my dad said hes going to help me get the 1993 mercedes 190E this summer because he said it would be good for me. should i go with what he says? i want to ask you guys before i go with what my dad says

Always trust your Dad before us.

ditto...

x3 :yes:

Done deal.

No do not trust your father !!! He will steer you wrong and tell you the wrong thing for his own amusement.

I would trust your father more than a collective of audio nuts online.
Come on use some common sense.

X4.

what they said

No disrepect intended, but does he know anything about cars besides how to drive them?

I love and respect my father but he's not particularly mechanically inclined.

A little secret.. even if he's wrong.. he's your dad, and dad's don't deal well with their kids questioning them when they are trying to help them out...

Just bring him the repair bills. :D

my dad said hes going to help me get the 1993 mercedes 190E this summer because he said it would be good for me.

Is it your dad's?

no its not

Ok I will be the first to say no to the Mercedes.

It may be a good car but it is getting old enough that if you are going to fix it it will most likely cost a fortune just like a BMW, Volvo, Audi or anything else in that high end category. Stay away from these high priced cars as they are NOT cheap if they ever need repair.

One other point is cars like this aren't cheap to insure at your age either.

Find a Honda Civic or Toyota Camry. Much cheaper on the pocket book imho.

Got just the truck for you..
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=iA5DTejequw&feature=related

Isn't this about the third or forth time around the block on the car thing? :cry:

Ok I will be the first to say no to the Mercedes.

It may be a good car but it is getting old enough that if you are going to fix it it will most likely cost a fortune just like a BMW, Volvo, Audi or anything else in that high end category. Stay away from these high priced cars as they are NOT cheap if they ever need repair.

One other point is cars like this aren't cheap to insure at your age either.

Find a Honda Civic or Toyota Camry. Much cheaper on the pocket book imho.

I really hate to preach, but that's almost all misinformation.

Old RWD Mercedes are easy as pie to work on, and parts are cheap if you know where to look (FCP Groton (http://www.fcpgroton.com), for instance). Learn to fix stuff yourself and it'll be damned cheap to work on. If you can unbolt stuff and remember where things go, you can do your own work.

A 190E 2.3 will NOT be expensive to insure. It's a 120hp 4-cylinder in an almost 3,000lb family sedan. It's NOT fast, or "high-risk". It happens to be a safe car, which would probably result in even cheaper insurance.

My first 4 cars were old Volvos, 3 of which were turbos, and my insurance was not prohibitively expensive. They were also easy to work on, and parts from the right places were cheap.

Yeah, a Camry or Accord may be cheaper, but they're also just about the most boring cars on the planet - no offense. They're also made of plastic inside, just like all Japanese cars except the much newer ones (or the older high-end models, think Lexus/Infiniti). And they won't be much cheaper, either - not with today's labor rates.

Oh, I should also mention that I've worked in auto parts for 3 years. I've seen the parts prices, the real expensive European parts are for BMWs and Audis. Mercedes, Volvo and VW parts are not a whole lot more expensive than the Japanese car parts.

thanks for the info not i dont have to worry about insurance and repair on it!i am very grateful!

thanks for the info not i dont have to worry about insurance and repair on it!i am very grateful!

What we want to hear is always the best answer, right?

yes :music:

yes :music:

That's what I figured...

Good luck.

thanks

Luke... I am your.... FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!



sorry. couldn't resist....

Hehehe...

Luke... I am your.... FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!



sorry. couldn't resist....

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/mr740ti/laugh-1.gif http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/mr740ti/laugh-1.gif http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/mr740ti/laugh-1.gif http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/mr740ti/laugh-1.gif http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/mr740ti/laugh-1.gif http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r60/mr740ti/laugh-1.gif

Old RWD Mercedes are easy as pie to work on, and parts are cheap if you know where to look (FCP Groton, for instance). Learn to fix stuff yourself and it'll be damned cheap to work on. If you can unbolt stuff and remember where things go, you can do your own work.


The only problem with this work on it yourself concept is if the individual can do the repairs themselves. My neighbors kid was doing the brakes on his wifes car and was having some problems so they asked if I would look at them. It would not have been a good situation if he got it back together the way he did.

