2019 Roadster SLC 300

December 26, 2023, 02:19 PM

P250UA5

^ My dad had a 70 280SE sedan with the 3.0 I6
Got it for about $400, put a set of tires on it to be able to move it around & sold it off before tacking getting it going.
Dark blue with blue interior. Even in 'needs work' condition, it was a nice car.

Having been loaned a 280SL with the same engine [but with a 5spd manual] that's a fun engine in a light convertible.

December 26, 2023, 06:18 PM

VictimNoMore

quote:
Originally posted by Sig2340:
quote:
Originally posted by VictimNoMore:
IF you are willing and able to do your own work, then used German cars can be somewhat affordable to own....

Somewhat affordable? Yes, if you are independently wealthy.

I had a friend with a Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9L "muscle car." Even windshield wipers cost an arm and a leg. The self-leveling air bag system cost about $5K to fix when one of the bags popped.

That said, it was one of two cars I've driven that scared the living shit out of me, the other being a Volvette with an engine from a wrecked "stock" car (IIRC, around 550 hp). It could spin the rear tires at 40 mph.

An example of one.
I’m not independently wealthy. I have owned German cars and was able to afford them by doing my own work, on a middle class income.
Now we have two examples.

December 26, 2023, 07:22 PM

Russ59

As with modern cars, many of the CEL issues may require manufacturer-only or very expensive aftermarket software to resolve.

Proceed with caution. I wouldn’t be too concerned but I have a lift and a decent amount of tools.

I’ve owned my first Porsche 911 for seven months (2001, Carrera 2 with 63k miles) and it’s been trouble free with a solid maintenance history.

December 26, 2023, 08:05 PM

P250UA5

quote:
Originally posted by VictimNoMore:
quote:
Originally posted by Sig2340:
quote:
Originally posted by VictimNoMore:
....

Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9L "muscle car."

Volvette with an engine from a wrecked "stock" car (IIRC, around 550 hp). It could spin the rear tires at 40 mph.

An example of one.
I’m not independently wealthy. I have owned German cars and was able to afford them by doing my own work, on a middle class income.
Now we have two examples.

And, his 2 examples are pretty extreme 'right of the curve' choices.

The average 4cyl turbo Mercedes is pretty reliable, just almost definitely costlier overall than a similar Japanese option [GR86/BRZ, Miata, etc]