Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
Modified A1 Volkswagens not your thing? Not worried about getting there particularly quickly? Looking for Ice-Age acceleration and 50 miles per a gallon? There’s only one solution – a Rabbit diesel. Many of these Rabbits lived a hard life, but today’s example looks absolutely brilliant in Ocean Blue; aside from some minor details and refreshing, it’s one of the best we’ve seen lately. Take a look:
Given all the fuss surrounding the recent GM recall hearings on Capitol Hill, I can’t help but think that the probability of these sorts of issues coming from all manufacturers in the future is higher, simply due to the added complexity of cars and the technology they are packing as compared to years prior. I hate to be one that eschews technological advancements, but take a look at cars from a few decades back, specifically the 1980s and 1990s, and you’ll see that a good balance between technology and simplicity was achieved while retaining driver involvement. Mercedes-Benz has always been a bit ahead of the curve when it comes to technology, but one of their most revered vehicles of recent memory is the W123, if based solely on one factor: durability.
This 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D for sale in New Jersey is one of the lowest mileage examples we’ve ever featured here on GCFSB. We’ve featured a lot of sedans, coupes and estates in varying states of condition and have noticed that prices are on the move, if not in an E30 M3 type frenzy. Look up durability in the dictionary and this car’s picture is beside that entry.
For a country that loves its trucks, it’s curious we have so few options when it comes to new compact trucks. The Japanese have been in the game for quite some time, but even their offerings have grown to the point of not quite compact of late. There have been rumblings that Ford is going to get back in the game with an updated Ranger and GM is about to unleash a new Chevrolet Colorado for those who many find their full-size offerings a bit too much. Beyond compact pickups, there was another option years ago, the car-based truck.
Still available in some markets from certain manufacturers, these type of trucks were mainly used for light hauling and delivery duties. Volkswagen decided it would try its hat at its own version of the El Camino formula by offering US customers the Mk1 Rabbit Pickup years ago, known as the Caddy elsewhere. Offered for a few years alongside Rabbits and GTIs, these small trucks have a dedicated following, with many folks tuning them or adding GTI trim. This diesel version for sale in Oregon is in splendid, original condition, having been owned by one family its whole life.
The Unimog is one of my favorite go-anywheremobiles, and while this recent bout of Bay Area rain has people driving like kittens walking on ice, I realize the rest of the country has had a hell of a winter that makes driving truly treacherous. All of a sudden the guys who bought snow mogs and have endured the esnuing “crazy dude with a SnowMog” derisions are looking like prophets. Well, if next winter is like this one, here’s your chance to stay ahead of the curve. Recently restored, this beplowed Unimog 406 looks awesome in red with a badass bed basket and is getting a lot of attention, with 57 Watchers on the auction.
A friend of mine emailed me a few days ago asking for my advice on hybrid vehicles, specifically the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion. They may be good enough vehicles, but these are models I haven’t paid much attention to. Much like the ubiquitous SUV that towers over my Cooper S in traffic, I don’t have an opinion on these cars. I just don’t give them the time of day, as they do not suit my needs. But, if people would like to rephrase the question around fuel economy, I have one word: diesel.
There are a good amount of new generation, clean diesel models available to US consumers these days, from Volkswagen TDIs to Audi A8s to Chevrolet Cruzes. But if you don’t mind dabbling in the modern classics for a bit, the W124 Mercedes-Benz E class was a near constant in the market when it came to the diesel engine, when few manufacturers were employing the technology. This late model 1995 E300 for sale in Portland, Oregon has 70,000 miles, mere childs’ play when it comes to the longevity of Mercedes’ diesel engines.