Owning an old Merc as a cruiser? Other options?

[Franco Cozzo]

What about a Toyota Century? It's basically an old skool car with chrome bumpers:



http://www.j-spec.com.au/auction/all...-12369017.html

You'll generally pick up the V8 variant under $10K landed because everyone wants the V12.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by XByoot

If your budget is 10K your in a tight spot mate, your likely to invest in a 30k money pit. The Early Mercs are cool, personally the Ford variety are even cooler. A mate has an early 60’s Mercedes in his shop at the moment, car looked decent, original and a good project. I’ll be there tomorrow with a bit of luck and I’ll post up a few pics of what’s left after he started digging. Sills, inner and outer, chassis rails, rear quarters, A pillar I think, rust everywhere. They are cool cars, I like it, but for a budget run away farther than forest gimp. Like Citroenbender said, great for hiding rot.

The funky old Bosch mechanical injection looks really interesting to me, I’d love to convert one to EFI or learn about the original system, but paying to get a specialist to sort that stuff won’t be cheap. I have a feeling head corrosion can be an issue too, so another area for money to disappear fast mate. I think that’s why a lot of guys go for the Aussie stuff, relatively simple and robust. Repairs are well documented and a good knowledge base. That being said I think old Merc panels etc are very well supported too.

I’d save up a bit more, sit on my hands, join a few FB pages and keep a look out for a good car. The Ford P5 P6 Marquis and LTD don’t seem to get a lot of coin? Not exactly a 60’s look but maybe worth a look? Vals are the best value by far for Aussie stuff in my book, the early Falcons like the XK,L,M and P are also good buying in 4 door variety, great cars but won’t be a V8 for 10 K in either a Val or early Falc.

By the way, “old Mercs” as in the Ford variety are the coolest thing of that era. Big money but the cool factor is off the scale. Just amazing customs. Even the 60’s T Birds had a great look, that space age dash was wild, I love them, but not cheap if your paying people to maintain them these days, but what is?

Seriously, how about a classic Jap car? Not a V8 but some are pretty cool.

There is some truth to this but mostly a glass half empty outlook.

The Bosch injection systems aren't hard to work with once you get your head around them. DIY tutorials are well supported online. But most of all they are a reliable system. I bought a pressure gauge & fitting set online for around $200. Thats about the only specialised tools needed to work with it.
Much like what CB says with the Citroen stuff, they have a bad rap in this part of the world because old mate down the road who is used to working on Holden 202s can't figure them out and declares them heaps of **** because they are bit beyond him and the 1930s tech he's used to.

As for rust - they all have their spots, best to figure out where they are view in person (plenty of buyer guides online that include common rust areas).

You could pick up a decent W126 or W116 for $10k and have a reliable cruiser to use everyday. Not something that needs tens of thousands thrown at it, just turn the key and drive. They aren't overly expensive to buy at the moment (as opposed to W108s, R107, W123, 114 & 126 coupes that have shot up in value).

I second CB suggestion of CX Citroen. Damn cool cars.
Im on a couple of Valiant groups - I occasionally see what looks to be decent VE-VGs slant/hemi 6 for sale under $10k. Nothing wrong with any of them - currently doing up a hemi 6 with Holley EFi to go in my VG.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Think you'll be struggling to get a decent E32 in that price range.

There's one early model for sale at $15K with about 200,000km on the clock and another about $10K with no details.

Yeah fair enough, I thought be cheaper than that.

I just think older BMWs look much better than old Mercs who haven't aged well at all.

But each to their own!

[MercuryT]

What about an older Range Rover?

Very nice to sit in.

They go very cheap and V8 in them sounds unreal (very unreliable but that's ok....ha)

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

What about an older Range Rover?

Very nice to sit in.

They go very cheap and V8 in them sounds unreal (very unreliable but that's ok....ha)

If you enjoy money pits, that's a good starting point.

Dr Terry

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

If you enjoy money pits, that's a good starting point.

Dr Terry

I did say they were unreliable Dr............

Mercs are hardly cheap to run either, especially ugly older fridge on wheels types being raised ^, that don't look or sound near as good as a Rangie

[jstanovic]

Cheers for the ideas guys, some random thoughts that's for sure.

Had a look at Carsales with the missus last night just to guage her taste. She hates the Jag, Trans Am, doesn't like BMWs, early Mercs (sorry Benz) and Cadillacs. Mid/late 70s Benz, Rovers, Rolls Royce, Fairlanes are OK. Showed her an XD S-pak with 12 slotters and she liked it. To be honest the colour was probably more her concern...

