Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Originally Posted By: surfstar
A stupid, stupid purchase.
LS430 if you "need" something in that class.
The maintenance/upkeep costs of the largest Benz would be akin to a boat.
Affluent folks that buy a Benz can also afford to have it repaired...
The really affluent people are smarter than that with their money.
Back in the day of the 115 and later 123, a basic Mercedes sedan was a very high quality car with no flash.
The most basic cars gave you a four cylinder gas or diesel engine with windups, although vacuum operated power door locks were always standard on these cars.
Things like A/C, alloys and a radio (Becker Europa) were optional.
Heck, with the four cylinder diesel, even an automatic was optional, althought the four speed stick was probably a better choice.
If you wanted to spluge, you might have popped for a 280E.
People with both money and good sense bought these cars because they could expect to drive one for ten or fifteen years and any number of miles with no serious mechanical issues.
These were also very pleasant, safe and comfortable cars to drive, on a level nothing from either Asia or this country had yet achieved.
The solidity of the structure on rough roads alone was a revelation, along with the excellent long-travel suspension.
The doors slammed closed with a solidity not then seen in anything else, althought the trunk lids always did sound tinny.
If you get to drive a good 115 or 123, you'll understand.
So, yes, many really affluent people did buy Mercedes cars and for all of the right reasons.
