A guideline for choosing used vehicles

[MrNoodly]

Here's a useful article at Jalopnic.com. It's about the idea that condition matters more than mileage. 

https://jalopnik.com/when-buying-a-high-mileage-car-is-actually-a-great-idea-1832827505

High mileage almost always means a lower price, but it doesn't necessarily mean poor condition. There are healthy higher-mileage vehicles out there if you're patient or lucky.

 

[Sky King]

I haven't read it but will. IMHO some things are made so they go a very long time. Pre computer diesels like the 12 valve Cummins diesels, very very many have 1 million trouble free miles & many 2 million pulling, delivering RVs all the time. I have a 12' flat bed 1 ton which was the last month made 12 valves were made. My ambo has the 7.3 IDI lasy yeat built named the best Ford diesel ever built 80k on the whole unit maintained by a small fire house & last year with no computer. Afte 10 years the auro makers don't want to mess with computers gone old & bad. I've hung on to my flatbed as it would be a perfect one to do a build but I have to face the fact my mobility is past that which is hard as my mind is 25, my body 90 & my age 59. Use is another factor as a sitting vehicle is not good either. I'll read it, Thanks!

 

[JD GUMBEE]

I just read it and did not get the same idea from it as you did.
The article is more about the exception and not the rule. ...and even then, if you are paying for a retail wrench to fix it...nearly never makes sense.

You find a better deal in a 250K car over a 50K car about as often as a trouble free B series that has run a million miles.
(VERY rare, compared to the millions of them out there that are DONE way before 500K.)

 

[Sky King]

Here's why 5.9L 12 valve Cummins are the best
https://jalopnik.com/heres-why-the-cummins-12-valve-is-one-of-the-greatest-t-1795746543
https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/texas/420197-six-million-mile-man.html
Cummins million mile club https://highmileage.cummins.com/cummins-million-mile-club
1.78 Million mile https://www.dieseltruckresource.com...cussion-92/ram-hits-1-78-million-miles-54841/

https://www.farmshow.com/view_articles.php?a_id=646
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When I bought the Ambo it's a '93 E-350 no rust, no issues, everything works like new & looks 2 years old with 80,000 miles on an IDI 7.3L diesel which I know nothing about but now know it's the best Ford diesel made & the best year https://autowise.com/ford-diesel-engine-history/

Later is Better: If you have a choice, select the newest-model Ford IDI you can find, with the ’93 to ’94 years being best. You’ll get a better glow plug controller (D), serpentine belt system, and the turbo engine comes with stronger connecting rods. The 7.3L is desired more than the 6.9L because it has larger, ½-inch head bolts instead of 7⁄16-inch versions.