starting to think that buying a home in a walkable neighborhood is simply not attainable, so i've been looking at vintage cars. do car nerds have opinions on these? — Mercedes-Benz W123 — Toyota Land Cruiser 60 — Mercedes-Benz 300TD — Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda SL
I love wagons
All great vehicles but if you go with W201 or W124 Mercedes-Benz you will still have incredible build quality and engineering but don't have to deal with carburetor. If you want a carb sound and feel that's a choice but I don't know if additional headache is worth it.
Benz Pagoda or Landcruiser; if you're open to other ideas: BMW 2002 or 3.0
Depends… do you just want to know the names of your mechanic’s kids, or be invited to their college graduation?
That’s a beautiful looking SL . Classic Mercedes is a great vibe. We had a W211 E class estate with the rear facing seats. Glorious to drive such a light steering and ride and to just sit in the boot at the beach and watch the sun set. On a sunny day boot up, rainy day boot down.
Check out scents instead, they take up less space. And yes, Luca Turin and Tanya Sanchez are the way to start. Don't always agree (1000 de Patou is bliss, impossible for me to believe otherwise), but they "get it."
Lucaturin.substack.com
Already a subscriber - a treat to make happy. Thank you and the missus for sharing your views, and invaluable advice and expertise.
*to make me happy.
The Mercedes Benz Pagoda is even more gorgeous in person. Beautiful design with sharp lines.
I learned to drive in a 1980's Mercedes 240D. 0-60mph took awhile but once you hit 130mph it just stayed there all day. This was the desert, there was no one around.
I feel like the guys at Donut Media would be the most able to answer this.
You might end up walking anyway with one of these.
Land Cruiser will turn the correct heads
Just spotted one in the wild a few days ago and had to hold up traffic to grab a photo
old guy crossing 3 lanes of traffic shouting “ten thousand. right here. lemme shake your hand.”
I have legit had this experience at stoplights in my 90s Taco
lmao I usually only refer to it when talking about old tacos and t100s but the landcruiser is for sure one of those old guy autistic fixation cars
Plenty of respect for people who’ve got dakotas and s10s and old rangers still on the road, too The populace yearns for small trucks THE PEOPLE DEMAND A SMALL TRUCK
you can have a truck or you can see whether you’re about to run over a toddler. you cannot have both apparently (but holy shit do I want to).
The truck bed on the left is maybe 12 inches longer than the bed on the right, for example...
The bonnet / hood of the one of the left is the height of the roof of the one of the right.
The one on the right is the sort of “big truck” that UK drivers lust after and wonder if they’ll be able to get into their parking spot
Golly I miss those old trucks 😢
Ford maverick?
Where’s my 2 door Maverick 😠
The 4 foor is pretty small though 😅
With a 4’ bed At that point I oughta just get a RAV4 or something
My dad had a 1994 Isuzu pickup and he sold it before I learned to drive and I was CRUSHED And now it’s 25 years later and I am still crushed about it tbh, what a good small truck
I miss even the Mazda pickup I had in the early 00s, which was a badge-swapped Ranger. Stickshift, only 2wd, but a solid, practical little truck.
the BAT tax means he'd have to triple that at least
I beg to differ Both Queen Elizabeth II and the King of cool prove me right😎😂
if by turn heads you mean everyone hates them because what selfish fucking pricks drive military sized land boats in congested areas. This shit used to be seen as work or adventure vehicles and now ppl drive them to get Arby’s. The fuck.
lol what Compare that Land Cruiser to the modern Volvo parked right next to it Nobody hates an old Land Cruiser
I guess one guy does? He’s wrong, though
This
Land Cruiser for sure. My favorite is the 80, but the 60s would probably be more babied and restored if they’re on the market.
gucci gucci louis louis fendi fendi prada
I am so biased, Land Cruiser for the win. Its not even a close competition in my opinion.
We had that model of 300TD growing up! The engine tends to destroy the transmission. Rear facing trunk seat is great for roadtrips to Disneyland when you are 7. Less so if you are able to go on all the rides.
