Some people like having flashy new things, whatever the cost. But others want to get their money’s worth out of a purchase, and won’t accept anything less than near-immortality from their possessions. If you are of that latter persuasion, you’re in luck – today we’re looking at two sedans that might just outlast you.
Yesterday we looked at two trucks, one with twice as many cylinders as the other. By a huge margin, you chose the smaller of the two, electing not to drive something the size of a cruise ship that gets eight miles to the gallon. But those of you who did advocate for the great big Dodge did so passionately, and I admire you for that. But you’re definitely in the minority.
Me, I’m abstaining from this one. I already have a truck I like better than either of these, and it’s right in between them, size-wise. I know, I know; I don’t let any of you vote “neither,” but I get to. It’s just how it is.
There’s an old urban legend about an eighty-year-old guy who walked into a Sears store carrying a wad of shredded rags that used to be a bathrobe and demanded a replacement. When the clerk refused, he pointed to the barely legible “Lifetime Warranty” tag inside the robe. “I’m still alive,” he said, “and I want a new robe.” It’s one of those stories that probably isn’t true, but I really want it to be. And if it is true, I really want to know what the old man was driving. I bet it was something like one of these two. Let’s check them out.
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300D – $5,000
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 3.0-liter OHC diesel inline 5, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Burbank, CA
Odometer reading: 126,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
A lot of appreciators of long-lived, durable items dismiss luxury brand names as frivolous crap. And in many cases, they’re right, but not always. Mercedes-Benz these days may be just another luxury badge, coasting on past glories, but what we have here is one of those past glories: the W123 chassis sedan. It’s not luxurious by today’s standards, full of high-tech gizmos and bragging rights; it’s just a carefully-designed car built very, very well. Quality is a form of luxury too, one that’s not so easy to find these days.
Most W123 sedans sold in America were diesels, and you’re probably familiar with the glacially slow 240D and only slightly peppier 300D. Mercedes was well aware of the deficiencies of these indestructible but low-output engines, and in 1981 added a turbocharger to the US-market 300D, which brought about forty extra horsepower to the party and made the 300D a more respectable performer. This engine has a reputation for clattering and whooshing its way to some astronomical odometer readings; this one, at only 126,000 miles, is just nicely broken-in.
It looks pretty good inside; M-B Tex vinyl is incredibly tough and long-wearing. The seat springs and horsehair stuffing can sag and need rebuilding, and the driver’s seat of this one does look a little droopy. And it has a ratty-looking cover on the steering wheel that isn’t doing it any favors. The armrest appears to have popped a seam as well. But it’s all fixable, and worth fixing.
The paint is dull and faded, there’s a blemish on the front bumper, and it’s missing a piece of trim from the right front door. And that’s just what I can see; there are no photos in the ad of the rear of the car. The cosmetic condition of this car shows that these things are going up in value; a W123 this shabby was about half this price only a few years ago. I guess that means it’s worth shining it back up.
2005 Toyota Camry LE – $4,995
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4-liter DOHC inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Kent, WA
Odometer reading: 181,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
For four decades now, everybody has known that if you want a reliable and durable car, you get a Toyota Camry. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also nice cars, comfortable to ride in, and pleasant if not exciting to drive. And unlike a lot of cars, they just got better with each successive generation. They have such good reputations that even beat-up examples with 300,000 miles on them are in demand. This fifth-generation Camry is still a ways under 200,000, and it’s certainly not beat-up.
It has the quintessential Camry drivetrain configuration: a four-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission. It works, it’s enough power to get around, and it’s easy to maintain. This one has a timing chain instead of a belt, too, which eliminates one maintenance item. It’s being sold by a dealership, so we don’t get any useful information about its condition, just a list of options and features. But that’s the beauty of shopping for a Camry; it almost certainly runs and drives perfectly.
At first glance, the interior of a Camry looks like any other car: lots of cloth and plastic, nothing special. But it’s all very well-made, and it holds up extremely well. This one has a hole worn in the floormat from the driver’s heel, but otherwise it looks neat as a pin.
Outside, it’s a perfect answer to an Autopian Asks question from last week: it’s hard to get more inconspicuous than this. Hell, unless you look closely, it’s hard to tell there’s a car in the photo above at all. It’s in good condition, though, with no rust and only a few blemishes.
I’ve always liked having things that last; I still regularly use tools that I’ve had since high school, and I have shirts older than Thomas. And after years of buying cheap cars that were on their last legs when I got them, I have an appreciation for vehicles that can stand the test of time too. These two have a hell of a lot of life left in them, if you treat them right. Which one looks like the better start for a long-term relationship?
