OK I'll post this again, thought I did yesterday but it seems to be gone.
I'm a student on a very limited budget. I have an '84 240 that has reached the limit of nickel and dime-ing me to death and I need advice on what to replace it with. I'm most likely going to get another brick so I thought I would solicit the opinions of the Bricksters with experience.
My limitations are as follows:
1) Reliability and Longevity above all else.
2) Price between $4000 and $6500.
3) I live in Arizona US, so cooling is a big concern.
4) A/C is a necessity, see above.
I have a fairly good understanding of the heavier side of mechanics. (Just R&R ed the AW-70 in my 240) But I need to get away from the big time and cash consumers.
I need to make a purchase that will get me through 2-3 years of grad school on standard maintenance, hopefully. I've been looking at 700-900 series but I'm aware that there are alot more lemons amongst these than the 200 series.
Can the community please help me stay in a Brick? I've looked at other options (Japanese, American) and am not really interested in anything else.
Thanx to all who will give their advice.
Dan