The first two are nigh indestructible and will survive the fall of the American empire.
The land cruiser is featured in the new series Ballard on Prime.
The 'wagon. The coupe is pretty, and the Land Cruiser will do the job, but these days a 'wagon is practically subversive You can also call it an 'estate car' if you want that bit of British flair The Volvo 240 wagon also works
silodrome.com/mercedes-ben...
Not a Toyota person but old Toyotas are built TOUGH. I personally would go with the wagon but your style screams the two-seater.
The two-seater is sleek and would turn heads. Few could pull it off and look legitimately good in it and I think YOU could. I want the wagon because I'd slam it and do a nice rattlecan paint job.
How much parallel parking will be required in your life? That could significantly change my response here.
not very much parallel parking, i imagine.
Then the W113 Pagoda will best take the sting off the compromise.
Completely agree. Although my neighbor in Bernal Heights could parallel park his on a hill between two row houses, so maybe it’s just a superior machine.
Unless you enjoy funding your mechanics 401k, avoid the Mercedes. Go with the Land Cruiser.
Years ago I had a ‘78 Mercedes 280CE. Same body type as a 300CD but gas instead of diesel. They only made them in 78 and 79. It was a beautiful car. Mine was black on black. I’d have kept it but it had a catalytic converter problem I couldn’t seem to solve, and I was moving to a harsh climate.
I enjoy classic convertible cars with strong lines. Loved my 1982 MB 380SL Convertible with attachable hard top in Anthracite. She would hug the turns when taken aggressively. I sold her for more than I originally paid. Moved onto the 2000 MB CLK320 convertible in Obsidian and still drive it today.
I love the aesthetic of vintage cars, but given my lack of enthusiasm for mechanical tinkering and repairs, I am putting more thought into trying to find a modern car that has the retro vibes.
I got a vintage bike instead
All bangers
That W123 will last you. Plenty of spares too.
I’d love one of those
One of my old punters from my Oddbins days is a (now retired) vintage Mercedes specialist. Some of the kit that passed through his renovations garage..
absolutely see u stepping out of the Pagoda
Land Cruiser is best bet for most reliable of the bunch
Land Cruiser and Mercedes Benz 300TD would allow you to park/live in a walkable neighborhood… as long as you move around enough to not attract the attention of the authorities
The SL of course, but can’t you just move to France and buy something in a small village in the south? Or maybe a petit manoir or a castle?
Ok but Cleveland Heights is great. 1) @neorsd.org is here 2)its got a lot of cool districts you can walk to 3) its on the rapid that will take you downtown 4) theres some steals 5) you can troll jd vance from his home state 6) i will pay you to give me fashion advice
The land cruiser is sick too
as the former owner of two 10 year old m-b’s, i will say i don’t ever want to have a third
W113 is a sexy car. A dream car really. That’s my vote.
I think the Toyota would be the best option for zombiepocalypse…
I'm thinking of buying some trousers, do clothing nerds have opinions on these?
If you can't afford a walkable city, then you certainly can't afford the repairs on old Mercs
It's somewhat instructive that you can enter a 1970s era Mercedes Benz, and the interior can appear much more modern inside than its age. The copying that every other brand engaged in is a huge compliment to their style at the time, through to the 90s at least.
I've always cared more about the interior environment, where you and the people you are close to are, than the exterior. The unflashy nature of those Benzes feels far more satisfying to me, though, than the intense efforts to be eye catching today. If you know, you'll appreciate it.
