Tales From the Field: looking for a car. - Benzworld.org

OneTwoSix · 02-09-2003, 12:28 PM

Hello Folks:

Well, the good news for me is that I finally sold my 2000 VW Passat. What a buyer's market it is! There are so many cars for sale in the SF Bay area it is almost nutty. And with zero financing incentives from all the major car manufacturers, it wasn't easy to sell my car. But it's done. So the bank is paid off, my checking account won't automatically drop every month, and someone else will have to deal with the 500,000-car recall VW just issued on Passats the day after I sold mine. [:D]

Anyway, I've been looking at '86-'91 420's and 560's in this area and so far only two kinds of cars seem to exist.

The first is the "immaculate" one-owner car, which was, oh-by-the-way, just purchased by a second owner, that is "perfect" except that the interior is totally trashed, the oil sensor is disconnected ("It's just the sensor, cheap part, won't cost a thing!"), and the engine misfires after a highway test and also steadily pools oil like one of those zen-garden fountains. There are a lot of these in the SF area.

And the second kind is the '91 560 with only 78,000 miles, all books and records, impeccable shape, but at a dealer which wants at least $14,000.00 for the car not a penny less.

There seems to be no inbetween in this area! And yes, I'm a bit tired, but I'm going to press on. Even though my budget is definitely in-between these two extremes, one thing is clear: even the trashed-out cars are still tanks that drive well, still show incredible build quality underneath all the neglect (when I popped the hood on one car, a swirl of very old leaves came out) and will be well worth it once I find one that is a real one-owner that actually took care of the car.

Perhaps I should start looking on recyler.com in Los Angeles? Folks down there seem to take better care of their cars. [:)]

Thanks for listening, by the way. Just had to get that off my chest.

Cordially,
OneTwoSix

janos_z · 02-09-2003, 01:17 PM

hang in there, onetwosix. it's not worth it to buy a clunker, i agree. when the right car comes along, you'll know it!

JT · 02-09-2003, 04:50 PM

Don't feel alone. Seems the problem is the same everywhere. Seems some people think one man's trash should be another man's tresure? Funny how some people have changed the meaning of excellent condition to include fair and poor as well? Don't give up it took me month's to find decent 126 anything priced right. And I'm still looking the that "one owner" one. JT

420SEL Realtor · 02-09-2003, 10:32 PM

1-2-6
This car's well worth the wait. I picked up mine with 135k mi. from a local Chevy dealer - it was a trade in. Low mileage car - In the first year I had done what I expected: timing chain & guides, new valve stem seals, tranny cooler lines, etc. Only spent $7100 incl tax, but about $2,000 more in first year maintenance. 'Basic 100,000 mile jobs. Well worth it. The car's in fab. condition in & out, just needed a bit of "true" mechanical maintenance.
Keep up the good search, they're a dream to drive!

Litton · 02-10-2003, 11:54 AM

I have been looking for a 350/450SL for a bit and one showed up in the local paper this weekend .....one owner '79 450SL with all papers, excell cond. for $3950.00. natch, I didn't see the ad until Sun and called the chap right off only to find it already gone. Crap!!!! Not the year I wanted (I want pre '74) but the price was right.

heckflosse · 02-10-2003, 01:05 PM

Quote:

And the second kind is the '91 560 with only 78,000 miles, all books and records, impeccable shape, but at a dealer which wants at least $14,000.00 for the car not a penny less.

I know the feeling. I've just bought my E220 coupe and I was looking since before christmas.
Hold out as the right car will come along, but if you buy something your not 100% on you'll only regret it later!
Why not just leave your best offer on the '91 560 and give the dealer your contact number. If he does'nt sell it over the next month or so he may take your offer rather than it becoming 'rooted stock' or chancing it in a auction.

OneTwoSix · 02-10-2003, 05:16 PM

Hello....

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement. I am, indeed, not going to give up on this one. Even though I'm not able to afford the top-end, low-miles 560's going for more than $15,000.00, that doesn't mean I haven't test-driven a few. [:D] And even the thrashed & trashed cheaper ones that have suffered compound obvious neglect still drive better than the VW I just got rid of.

I'm quite sold on the 126's, hence my screen name here. I'm also turning my attention to Southern California where there are a lot more cars, better mechanics, and a better selection. And golly-gee, if that means I'm -forced- to drive my new-to-me car home on an interstate trip, well, I guess I'll just have to suffer though it in the driver's seat of a 420SEL. [:)]

Thanks again and I'll let you know when I'm successful. In the meantime, if I come across any more car stories that are of interest, I'll happily post them.

Here is today's, part of a telephone conversation:

"So you are the original owner?"
"Yes."
"When did you buy the car?"
"Two years ago." [Talking about an '88 420!]
"So, was it some sort of delayed delivery program or did you just get lost on the way to the dealership?"

Cordially,
OneTwoSix

P.S.
If anyone has ever used those mobile auto inspectors such as you find on Autotrader and Ebay, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Todd · 02-10-2003, 06:34 PM

One thing you may want to consider is asking a forum member to take a look at a car if it's outside your immediate area. I know I'd be happy to check out a car for somebody, here in NJ, within say a 50-60 mile radius if it meant saving somebody from traveling a long distance only to find out a car has been misrepresented.

When I check for cars on autotrader, I look at the one's in NJ, FLA and Ohio since I have relatives in those two states. I'd front somebody on here a tank of gas and buy'em a nice lunch to have them check out a car for me in another state. At their leisure of course. [:D]

OneTwoSix · 02-11-2003, 11:21 PM

Quote:

hang in there, onetwosix. it's not worth it to buy a clunker, i agree. when the right car comes along, you'll know it!

A lot of clunkers this week, even one with an AMG package that has had at -least- six owners in 110k miles. Think something might be wrong with it? [?]

However.....and this is a big nice however, this time next week, I may have some very refreshing news to report. Complete with pictures. [:)]

Until sooner,
OneTwoSix

SheepAlert · 02-11-2003, 11:46 PM

I love 126s too, I have owned several. My advice is the same as anyone else's... Make sure you check them out real good, not that they have to be anywhere near perfect, but you do need to budget for whatever restoration you deem necessary, and you MUST budget generously.

I see very few 126s that I could not easily spend $5,000 on, and even if you are reasonably familiar with these cars, you will probably spent at least double what you originally estimated, within the first few months.

If I was buying a 560 at this time, I would be looking to spend no more than $6,000, and then probably put another $4,000 into mild restoration.

I would no doubt be tempted by a nice low mileage 126 for $13,000-$14,000, but the reality is that you would probably still have to spend several thousand on it to get it right.

My final word... you owe it to yourself to attempt some repairs and restoraion yourself, many repairs are easy and you can save a bundle. Other repairs require a skilled hand, such as headliner replacement. What was that saying.... "It is better to spend $200 fixing your own mistake, than spending $100 to have someone do the job for you in the first place". You might have to think about that for a while, but I have found it to be particularly true of 126s.

You will find something good, but I think the biggest problem encountered by buyers of 126s is that they simply underestimate how much they will have to spend on the car after they buy it, and the cars often end up only half-right.

Good luck.