My 240D after a polish and wax
By the summer of 2021, my enthusiasm for my 240D project was waning and I had became tired of putting money into it. Though I loved the car, learned a tremendous amount bringing it up to its daily driver status, and was proud of how it was looking and driving, I had also hoped the project would require less frequent attention by that point. I knew a vintage Mercedes would never be close to a normal car in terms of maintenance needs, but I thought it was reasonable to expect the list of to-dos to level off. Unfortunately, that is never quite the case with these older cars. It seems there is always something that needs doing.
I could have neglected many of the gremlins that popped up. Perhaps someone else might have. Perhaps whatever personality traits lead a person to attempt dailying a forty year-old car would by necessity leave them incapable of knowing when to stop. I couldn’t let things go.
Road tripping
The experience of owning a vintage Mercedes diesel is characterized by noises and sounds. While I appreciated the whirring of the mechanical fuel injection and the satisfying thunk of the doors closing, before long it became impossible to ignore the other noises that accompanied these charming harmonies; the clunking and rubbing of deteriorating suspensions parts, and a symphony of noises escaping the ancient, deteriorated, sound deadening techniques of 1982 when traveling at the speeds required to keep up with 2021 traffic.
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Throughway
Looking back, I realize that I was slowly being driven mad by noises and sounds.
One of the primary things that I used the car for was making regular long-ish trips from my home in DC to see my family in Northern New Jersey, about 250 miles away. 250 miles on I-95, at I-95 speeds of about 70-75 mph (faster if my partner Rose was driving). Even a tip-top shape 300D would probably be loud at that speed–these cars were just not geared for that, having been designed well before the 65 mph speed limits were ubiquitous. So, even my car with the 4 speed stick, the three liter turbo diesel that had been swapped in, and one of the longer rear ends, was pretty loud and buzzy at highway speeds.
I did everything I could to bring the noise down. I replaced the door seals, window channels, and even put extra sound deadening material in the doors, but, we would have to shout to hear each other and crank the radio through blown out speakers. Headaches became a common occurrence after longer stints at the wheel. I started questioning my belief that a vintage Mercedes was the correct choice for my driving needs, or maybe I was just getting older and longing for modern comforts.
Winters on the street were tough, but the 240D started right up
It wasn’t just the noises at speed either. Even small noises became an ever encroaching dread. A rattle would present itself, or so I would think, and I would drop the volume on the radio, shush anyone in the car and point my ear toward where the phantom noise was coming from. Sometimes it was nothing, other times it was something I would add to an growing list of issues that needed to be addressed..
Upper control arms… new on the left, old on the right… the bushing were completely shot.
And then there was the ever encroaching menace for every vintage car owner, that worms its way from the edges of your fenders and into the back of your brain, infecting you with an ever-present worry: rust. I didn’t always have a garage and during times that I did it was too far of a hike for daily storage. Instead, the car sat on the street. It wasn’t a rust bucket by any means; it had rust in the normal spots below the battery tray on the passenger fender and underneath the seam between the front valence and the fenders. I just knew I had to take care of this eventually, but never decided if I was going to try it myself or have it done professionally.
And of course some other more immediate project always took priority. Rubber started to perish or fail, long in of replacement. Oil cooler hoses. Transmission mount. Engine mounts. Control arm bushings. And that is just what I got around to doing.
The 240D with our bikes and gear for a bike camping trip loaded up
Then, concern over the safety of driving such an old car began to creep in. How would we fare in a collision with no airbags? I know there are some that will comment that these old cars are sturdy and that airbags are no big deal, but I just don’t buy it. It was starting to feel less and less worth the risk.
The final snap of my 240D in the driveway of the new owner.
So in the end I put 12,000 miles on the car over three years. I took it on road trips, had countless roadside conversations with strangers who recounted stories of these cars from their youths, or enthusiasts like myself that had picked up a similar interest in vintage German metal. The Mercedes W123 will remain my favorite car, but I had to let it go for something more modern with airbags that needed less attention. Of course, as it turned out, the replacement I chose only ticked one of those boxes. But that’s a subject for another COAL…
Noisy at cruising speed wow I wouldnt have thought they would be, I had a Peugeot 406 wagon with a pump type diesel and it was quiet at any speed as was the 1905 diesel Xsara I gave my daughter, I drove that recently and the very high mileage engine is still quiet at speed the failing suspension not so much but still Mercedes have a rep for being good cars and at least up to older PSA standards
I take my old Hillman for regular exercise and sometimes forget to swap cars again for the work week, it copes with the daily grind fairly well better than I expected though in summer the lack of AC was obvious, ok when youre moving with the windows down but stuck in crawling traffic not so much, the exhaust rattling on the chassis is the only noise it has, amazing for a 66 model but of course its a Hillman one of the very few British cars built properly and accurately even now the doors shut with the lightest push.