Nostalgia. Dad had an orange Datsun drove until so old you could lift up the floor-mat and see holes near large enough to do a Flinstones kind of thing, in theory.
oof that Pagoda is one sexy little coupe.. probably check the obituaries for some rich prick who had it sitting in his lounge for 30 years
There are loads of old Mercedes being dragged out of dead/dying grandpa's garages these days, but they're usually in a sorry mechanical state. A good driver that is driven regularly is a way better find than something low miles that reeks of lacquery gas
who bought it for the wife he cheated on and the wife refused to go near it.
erry time
Look at rowhomes in south philly. Can get 1000sqft rowhouse for under 400k and even under 300k. And if like condos that's even cheaper. Can look all over philly too but south is really nice and still pretty overlooked
300D from 77-81 is the literally most perfect car ever made, you can get an 82-85 with the turbo but it just complicates things, and the 240 is just a little bit too slow with not much gain (slightly easier to work on because more room in the engine bay)
The 60 series Land Cruiser is very prone to rusting around the roof gutter, almost terminally so, if you live in a moist or salty sea area.
Pagoda for style, 300TD for near-indestructible practicality. In a fantasy life I’d take one of each…. In real life it’s a 14 year old Toyota Yaris….
Land cruiser, most sustainable option.
Depends what you want and why. Cars are like trousers - a balance between utility and style. Mercs are a bit nouveau riche, off the peg. You either want a classic SII Landrover or a Jensen Interceptor. Possibly a classic mini.
Depends what kind of driving you do. And how easily you can maintain it and get parts. They all are indestructible. If you do a lot of city driving and start and stop traffic -> then I wldnt go for a diesel. If you plan to do cross country runs then take the diesel.
Pagoda 🥰
Loved my ‘87 Toyota FJ60! CLASSIC collector vehicle. 4WD. good gas mileage, relatively easy to fix, simple hand crank windows, five speed, lots of room, STURDY as heck. still see it driving around all the time with new owner behind the wheel and wish i had never sold it!!
Land Cruiser. Fur. Sure.
those are all variations of the GOAT
Land Cruiser all day, easy to work on, never goes out of style. But definitely put a club on the wheel because they are prone to theft.
If not the Toyota, I would go for the wagon simply because wagons rule.
Especially this one.
Whatever your choice, make sure there you also like the community and the expert service guy that love the model you choose as much as you do. It takes a village.
If you can go with the Land Cruiser, always go with the Land Cruiser... so long as rust hasn't gotten to it first.
Give me an MB wagon anytime.
The Mercedes 300TD will run forever and I love a good wagon. All fabulous. The Land Cruiser could survive a Mad Max future as long as gas is still available.
Drivability with the 300TD Sad that I didn't have the money for this last year youtu.be/Au9UBn1-2qs?...
Lemme start with, like clothes you should buy what YOU like ;) However I recommend finding something that isn’t already a popular classic like that Land Cruiser. You’re buying at the top of the market. Alternatively: early 90s Corvette
The 300td is very fun to drive/ride forward at a set speed but the steering is rough. It's not a pleasant urban car. Land cruisers are going to be fun but a but bouncier than the Mercs.
Land Cruiser.
The TD wagon is the most beautiful car ever made.
As a (real, not present-day ones) Land Rover guy, Toys are a no-go As to the Mercedes: the 300td sw is a real workhorse and very practical Lot of room, simple and classy If you can do without the practical aspects, a pagoda surely is something to take into serious consideration
4 What about a Thing? Super cool!
Pagoda, none of the others got a nickname for an outstanding feature. And it’s beautiful. Plus, if you don’t like it, you can sell it and get any of the others without additional investment.
Yes. All of them suck. Get a nice new EV with all the safety features and v2l. You’ll be grateful you did ❤️
All excellent but --is Volvo too uncool cause they last an age and are cheaper to fix than a Benz. I'd go with the Toyota for sure.
You're going to need a Benz, Toyota or "old car" specialist nearby. You can choose the one you prefer but a forty to fifty year old car is going to let you down. You'll need an established relationship with a good indie specialist for that model or it will have a lot of downtime.
yeah they are all rad
youtu.be/6VbxnaQh_Pk On his recommendation, I bought a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid two years ago and of all the cars I've owned since 1972, it's been the best; NO expenses beyond fuel & scheduled maintenance.
W116 280SE. In green.
