need input!!

[jimmynumbers]

I am looking at a 97 2500, 6.5 diesel. I can pick the truck up for around $6000 but the engine has 175,000 miles on it. Some people might say that the engine is "just broken in" but even for a diesel that seens like alot of milage to me. I plan to keep this truck for at least 4 years and plan to do the mods that the diesel page recommends, i.e exhaust, down pipe, intercoller ect... I just wanted some input on what you think about the milage and or what is the average life expancy of the engine.

Thank,
Jim

[Robyn]

Age and miles mean nothing, condition means everything.
If the truck is in very nice shape its worth every penny of 6K
I bought a 94 with 260K for 5k and its been a fine rig.
This is not to say that you wont have to do some work on it down the line a ways but the value is there. The value is more in the condition of the body, paint, upholstery and such as opposed to mechanicals. If the engine goes away you can fix it relatively cheap (yourself) as compared to body and paint work that can really get pricey and most of us dont do body and paint in the driveway.
Hope this helps
Robyn