A Selection of Classics from the SF Bay Area Craigslist by Kaibeezy

DT's logo guru Kaibeezy has always claimed that the SF Bay area craigslist is by far the best place to search for an inexpensive classic car (your Daily Turismo) and at first the assertion seemed silly.  Unfortunately, my local craigslist (Los Angeles), despite its favorable weather, is filled with a disproportionately large percentage of cars that represent dashed dreams and shattered realities of the central Los Angeles life. For some reason the same blight that infects the LA craigslist does not infect the SF Bay Area craigslist in the same percentage, and inexpensive decent condition classics just fall off trees.  Check out these examples with descriptions by Kaibeezy.

10k: W123 Survivor: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300CD

The Mercedes-Benz W123 chassis won't win any competitions involving speed or handling, but if you ever need a car to play tortoise to all the other hares, this is it.  Expect the engine to outlast just about everything else on the road and the chassis will take an amazing amount of abuse and just keep on ticking.  Find this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300CD here on eBay currently bidding for $8,800 reserve-not-met located in Annapolis, MD with a few hours to go.

5k: The Weezard of Ah Come On! 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300CD with 5.6 Liter V8

 -- by Hunsbloger.  Upon seeing this W123 Coupe with a modern V8 swap, my heart sang as this is one of my unicorn swaps.  Never mind that its using a slightly older (read lower horsepower) 5.6 M117 which the owner says is rated at 170HP and 380/ftlbs, its still an improvement.  The seller credits a now closed European Precision Service with the installation.   I was all set to fall in love, but like a termite infested home in Southern California it all looks great until you start opening the doors.  Find this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300CD with 5.6 Liter V8 currently bidding for $2,025 here on eBay with just under 2 days to go.

10k: W123 Coo-Pay: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300CD

The 1980s vintage Mercedes-Benz sedans (W123, W124, W126) elicit a love/hate response from car guys of various proclivities.  Some folks love the sumptuous ride and fire-n-forget durability, but others react badly to the glacial acceleration and star-ship maneuverability.  Personally, I've driven many of these cars over the years and am conflicted because they were horrible and awesome all at the same time.  Today's feature example is a really nicely preserved example with low miles (for a diesel Benz)...but would you really enjoy driving it after the cash has exchanged hands?  Find this 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300CD offered for $8,000 in Denver, CO via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

20k: Ugly Goosling: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300CD W123

The story of the Ugly Duckling (as originally told by Hans Christian Andersen) involves a young goose who is mistakenly absorbed into a family of ducks.  However, what if that ugly duckling had really just been an ugly duck and when it grew up it was still sort of ugly and bitter about being ugly. Would it be this W123 Mercedes-Benz coupe, all grown up but demanding a serious price for his unloved upbringing?  Find this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300CD W123 offered for $18,900 or best offer on eBay, located in Brooklyn, NY with 18 days to go.

5k: W123 Custom: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300CD Convertible

The W123 generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a sedan built in extraordinary numbers from 1977 through 1985.  Almost 3 million of the big Benzs left the Mercedes factories all over the world during production, but if you wanted a rag top you needed to step up to the R107 SL....until now.  Find this 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300CD Custom Convertible offered for $7,000 in San Rafael, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.