I would recommend the W123. Probably avoid the 300TD, they are plentiful still, but the nice:beat to hell ratio skews hard to the latter since they simply will. not. die. Not listed here, but I would also suggest considering an R129 SL. (I work with vintage Mercedes)
R129s are at the ideal point in the value curve right now; in ten years we’ll be surprised how cheap they were
I enjoy how they drive and LOVE how they look. I was sorely tempted by one last summer, but was holding out for my Marea. That said, the top hydraulics can be an ass pain
I managed to change the 12 rams in mine in a couple of days (and only bent one in the process…) RSC Auto in Germany, and Top Hydraulics in the States do exchange parts in rebuilt rams. Ran me about A$1500 in parts, so not bad for a now-faultless, non-leaking top.
I’ve also been surprised at how cheap CL500s and 600s of that era have gotten; they’re not beautiful but they are imposing and the M120 is especially tempting—but I don’t know much about how much those cost to run
I don't see many of them, literally like one or two per year, and they have a tendency to be quite expensive when I do, especially that M120.
What would you like to know? Two-time M120 owner here 😬
If a car started as a £100k purchase the running costs stay at something that cost £100k. That’s why they are so cheap now.
*Agrees in 600 Grosser*
Now you are talking. I speak from experience. We own a 2020 Range Rover Sport. Fantastic car with eye watering bills to match…
If you find a good mechanic, a W123 can probably go for 1,000,000 miles. Shoot for a 300 over a 240 just so you’re not the slowest thing on the road and get some seat covers.
I’m biased, but go for the Land Cruiser.
They're all very good/cool and will be priced accordingly
What outfits are you planning to wear with each?
This is getting right to the important questions!
Car nerd here, these are such wildly different prices that it’s difficult to compare them to each other - I don’t think you can do better than that 300TD for the money it costs, but if you have SL pagoda money then I think there are more interesting options for a similar price.
For a similar aesthetic but more unusual character I would suggest these alternatives
I highly recommend staying far away from the Maserati Quattroport. Don't even look at it. Trust me. I had one.
I don’t have a garage so there’s zero chance I’m getting anything made for 70s Italian steel.
That Peugeot got me biting a knuckle.
My uncle is obsessed with 70s cars, he has one of these plus 2 of my absolute favourite Italian 70s offerings.
I didn’t really care much about cars until seeing that Alfa 👌
My word.
A joke how cheap they were when he bought them in the 80s, the Alfa was his first car ffs
I have been following @bringatrailer.bsky.social and it's very dangerous; I may end up with a right hand drive kei firetruck or something one of these days.
Land cruiser way more durable and probably cheaper to find parts/repair (although maybe not here in the US). Benz waaaaaaay more stylish for your haberdashery, but will likely cost more to repair / be in the shop more. Those diesel motors are indestructible though. Life's short - go with your gut!
Any vintage car is going to have some issues with things wearing out or parts being difficult to find, and once you accept that the choice is really very easy.
My heart goes straight to the Toyota.
I’d go with a classic Pacer
Been thinking about car ownership too as a more realistic near term goal. If nothing else, it provides a sense of freedom.
That’s where most folks like you land. Great cars, will run forever, very handsome. They’re ridiculously slow, but who cares? And there’s a million out there, so prices can only go so high. Parts are easy to find snd generally affordable. Highly recommended.
And let me add… you do NOT want a Land Cruiser. Amazing cars, extremely durable, but constant maintenance. Source: my friends are all W123 and Land Cruiser guys. (But if you get one - 100 Series. Do NOT buy an 80 or 60 series unless you love pain and have endless resources)
i will grant you this about the radiator but my fj60 once went 1000 miles on maybe a pint of oil
some 80’s turtleneck wearing predatory professor shit land cruiser excluded, that’s sick
“Debbie can I see you in my office?” ass vehicles
German cars are wonderful, but you must keep up with maintenance at all times. Learn to wrench or expect to spend a LOT at the shop.
To... replace a house? Or to use up money alloted for a house?
W123’s (you’ve shown the sedan and wagon versions, there is also a coupe that’s pretty cool) are amazingly well engineered and built. Parts aren’t too much of a problem, good owners clubs and specialists around to look after them. As per any classic buy the best you can as resto costs are high
Really gonna depend on the outfit you're wearing.
