Sorry to be a pest...just want to spend my $$$ wisely. The wife (who drives a Volvo) wants me to replace my 1989 300te with either a Subaru Outback or Volvo V70. All would be purchased used. I have her convinced about the Subaru...we took a friends out for a drive...noisy and kinda cheaply made. Having come from Volvos and now a Benz...hard to make 'that' switch.
Any of you have an opinion about the Volvo V70 (1999- 2003)? Plenty more available to choose from than the E320 wagons.

 

5 cylinders...need i say more?

 

Why not a newer Mercedes?

 

That is definitley what is on the list....an 'upgrade' from the 300te to a E320. I have to make a decision which, in the long run, would better suit my wallet and mind. The Benz was expensive to keep, even with me doing a lot of the work. The rear suspension, front seals, seemed to go through tires and brakes. My Volvo 850, not as enjoyable, has cost me less. BUT...I do like the ride and overall feel of the Benz... Thus, I was curious who, out there, has had to make choices.

 

I drove a buddies Subaru the other day and although quite quick, it had such a cheap interior. I drive a 92' 190E as a daily driver and the wife runs the wagon midweek. Weekends the Wagon does it all. I recently had to rent a car due to being rear ended (minor) in the wagon for repairs and got stuck with a brand new toyota corolla "s". What a piece of crap. My 190e even with blown out dash lights etc... etc... will outlast this heap. Volvo's are ok but a low mileage, well maintained and indy inspected 210 will run forever. Run from the Volvo...it might just be the next SAAB...or Saabaru...

 

The wife (who drives a Volvo) wants me to replace my 1989

"Women is only a women but a cigar is a good smoke."(Kipling)
Buy the Mercedes of course why even thinking about the iron slug?

 

"Volvo: I roll, as long as it is downhill"













(Volvo in latin means I roll)

 

Not Women.
Big Diffference

 

And now for the rest of the story -

It's actually part of one of Kipling's poems called 'The Betrothed'

Open the old cigar-box, get me a Cuba stout,
For things are running crossways, and Maggie and I are out.

We quarrelled about Havanas -- we fought o'er a good cheroot,
And I knew she is exacting, and she says I am a brute.

Open the old cigar-box -- let me consider a space;
In the soft blue veil of the vapour musing on Maggie's face.

Maggie is pretty to look at -- Maggie's a loving lass,
But the prettiest cheeks must wrinkle, the truest of loves must pass.

There's peace in a Larranaga, there's calm in a Henry Clay;
But the best cigar in an hour is finished and thrown away --

Thrown away for another as perfect and ripe and brown --
But I could not throw away Maggie for fear o' the talk o' the town!

Maggie, my wife at fifty -- grey and dour and old --
With never another Maggie to purchase for love or gold!

And the light of Days that have Been the dark of the Days that Are,
And Love's torch stinking and stale, like the butt of a dead cigar --

The butt of a dead cigar you are bound to keep in your pocket --
With never a new one to light tho' it's charred and black to the socket!

Open the old cigar-box -- let me consider a while.
Here is a mild Manila -- there is a wifely smile.

Which is the better portion -- bondage bought with a ring,
Or a harem of dusky beauties, fifty tied in a string?

Counsellors cunning and silent -- comforters true and tried,
And never a one of the fifty to sneer at a rival bride?

Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close,

This will the fifty give me, asking nought in return,
With only a Suttee's passion -- to do their duty and burn.

This will the fifty give me. When they are spent and dead,
Five times other fifties shall be my servants instead.

The furrows of far-off Java, the isles of the Spanish Main,
When they hear my harem is empty will send me my brides again.

I will take no heed to their raiment, nor food for their mouths withal,
So long as the gulls are nesting, so long as the showers fall.

I will scent 'em with best vanilla, with tea will I temper their hides,
And the Moor and the Mormon shall envy who read of the tale of my brides.

For Maggie has written a letter to give me my choice between
The wee little whimpering Love and the great god Nick o' Teen.

And I have been servant of Love for barely a twelvemonth clear,
But I have been Priest of Cabanas a matter of seven year;

And the gloom of my bachelor days is flecked with the cheery light
Of stums that I burned to Friendship and Pleasure and Work and Fight.

And I turn my eyes to the future that Maggie and I must prove,
But the only light on the marshes is the Will-o'-the-Wisp of Love.

Will it see me safe through my journey or leave me bogged in the mire?
Since a puff of tobacco can cloud it, shall I follow the fitful fire?

Open the old cigar-box -- let me consider anew --
Old friends, and who is Maggie that I should abandon you?

A million surplus Maggies are willing to bear the yoke;
And a woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke.

Light me another Cuba -- I hold to my first-sworn vows.
If Maggie will have no rival, I'll have no Maggie for Spouse!