Ca. 2009 when I was dissatisfied with the car I had at the time, I gave some thought to getting a 240D. It’s probably for the best that I didn’t. I would have liked a W201 190D, but they’re thin on the ground in Seattle.
Would a 300D have had a taller final drive ratio than your car?
A friend of mine has an immaculate ’84 300D, in which I’ve ridden a few times. I don’t know if he got it new, but he’s had it for a long time. He’s well off financially, and I’m sure he’s kept it maintained (hiring the work out) all along.
A few weeks ago I experienced the shot control arm bushings on my 2005 Honda Civic. A day at my mechanic’s, $500, and off and running again.
I have to assume the 300D/TD had a taller final drive ratio, as it was German (and common European) practice to match the final drive ratio with the engine for maximum top speed. Obviously, the 300, especially the TD, would have been able to make this brick go quite a bit faster than the 240D. The 300TD was able to hit 106 mph compared to the 86/89 mph of the 240D. That would have necessitated a taller rear drive ratio.
But I did notice the the author said
These big diesels were just not as smooth and quiet as a modern engine.
This one did have a taller rear end swapped in from a 300D (along with the turbo diesel engine, so really it was like a 4 speed 300D), so the gear was not as bad as a regular 240D would have been. The ultimate would have been getting a rear end from the final year 1985 300D or even a 300DT, but it would have only made a slight difference.
The car looks great, but I totally understand the conundrum that led to this final decision.
Having had a 1980 Audi 4000 with a 4-speed manual in the late ’80s and making regular freeway trips in it up and down the CA coast, a four speed manual hasn’t been harmonious with freeway speeds in quite some time (if ever). I can’t even imagine how either of these would have been on the Autobahn literally flat out. But I guess all cars were like that back then, so…
Trying to take care of an older car “with needs” can be trying. And it’s expensive. If you add up all the little things (and I mean to truly get it to where you are confident in its ability to travel far and wide and to do so safely, not just be able to make it to the corner store occasionally if and when it starts etc) is not really a perfectly sound financial endeavor. i.e. the cheapest leased car may well do so better, safer, and with less drama than even the most accomplished Continental Tourer of yesteryear and you won’t really recoup the expense of replacing a control arm and myriad other things. Never mind the time expense to take care of said issues. It has to be a hobby and source of enjoyment and/or pride to be worthwhile and eventually that time expense too can wear the bloom off the rose.
Note that there are all kinds of old cars in the streets and roads around town, however when you’re on the freeway and more than fifty miles between larger cities, seeing anything older than maybe 20 years is actually quite rare (adjust for locality here, maybe 15 years in upstate NY and 25 in SoCal due to rust or lack thereof). We rarely feature a Curbside Classic shot at a freeway rest stop, there’s a reason for that!
In any case I look forward to seeing what’s next. If you want to have future wistful memories about how trouble-free and cheap the Mercedes really was, next time go British. Or if you just want to get there, get back, be relaxed and maybe even get a huge percentage of your purchase price back a long way down the road, visit your Subaru or Toyota dealer…
I do love that Chestnut color though.
Most old cars are not happy being driven at modern highway speeds, which start at 70 mph. and easily exceed 85 mph. Old is a relative term, but I would say that most pre 90’s models are going to have a hard time. Ever notice how many pristine Muscle cars are grinding along at 60-65 mph. in the right or middle lane on the freeway? 4:11 gears only sound good in a Beach Boy’s song lyric!
I used to drive my ’66 Ford F250 truck, which I had painted bright red, at a max of 60 mph. I stayed to the right and out of everyone’s way as much as possible, and most drivers just went around me. Nothing worse than an old car holding up traffic.
Keeping any old car on the road is a challenge, terms like “bulletproof” and “unbreakable” are really rubbish. EVERYTHING wears out eventually. The trick is to stay ahead of the curve. Either find an older car with lower miles that still has some of it’s original service life ahead, or find one with a documented history of extensive repairs and maintenance, so you have an idea of how many things have already been replaced.