W123
Landcruiser!
I owned a '78 450 Mercedes SEL for 12 or so years, fantastic car hard to park, terrible on ice. Currently own a '69 beetle so easy to work on, parts readily available and not expensive. This is my Classic BMW '72 motorcycle, I see these going for 5-7k lovely bikes run forever!
Husband who is total vintage car nerd says land cruiser. Wagon would be second. But they're all good -- you of course have impeccable taste.
Wagon, wagon, wagon, wagon, wagon!
This the @theautopian.bsky.social crossover I’ve been dreaming of
Yeah Torch needs to get in on this and all of them guys could use some tips on being well dressed 😂😂😂❤️ @theautopian.bsky.social
If the neighbourhood he moves to has a Jag specialist, this is not a terrible idea.
Basic rule- if you can't afford to live near good mass transit, chances are good you also cannot afford to drive a classic car. That's because you'll need a second backup car to drive when the other one breaks (again), or road conditions do not permit. Pretty is as pretty does.
If you need a car that actually starts up when you want to go somewhere, get a more modern vehicle with a little style. These will all have old wiring and fuses, and some rust underneath. You'll compete for the old mechanic's time, and pay through the nose for parts if you can find them.
Amen, doing that now and ready to sell it. A breakdown a month.
Yeah, that's no way to live. People who have classic cars tend to have 4 car garages.
honesly the w123 is almost identically your vibe
Derek. The SL.
FWIW - I’ve always thought that the W123 Coupe was one of the coolest looking cars ever (I own and drive Mercedes and Toyota’s - but none of these models - so it’s a tough choice)
Do you live in a place where they drench the roads with salt every winter? If so I would suggest a more modern auto. A 40+year old car will disintegrate before your eyes. But for Sunday drives the Pagoda is the only answer.
I would think the Toyota would be more easier/affordable to fix if it broke down plus it was made to go anywhere
If you can find the parts. A commenter above said parts haven’t been easily available since about 2008.😡
You don't need parts. These things can run for 1 000 000 kilometres, only held together by gaffer tape and coat hangers.
Oh, that’s why I have gaffer’s tape in the glove box🤦🏼♀️😂
German car parts are surprisingly inexpensive.
But the TARIFFS😭
The wagon has more sleeping room.
A > C > B > D
Don't know anything about these cars but 1&2 look amazing
FJ60 Cruiser and drive it into the ground…
I couldn't mechanic my way out of an erector set, but on looks alone I love number 4.
They will all end up costing you a tremendous amount of money for as long as you own them. You will NEVER be free from their ever consuming expenses.
Zimmer golden sprit! (no idea on the maintainability there, but looks ridiculous enough to be amazing.)
Asking car nerds is very smart. Lots of old cars look amazing, but might be difficult for parts and maintenance. I dreamt of a very old saab for a while.
Unless you're willing to pay for frequent maintenance, or do it yourself, i would not recommend any vintage car. Even as reliable as all 4 of these are, theyre very old and WILL need car. The Toyota the most of the bunch. Of these, the W123 is probably the best true Car.
Land Cruiser by a mile; it exudes This car has been on an actual safari while your Escalade needs a wash after a rainy trip to the strip mall, and oh yeah, it’ll still run well into the year 2200
I prefer American but: You need a good mechanic who can help with these old cars nearby. Pay attention to the wiring and electrical stuff before you buy.
Land Cruiser is the best of the bunch, but unbelievably heavy on fuel
How about a Citroën DS?
This is trolling, surely?
Landcruiser hands down.
Vintage cars are like good clothes. Find what fits you in your budget. Lots of good inexpensive options (not the Benzes, sorry!). And you need a good tailor (mechanic) who understands your car, with whom you will develop a close relationship.
Gotta go Land Cruiser and then modify it however you want
Old mercs are absolute basket cases nowadays
The wagon. ALWAYS the wagon. 1. Less of them on the road. 2. Quietly telegraphs one's disinterest in the herd. 3. Optimistic level of enclosed storage and hauling space.