If you don't know what you are doing DON'T work on the car yourself. I can only imagine how many "home" mechanics are out there working on their own vehicles that don't have a clue as to what they are doing or what to look for.

Just because you take something apart and put it back together doesn't mean it is repaired correctly. Sometimes I wish they would stop selling parts to the general public for everyone else's safety.

Now if you take it to a certified mechanic that is a different story on how much it will cost to get fixed.

Consider a de-commissioned police car. There's a little bit of the Blues Brothers in all of us!

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=5271&stc=1&d=1107921645

HAHAHAHA!!!!

I LOVE the tornado siren on the roof!

Holy shit, I'm sticking a 2T22 on the roof of my Caprice!!!

Isn't this about the third or forth time around the block on the car thing? :cry:

Broken record anyone. Just buy any car you want and PLEASE HURRY UP!

Sometimes I wish they would stop selling parts to the general public for everyone else's safety.


That would be a horrible horrible day. I wish society would get off this safety at all/any cost kick. There is safe, and then there is this nonsense of banning everything/anything that could ever possibly/potentially/maybe hurt someone if they were really stupid. Yeah Yeah, what if they hurt someone else? How often do you actually hear about a situtation like that? Usually the stupid person (or his almost as stupid friend) is the one hurt/dead/whatever. It's simply not possible to eliminate all risk, and trying to do so is unfeasible and infringes on the freedoms of the rest of society.

Something like brakes, while dangerous. won't likely let the person driving get very far from home (where speeds are low) before it makes itself apparent.


Now if you take it to a certified mechanic that is a different story on how much it will cost to get fixed.


Yeah, no kidding.

The only problem with this work on it yourself concept is if the individual can do the repairs themselves. My neighbors kid was doing the brakes on his wifes car and was having some problems so they asked if I would look at them. It would not have been a good situation if he got it back together the way he did.

If you don't know what you are doing DON'T work on the car yourself. I can only imagine how many "home" mechanics are out there working on their own vehicles that don't have a clue as to what they are doing or what to look for.

Just because you take something apart and put it back together doesn't mean it is repaired correctly. Sometimes I wish they would stop selling parts to the general public for everyone else's safety.

Now if you take it to a certified mechanic that is a different story on how much it will cost to get fixed.

I agree with you there, just saying. And sorry for the rant, I was in a bad mood, and the "european cars are too expensive, get a toyota/honda" comment rubbed me the wrong way.

However, stop selling parts to the public, noooooooo way. I'd likely give up driving entirely and go live off the land somewhere if that happened. The kind of stuff you mention is what states have inspections for, you only see the real bad stuff in states that lack inspections (such as mine! wooooo)

Learn to fix stuff yourself and it'll be damned cheap to work on. If you can unbolt stuff and remember where things go, you can do your own work.

Now that borders on misinformation.

;)

In theory you are correct but in practice, a whole different world. How many out there have coworkers that actually change their own oil for example? Most nowadays don't even know where to start! Working on your own vehicle is a simple pleasure but not everyone is equipped to do it unfortunately.

I'm still going with "FATHER IS ALWAYS RIGHT"...

Trust me.. I got in more than my share of arguments because dad wasn't right.. Even if you are right.. you still lose in the long run.. Yes Dad is well worth repeating..

Luke... I am your.... FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!



sorry. couldn't resist....

:thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp::music:

i guess ill go with the mercedes if i have enough money to buy it this summer, and before i buy it i will take it for a drive and check to make sure its not damaged any where in the inside or outside. i agree with my dad it would be a good car for me, but if i can't buy it this summer ill have to look at other cars for sale like he said

i guess ill go with the mercedes if i have enough money to buy it this summer, and before i buy it i will take it for a drive and check to make sure its not damaged any where in the inside or outside. i agree with my dad it would be a good car for me, but if i can't buy it this summer ill have to look at other cars for sale like he saidAnd the beat goes on

would it be a good idea to drive it before buying it?

would it be a good idea to drive it before buying it?

no, just take the sellers word for it.

Always trust your Dad before us.