Of course many enthusiasts keep a favored old car on the road either by a complete mechanical restoration, or by a steady piecemeal program of refurbishment until the new replacement parts outnumber the old worn out ones. That’s what poor people have been doing since forever, nursing an older car along, hoping for the best.
I don’t want to sound completely negative about older cars. That particular control arm that you replaced will last a long time and many tens of thousands of miles. However another original component next to it, is just waiting to die on you next! My 2007 Mustang, which I bought new, now at 165,000 miles, just lost it’s transmission. The complete rebuild set me back 3,600.00. Which is a good price, but half of what the car was worth before the transmission died. The trick is to hold onto the car and get my money’s worth out of the repair.
When it comes to passenger safety, the more modern a car is, the safer it will be. Most pre airbag cars are safe enough provided that the three way shoulder belt system is in good shape and used properly. Anything older than that could be considered a death trap, especially w/o a collapsible steering column and only lap belts. But lot’s of people choose to drive them. I spent almost forty years riding motorcycles, so I have had a higher tolerance for risk, but that is evaporating as I get older.
Enjoy the drive.
Hah! Well put; exactly so.
Right again. There are certainly past-model cars reputed for dependability and durability, but those reputations are past models, themselves: developed in relation to other cars of that time, not versus today’s cars, and photoshooped by the rosy-lensed human tendency to magnify the good and minify the bad in our recall.
A similar thing applies to past-model cars reputed for great safety: yes, they were unusually safe compared to their direct competition at the time, but…well, here, take a look at how a Volvo 940 does versus a much smaller, newer Renault Modus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBDyeWofcLY
Ehhhh…that’s a complex question with not such a pat answer. Yes, a post-’75 model is hella safer for the driver and front passenger than a pre-’68 model, but still unroadworthy by today’s standards. “Safe enough” is a subjective guess everyone makes on their own—and it’s strongly coloured by the cars of our own past. It’s the logical fallacy of survivorship bias.
I would submit this isn’t actually possible. Remember gas stations with service bays? Mostly all full in the past when those past-model cars were still late-model cars…mostly gone now—replaced by convenience stores, because cars mostly don’t break down any more.
Low-miles old cars are singularly nifty, but they don’t get us out of this particular tar pit. Car parts and systems degrade with age, not just with usage or runtime. A different list of stuff degrades in different ways, but.
I’ve been on exactly one motorcycle, once, as a passenger. Fun, but not fun enough to make me want to pursue it—especially not since my work brings me in close and frequent contact with traffic crash stats. That’s also another major reason why despite spending three decades driving old cars, I don’t any more. Age-related risk aversion, yes, that’s a thing, but also I’m married, so I have to think differently in terms of consequences. If I were to be killed or maimed in traffic, that would throw enormous tribulation on my husband. If we get in a crash and he were to be killed or maimed, and my choice of car were to have contributed, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.
I would underline and circle and bold:
“I’m married, so I have to think differently in terms of consequences. If I were to be killed or maimed in traffic, that would throw enormous tribulation on my husband. If we get in a crash and he were to be killed or maimed, and my choice of car were to have contributed, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
A few years ago, I went looking for a last generation B-body GM wagon to overhaul and replace my Subaru – a fit of nostalgia and yearning for the cruisers of my childhood and young adulthood. Across the street from my apartment building, there is a little league baseball field complex, and I befriended a groundskeeper there who drove an 1988 or 1989 Oldsmobile wagon. He disappeared in 2017 – died in a car accident in that Custom Cruiser on the Belt Parkway – and I remembered that I’d bought my Subaru because my Daytona didn’t have a passenger airbag – and we were planning to have another child. Nostalgia be damned – forget the B-body, buy the Subaru with Eyesight and seven air bags and frame attached LATCH hooks for the carseats because I could not bear the thought of being irresponsibly negligent and self-indulgent.
Jose, I can’t find the 4.11 gear lyric. I did find
She’s real fine, my 409
She’s real fine, my 409
My 409…
My four speed, dual quad, posi-traction 409 (409, 409)
Having been around the classic car thing for a while, I am of this opinion: a 40+ year old car doesn’t make a great daily driver. This is doubly so if you don’t have a garage in which to keep you classic.