Always Although these days anything not-SUV/Pickup is bucking the herd. Even minivans are becoming an iconoclastic choice If you really want to stand out there's also the shooting brake which is the answer to "what if Miata, but also 'wagon?"
MEGA-POINTS for "shooting brake"!
I think an E61 would suit Derek well.
Toyota will, in general, be more reliable over the long term.
A good M-B Pagoda is pricey these day. But what a car. Clean lines. Enough performance that you can run with modern traffic. Pretty bulletproof if you do the maintenance. But pricey. How about an old Saab 900 Turbo?
Vintage cars are stylish but not practical by modern standards. Unless you have a good mechanic nearby for them or have time and skill to do the work yourself, this is a bad idea. Mercedes W123 or 1980s BMW 5 series.
The M6 was a looker for sure back then. It had all the right gauges.
What about a houseboat? Those are cheaper than a house, but you would having mooring costs with those.
Sir, move to Pittsburgh.
It’s full of (tiny) walkable neighborhoods!
Mt. Washington
Chatham Village is one of my favorites.
Holy cats!! Anything like that in Portland would cost twice as much, maybe more depending on location.
The Yota
You could live out of a Land Cruiser, that’s the way to go. Park it in a walkable neighborhood and voila!
All are excellent. The Pagoda would be my choice, but good ones cane be well into 6 figures these days. Its successor, the R107, would be a great compromise between the Pagoda and the W123.
The R107 are handsome cars and somewhat more affordable!
Buy an old Mercedes if you want a bunch of problems. The Toyota is the way to go.
My husband drives a ‘96 Cruiser and often gets notes offering to buy it. 😌
📌
Depends on where you live and what you want to transport in the car. Personally, I would go for the 300TD. YMMV.
W113. That is all.
Any time you want to buy a classic car, go to Rock Auto's website and look for the water pump for each car - the availability and cost of those parts will give you a comparative idea of how much each will cost you long run. Cheers!
👍
look for a tic in the richmond or sunset. cheapest way in
Land Cruiser no question
My dad had a Mercedes W123 when we lived in Germany. It was an awesome car.
If you can afford the Pagoda, then you’re a very lucky man.
The 1964 Vauxhall Viva ( called The Envoy by GM Canada) was low-key sporty as hell
The SM. Superb.
I know nothing about cars. But I’ve always liked the MB Pagoda.
That Land Cruiser is pretty appealing
You will keep getting in and out of the Merc just to feel the door close.
The Toyota can be big fun off road.
While the Land cruiser may seem like the logical choice, context is everything and you should consider the Hilux. The addition of a few accessories allows you to be ready for all social situations.
Toyota. They last forever and the land cruiser will go anywhere. Also impeccable paint job.
The less-impractical part of me says the Land Cruiser because it will go on forever. But...damn, the 300TD is sexy. Admittedly, the only car more expensive than a cheap BMW is a cheap Benz, and it's going to be much more hassle than the Toytota. But I don't want to LICK the Toyota, you know?
You can live out of the FJ60 and park in walkable neighborhoods wearing nice outfits.
A full restomod on any would be nice. The toyota would be a more straightforward project, but mercedes would stand out more.
First time I saw this car was in Tintin when I was 11. It was Thompson and Thomson’s vehicle and I was thinking what the hell is this car.
Herge was a big fan of drawing cars. the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT from The Calculus Affair is exquisitely sketched. Plenty of artistic people have owned 2CVs, Miyzaki, O'Brian, etc.
In the import-crazy place that was 1960s San Francisco, one of my dad’s friends had one, and I convinced them to trade cars for a day. In a place where it was basically impossible to go over 40 mph it was hilarious good fun to ride in.
They work really well on Japanese roads. I imagine little French sideroads too. A bit of effort to drive them around here, but people don't mind if you're a bit slow.
