Looking to buy, what to look for?

[vtx1800n1]

I'm looking to replace my 2000 Windstar with something bigger, as I have 4 kids- the oldest is 15 and as big as me at 6'05". I need something that can haul 6 people (including driver) around comfortably on vacation. Minivans are just too small for my family.

I have a relative who works at a dealership and I found a truck there that I like. It's a 2002 F-250 XLT Diesel. Auto trans and some other options. 129,000 miles. It looks very clean and well maintained, even the engine from what I can see in pictures, and of course because it's family that will be my salesperson, I'm not worried about getting a piece of junk.

I did notice that some A-pillar gauges had been added, but I don't know what they are yet. The beginning price is $16,000. KBB says excellent condition fair market value with the options the truck has is $19000.

My question is, what should I be looking for as potential problems with a truck with this many miles on it?

Also, with the switch to ULS fuels, the removal of sulphur will lower the lubricating properties of diesel fuel- how does that affect the longevity of the engine and fuel pump? Are diesels still going to have the same reputation of going many hundreds of thousands of miles without requiring a rebuild? I need something reliable and don't want to be forking over thousands in repair bills down the road.

Sorry for these questions, I'm new to trucks and diesels especially.

[oasis04]

First of all welcome to the ORG!!!!

Even though the salesman is family I would look around at alot of these trucks, 16K seems just a tad high.

[NCHornet]

What to look for when buying a USED 99-03 PSD

[vtx1800n1]

Thank you!

[Dietoremain]

To answer your question about ULSD lots of people use a fuel additive, I actually put 2 stroke oil in my tank, truck lovessss it. Diesel Kleen is a common one but it doesnt lubricate too well. I believe the best is OptiLube Summer Blend. Anyway hope that helps.

[vtx1800n1]

Is it a serious concern then- as in order to make the engine last as long as it would have with ULSD, you have to use additives on every fill-up? What about bio-diesel blends? Bio-diesel is supposed to be more lubricating than petro-diesel. Several stations where I live sell blends.

What about the 2007 and newer trucks- were those engines designed with this in mind- meaning they will last as long as the earlier engines would have on petro-diesel by running ULSD?

[Dietoremain]

I call it peace of mind to run something, not to mention my truck likes it and runs smoother with 2stroke oil.

[thesmokinstroke02]

check for an excursion for the 6 people issue . get one with a 7.3 and itll last you forver

[vtx1800n1]

A few pictures:









The ad says 40/20/40 split bench front seats, but that doesn't look like the center section flips up into a seat to me. My youngest is only 7, the oldest 15. The little one can sit in the middle front seat for a few years, and then the oldest will (hopefully) be out on his own. BUT- if that's not a seat in the middle then it's a deal breaker because the truck won't seat 6.

Oh, and I got the mileage wrong- but not by a lot- 123,5xx miles.

[2006PSDSD]

Yeah, those are captains chairs in the front, only seatbelts for 5 . Nice looking truck though, I like the dark grey seats