Legendary Mercedes quality for the price of a new car down payment.

I realize that I might be violating the spirit of the challenge as I haven't test driven this car, like the previously listed Lincoln it's out of my neighborhood, but I have been looking for a clean 190 for my daughter's first car and wanted to let you know about it. A dealer in Maryland is currently running a no-reserve eBay auction on this clean-looking, 161,000-mile Mercedes-Benz 190 Diesel. The description is very detailed and the photos are sharp and clear so it's not like you would be bidding on a pig in the poke.

I've been looking for a car like this for a while and though cars like this typically end up selling for over $2,000, quite a few do sell for under your limit. The downside here? The diesel versions of these cars are slow but for someone like a first-time driver, that might not be a bad thing.

Editorial Director Rich Truesdell adds:

Our own Martin Buckley has written that he feels these are the last of the rock-solid Mercedes, with bank vault-like bodies underpinned by simple, indestructible drivetrains that often rack up 250,000 miles or more on well-maintained examples. When these cars were introduced in the mid-eighties they were state-of-the art; they redefined quality in a small package and sold by the boatload, a Mercedes-Benz priced within reach of mainstream buyers.

The description appears comprehensive, the underhood appears immaculate--a sign that the car was well-maintained by the previous owner or was detailed prior to listing--but doesn't mention if the air conditioning works. As this is an expensive repair, I would confirm with the seller if it blows cold or not. A diesel can be converted to run on biodiesel, waste vegetable oil (WVO), or even straight vegetable oil (SVO), something to consider for the next spike in gasoline prices.

Two things come to mind when looking at this listing. First, the seller's near-flawless feedback rating over the last 12 months with almost universal praise is always reassuring. The negative comments stick out like a sore thumb. This can always be addressed by having a third party inspect the car if you don't live close by.

The second comment I would make is the mandatory $250 charge levied against all buyers. This type of charge has become all too common on eBay, especially among dealers. In my opinion, it disqualifies this listing as a no-reserve auction. There is a reserve, $250 in this case.

All-in-all, this looks like a good buy, sold by a reputable dealer. The question is, will it ultimately sell for under $2,000, including the mandatory $250 charge? It's already at $1,525 with four days to go. If someone gets it for $2,000, they will have gotten a solid, if not spectacular buy. Wait until the very end before bidding and hope for the best.