I like them. I don’t see them that often here but from time to time. Here’s one I saw they painted like a bumblebee
Th DS! I used to have one, they are glorious. Also recommended Citroën Big/Light 15s. Currently I'm running a VW T2 camper though.
Here’s the Citroen U55 Cityrama Bus, Paris, 1950. www.darkroastedblend.com/2012/06/most...
I love my 2cv but a good city car it definitely isn't
Don’t do it. With a vehicle, function must prevail over form. Form must still be considered.
My idiosyncratic choices. BMW 2002 2 door. Peugeot 504 coupe. If budget more limited Citroen GS, Simca 1500, Alfasud.
The 504 is so stylish.
The Merc wagon is the real deal
Home in a walkable neighborhood will be cheaper than fixing an old mercedes
The 300TD is clearly the only pick here.
Any Mercedes is great, but repair bills are nuts. If you need room to haul things the Toyota would the best choice. If you don't have a lot of friends the SL would be my choice. Stay away from diesel engines, they are very slow in the city and drop a lot of exhaust.
I don't think I count as a car nerd, but as somebody who has mostly owned older cars... be aware that things will break more often than you think, so if you're not handy with a wrench or don't have a place to work on it, there'll be time at the mechanic. New cars not immune, but old cars frequently
For the most part Toyota v good on the repair front though I've never had a Land Cruiser Also gas mileage on classic/older cars can be crap... which may matter more or less depending on commute That's my 2¢... classics still cooler, but it's up to you whether it's worth it for your daily driver
- Dictator - Dictator - Dictator - Dictator (weekends and mistresses)
hello, as a 1987 fj-60 owner in the late 99s/early 00s i can tell you i miss that car more than i miss my hair, more than i miss MTV's liquid television, more than i miss any other folly of youth. it's a 4-speed stick with no overdrive, the max RPM is about 4500, and it can hit 80 on a downhill
it has a manual choke, manually locking 4wd axle, and in low-4 it could tow a wrecked submarine
it has no electronic fuel injection. it would survive a direct EMP blast. if you have sex in it there's a 15% chance richard linklater will make a movie about you. third gear sounds like a reversing semi truck. if they'd used these in jurassic park the movie would be 15 minutes. get one
in australia they tell stories about land cruisers whose belts snapped in the heat and the driver just replaced it with her pantyhose tied in a loop, and it drove 300m on that. it's like if otomo drew a jeep wagoneer
I really felt the love there in your little story.
Yes. That Land Cruiser über alles.
I imagine Derek in the coupe in the bottom right box. As for me, I have long loved station wagons with roof racks for camping trips.
Kind of small and nowhere to shower, but great view.
W114 diesel. Dream car.
Any old Mercedes is going to be expensive in the long run, due to maintenance/repair—and that’s before tariffs have hit imported parts. The toyota will be significantly less expensive to maintain over time, and parts are cheap enough to take a less-jarring tariff hit.
The Land Cruiser is my personal favorite and quite suited for any task. The Mercedes are ok, but repairs and parts will be costlier than a new wardrobe. If you're in that $ range, consider a Jaguar, or classic English estate cars. Better ride quality and experience.
Out of these? Land Cruiser!
The Land Cruiser is a dream car, but all of these have a great aesthetic. Another car with a similar aesthetic you may want to consider- a Volvo 240, particularly the station wagon. Extremely durable, fairly affordable.
My mom drove us across the country during the Mississippi flooding in a Volvo 240DL sedan in 1993. That thing was a tank.
I miss my ‘78 245DL. Great high school car.
Very comfy, too. Volvo have always had nice seats.
Very 'old money'. Boxy, but good.
This is my most modern car and my daily driver. I trust driving it anywhere
Without going all nutz, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Ro... The 1750 Veloce is about my favorite modest ride. Datsun 510 is also classic.
I love the Datsun 510 reference (blinged out 1971 Datsun 510 wagon was my first car, in 1987), but there may be les than 5-10 of these remaining in any kind of functional state. That was a bare bones car that was not built to last 40 years...