I only set the budget at $10k so if it goes pear shaped that's all I'll lose, not that I've got that like spare change sitting around. I won't be worried about it at the shops/parking lots unlike my mates with $25k+ cars, understandably they get very picky where they take their cars and park them.

Something like this is also tempting. If the motor dies, 302 or BarraT would be a decent project!

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/clar...le-/1240808018

[Franco Cozzo]

Keep it to $10K and get an old banger you can blow the back tyres off everywhere, park it at the shops for MILFs to smash their trolley into all the time, drive it to work occasionally and not give a rats *** what happens to it, third party fire and theft so you're good if you smash into some old wog's Ferrari 308 on his once yearly drive.

Rather than $25K into something you're worried about every time you take it out for a drive.

The ****box fleet is gold, I'm the ****box fleet ambassador.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Keep it to $10K and get an old banger you can blow the back tyres off everywhere, park it at the shops for MILFs to smash their trolley into all the time, drive it to work occasionally and not give a rats *** what happens to it, third party fire and theft so you're good if you smash into some old wog's Ferrari 308 on his once yearly drive.

Rather than $25K into something you're worried about every time you take it out for a drive.

The ****box fleet is gold, I'm the ****box fleet ambassador.

My R36 had a trolley up against it a few weeks ago......no damage but what the ?

Also had rear light smashed in same car park now fixed (only 7 left in Aust).....you are spot on

[kcodezd]

I know where to look for rust in a w123. Just ask me. You could also do the dirty diesel version and never have to buy fuel for it. Check out mighty car mods video.
https://youtu.be/UHiinaAodlA

[FairmontGS]

No need to stray from Ford...

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6446909/?Cr=2

[Syndrome]

My father has a W126 380SE from the mid 1980s. Great on the open highway. Sucks in stop start traffic and on winding roads.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

No need to stray from Ford...

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6446909/?Cr=2

This is why we can't have nice things

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

My R36 had a trolley up against it a few weeks ago......no damage but what the ?

Also had rear light smashed in same car park now fixed (only 7 left in Aust).....you are spot on

If you listen carefully you can hear my VS Caprice rusting in the night

[yakcam]

I know it's a couple of K over your budget, but this is what I'd be going for...

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1954-Pon....c100005.m1851

I know it's a starting price, but nobody will bid on it. In fact you my be able to contact the seller in a few weeks and offer 10K or less and get it. I bought my Trans Am for 6.5K with a RWC and it was in Unique Cars mag for months at 15K.

Oh and the 301ci to 455ci are all essentially the same block. just differnt bores etc. Easy to power up.

Just another option.

[Swordie]

If you buy old be prepared to pay for repairs. With an old Mercs I'd talk to someone has the expertise, see what they advise. For example some from a Mercedes Club and a Mechanic who specialises in them. Take your time.

If you prepared to give up chrome and look at BA Fords there is plenty of choice at the moment.

[jstanovic]

I've also been looking at AUs, even 4.0L EL fairmonts. Just don't seem to really get me excited like an old car does. 40s/50s/early 60s cars don't do it for me either. I like the older cars for their feel, the smell of a carbie motor that is warmed up, just the character they have. Old but clean and original is what I like.

[gossy]

Mopar probably your best bet.

6 cyl. but spare cash to build a nice 340.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ball...gal/1233633966

This is a 6, but very cool.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/alba...gon/1240718256

Decent.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/medo...-v8/1239108590

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

What about a Toyota Century? It's basically an old skool car with chrome bumpers:



http://www.j-spec.com.au/auction/all...-12369017.html

You'll generally pick up the V8 variant under $10K landed because everyone wants the V12.

Mint condition museum car sold for $18.5K

https://www.shannons.com.au/auctions...F8704FOAV721T/

Prior to the 1997 refresh they virtually didn't change styling from 1967

Check out the video, the interior controls look like a VCR from the 1980s, digital dash etc.

[MethodX]

How about a Lexus LS400?
Good and reliable and V8.

Or do the electrics give trouble with age?

[Citroënbender]

I believe there are some well-documented faults that often occur with the electronics ageing, and the repairs are also well-documented.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I believe there are some well-documented faults that often occur with the electronics ageing, and the repairs are also well-documented.

