The fun of driving an old car

[Hans Deventer]

Almost 3 years ago I bought a 1986 Mercedes. One of the nice things of a classic car (at least, here in the Netherlands) is that you can get an insurance based on an official appraisal of its value. Which means that if I total the car, that's the amount I get.
Now such an appraisal is valid for 3 years, so I had to renew it yesterday. Interestingly, the value had increased with € 1000!
Don't think that would have happened if I had bought a regular second hand car at the time.
As to maintenance, I've had, besides the regular oil change etc, 2 shock absorbers, two new tires, and a new airco pump. Not that much.
So far, I'm quite pleased.

[Jon Bemis]

One of our "cars" is a 1997 Ford Ranger which we bought new and now has 210,000 miles on it. It doesn't seemed to have increased in value over the past few years like your Mercedes, and I don't think it ever will, but is reliable transportation.

[Hans Deventer]

One of our "cars" is a 1997 Ford Ranger which we bought new and now has 210,000 miles on it. It doesn't seemed to have increased in value over the past few years like your Mercedes, and I don't think it ever will, but is reliable transportation.

Well, I bought it old, so that's quite a difference. The car would have costed me around € 40.000 had I bought it new back in 1986. Even if I preserve it like it is today, I don't think it will ever reach that value again. You're looking are far more rare 1950's, early 60's cars (or older, of course) in perfect condition for that kind of money, for instance. So many W124's have been build that I don't see them becoming rare.

[Dana Grant]

Our old Acura (1991) has 320,000 miles on it and still running strong (I probably shouldn't say that out loud, you know what happens when you do....) -- I've told the story of how we bought it for $36 in 2003. Yep, we have got our money's worth out of it!!! Doesn't have any dents or very many scratches that you can see. However, I doubt that it will ever be worth anything now!!! We plan to keep it until it DIES.

I'm glad you are enjoying your Mercedes, Hans. That's great that it is giving you such reliable service!!! Hope it keeps it up!!!

Dana