(PS, this was posted in tech help as well, so if this belongs in one category or the other, please move...thanks)

Greetings,

I am faced with deciding between purchasing one of three inexpensive mercedes. As I know nothing about Mercedes vehicles, I was hoping you could help me decide. Here they are:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/car/106197185.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/car/106550331.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/car/106877756.html

They are:
A 1978 300D Diesel ($1500)
A 1974 450SEL ($1200)
A 1979 280SEL ($1200 but they're fixing the Cat and smogging so $1600)

They all seem like good vehicles and as I'm not spending alot of money I'm not terribly concerned about getting a lemon.

So sight unseen if one had to make a snap judgement, which one would you pick, and why?

Also if you guys could give me a little background about the three cars and their years that would be awesome!

Thanks guys,

--Jay
A future Mercedes owner...

 

For reliability and economy diesel and nothing behind for long.
For picking up chicks, the 450, but have your checkbook very close.

 

WOW! 450 with almost a million miles on it.
How many engines on its way?

 

As far as I know it's the original engine, with parts replaced along the way

 

i'll pick the first one