These "well-documented" faults are common to ALL cars of this age, but remember early LS400s are now 30 years of age. In most cases it's the electrolytic capacitors drying out &/or leaking all over the circuit board of the ECU. Very common on older ECUs, both Asian & European. Easily fixed, most ECU repairers will know this one.

The thing is, most cars of this age are at the wreckers. The more expensive cars of this type are usually better looked after & more regularly serviced. These cars are usually kept & put on club plates.

The most common fault on LS400s is the power steering hose leaking all over the alternator. Again a fairly straightforward fix.

Dr Terry

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by jstanovic

I've also been looking at AUs, even 4.0L EL fairmonts. Just don't seem to really get me excited like an old car does. 40s/50s/early 60s cars don't do it for me either. I like the older cars for their feel, the smell of a carbie motor that is warmed up, just the character they have. Old but clean and original is what I like.

We kind of think alike here. The old school feel of a cammed carby v8 donk just gets the blood pumping. After owning Subaru's for nearly 10yrs after getting out of Fords, I miss this.

But in saying that. What Franco says has a lot of merit. There is a very fine line between having something cool and cheap you can take places and then worrying if some twat is going to damage it in the car park if you have spent 20k+ on it.

[jstanovic]

It’s a catch 22. Don’t want to spend heaps of cash but cheap old cars are generally cheap for a reason. Can’t pin point what I’m after (I’m a ford man but not as die hard as some), just keep looking until something grabs me. That blue Benz is ticking a lot of boxes for me though...

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by jstanovic

It’s a catch 22. Don’t want to spend heaps of cash but cheap old cars are generally cheap for a reason. Can’t pin point what I’m after (I’m a ford man but not as die hard as some), just keep looking until something grabs me. That blue Benz is ticking a lot of boxes for me though...

I hear ya. Im in the same predicament. Not brand loyal and if there is something that ticks the boxes and Im prepared to weather any issues it may face, all good.

Keep looking though, just don't be in a rush to buy. Something will eventually come your way

[MercuryT]

Buy a nice Jag.

Still beautiful and sleek to this day. Completely unreliable but who cares.

Best looking by a mile as old Mercs look horrible and BMWs maybe a tad outside price range.

[oldel]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

The thing is, most cars of this age are at the wreckers. The more expensive cars of this type are usually better looked after & more regularly serviced. These cars are usually kept & put on club plates.
Dr Terry

This is the biggest problem with old cars, they get ignored until there's none left except the expensive well kept versions. All the rest were flogged hard and then wrecked/stripped.
If you want a well kept old car buy one on the cheap around 15-20 years old and put it in a shed for 10+ years

Looking for one already old is a 20k question, or settling for one of the examples that people in the know aren't touching with a bargepole.

It's hard to find anything good after 20 years. I noticed heaps of mercs and BMWs from around 1990 that I was interested in 5 years ago are now already mostly gone. Nothing but wrecking ads for them now and even the e39 and e38s are following the same pattern as I write.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by MethodX

How about a Lexus LS400?
Good and reliable and V8.

Or do the electrics give trouble with age?

A friend of mine got one for $3k and loves it. He looked at Fairlanes and thought the LS400 had the best mix of comfort, refinement, and reliability. Just landed in Melbourne this morning and he already showed it to me lol. He’s like me, not brand biased and always does his homework.

[Franco Cozzo]

I saw a mint condition LS400 on the way home tonight.

Except when I got next to it the bloke had the driver side window down and was smoking a cigar

RIP interior

We're getting a bit far away from the chrome bumpers when we're talking classic plastic though.

OP - just a 'cool cruiser' or oldskool/chrome bumpers required?

There's some cool classic plastic under $10K - there was a sweet 1UZFE Toyota Soarer in very good condition for sale in NSW for under $10K recently but you're talking cars the same vintage as me where they were starting to get heavy on electronics.

The 1UZFE V8 stuff is worth significantly less than their I6T 1JZGTE/2JZGTE counterparts in those 1990s/2000s Toyotas.

[Tommie]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Buy a nice Jag.

Still beautiful and sleek to this day. Completely unreliable but who cares.

Best looking by a mile as old Mercs look horrible and BMWs maybe a tad outside price range.

Yeah, I had a series 2 XJ with the 350 conversion many years ago. Looked sleak a beautiful even all those times it left me stranded on the side of the road... Lucas mystery wires did me in...