Extra car for teen drivers

[rpaoness]

Looking for a car for my soon to be 16 year old. Likely to be a “family” car for my younger two as each gets a license.

She would like a Jeep Wrangler

Minimum requirements:
All wheel drive
Wagonish or crossover
Minimal rust for 5+ year service life
Relatively “normal” to somewhat blend in (less than 12-15 years old?)

Leading contenders from initial thoughts:
2011-16 Jeep Grand. Cherokee - buy with bad V6 and junkyard replacement?
2014-16 RAV4 or CRV? Relatively expensive ($10k+?)
201? Chevy Equinox? https://www.facebook.com/share/1XC9dCtA ... tid=wwXIfr

[rpaoness]

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FNw6xib ... tid=wwXIfr

[rpaoness]

Cara really wanted an SUV/Crossover, but this is less expensive-ish than others...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 99c8cae0e5

2012 Benz C300 sedan, white, 134kmi, $6800 - I assume this is a twin turbo V6?

[rpaoness]

228 HP normally aspirated V6 in a 2012 C300 I guess...

[kevm14]

2012 is a transition year. Looks like the 2012 C300 was the last to use the 3.0L M272 (V6 version of what's in my S550). Last port injected. The same year C350 seems to use an early M276 which is direct injected and 300 hp.

By 2013 the C300 was updated to also use a lower output M276: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a1 ... st-review/

I would probably not recommend an early M276 (or M278 or M157).

As far as I know the C class didn't get a twin turbo (would be M276) until the W205 generation that started in, I think, 2015. And then it would be a C400/450/43 type model depending on year and model.

For roughly the period of time you are considering, a quick way to decode is 250 trims are likely a 2.0T, 3xx trims are likely N/A V6 and 4xx trims are turbo V6. There are deviations, like the GL450 which was the M278 until around 2015...

And for the new W205 in 2015 (new C class), the C300 trim was now a 2.0T....so maybe my trick doesn't work that well. It was true at one point in time but changed quickly.

[rpaoness]

GLKs appear to be relatively inexpensive - now >10 yrs old. Looks like 1st internet read says some V6's (pre-M276?) can have counterbalance shaft issues and some kind of movable intake valving plastic degradation/buildup issues.

glks.JPG

[kevm14]

Yes but the later ones should be fine (for balance shaft). You can tell by engine VIN whether the engine was in the effected lot. The M273 V8 did have cam idler gear hardness issues (no balance shaft in a 90 degree V8) but my 07 despite being old is not in the lot by engine VIN. Certainly I'd think an 09+ M272 would be fine for that.

As for intake manifold it may depend on how well maintained the engine (including breather system) was. My S550 uses this design. I did actuate all the dash pots and all three responded properly. Other than that all I can do is make sure to keep oil mist out of the intake. So I did a preventative centrifuge and cover replacement when I bought the car. They use expensive magnesium intake manifolds. Adam's 09 CLK550 with 145k+ miles is also fine.

One issue to watch is the front driveshaft. They can have U-joint issues which if ignored will turn the front driveshaft into a battering ram for the undercarriage and O2 sensors. There is also a pinion drive gear bearing that can go on cars with the light duty integrated transfer case. I believe the GLK uses this design (and so does my S550 and E63). All that said, they give plenty of warning before letting go.

[rpaoness]

See anything that piques your interest?

[kevm14]

Looks like 2012 was the last year for the M272. I'd maybe skip 2013 but the 2014-2015 with the M276 should be ok. Or 2012 and prior. The M276 has been around since 2011 in other applications so I figure 2014+ is safe.

[rpaoness]

Interesting this says it was a rental - seems like an odd duck for a rental fleet. I wonder if I can get a replacement drivers seat cover.

https://autonova46.com/inventory/2015-m ... B8FG397282

https://www.carfax.com/vehiclehistory/a ... UAAnFN3IPM