Which car to keep? Help me decide!

[2002 Maxima SE]

Keep them both. I was in your same predicament. My wife and I had three cars:

93 Sable
02 Maxima
04 Forester

Nothing owed on any. The Sable was cheap, cheap to repair, cheap to refuel, and contained lots of dents and scratches. We used it to go to the movies (and park up front!!!), keep mileage down on our "better" cars by using it for commutes, and took it to the aiports.

We take the Forester or the Maxima for our out of town jaunts.

Thanks to that car, I now have a pristine low mileage Maxima. The 93 died earlier this year and now I'd love to get another one to keep the Maxima as long as I can.

 

[globey]

This one is a slam dunk. The Benz is 10 years older. Sell that thing.

The Grand Marquis is just getting started at 35K. That thing will last you a long time. Plus, it's probably cheaper on the upkeep and repair than the MB as far as replacement parts is concerned.

 

[Norm Olt]

This W126 Mercedes cost nearly $50K when new & was, at the time, the "economy" version of the S-Class with the straight six: the 300SD(iesel)L was the "ultra-economy" version, available in long wheelbase versions only. These cars are among the last of the era in which Mercedes designed and built cars to an engineering standard vs. a "price point". This engine is designed to run for 250,000+ miles with maybe a timing chain/guides replacement service. Having the head rebuilt is basically like having a new motor installed.

These were among the safest, most well-built cars available at the time. The reason it doesn't have a glove box is because it has dual airbags: my 1991 420SEL has a lockable storage box betwen the bucket seats.

If your car does not have typical Eastern salt-induced rust, trashed interior, non-working radio, windows, etc. it is an extreeeeeemely low mileage example. If it runs good and gets decent gas mileage (which you seem to indicate it does...) it could easily last you another 17 years. Or, more.

I'd sell the GM and buy the best running W126 300SE parts car you can find, locate a good local independent repair & service shop and drive it for another 20 years.

Of course, I'm biased in that I have two W126 420SEL's which we dearly love.

GM's are ok cars, but they are a "dime-a-dozen": a really clean W126 is one of the best sedans ever built, in the opinion of many, including me.

Cheers!

 

[addyguy]

I'd keep them both. Not that the MB will ever be a 'huge buck classic', but is a unique, 'classic' car as opposed to the 'workman' GM. They are both paid for, and don't cost much for upkeep, and as you said, you won't make a fortune of either, just hang onto to them to give you some 'variety' with your driving.....

 

[Tosh]

Sounds like you're not that passionate about either, so trade them for something else. Life's too short to be driving boring cars.

Frankly I don't see the point of driving a beater to save miles on a nicer car (unless you're in the salt belt): I would want to always be in the newest safest car I could reasonably afford. Death by car is the biggest killer in most age groups, and I try to play the odds.

 

[nj300se]

Tosh - while neither car is one I would have gone out and personally paid for new, the MB has really grown on me, and I'm starting to get used to the ride on the GMQ as well. I have no doubt that car would protect me in most situations. It is literally built like a tank!

Norm -this car is all stock and has been garaged since new. Everything works. It was owned by a Doctor, then my Father-In-Law, and now me. I know it can go a LONG time - and you are absolutely correct about the build quality and craftsmanship. You can feel it. I just hadn't planned on the Mercury coming along! (which is newer, cheaper etc etc etc...)

I guess its stupid, but its like a little indulgence to have such a nice looking car in the garage. I know its stupid, and such is my dilemma!

 

[01rangerxl]

From a practical standpoint, it would make sense to keep the Mercury. They are fairly efficient for their size, reliable, and cheap to own. Your car has the added bonus of low miles and years.

That said, either car will last forever. The Mercury will just do it cheaper.

Personally, I would keep the car that I was more attached to. You do have a pretty tough choice.

 

[parimento1]

Those Mercedes diesels last forever, but with diesel being as pricey as it is (5.19 here in New York City area), and the grand marquis with its V-8 getting 12 mpg in the city, I think you should trade in both and get 1 reliable fuel efficient car, which depending on how much you drive and how high fuel prices go, could pay for itself in 5 years.

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: parimento1
Those Mercedes diesels last forever, but with diesel being as pricey as it is (5.19 here in New York City area), and the grand marquis with its V-8 getting 12 mpg in the city, I think you should trade in both and get 1 reliable fuel efficient car, which depending on how much you drive and how high fuel prices go, could pay for itself in 5 years.

NJ300SE is discussing what to do with a MB that burns premium gasoline, not diesel.

If it was a diesel MB, then we wouldn't be having this discussion -- the Grand Marquis would be gone.

 

[nj300se]

Those MB diesels are pretty cool, though they always seem to be blowing out diesel clouds like busses do! Alas, I have the gasser as Tornado Red said, so the mileage isn't that great, but not too bad considering.

What is boils down to is the GMQ would be the more sensible of the two to keep for various reasons, although the MB has some things going for it as well. The practical and logical decision seems to be in favor of the GMQ. Thanks for the assist everyone!