A Mercedes Diesel owner is, almost without fail, the cheapest son-of-a-bitch on the planet. We buy these things and run them forever because they are - at the end of the day - the lowest monetary outlay for transportation possible.
Fix or Farewell?
- Thread starter sandmc
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- engine overheating fix?
A Mercedes Diesel owner is, almost without fail, the cheapest son-of-a-bitch on the planet. We buy these things and run them forever because they are - at the end of the day - the lowest monetary outlay for transportation possible.
I've said it before and I will say it again...my LJ is the cheapest vehicle to operate that I own. Well, it is also the cheapest but that is not the discussion. It is BY FAR the cheapest to operate.
Mine turned green instead of turning yellow or staying blue. Utterly useless lol. Luckily my HG was not blown.
Makes sense that the issue would be WP, Thermostat, or Radiator (depending on when the overheating occurs). My recent failure was due to a bad WP that then also trashed my TS so it's great that I changed it as well.
I looked it up and Dex's Jeep is located in western TN, some place called Bethel Springs, which is 10-12 hours drive from Raleigh, NC.
No thank you. Here is why I say that.
A brake job, tires and an oil change on this is almost the value of my Jeep.
Here is why I say that.
Are those Hellcats prone to expensive repair? The other cars I see I understand come with expense, but I think those Nissans are pretty reliable. I like a GTR. I just passed a beautiful white one with a bunch of aero and Nismo badging on the highway.
This is biased, but you did come to a TJ Forum for answers.
Unless my TJ is totaled in a crash, I have no plans to sell it. Rust, engine issues, etc. can all be repaired or replaced. I think of selling it often but when I think of what would replace it, that reminds me why I bought it. Its a unique car that offers a lot of utility to the owner. I couldn't find a similar vehicle on the market worth buying.
The 2-door GMT400 Blazer/Tahoe/Yukon is a damn close contender though, just my opinion. Nothing newer than 2010 is very user-serviceable.
Unless my TJ is totaled in a crash, I have no plans to sell it. Rust, engine issues, etc. can all be repaired or replaced. I think of selling it often but when I think of what would replace it, that reminds me why I bought it. Its a unique car that offers a lot of utility to the owner. I couldn't find a similar vehicle on the market worth buying.
The 2-door GMT400 Blazer/Tahoe/Yukon is a damn close contender though, just my opinion. Nothing newer than 2010 is very user-serviceable.
I was recently on a business trip to Qatar and you'd swear those things are native out there. I would love one of those as a family vehicle but to me the title of 'best' compact SUV/offroader goes to the TJ.
This works well. I did this a few years back. Cost me $10. You get the deposit for the tool back when you return it, but need to purchase the blue dye color. It is super easy to do with no real mechanical know-how. It will tell you if you are getting exhaust fumes in your cooling system. A head gasket leak doesn't always mix oil/coolant, doesn't always smoke out of the tailpipe, etc. Others advise I agree with...cost per mile vs new car payment, insurance, etc. The more you can fix yourself, certainly the more money you stand to save for certain. Most times, it allows you to purchase those "special" tools needed for the job as well.
Honestly, there aren't a lot of "bad" vehicles out there. When they aren't maintained is when more problems show up, than in vehicles that were maintained well. If you want to drive any older vehicle, you need to budget repair money for them, just as you would a car payment, (just shouldn't need as much money).
Please don't take this as a "soap box" lecture...just saying the way it is with any older vehicle that is desired to be a daily driver. Truly hope this helps.
Every car can get expensive. The costs are proportional to how you drive it. For example, that cobra in the pic was supposed to be track ready per Ford. One day at the track and the brakes were a half of a millimeter from metal, in just one day of racing it. Every piece had to be replaced with parts designed to track applications.
The Hellcat is a little different. The mustang is designed to zig zag around a track, a Challenger/charger is designed to go in a straight line. Yes, the parts for it are a little higher than normal but not outrageous - still more expensive than the Jeep.
I drive all my cars but not on a daily basis. The Hellcat replaced the McLaren as a daily. Also have a couple more as dailies even though I don't really drive every day.
I like your comment about Nissan, but they just don't get my heart beating and that is why I don't have any. The GTR is a fine car, just not for me.
Yeah, the LC isn't exactly compact. But if you need to use the back seat for people, the TJ has zero space. I'm trying to convince my soon-to-be 16 year old boy (who doesn't love the TJ life) that an LC is what he needs to invest in. I think the only motor I trust as much as the 4.0L is the Toyota V8.
I'm fortunate enough to have TJ's & a cruiser....I am not interested in giving up either of them.
Get him an FJ Cruiser and take the back seat out. Less distractions and safer for him to be driving...and reliable.
I had a used 81 300D Mercedes. Built like a tank ann low maintenance and upkeep costs. I did run it for ever until someone ran into me head on in a minivan
. His was smashed, while mine just bent! 
. Unfortunately, insurance company totaled mine 
I had a used 81 300D Mercedes. Built like a tank ann low maintenance and upkeep costs. I did run it for ever until someone ran into me head on in a minivan
I've had two different InsCos try to total my car on two separate occasions. Neither one of them succeeded.
I had a used 81 300D Mercedes. Built like a tank ann low maintenance and upkeep costs. I did run it for ever until someone ran into me head on in a minivan
we had same 300D, squished in the middle of a 5 car crunch. New radiator and was at 285K when we sold it and from what I understand went for many more years in FL with the new owners.
I did all the work on that car myself except a/c work. It was so cool that so much of the things in that car worked on vacuum thru hoses everywhere, including sunroof, door locks, etc. Finding the source of vacuum leaks was always exciting!
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