[CarreraDan]

I think I would go with a 944 or 318 over the 80's 300D--and I have one as a semi daily driver. The secret to the old Benz's is to find one that has been lovingly taken care of most of its life and not had someone skimp on the maintenance. From what I have read this is getting harder to do. Mine sat in a barn for a few years under a cover but before it was put away it had always been serviced at the dealer. I have had to put about $2k into it on things like brakes, suspension, tires, etc but I am getting just under 30 mpg in town with it so it has started to pay me back in gas savings and the car was free. Parts are surprisingly cheap compared to the Porsche if you know where to get them--not at the dealer.

A lot of people think the 300D's are good first cars because they are slow and heavy, but personally I would rather have something with ABS and airbags for a new driver. If your turbo is in proper working order the 300D's aren't as slow as people think and even with a new suspension the handling isn't that great (I don't know how recoverable it would be if she started to spin/slide--I don't plan on finding out with mine). A local wrench had a late 80's 944 with a rebuilt motor in your price range if you want the number.