Well, let's see, normally I'd agree with you my NASCAR buddy:D, and I still do when it comes to 80's dad helpin' him on gettin' the Merc.

But I seem to remember a thread awhile back about ol' Dad putting tinfoil on the back of 80's equiptment to fix something, 80's yold him not to do it, and, it caught fire or magic smoke or something like that, hey 80's, am I right on that?

Tyler, if so then, stick with dad on the car thing, and when it comes to gear listen to your little voice, and ask us!

Craig

thanks for the advice

HAHAHAHA!!!!

I LOVE the tornado siren on the roof!

Holy shit, I'm sticking a 2T22 on the roof of my Caprice!!!

I want to see pics of that, even if you don't mount it and just set it on top, be a big hit at the car shows!!

Am I having a Deja Vu moment here???

no we arnt

either i make up my mind on the mercedes or im going for a ford mustang because if the insurance is to high on the mercedes then i cant drive it

do you really want help?

However, stop selling parts to the public, noooooooo way.

I've got a bro-in-law who says "In a way I wish I didn't know how to work on cars. I feel like I've got to do it myself to save the money instead of paying someone to do it" lol.

Now please excuse me - I've got to go drink a 1/2 case of beer and do my brakes!!

Blindfolded on a bet.

It's funny because it's true. :eek:

I'm still going with "FATHER IS ALWAYS RIGHT"...

Trust me.. I got in more than my share of arguments because dad wasn't right.. Even if you are right.. you still lose in the long run.. Yes Dad is well worth repeating..

Agreed, respect the father.

Pete

no, just take the sellers word for it.

That's probably too direct.

The day before buying the car, stop a person at random on the street and ask them if they think the car is in good shape.

I thought you just decided to fix the Datsun...........

yes i do, what car would be best for me? my dad says the mercedes and i agree with him im just thinking if it would need repair at all and if the insurance would be expensive. im so confused and dazed on what car to get, im thinking about getting the mercedes since it would be safe and luxurious and its affordable. any advice on mercedes?

this is a little out of control, no?

i said before you posted any advice on mercedes? is there any way to keep it running without having to pay alot to repair it, iull buy it if i can repair it my self? can i fix it myself if i learned how?

either i make up my mind on the mercedes or im going for a ford mustang because if the insurance is to high on the mercedes then i cant drive it

Probably gonna be higher on a mustang.. especially if it ain't a 4 banger..

LISTEN TO YOUR DAD IF HE IS GOING TO HELP YOU, otherwise you are gonna piss him off, and you'll end up with nothing...

I can't believe you are asking us all these life lessons, then keep going on about some other way around things...

I'm so glad they didn't have the net when I was a kid, because it caused me to actually think about things, and respect my family, instead of gravitating away from them and taking the advice of total strangers on the net...

All I'm gonna say.. done with this thread..

thanks now i will go with my dads decision, i am very happy to hear you say that you agree with my dad

thanks now i will go with my dads decision You sure?

eeerrr.. bait me back in...

I'm not saying I do, or don't agree with him.. but I am saying that you telling him you are asking strangers on the net, and they don't agree with him IS NOT in your best interest.. You need to bond with him.. not us.. some day he isn't gonna be there....

You sure?

yes im sure

yes im sure

really?

yes im really really sure, its my final decision

eeerrr.. bait me back in...

I'm not saying I do, or don't agree with him.. but I am saying that you telling him you are asking strangers on the net, and they don't agree with him IS NOT in your best interest.. You need to bond with him.. not us.. some day he isn't gonna be there....

I don't necessarily disagree because I think that father/son is something often missing today.

However, I think there is a way to steer things in a different direction without the implications you present.

Something as simple as an honest question like, "Does a Mercedes cost a lot to fix?" might start the ball rolling in a different direction without offending anyone. It could be the basis of a nice father/son research project resulting in a better bond AND the right car.

Yeah, something like "Hey Dad, a bunch of guys on the Internet think you don't know anything about cars." probably isn't going to go over too well.

i said before you posted any advice on mercedes? is there any way to keep it running without having to pay alot to repair it, iull buy it if i can repair it my self? can i fix it myself if i learned how?

Repair it yourself can be learned.

