Bobby's used car lot and Free Carfax

[MontuckyFried]

Check out THIS gorgeous specimen CTS4 wagon. Wasn't thinking I'd go this old (or NY car), but this car has evidently been babied and ultra low miles. It's priced high for the year/model, but it's condition might very well justify the asking price. If it's totally rust/corrosion free underneath, this one is tempting me.
https://www.autotrader.com/marketpla...DG8EG6A0131150

Still haven't heard back about that nice E class.

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

That Caddy looks pretty nice. Like you said, babied.

Still haven't decided what to do about getting an E350 wagon but after having to Tetris my bike in and out of the back of my Golf Sportwagen yesterday and today, I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger on looking at it.

[MontuckyFried]

That Caddy looks pretty nice. Like you said, babied.

Still haven't decided what to do about getting an E350 wagon but after having to Tetris my bike in and out of the back of my Golf Sportwagen yesterday and today, I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger on looking at it.

Tell you what, man. Broaden your search for the E wagons to nationwide searches. From what I'm seeing you can do WAY better than that one you found. Now you got me seriously shopping for that generation since it's right within my target budget.

One of the things I'm finding most appealing about used Mercedes is that as a generality they seem to have been taken care of WAAAAAAAY better than most the used BMWs and Audis I've been seeing. Maybe cuz the demographic skews elderly which is great for the second hand buyer. I know their paint quality is top notch and interiors hold up well so that helps.

[simple]

That Caddy looks pretty nice. Like you said, babied.

Still haven't decided what to do about getting an E350 wagon but after having to Tetris my bike in and out of the back of my Golf Sportwagen yesterday and today, I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger on looking at it.

They make these things called roof racks. Hitch racks are even better. No disassembly required.

They even make covers if you can't possibly have a speck of dirt on your bike. Locks also

[gravitylover]

Check out THIS gorgeous specimen CTS4 wagon. Wasn't thinking I'd go this old (or NY car), but this car has evidently been babied and ultra low miles. It's priced high for the year/model, but it's condition might very well justify the asking price. If it's totally rust/corrosion free underneath, this one is tempting me.
https://www.autotrader.com/marketpla...DG8EG6A0131150

Still haven't heard back about that nice E class.

I just drove past that town yesterday. I'll probably be back there next week (depending on the outcome of my current engine problem when it goes in the shop again Monday). If you're still looking at it I can do an eyes-on for ya. FWIW that's a good dealer, or at least it was, and had a solid reputation.

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

They make these things called roof racks. Hitch racks are even better. No disassembly required.

They even make covers if you can't possibly have a speck of dirt on your bike. Locks also

Bike theft is a very real thing these days in Vermont. If I'm just transporting to a spot to start my ride then, sure, I use the roof rack that I have. But if it's for a weekend in Burlington, VT (which has a crazy bad bike theft issue these days), I need to be able to put it inside. Thieves will fuck up a rack trying to steal your bike and those locks that Thule has are only effective at deterring mostly honest thieves.

And the bike thing is just one thing in a long line of things that are pushing me to get a bigger wagon....

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Tell you what, man. Broaden your search for the E wagons to nationwide searches. From what I'm seeing you can do WAY better than that one you found. Now you got me seriously shopping for that generation since it's right within my target budget.

One of the things I'm finding most appealing about used Mercedes is that as a generality they seem to have been taken care of WAAAAAAAY better than most the used BMWs and Audis I've been seeing. Maybe cuz the demographic skews elderly which is great for the second hand buyer. I know their paint quality is top notch and interiors hold up well so that helps.

Did a deep dive on the W212/S212 era of M-B E-wagons....definitely want to get the S212 model; usually described as the best series of modern M-B cars. And you definitely want to get a post-facelift model year (2013 and beyond). And definitely do not get the 09 or 10 model year cars...they used a 90* V6 that had a balance shaft that was generally a problem. For 2011, M-B switched to a 60* V6 that doesn't have the balance shaft. Watch for driver's seat seams splitting, especially on the M-B Tex versions.

[riser4]

Bike theft is a very real thing these days in Vermont. If I'm just transporting to a spot to start my ride then, sure, I use the roof rack that I have. But if it's for a weekend in Burlington, VT (which has a crazy bad bike theft issue these days), I need to be able to put it inside. Thieves will fuck up a rack trying to steal your bike and those locks that Thule has are only effective at deterring mostly honest thieves.

And the bike thing is just one thing in a long line of things that are pushing me to get a bigger wagon....

Bike theft has been a problem in Burlington for decades.

