All opinions and advice appreciated.

Looking at a 91 F250, 7.3 diesel, E40D Automatic, 3.55 gears, x-cab, XLT Lariat. 175K miles. Could be 275K, but I don't think so. It's on a car lot, so they've got no history.

Engine fires right up. Little smoke on start-up, but none after that. Transmission shifts fine, and driveline seems tight. Front end is a little sloppy. Probably needs a set of bushings.

Interior is good for the age. Paint is original and body is in very good shape. No rust. No signs of major accident or repair.

Here's the bad..............
1) AC not blowing cold. Compressor is cycling, but probably has a leak somewhere, and appears to be R12 system. I'm in Texas, so that has to get fixed.
2) Brakes are real soft. I haven't diagnosed this yet, but will assume that this truck probably needs a full brake job.
3) Tires are pretty much bald.
4) Rear tank does not work.

Dealer is asking $3500, and appears willing to deal.

Whadaya think?

 

Isn't it amazing how many people read these but don't have an opinion?

Anyhow, here's mine.

$3500 sounds nice, but you're just getting started. It wouldn't take much to put $500 into the A/C, $500 into the brakes, $500 into decent tires, & maybe $300 into the fuel tank.

So... $3500+$1800 = $5300. If you really want a decent diesel, that doesn't sound like an arm and a leg... if everything else is okay. Personally, I like the '92+ trucks for their interiors and sheetmetal... seems like the non-turbos of that style don't command the high prices the powerstrokes do, so I'd think about that direction too.

I like the original paint / clean interior part.

 

Thanks for the input.

Yeah, the repair issues are what have me thinking. I can do the brake and AC work myself. Probably the tank also, though I have no experience with it.

But I'm having a real problem finding a diesel (in my price range) that still has some life left in it. This truck is bone stock and does not appear to be abused.

I'm probably gonna go for it.