ADVICE- sell and buy or just keep??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

turbozeke418 · #1 10-01-2017, 04:36 AM

I have a 1984 300TDT that I purchased a year ago for $1500 with 292k. I put about $5000 into the car and I love it and it drives great. Best part is there is ZERO rust but it has dings and a couple dents and the paint isn't the best. She now has 295k. I listed it on CL and have someone interested but still unsure about selling it.

I have the opportunity to get a PRISTINE 1987 190D 2.5 manual with only 120k. I took it out for a drive today and wasn't impressed with the performance but it did ride nice. The car is on the smaller size which I'm not really a fan of either. Every service record is in the car including a full injection pump replacement for $5k (seems odd but it was done). I still just can't get over how clean it is.

My dilemma is sell the wagon and buy the 190D or just keep the wagon. I'm split down the middle when it comes to pros and cons for each. I've wanted a manual diesel for a while just for the hell of it. I only keep a car for about a year or so anyway then get bored and get something else.

t walgamuth · #2 10-01-2017, 07:28 AM

Sounds like you can't go too far wrong with either car. "The 190 with its lower miles should be cheaper to run in the long run especially if its a stick, but the capacity to haul in a wagon is always nice. The wagons especially are desirable now.

gatorblue92 · #3 10-01-2017, 07:53 AM

Personally I would keep the wagon. The W201 is a nice car but I think it lacks the "presence" of a W123.

Sugar Bear · #4 10-01-2017, 09:14 AM

My vote is keep the 123 wagon. Parts relatively easy to get, a beautiful car, rides really well, looks sharp...just keep that rust at zero.

Good luck!!!

tdoublenastywitit · #5 10-01-2017, 10:13 AM

Your TD is a wagon??? That has 5k high quality updates to it? And u are debating to sell it and buy of all things a 190d....

This sounds like an absolute no brainer to me.

Wagons are RARE these days. Especially good ones, which from the amount of money you put into it i would assume that yours is more than a good one.

The 190 is never going to be fast like a 300 and doesnt hold value like a 300. 190 is like the 240 of the w123 era and the C class of the right now era its the car that u settle on when u want a benz but u cant afford the get the one u really want.

I know that is absolutely NOT the case with you but im just trying make my point.

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND finishing up a project car and just kinda being bored with it and wanting to sell it to buy a different one, trust me i get it. But u have a w123 wagon, a classic, a peach dont give it up for a slow tiny 190d. Either keep it or just use ur patients and wait for something better.

Diseasel300 · #6 10-01-2017, 10:15 AM

Add me to the list of those that would keep the wagon. The 123 is a future classic, the turbocharged wagon being the most desirable model. As said above, they have a certain presence. More room, more cargo space, better ride compared to the 201 as well. I don't know how tall you are, but I'm 6'2 and find the 201 uncomfortably cramped (this coming from someone who drove a Civic for years).

If you have the means, it may be an option to buy the 201 outright and fix it up for a commuter car. You'd get to keep the nice wagon and you'd get to satisfy the need to wrench on another car to doll up. The wagons are already worth more than the sedans, they will only go up in value as time goes on.

dieseldan44 · #7 10-01-2017, 07:47 PM

obviously both

keep what you have - you already put the work in. all 30 year old cars have unknown issues even if they were well maintained.

i love my TD

Junkman · #8 10-02-2017, 01:42 PM

You aren't split down the middle.

You said
"I put about $5000 into the car
and I love it
and
it drives great.
Best part is there is ZERO rust
but it has dings and a couple dents and the paint isn't the best.

AND

PRISTINE 1987 190D 2.5 manual with only 120k.

I took it out for a drive today and wasn't impressed with the performance but it did ride nice.

The car is on the smaller size which I'm not really a fan of either."

Junkman says: The wagon wins hands down. You only need to find a decent paint job - at some point.

Skippy · #9 10-04-2017, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

You aren't split down the middle.

You said
"I put about $5000 into the car
and I love it
and
it drives great.
Best part is there is ZERO rust
but it has dings and a couple dents and the paint isn't the best.

AND

PRISTINE 1987 190D 2.5 manual with only 120k.

I took it out for a drive today and wasn't impressed with the performance but it did ride nice.

The car is on the smaller size which I'm not really a fan of either."

Junkman says: The wagon wins hands down. You only need to find a decent paint job - at some point.

This forum needs a "like" button. I look at other cars all the time, but I keep on driving the 300D.

ESchwab · #10 10-04-2017, 04:17 AM

The first decision is to keep the wagon. It's a no brainer. The second is whether you also want the 190d. If you want the 190d, go to a bank or credit union and borrow enough to buy it. Your monthly payments won't be very much. You will then have two cars that will serve you well for many years into the future. The only downside is that your cars will be so slow that you can seldom beat anyone to the next red light. I'd go for both of them.

Maxbumpo · #11 10-04-2017, 08:41 AM

Sell the wagon (to a "true believer" preferably) and try the 190D. I predict that your next car will be a 124 wagon or sedan...

In your shoes, I'd try to find a way to own both cars, but I'd sell the wagon if forced to only get one car. The wagon should be at the top of its value for the recent past, we don't know if values will go up or down, so "cash out" and try another car. I had a 123 wagon with non-turbo motor and five-speed manual trans, it was a blast to drive, but after several years I grew tired of the loud engine noise in the passenger compartment compared to just about every other car on the road. I bought a 1984 190D with five speed, sold the wagon. I then bought an '87 124 wagon, and 190D's were at the top of the market, so I sold it for about $2k more than what I'd paid for it. Now I own three 124 cars, I'm pretty happy with the 124 model especially the last years with the facelift and more chrome.

Junkman · #12 10-04-2017, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESchwab

The first decision is to keep the wagon. It's a no brainer. The second is whether you also want the 190d. If you want the 190d, go to a bank or credit union and borrow enough to buy it. Your monthly payments won't be very much. You will then have two cars that will serve you well for many years into the future. The only downside is that your cars will be so slow that you can seldom beat anyone to the next red light. I'd go for both of them.

That's the thinking of someone planning on staying broke. You know you can afford something when you can write a check. You know you think it when you has sufficient value when you're willing to write a check. The care mandated by paying cash has save my butt many times.

jake12tech · #13 10-04-2017, 10:55 AM

190Ds are cool, but never going to have the value of your wagon in the future. Also, it's a waste to get rid of a perfecrly good running car for another car that will probablt need a grand of catch up like any 20 plus year old benz.