That said, a GM B or C Body (preferably B) from the golden years of 1977-1979 would probably work. Whenever I drive “my” 1978 Cadillac, it impresses me just how good it is and how much like a modern car it is, too. The exception is the inadequate brakes.
I started driving (legally) in 1980. The ideal of a 45 year old car being on the road was science fiction.
Great COAL Yousef, thank you! It seems that something comes up as soon as you address the previous item, large or small. If you don’t address the small items quickly, at best they linger (at worst, they become big items). As they linger, new ones arrive, and they detract from the experience. Which is too bad.
I cannot think of a single new car that excites me. Part of that is because I like manual transmissions and sporty cars. But in general, they have all become objectively so good, there is not much to separate them. With their electric power steering and stability control nanny systems, they are dull to drive. In today’s world, I like Toyota Camry and Subaru Impreza 5-speeds the best. I liked the VW GTI, until VW ruined the instrument panel with touchpads, which I personally hate, and ARE very distracting to change the radio or HVAC settings.
As for today’s higher speed, don’t worry, that will soon become a thing of the past. EVs have longer range at lower speeds. The government is actively working to take whatever joy in driving is left OUT, with the “Build Back Better” bill authorizing money study charging drivers for miles driven, to buy traffic cameras to give to states (never mind that they have been proven in court to be fraudulent revenue generators and cause accidents), and of course “driver impairment detection devices” starting in 2026, aka seat belt interlocks on steroids.
One thing I didn’t see, perhaps because the 240D is not as affected, is parts availability AND a competent mechanic. If you have a lot of time, a garage, tools, and knowledge, you can do several repairs–but many of us don’t. Mercedes and BMW, until now, support their older cars with parts. THey are expensive, but correct. Similarly, old American iron, parts are easy. But those very nice, very appealing, well-built 1980s cars from Honda, Toyota, VW, Audi, even some American cars don’t have that kind of support.
The large GM cars feel like “low” pick-up trucks–because domestic pick-up trucks are the large (and mid-size–a Colorado is as long as a 76–not 77, 76–Caprice) cars Americans like. But I think the new trucks use less gas.
And I totally agree–in 1980, no one seriously drove a 1955 car. Now, even in Michigan, you can see 20-30 year old daily drivers.
Ah, here we go again, just when it seemed like the water was starting to be fine once more…
“As for today’s higher speed, don’t worry, that will soon become a thing of the past. EVs have longer range at lower speeds”
EV’s have no problem going plenty fast and having plenty of range too. Last time I checked when I drive 75-80 in my gas powered truck, I get lower gas mileage than when I drive 55… Tonight I’ll be driving to the airport and back, about 145 miles, I’ll probably average 75mph in my EV without traffic late at night, and will still have enough range for the rest of the week when I get back. But I’ll plug it in anyway when I get home, might as well fill it up for pennies anyway while I sleep.
“The government is actively working to take whatever joy in driving is left OUT, with the “Build Back Better” bill…”
The bill that didn’t make it through the Senate after numerous attempts and hence is likely DOA, is that the one?
“authorizing money study charging drivers for miles driven”
Hasn’t that already been test marketed for years in multiple states, including Oregon? It actually seems to make sense to do it that way, how else are you going to get a fair portion of highway funds out of EV drivers for example. Or a fair portion from anyone or what should we raise the gas tax to? Of course nobody wants to be tracked which is the main argument against, but of course nobody is willing to leave their phone at home either, so…yeah, the trackerphobes haven’t thought that argument out very well.
“to buy traffic cameras to give to states (never mind that they have been proven in court to be fraudulent revenue generators and cause accidents)”
I think you may be confusing speed cameras with red light cameras here…Nobody likes speed cameras either but I’d rather get a ticket from a camera than take my chances with a cop confusing his taser or ticketbook with his gun. Did you see the part where the prior admin’s Transportation Dept in 2017 actually recommended them?
“and of course “driver impairment detection devices” starting in 2026, aka seat belt interlocks on steroids.”
Oh, you mean breathalizers that will likely use currently available tech to just sample ambient air being emitted from the meatsack behind the wheel the same way various cars have cameras watching said same meatsack to see if he’s paying attention already? How many drinks are the safe limit that causes zero impairment again? Don’t drink and drive, no issues.
Please stop with the fake fearmongering. It’s not welcome. There are other sites that encourage that, please take it there if you must.
No fear mongering.
