea and you'll always be butthurt about something. :loser:

Sure, except that you're wrong. He said he wanted a daily, not a basketcase $2000 Porsche. Go ethug somewhere else.

a 944 wouldn't make a bad daily for a single bro

those old SLs are great, I would shy away from that '91 though -- too complicated.

Love 944's myself but I have yet to see one under $5000 that wasn't a basketcase. They are apparently a bitch to work on too...clutch replacement involves taking the entire car apart piece by piece.

A guy that works in the building has (among his other desirable cars) a very nice 944 track car. Stripped interior, caged, 968 wheels. Looks great.

I'd still love to find a 968 Club Sport (yes, I know they weren't sold here).

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2022/1...f73_z.jpg?zz=1

yes, at least two were brought over as grey market imports. my old man used to specialize in high-end car importation (Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9s, Lancia Integrales, Audi Quattros, a single Porsche 959, etc.) and he had a buddy who brought two over, one for himself and one for a client of his -- same guy also had an RS200 so go figure.

That is lovely.

Since this is near and dear, might as well weigh in.

I've had several old Benzes, and still have one (my wife's 380SL that I've just finished a chassis restoration on -- quite a job).

My observations:

1. Actual Quality (I.e., not how much advertising and gushing from the ignoramus press there is, but whether the cars actually hold up over the decades and their ease of maintenance): Mercedes is not Mazda by a longshot. Mercedes is not Ford. Mercedes is not Chevrolet or Cadillac. Mercedes is not Plymouth. Sorry. Reliability of electronics, systems and transmissions is downright bad, and parts are located to be as inaccessible as possible (try replacing AC damper vacuum servos on a 107 chassis -- geez). Want to adjust your parking brake? You need to remove your exhaust first. Many of the engines are interference and will self-destruct (especially V-8s). This is all based upon personal experience of having various project/restoration cars all of which were at least 15 years old. Mercedes won't put up with average owner abuse and wear/tear as well as most Japanese or American cars. That may actually be a European car characteristic, but my personal experience is with Mercedes.

2. Design: Love the clean, timeless designs, especially on the older ones. Even the oldest models will have features like fully independent suspensions, alloy wheels and 4 wheel disc brakes.

3. Parts Availability and Pricing: Mercedes really shines here. They build their cars relatively unchanged for many years, and different model lines share a lot of components. I go to the dealer often and have no problem getting the strangest little bits for a 1981 model (Me: I need special bolt #3, Parts Guy: We'll have it tomorrow). I'd have to say I'm astounded by the parts availability -- on a par or possibly better than for a Miata. I've also found that pricing on most parts is pretty reasonable, even from the dealer.

4. Maintenance and Repairs: Don't do it unless you plan to DIY. I've had nothing but bad results from the few times I hired work out. Be prepared to invest in good documentation (factory manual is mandatory -- available on CD). Mercedes is in love with "special" tools. I've found that almost all of these tools can be pretty easily fabricated if you know what they look like and what they need to do. Do invest in the appropriate fuel injection diagnosis tool. It will pay you back many times over.

A well-maintained example is definitely worth a premium with these cars. Unfortunately, you may not be able to tell just by looking at service records. As I mentioned, a lot of specialist, Mercedes mechanics are hacks. A good look and a thorough test drive should reveal the issues though. A Mercedes system either works 100% or you are in for excitement, $ and a repair that will take at least 10X longer in time and frustration than the equivalent repair on a Miata.

I probably sound sour. Maybe I am. My wife definitely looks good in her SL. But aside from that, I'm done with Euro cars.

Horneyball you and i are a lot alike. U r lucky I do not live closer to you for I would make you have my babby.

I have owned about 6 mercedes in my life.

Prepare to suffer.








Bulletproof? No. HONDA is bulletproof. Even W123 is not.


Wow that video made me hard ha ha ha



Seriously prepare to replace


all cv axles

all ball joints

all hoses

all your stupid vacuum lines

transmission (dies like clockwork)

all your window seals

all your trunk seals

have shiiity heat in the winter

have shiiiiiity ac in the summer

and so on.


Yes, some of the older oens (60s) do have class. Daddy had a few of those. Cool cars. Would never own.


Also. The germans killed my fuckying ancestors. Yes, I am jewish heritage. Fucck the germans.

What about a

Merkur XR4Ti
http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3061665395.html

Mustang GT
http://york.craigslist.org/cto/3080079341.html

Crown Vic Police package
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3077142732.html

Iroc Z
http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3074191240.html

MR2
http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3074191240.html

3000gt
http://reading.craigslist.org/cto/3036784836.html

Triumph Spitfire
http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/3076486131.html

Datsun 280z
http://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/3002858480.html

There are way to many cool cars on the market for you to consider a old grandma mercedes pos.

Pretty sure it would be the other way around, sweetie!!

We actually did live close once. I went to Annapolis and my wife is from Timonium.

Haha about the 944 my friend is taking an engine out of one today. Also I checked out the 300 today total waste of gas. I don't want mustang, iroc, or crown vic. I'd love an Mr2, datsun, or spit, but i want something less miata like.

I do expected issues, its an old car. I'm probably going to check out the 260 Sunday. A supra might be ok and I think they came in 2+2.

The windshield wiper on my 190e was pretty slick.

I totalled a 190e purposefully driving through a fully red light in the rain yay

My 190 has never blown up.

Dang it now I'm considering a 944 with a 4.8l vortec engine...

I told you, boner

Too bad they have no room for turbos under the hood.

Parts for Mercs are expensive. And the cars, in my experience, are not very well built. Plus, lug bolts suck.


Buy an older Honda, enjoy zero maintenance and cheap parts. Modify slightly, profit.