[jm2e]

Then get a minivan. Doesn’t matter how long your wagon is, putting a bike inside is a massive pain in the ass.
Plus, get a beefy Abus chain to lock your bike to the trailer hitch. Unlocked bikes get stolen and cable locks are just a half step away from unlocked.
Yes, the right tools can cut any chain. A rock can break a window though.


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[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Then get a minivan. Doesn’t matter how long your wagon is, putting a bike inside is a massive pain in the ass.
Plus, get a beefy Abus chain to lock your bike to the trailer hitch. Unlocked bikes get stolen and cable locks are just a half step away from unlocked.
Yes, the right tools can cut any chain. A rock can break a window though.


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It's not the length, it's the width

[frorider]

It's not the length, it's the width

Doesn’t my Alltrack have same interior dimensions as the sportwagen? I routinely put two mtbs in there in seconds, one of which is an XL 29er enduro bike that is huge in every dimension. Putting just a single bike is faster than using my 1up hitch rack.

Edit: all our mtbs have a dropper post. But the 60 cm road bike fits easily too unless I’m forgetting something

[gravitylover]

Then get a minivan. Doesn’t matter how long your wagon is, putting a bike inside is a massive pain in the ass.
Plus, get a beefy Abus chain to lock your bike to the trailer hitch. Unlocked bikes get stolen and cable locks are just a half step away from unlocked.
Yes, the right tools can cut any chain. A rock can break a window though.

That's why I finally succumbed, tired of arguing with putting bikes (and other bulky things) into insufficient vehicles. Turns out that I kinda like rolling in a minivan, it actually rides better than most fwd vehicles and since it doesn't handle terribly well my issues with fwd (understeer) don't come into play. Best of all is it's nearly invisible to cops and with beefy AT tires it goes pretty much everywhere I want it to. Even though I got the darkest tint available I do lock bikes to the steel seat loops welded to the floor if I'm going to be away from it for more than a few minutes. Back in April I had the hitch rack that was locked to the hitch with a locking pin cut off with 2 bikes on it, the end was still there and securely locked, $4k worth of samples gone in less than 10 minutes at the rest area on I91 near Brattleboro.

[cat in january]

Man at a rest area, that’s a pretty visible place

[gravitylover]

I was parked right in the center of the lot too and it was about 9am so there were people milling around. That $4k is my reps cost which was about 25% below wholesale, the retail value of the 2 bikes was close to $9k

[riser4]

I was parked right in the center of the lot too and it was about 9am so there were people milling around. That $4k is my reps cost which was about 25% below wholesale, the retail value of the 2 bikes was close to $9k

We're descending into Mad Max reality with each passing moment. You need to hire a gang of meth heads with sharpened bicycle rims to guard your shit.

[MontuckyFried]

I just drove past that town yesterday. I'll probably be back there next week (depending on the outcome of my current engine problem when it goes in the shop again Monday). If you're still looking at it I can do an eyes-on for ya. FWIW that's a good dealer, or at least it was, and had a solid reputation.

Oh wow! No way! Very nice. Really appreciate that. Just made first contact with the seller who's going to take undercarriage pics for me.

Also finally heard back about the Mercedes. Both seem pretty cherry, so it's a tough call, but leaning toward the E wagon. Guy said he'll take it to the dealer for a PPI for me and just asked for more pics. Weird going through Autotrader. Wish I could just talk to them over the phone like a normal transaction. We'll see how it goes with these.

In both cases, they are among the best examples in the entire country. Lowest mile CTS4 wagon I've seen by a LOT. Well, of the like 5 out there for sale. Haha. Benz looks clean AF too. JUST had 50K service done if that gives you an idea of what it might be like.

[MontuckyFried]

Did a deep dive on the W212/S212 era of M-B E-wagons....definitely want to get the S212 model; usually described as the best series of modern M-B cars. And you definitely want to get a post-facelift model year (2013 and beyond). And definitely do not get the 09 or 10 model year cars...they used a 90* V6 that had a balance shaft that was generally a problem. For 2011, M-B switched to a 60* V6 that doesn't have the balance shaft. Watch for driver's seat seams splitting, especially on the M-B Tex versions.