It’s a fact, no matter what type of propulsion, it consumes more energy going faster–more fuel, or more electric. Since range is an issue for electric, lower speeds, if enforced, extend range. Your EV will use more electricity at 75mph than at 70 or 65–it certainly won’t use less, will it?
As for speeds, today legally and in real life, they are higher in the 1980s, first because the legal speed limit in the US is no longer 55mph, next because suburban sprawl has become exurban, and more people drive more longer distances than before. Covering there is a considerable time difference between 55mph and 70mph when driving 40 miles on the interstate.
As to the other, my facts were correct: there is money for studying charging for miles driven, there is money to buy traffic cameras, and in 2026 we are supposed to have driver detection.
Perhaps not many, but more and more existing roads are being repurposed with “bike lanes” and “traffic-calming” obstacles. That’s a fact.
Speed traps have been, and continue to be, a way of raising revenue for municipalities. Traffic cameras make this endeavor much easier.
The 55mph was initiated to “save fuel”. If something happened once, it can happen again. Today’s world situation means the likelihood of oil supply issues is higher than it has been in a while.
So, what I am saying is plausible. And if one has an old car that is hard-pressed to keep up with modern traffic, say a Toyota Tercel or Ford Falcon or Mercedes diesel, well, perhaps that might not be as hard.
You’re entitled to your opinion as to the merit of those actions in Build Back Better, I’m entitled to mine. Facts are facts, how they are interpreted is up to the individual.
While some of what you say is true, you are also jumbling a few facts, primarily in regard to traffic cameras, enforcement, and traffic calming.
Most states have traffic cameras but they are generally there for traffic monitoring purposes and public information. Many states have links to watch traffic cameras at the state DOT website. It’s a public service to have these cameras there to allow responders some idea of what is going on prior to their arrival and for the public to see road conditions for themselves.
Here’s one example. You’ll need to choose the setting in the left-hand column to view the cameras, then you can choose from hundreds around the state:
https://traveler.modot.org/map/
It appears you are lumping such cameras in the same pile as enforcement cameras – which have varying legality by state. It took 15 seconds to find this. 🙂
https://www.findlaw.com/traffic/traffic-tickets/state-traffic-camera-restrictions.html
Bike lanes are there to accommodate road users. Road usage isn’t limited to automobiles. There is an Amish community southwest of me; it’s not unusual to find their buggies using the highway – and they are also road users.
Traffic calming is also there for that very purpose – to calm people. Traffic calming techniques employ various things that are not “obstacles” as you state. If traffic calming been implemented, there is likely a reason for it, other than some grand conspiracy.
Both bike lanes and traffic calming are done more in low speed environments. It’s doubtful you will be seeing any bike lanes on I-70, 80, 90, or any other interstate anytime soon. Same for traffic calming.
Hopefully this helps straighten things out.
He’s not interested in any facts, fear mongering is what is it plain and simple .
I’m still driving my 1982 240D, just came back from breakfast and errands, it’s fine and those who think they’re not as safe as moderns have never seen a W123 or W126 after a major crash . the car folds up but you’re going to be fine, even in side impacts .
This car looks great, as mentioned it’s a never ending battle against attrition .
In the 1980’s I was driving a 1946 Chevy truck as a shop truck, flat towing other vehicles, hauling Motocycles and scarp iron etc., yes it was a death trap but I liked it and it drove well .
At that time my daily driver was a 1953 VW ‘zwitter’ Beetle, also a death trap but I survived a rollover accident and that car was restored and still driving around Tokyo last thing I knew .
Leave the fear mongering to the mouth breathers, they don’t like reality anyway .
-Nate
Sure, and since BBB didn’t actually pass, it isn’t actually a thing exerting any force on any other thing. That’s not an opinion, it’s a fact.
For me, lack of ABS and air bags is a deal breaker for a DD. I like ESC too. Hell, I even like TPMS and I love OBD. Puttering around on a Sunday afternoon in an old car is fine but not as a commuter or as a long distance trip car. For me.
I’ve always wanted to drive a 240D stick just to see what it was like.
It’s kind of a generalization but for the most part, people drive the best car that they can afford. Most folks will work their way up the income ladder until they can afford some type of new, or nearly new car. They will benefit from the newer technologies in safety, economy and reliability. Low income folks might have to put up with driving a well used car, but it usually won’t be a really old “classic,” A quirky old car is a Luxury that more affluent enthusiasts buy for the experience or to make a “statement.” I’m a member of a few antique and classic car forums and most members never drive their old cars as transportation, they have late models for that. They will drive their old timers on weekends and to car shows and events. A real challenge is to take them on tour.
