I replied in the other thread about what I thought the insurance issues would be, but I think you should get another car like this, and it should not be difficult to find a beauty.
the hard part will be finding one in really good condition, with books and records, in a color that you like. Certainly the one that you had, was a beauty in that interior/exterior color.
You are lucky because being in Southern California, there is a plethora of really beautiful cars for sale, which brings the prices down, and gives you a good selection of really nice cars to choose one.
DON"T be in a hurry. A W210 E320 is a good choice, but make sure the spring perch issue is not an issue, as it was with many of these. Also, they did rust out in some areas, so try and find one that was a lifelong southern California car, that never rusted.
There must be close to 20 Mercedes Benz dealers down there, from Ventura, to Riverside to San Diego, so while the car you are seeking is a 1998, be flexible, a 1996-2001 or so, just might work, and I would call the sales manager of all those dealers, and ask them to contact you if a really good W210 in the year envelope you seek comes in as a trade.
Maybe there is one right now, but I think there is a chance that many might come through, and you could grab a good one, before it got wholesaled out somewhere.
I would also suggest you think about getting a W210 E55 AMG, most of them were in black or silver, good colors, and they are surprisingly affordable now, for what you get.
The W210 E55 is an absolutely awesdome machine, and compared to your E320 you just won't believe it, what you would get in handling and speed.
You are probably very comfortable with the W210 but these are just incredible.
Also in your favor with the E55, is that many were owned by real car nuts, who really appreciated them, and pampered them, and probably took top care of them, and just got rid of them due to an itch for something even faster and newer.
You are absolutely correct, that the car saved you when many others would not have.
The roads get really greasy and slick after the first rains, so the wreck could have happened to anyone, and I don't view it as particularly your fault.
It was a "solo", and it is glad no other vehicles were involved, and that no one was injured.
You are most wise to only contemplate ONLY another Mercedes to replace it.
The safety reason to buy these is unarguable. The other reasons are good, also, but the Mercedes IS really safe, always has been.
There is no reason not to start shopping for another one right away, even before you receive the settlement check on the old car.
As Ihav said there are LOTS of good candidates in your own back yard.
Do include the possibility of an E55 in the search. Try one, you will really fall in love. I can alomost guarantee it.
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