Good to know! The one I'm looking at is a 2015, but I did find a really sweet looking 2011 down in Palm Beach that's also been on my radar. Only 76K. She's a beaut, Clark! Could this be the one for you? Priced high, but it looks pretty mint and mileage ain't bad.
https://www.autotrader.com/marketpla...ngId=688738620

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Good to know! The one I'm looking at is a 2015, but I did find a really sweet looking 2011 down in Palm Beach that's also been on my radar. Only 76K. She's a beaut, Clark! Could this be the one for you? Priced high, but it looks pretty mint and mileage ain't bad.
https://www.autotrader.com/marketpla...ngId=688738620

I wouldn't buy a pre-facelift model (2009-2012). There are so many things that they corrected with the 2013-2016 models, it's worth the extra money. It's widely reported that M-B spent 1 billion Euros to correct all of the issues the 09-12 models had. I found a verified 1-owner, no accidents, regularly serviced 2016 with 61K miles that is the same color but has real leather (not M-BTex) seats for under $30K and it's only a 2 hour drive from me. Flying to Florida is about the last thing I would want to do these days.

[MontuckyFried]

I wouldn't buy a pre-facelift model (2009-2012). There are so many things that they corrected with the 2013-2016 models, it's worth the extra money. It's widely reported that M-B spent 1 billion Euros to correct all of the issues the 09-12 models had. I found a verified 1-owner, no accidents, regularly serviced 2016 with 61K miles that is the same color but has real leather (not M-BTex) seats for under $30K and it's only a 2 hour drive from me. Flying to Florida is about the last thing I would want to do these days.

Ooh! Very nice. 1 owner, eh? Yup. I guess we're gonna pay a bit more for that, but could be worth it to not end up with a dealer vehicle they sourced from auction with an unknown past. Especially on these.

[gravitylover]

$19k! Really? I mean, it looks nice and it has the right transmission but... https://carfax.app.link/yiDcoH144Bb

[Vt-Freeheel]

M jongs Unicorn vehicle and Upstate to boot. Looks like it was a loaner/demo and only 4 owners. Only service reported was a presale wash and wax, lol.
Trade?

[MontuckyFried]

$19k! Really? I mean, it looks nice and it has the right transmission but... https://carfax.app.link/yiDcoH144Bb

Must be cuz it's Upstate.

Seriously tho. I don't care HOW mint it is, that price is nuts. My family has an 87 (Samurai badged) w/ a stick that we use purely for farm duty. Vehicle is SO damn rad. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Is absolutely bomber off road and we beat the piss out of it. Only paid a few grand for it tho. An expensive Samurai/Tracker kind of defeats the point. Lol. We went the Samurai route cuz it was hella cheaper than a decent 4 wheeler or expensive side by side. I love that thing. Makes me never want to bother with a Jeep.

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Doesn’t my Alltrack have same interior dimensions as the sportwagen? I routinely put two mtbs in there in seconds, one of which is an XL 29er enduro bike that is huge in every dimension. Putting just a single bike is faster than using my 1up hitch rack.

Edit: all our mtbs have a dropper post. But the 60 cm road bike fits easily too unless I’m forgetting something

Same size. Do you take off the front wheels? My bike is a 56cm gravel bike with flat bars and 29" wheels. It barely fits and I have to set it in, go to the back doors and pull it forward and then back to the hatch to coax it the rest of the way in. Have had many people help and observe and nobody can see a better way.

[m2711c]

pre '95 trackers all had the inferior OBD1, single injector, 8 valve engine, producing a mere 80hp... now them '95-'98 gots the fuckin' screamin' 4 injector, 16 valve version crankin' out 95 friggin' hp with The OBD2 fer yer easy diagnosis of egr problems.








now, thats my huckleberry.





Fact.

[gravitylover]

Must be cuz it's Upstate.

Seriously tho. I don't care HOW mint it is, that price is nuts. My family has an 87 (Samurai badged) w/ a stick that we use purely for farm duty. Vehicle is SO damn rad. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Is absolutely bomber off road and we beat the piss out of it. Only paid a few grand for it tho. An expensive Samurai/Tracker kind of defeats the point. Lol. We went the Samurai route cuz it was hella cheaper than a decent 4 wheeler or expensive side by side. I love that thing. Makes me never want to bother with a Jeep.

pre '95 trackers all had the inferior OBD1, single injector, 8 valve engine, producing a mere 80hp... now them '95-'98 gots the fuckin' screamin' 4 injector, 16 valve version crankin' out 95 friggin' hp with The OBD2 fer yer easy diagnosis of egr problems.








now, thats my huckleberry.





Fact.

This is kinda what I need to hear. Are we surprised that in my never ending search for a simple, reliable, do-everything daily driver I got sidetracked from Fits and Corollas and ended up looking at Sidekicks? Primary need is simple with a manual that gets good mpg and whaddya know, these fit the bill. That 95-98 tip is gold! Thanx