[matthewb0051]

I'm in the process of getting my son a 1st car to drive to school and relieve the Missus of her carpool duties.

Here is my short list:

Mercedes:
190e
C Class
E320

BMW:
323
325
328

I'm looking to spend around $2 to $3k. That way if he cracks it up, no great loss, but that still hurts the checkbook. I do my own wrenching and have a full tool cabinet. I've also owned 5 Range Rovers, 2 Porsches, 1 Audi, 1 Mercedes 190, and 6 BMWs. So I know how to DIY and all of their short-comings.

For that money I'm seeing 190e's from the latter years of its run (1990ish) and all the others with varying miles. I'm trying to stay around 100k.

He does not want an SUV, even a LR Discovery II. Frankly, I'm ok with that due to high center of gravity and poor MPG.

What are your thoughts? Am I missing another option? Feedback on my short list.

Thanks,