The Benz would certainly be interesting if I want a curiosity and a challenge. But a non-turbo diesel would probably be hitting 60 in about 20 seconds. No good for getting on the highway. Gimme the Camry if I’m actually commuting or doing important things in it.
The Camry is a good A-B transportation module. The price seems kinda high, but as long as it’s not rusty, it’s probably easily got another 100K in it.
Maybe the Merc does too, but IMO those would not be pleasant or trouble-free miles. Plus, the interior just looks nasty, if the miles really are that low, they’re HARD miles. And honestly, I just don’t see the appeal of owning an old diesel. They’re slow, dirty, and not especially efficient. I used to pump gas as a kid, and used to HATE when these pigs pulled in.
I’m familiar with the Camry and certain that when it’s as old as the Benz, it’ll likely still be kicking at a similar level.
But I want the Benz.
The Mercedes is a project. The Camry is an hour on a Saturday with a new Android Auto ready head unit from Crutchfield away from being perfect reliable, if somewhat boring transportation for a long time.
I can justify the Merc as a labor of love, that is a car that still has presence. This example is pretty far gone, but I enjoy puttering about. I might recommend a Camry to a friend or a friend of a friend, but as long as I have some disposable income cars are too important to me to drive something so mundane.
No desire for the diesel MB, much to the chagrin of my Autopian colleagues, no doubt. If it was clean, OK – mabye, but not in the ratty shape it’s in here. I don’t need the drama and (likely) smell of that thing in my life for eternity.
This is a neither situation. While I respect Camrys greatly, I have zero desire to ever own one (and this was a particularly uninspiring generation of them). That Mercedes is too far gone – you can’t make it nice for what a nice one costs (ultimately these things are not at all rare, even if they are getting more expensive along with everything else), and I don’t do hoopties. Even if it is mechanically perfect (and I guarantee that it is NOT), I would infinitely rather have one with nice paint/interior and bad mechanicals. Much cheaper and easier to make a pretty one run right than a nice runner not ugly.
Also – given the condition I do not believe for a split second that the mileage is accurate on the Mercedes. Those VDO odometers in W123s do fail with some regularity. It may have gone 200K with no odometer, or the whole cluster got swapped.
Yes, that interior does not match the mileage claim. If the odo is working, I’d believe 1139k miles before I believed 139k, but it’s more than likely not working, and the mileage is somewhere in the middle.
That Camry looks like punishment. And a life sentence at that. Only thing missing is a dented rear bumper.
A 2005 Toyota Camry? That’s one of the Fastest Cars! Up there with the Nissan Altima and the Amazon Delivery Van.
Judging by my scientific observations along the freeway.
This is a tough choice. If you don’t mind restoring the interior, then the Merc is a good choice.That driver’s seat, at least, will need broken springs welded or replaced if you want to do it right (or a pool noodle tucked in if you don’t). Unless it’s been really meticulously maintained, then there are likely some vacuum lines that will need attention. Etc. But, if you’re willing to put in the work then you’ll have something unlike any other car on the road short of something that costs into the 6 figure range. We used to have an ’83, and the sense of solid construction they give you is really satisfying.
Or you can just get in the Camry and drive it for the next dozen years. I’ll take the Camry.
I know the smart choice is the Camry, but in this instance, I really want that 300D.
Gonna have to go with my heart today and say oil burner.
Owned one of these Camrys, a 2006 with a 2.4L and the 5 speed auto, when I was still commuting 70+ miles round trip for work. Quiet, comfortable, durable, efficient. My only complaint was it was under-braked when loaded with the rear drum setup.
Camry for me. It’ll likely be as efficient as that old non-turbo-diesel Mercedes, will be way faster, the fuel will be cheaper per litre, it’ll be cheaper to fix, has better safety and will have parts/service that is far more available.
Plus that Camry seems to be in better overall condition.
That is one shabby Mercedes. A reputation for longevity is one thing, but that interior is pretty far gone. The blue vinyl is peeled away around the ignition keyhole, and what’s happening with the drivers side b-pillar? The trim is peeling away or something. Yuck. That Camry looks cozy by comparison; I can practically feel that mouse fur coddling my thighs
That Cam is in excellent shape and if I needed a daily I’d go for it. But I have a daily and love dumb projects so I’ll take the Benz. Seems like it could be a good car to tinker on and you can let it sit outside guilt free.
Neither car would be a daily driver for me, so I’d want each drive in it to be an occasion. I think the Benz would suit that mission the best.
The Mercedes could be nice again, but it will cost a fortune, because Mercedes parts costs.
The Toyota can be a winter car, then I can put the fortune I save into a nice summer car.
I’m in on the Merc, because I suspect that the aftermarket for these cars (specifically parts) is better than the Toyota.