However, repair it yourself not only requires the knowledge, it requires that you buy parts and have tools, time, and a place to do the repairs.

Decent tools are not inexpensive, although decent tools can last a lifetime. Some repairs require tools that might be very specialized and very expensive for what might be a one-time use.

Time is a real consideration too. If your car breaks down, can you afford to take time from work or school to mess around with it? Or, will you be in a crunch situation where you have to take it to the dealer?

How about a place to work on it? What if it breaks down in the Winter (assuming you have that)? Can you get it in a heated shed, or will you be laying out in the snowbank? Do you mind working out in the rain? Or, will the repair have to wait for a sunny day? Meanwhile still getting to work or school on time.

Don't want to sound like all gloom and doom, the car may run flawlessly. However, that's the nature of vehicles. Runs fine today, broken tomorrow. Sometimes you just never know.

Many things to consider...

I don't necessarily disagree because I think that father/son is something often missing today.

However, I think there is a way to steer things in a different direction without the implications you present.

Something as simple as an honest question like, "Does a Mercedes cost a lot to fix?" might start the ball rolling in a different direction without offending anyone. It could be the basis of a nice father/son research project resulting in a better bond AND the right car.

Yeah, something like "Hey Dad, a bunch of guys on the Internet think you don't know anything about cars." probably isn't going to go over too well.

do you REALLY see that conversation going like your fantasy? :no:

i wouldnt mind working on it if it needs repair later in its life

it is later in its life.

i ment when i get it and own it for awhile

:dammit: I was trying to stay clear of this one but....................................

I agree with all on the fact that your Dad IS your Dad and would know best about your welfare. When you pose a question like this to thousands of people, you will get thousands of answers, which in turn will make you confused. What we think really doesnt matter. Get whatever car you want. Keep in mind if you get a car older than 10 years , it WILL need some work. Only you and your Dad can decide if its something you guys can tackle. But honestly, do what you feel good with.

OK seriously, one thing about pollacks is, they are cheap (in a good way)(that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

A big part of being cheap (which really means getting the most from your money)(again, that's my story etc) is doing your homework. A cursory web search (1993 mercedes 190E reliability) showed these:

http://www.edmunds.com/mercedesbenz/190class/1993/consumerreview.html

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1990-to-1993-mercedes-benz-190-2.htm

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=69615

Keep in mind that there are a lot of freaks on the internet so use your judgement, a grain of salt. Also most of these comments are already 5 years old.

I'd show those links and others you find to your dad and discuss them, I know my dad would like that.

No matter what you do buying cars is always a crapshoot. I'm sure your dad knows this 'cause most folks have gotten a lemon at one time or another.

Pete

thanks for the advice, i appriciate it

One of the up sides to buying an old Mercedes, is that it is a sub-culture car. There is a base of people in this country that are as dedicated and passionate about old Mercedes as the vintage audio guys on this forum.
There is a lot of info about those cars and a lot of support (at least there is for the 123 body cars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W123)).

A question is, could you see yourself catching the old Mercedes "bug". Seems like you just might. If you have the time and space to work on it, you can buy the tools as you need...one job at time.

My first several cars were pre-1972 air-cooled Volkswagens. I didn't own a car I didn't completely understand until I was in my 30's.

Go for it, man. Especially if you have your Dad's support.

yeah i will go for it this summer if its still there, and if i cant get the 1993 mercedes 190e, ill go for a 1990 mercedes 560sel which is this one **CL link removed by Moderators- NOT ALLOWED**

really?
Have you changed your mind yet?

i already said im going for the mercedes

do you REALLY see that conversation going like your fantasy? :no:

Yup. Is the kid supposed to be afraid to ask Dad a question?

But, I'm out, unless I too am baited back in.

I honestly don't think it has mattered what any of us have said all along. And, perhaps it shouldn't...

I honestly don't think it has mattered what any of us have said all along.

agreed.

i disagree it does matter, you guys are very helpfull and i appriciate it

yes im really really sure, its my final decision

Are you really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really SURE or just really, really, really SURE?

We don't want you wasting our time here...

im really really really really really really really really really sure! as i said before its my final decision

Cool... so we can close this thread and move on!