How old is too old for a truck?
I'm looking to buy a box truck and found a 1990 Ford E 350 with 78000 miles on it. Does it matter that it is 27 years old? The owner said I need to replace the oil and tires. What else will need to be replaced?
Added (1). The asking price is $2750
I'll say 90.
If it runs, it's still good. One of my primary cars is a '87 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM GTA and it runs perfectly fine, but that is probably because it has 31,000 miles.
The only way to know if this truck will run for a while yet is if you have an independent mechanic check it over BEFORE you buy it.
Any rubber or plastic part will deteriorate with age. This includes interior, wiring, engine and transmission seals, body mounts and suspension parts. As long as you realize there will be repair costs associated with any older vehicle go for it.
Check the paint and bottom of the truck for rust and the inside seats and carpet for wear. That should tell you how much it was used. If he kept it enclosed and protected, it should show it. You also want to change the transmission fluid and coolant and get it tuned up. Also find out why he had a truck like this and if it is plausible to only put 3000 miles per year on a truck. And, why he is getting rid of it. It looks like you are describing someone with a ranch, has other vehicles, and uses this truck only when he needs a bigger truck. And, he is getting rid of it because he wants a new one, but there's no trade in value with a dealer. Which means someone with money. If something like that is plausible based upon his other vehicles, etc., you may have found yourself a good deal.
I bought a 78 Chevy car with 11,300 miles on it, (Barn find) I replaced the radiator, (Which you should inspect) and changed the fuel filter, for a short time it would occasionally sputter due to a little bit of junk in the tank, Check or change all fluids
For someone who has little or no mechanical aptitude, "too old" is anything out of warranty. If there's no paper trail of regular maintenance and repairs I'd be very cautious. With only 78,000 miles they might have gotten the dash cluster out of a junk yard and it could actually have 300,000 miles on it or more. Think about it - 78,000 miles in 27 years is less than 3,000 miles per year. I wouldn't trust it and they had better have a verifiable reason for such low mileage. As the saying goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
No reason to rule out a low mileage car. I would get a compression check. If really low, then don't believe the 78k. Or better yet have a mechanic evaluate all systems.
Hi so Ford say it's too old when you need a second battery at 7 years old. So as this one has done 20 years more you have been very lucky.
Sounds fine, I know alot of trucks over 100 years old, still being used
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