Fellow members:
I'm looking at a '86 420SEL [what does SEL mean?]at a local used car dealer. He is asking $995 for it. I need your input about this car:
244K miles. Very little body rust [a few rust bubbles under the paint but not bad for 20 years old. Trunk floor looks great.]
The dealer thinks that the "sway bar is sheared off." Actually, it appears that the bushing came of the end of the torsion bar on one of the front wheels.
Because of the front suspension, I can't safely test drive this car. It starts right up and sounds pretty good. The engine compartment is clean, but not too clean [if you know what I mean]. It looks like it should after 20 years.
I need your input about how I should approach this.
I have never owned a Mercedes and don't know what this car is really worth right now. I don't want to give the dealer any idea that this might be a quick fix because he might raise the price.
In addition to the front end work, the car needs a radio, two rear tires and a spare.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
packrcch