Like the title says, what would you do? I am in the unique situation of having a choice (or as my wife would say, too many) cars to drive right now. First off, none of them are for sale, so that is not an option.

Right now I have my choice of the 83 300D, the 2002 TDI, or the Volvo 850 to drive (the boy is away overseas for 6 months or so) What I have been doing is drive one for one week, the another, and then the other. This is to keep them "fresh" so to speak. The wife says drive a different one each time, and that would eliminate them sitting for two weeks between their turn to be used. My neighbor says store two and just drive one regularly.

I work nights and drive 40 miles each way on fairly isolated roads. Maintenance on all the cars are up to date and no impending issues that I'm aware of. They all have basic liability so insurance is not that big an issue, and outside of a lot of rain and some wind, our Pacific Northwest winters are not extremely cold (usually in the low 40's during the day and low 30's at night, no snow or ice unless we get an unusually strong cold front/storm).

The 300D has the best headlights by far (Love those euro Hellas with H4 bulbs) and feels the most solid. The TDI gets the best fuel mileage by far, and sportiest ride. and the 850 has the best heater and tires (plus powerful heated seats).

So. if you were in this situation, what would you do?

Glenn

 

What she said. And don't tell her you asked us! If money is no issue drive one every 3rd day. If you need to save a few bucks, park the MB and drive the other to. Old cars just don't do well parked for to long.

 

I'd post it in "off topic", that's what I'd do.

 

Thought about that, but everything I post over there never gets answered.....

 

And just as you mention mild winters here in the Great Pacific NW, we had snow level down to 1000 feet and had the heaviest frost this morning. Next we warm up and the rain returns.

I love my 850 and the heated seats over cars that don't have heated seats. I wish the headlights on my 850 were bright like my wifes 2001 GTI VR6, so one day that is on my conversion list. Right now I am saving up to replace my drive axles, do the front brakes, tie rod ends, left lower contorl arm(won't by aftermarket again, lasted 2 years and the ball joint wore out), and I am thinking springs all around (177k on the clock) already did shocks/struts at 130k.

To answer your question, I would do what the wife said, like rspi suggested. I am now a home based worker and that is what I do. When the time comes to go out, each time we go we use the car we didn't take the time before.

Where are you exactly located? I am in the Beaverton area of Portland, OR.

 

Any chance you have a warranty on the control arms? What brand did you buy and what wore out on them?

 

That's kind of a hint, but

Drive two of then once a week or every other week and drive the one that puts the biggest on your face the rest of the time.

 

I ordered this one from IPD back in 2008. It was not their OEM, but aftermarket. At the time it was $110 and today that is what you pay for OEM and aftermarket is around $30.

The issue was exactly the same as why I replaced in the 1st place. Ball joint had worn out and it is easier to replace the whole control arm compared to pressing in and out the ball joint. Elsewhere in the forum other have had the same experience and now state to get the OEM control arms.

 

To the best of my knowledge these don't press out/in. They had ones where the ball joint was separate and bolted on but it looks like all the replacement arms are one piece with a non-replaceable ball joint.

I'd worry about the one piece control arms IPD sells for $45 each as that's just a little more then the cost of a good quality ball joint alone! IMHO

 

Oh, I agree. This time I will get the $145 one or buy from another source, but it will be OEM.

 

Well now I'm in the wrong topic but in case anyone comes across this thread due to a search on control arms ,,, has anyone tried the Dorman replacements and if so how are/did they hold up?