I doubt that many 510s are still running, back in the 70s it was about the cheapest car with 4wheel independent suspension. Was more just a hearkening, nostalgia if you will, to a simpler time, when a replacement key didn't cost $1k.
No no, tell everyone it's awful and definitely not the best car ever produced (trying to find one for under 2k rn) 👀
I had to pay more than twice that for mine, but it's a 5 speed. My brother said the first one he bought was $300, haha
The one with the turbo is boss af, I knew a girl in college with one of these who could fly down 5 in 2/3 the time it took my turboless Toyota Yes this was in 2000 BUT STILL
Best car I ever had (although my current Superb Combi is pretty good). I still regret letting it go when unleaded petrol (gas) came in.
Knew a very nice red haired woman who had this wagon. She'd tool around in it with her 2 Scottish terriers and her Bouvier des Flandres. Quite the sight. They all had presence. The lady, the dogs and the wagon.
I mean you can probably get a house for what a good MB W113 Pagoda SL runs.
Look at importing a Toyota Bandeirante diesel from Brazil. It’s basically an FJ40 with a Mercedes diesel. Slow but indestructible
If you are looking for something a bit impractical, the Pemberton T24 is currently in production, so comes with a warranty.
Pembleton. But yes, a beautiful machine.
Correct. Sheesh, I fixed the autocorrect the first time but it ambushed me anyway, at some point. Here’s an Isetta in compensation.
“Do car nerds have opinions” Oh my sweet summer child
Counter point:
get the wagon and join the cool kids club.
In lue of the house, the Land cruiser can sleep two. For driving, I like the MB W123. A properly dressed person would add to it stylish lines.
Benz W123 for sure. They are all awesome cars though.
The Nash Met!!
It’s the Benz W123 for me.
My best friend in high school totaled one and the older I get the more I lament the loss lol.
go with the 300TD. it is emminently repairable, and will last forever.
Get a Mazda. Best cars on the road right now per my son who works in the Detroit auto industry.
Personally I’d go for the Mercedes 300TD Estate. Every car you’ll ever need. But when you finally get your affordable home in a walkable neighbourhood, get some garaging and buy all four. And a 1960’s Alfa Romeo (any model).
Like the brown Mercedes. It’s vintage but not cool vintage like an old Porsche. But it knows what it is and doesn’t give a f*ck what anyone thinks. When you drive it, it gives you instant credibility.
This list seems to be missing a Volvo 240 wagon.
Excellent point!
No one is missing a wagon.
It’s the same with cycling. It’s such a drag. Anyway, lottery tickets.
A clean example of the Landcruiser will be very expensive, you’ll have better selection with one of the Mercedes options
I have a Land Cruiser 60 series. I love it but I would not daily drive it. Depending on your climate they are prone to rust. The 4 speed gearbox is a little short for regular highway driving if you are staying with the earlier manual 60 rather than the 62. They drink a lot of fuel.
All that being said I swapped a 5 speed into my 60 to take care of the highway manners. It has been reliable. It has old car problems but they are extremely well documented online on the ih8mud forum. I have vacuum leak that needs sorting. The primitive emissions system is a wild tangle of hoses.
The Mercedes "Pagoda" SL is my dream car. Or was, when I could still get IN one. Super classy, beautiful lines, serious vintage cred. But for about half as much you could get a GLK. I need mine for the "hip height" seats but .... a 2015 with less than 40K on the clock in was 20K in '20.
That diesel Mercedes is good for the long haul, and beautifully serene.
All the Mercs here are timeless classics, but the Land Cruiser is the best choice out of the four. Just look at the stripes on that perfect shade of beige. It is perfect and unkillable
It was the height of 80s design. I hate to see the revived Broncos using it.
That is fantastic
More modern things need stripes. Not just single or double racing stripes, but colorful stripes in any direction. We have to bring them back
#TruckKun Must Be Avoided At All Costs!
You would look good in the Pagoda.
Land Cruiser 80. 1997 or 100. 2001. Cheaper to maintain.
You might heed less and stick with the only perfect vehicle among them 💙