When I started my own company ovrr 25 years ago I used my 1967 404 sedan for one year as a daily driver. The sunroof gave some noise and when it rained I needed to clean the damped windows, it had single speed wipers but what struck me most was how capable the 404 was, It could do a solid 120 km/h on the motorways.
A friend owns a couple of classic Benzes but the thing that still puts me off is that they drive so heavy, the 404 and 504 Peugeots were more nimble cars for me driving a classic Benz feels more like a struggle, like the car is working against you.
The great thing was that it was a very good sales tool when visiting new customers, they always started talking about the 404, their father or uncle or brother had had one.
One British guy I had to take for a spin in it, he grew up in Cyprus where his father was stationed in the military and he remembered that his dads collegues did not appreciate that he preferred the more expensive 404 over the British Cambridge/Oxford BMC cars.
But they were mainly jalous because the 404 was the better car, by far!
Back on topic with 240D’s. A friend of mine had a pair. The first was somehow a gray market import with a 4 speed. He loved that car and had great things to say about it. Good MPG, plenty of power, great. Replaced it with a US spec 240D. Auto etc. Hated it, said it was gutless and thirsty.
Onto the OT of only 4 speeds. Sure, 5 are better, no question. But a pair of different BMWs, both 2.8 from the late 60s and late 70s, with the small version of the “big 6” had the quirk that they would seem busy and noisy at 65-70 turning 3-3500 RPM. But get them up to 85-90+ and over 4K RPM they were happy as could be just humming along with none of the buzzyness they had at 3K. Odd, no conclusions, just an observation.
Interesting article and comments.
I drove my ’71 Karmann as a daily for 3 years and enjoyed it immensely, even on longer journeys. It would sit at 70 or 75 quite happily and, being rear engined, the engine noise got less dominant the faster one went. Crash protection? Not so much – wife ensured that I got a good life insurance policy. Reliability? Never failed to start or complete a journey. This surprised me and really made me fond of the little thing. Maintenance? Much more regular than on a modern car, but DIY able and parts availability is great. If you don’t keep on top of this you will have a lawn ornament sooner or later.
So, now that the VW is in storage and I am driving a 2022 Benz do I miss it?
Yes! Every time I drive!
Great COAL. I have neither the mechanical ability nor the patience to daily drive a 40 year old classic like this, and admire those who give it a go. Like many, I’m drawn to the W123, but unlike many I wouldn’t touch a diesel unless it was the turbo five. I’ve watched a view driving videos of these, and am astounded at both the amount of time it takes to reach highway speeds and the clattering, roaring cacophony of engine noise required to reach it…and which barely abates when cruising speed is obtained.
Fun to read. Also brings back memories. Back in 1989 I came upon a 1982 or 1983 MB 300D in light sapphire blue with dark blue benz-tex. Very clean and loved the looks. I purchased it and knew immediately that it needed attention with the trans shifting. I won’t go into the long story, but I didn’t keep the car long. I loved the way it felt driving, but was a total dog and way too loud for me and knew it would bleed me in the wallet. So I sold it. Not long after and having a love of diesels, I picked up an interesting 1983 Buick Century Custom with a 3.0L Diesel. Much more reliable and more quiet, I kept that car longer and even took it on a trip from NW Illinois where I lived to central Michigan to visit a buddy. The car ran perfectly and was quite interesting. Soon after my nephew needed a car for real cheap, so I sold him the Buick and he drove the ***t out of that car. Over the years, I also had a 1981 Buick Park Ave (2dr) diesel, a 1981 Olds 98 Regency sedan diesel and a 1982 Cadillac Deville diesel. I always purchased those cars well used with lots of miles for cheap and would have some fun driving them and sell for what I paid. The big GM diesels were actually very quiet and comfortable on the highway with 30+ MPG. Loved them.
Speaking of older cars however brings me to now. I have a 1988 Cadillac Cimarron with 61,000 miles. The car is solid, clean and runs out perfectly. It’s amazing to me how I can get that car on the freeway and cruise at 75 MPH just as easily as going 40 MPH. It’s rather quiet at speed and more comfortable that one would think. But yes, older cars make noises and will do stuff at times that makes you scratch your head. At this time, the Cimarron needs nothing. But that can change very fast.