OT — '97 Ford Powerstroke ?

I've been passing a really clean truck that is for sale close to where I live. I finally stopped to take a look at it yesterday.

'97 Ford with the 4 full size doors and long bed. F250 diesel. It looks clean as a whistle but has 235,000 miles on it.

The owner is advertising it for $10,000 or best offer.

I was just wondering if that sounded way high?

Also, is the '97 model a good year for the ford trucks?

Just curious.

those deisels can get a lot more miles than that it could probably last another 200000 miles. but the price seems way off. id be thinking around 4 or 5g. at least thats what there bringing hear if you can find one that isnt all rusted out. dont see to many with 100000 miles and being all rusted out.

Too many miles and too much money IMO.
"97 was a good truck, I would keep on passing it by. That is just me. I have a "93 F350 NA with 175,000 and it runs fine, but fuel milage is 16 highway and 10 loaded. Unless you do a lot of highway driving stay with a gas engine. It cost less to repair and oil changes are less money too. Just MHO.
Good Luck

Look it up on KBB.com for your area!

Rick

Seems high. I bought a '99 F350 supercab (with the little suicide doors in back) 2 years ago (ie, 4 years younger at the time than this one) with 6 speed manual, 217,000 miles, excellent condition, gooseneck and receiver hitchs, for $9,500.

If the truck is that clean and a one maybe a second owner and appears to be well taken care of and maintained the miles wouldnt bother me. Price seems a little high to me. 7.3 powerstroke is a good reliable engine. I think 97 was the first year they put intercoolers on them as well. Not 100%sure on that.

I have a 97 powerstroke, and would say that it has been a good truck. I bought it new and now have just over 300,000 miles on it. The bed was starting to rust out so it"s in the shop now getting a new custom made flat bed put on it. I plan to keep it for a long time. Any way, the 97"s seem to be holding their value and and one time were hard to find on the used market (I have no idea why). The price you quoted seems quite high, around here (central MI) it would be $4000-$5000, which still seems high to me, but I wouldn"t sell mine for that, I like it too much.

I have a 97 F350, single rear wheel, 4 door, long bed with the 7.3 diesel. Has the 4sp auto tranny. Does the one you're looking at have the 7.3 diesel? If it has the 6.0 RUN!! 6.0 diesels have lots of expensive problems.

I bought mine 2+ yrs ago. It had 97K miles on it. It has 157K now.

I've had no engine problems. I get 20 - 22 mpg not towing. Least I ever got was 10 mpg pulling 8,000+ through hilly terrain. It never seems to strain regardless of the load. Engine runs about 1750 rpm at 65.

I've been told the 7.3 diesels are very good engines (properly maintained of course). Maintenance on a diesel is more expensive than for a gas engine.

I did have to have the dual gas tanks dropped and cleaned because the former owner never put anything in them to dissipate condensation. My mechanic said each tank had 2 - 3 gals of water in it.

I have had some minor issues. Windshield washer doesn't work and gas gauges quit working a couple of months ago. Since cost of replacing the gauges runs about $300 and the truck has dual tanks, I just use the trip meter.

Truck has fairly comfortable seats and interior is roomy. Suspension on this one is very stiff. Former owner used it for recreation and had a large camper on it and beefed up the suspension (air shocks on the rear).

If you buy this truck, change out the power steering hose immediately. Original equipment is held in place with only an O ring. If you turn the wheel all the way and hold it, the pressure will blow the hose out of the coupling. BTDT

I paid $13,000 for mine, but that was two years ago and it was in excellent shape with very low mileage. That was probably more than it was worth, but I'd been looking for a truck for over a year and hadn't found anything newer in my price range that wasn't a piece of junk. I don't regret the purchase. I will be driving this truck a long time.

97 was the last year of that body style (OBS) with the PS. 235k is right in the middle of life for the engine. 10k is way high. KBB for an excellent F250 4x4 supercab long box 7.3 from a private sale is 7600. Does it have much for mods and accessories?

Thanks fellas.

It is the 7.3 and it has a nice brush guard and nice rear bumper. Clean paint and body, no 5th wheel.

It look almost new for a 15 year old truck. It's obvious the owner took care of it, which probably explains the price.

I didn't talk to the owner or anyone, just stopped and kicked around for a bit.

I was just wondering about the price and figured I'd run it by some of y'all to see what you thought.

Thanks again!

Are you sure its an F250 4door LONG BED. Didn't make them as far as I know. The F250 4door came with a short bed, to get a long bed you had to go with the 350. Extended cab had a long bed but that was with only 2 doors. Good truck, didn't have all the emissions as the 99's had. I had a 94 that got over 500,000 and have a 96 with over 300,000 on it and still running good. Just check on the long bed with 4 doors on 250. Price is a little high for Maryland. IF its really nice your still in the 7 to 8,000 range.

You are correct, it's not the 8' bed.

641Dave, The older Series are still as popular as ever here in Texas This week alone it has been one of those times" You can't swing a dead cat and not hit one of the older series DSLs. They are still just about bullit proof! I wouldn't buy a 2 wheeler for they are too nose heavy with out a 4x4 unit under it, JMO! but they are great tow/haul trucks, in snow or Mud you will need a good honkin set of big ol fat Commando tires to pull through the slop!
Pull a gooseneck trailer faster than the wife or girlfriend is comfortable with!!!!
Go visit with the owner and get the particulars on it,Service schedule, any repairs, carfax if you can . Check Ebay,Craigslist, all auto sources you can to compare before you offer.
I bought a 01 F350 4door, 4x4, 7.3 DSL,Auto, that had 105K on it at 20K very,very,very well cared for truck, If you like it, offer less and pull out Cash to pay, 9K in cash might make him pull the trigger. Good luck Hope this helps.
Later,
John A.

Up here in Ohio, Those old diesels if they are clean, bring a mint. As far as price, just a tad high, BUT to those tellin you 4k LOL id buy ten at that price. AS FAR AS KBB THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT OLDER CARS AND TRUCKS. Trust me i deal in them EVERY day. The 7.3 is good for at least 500k. Truck is worth 8000 give or take. If very clean might see 8500. Prolly use your own judgement,they are good trucks.

Offer him $8500 and see if he has a another OBO.

It sounds alittle high to me, I bought a 96 F350 extend cab flat bed 7.3 auto 84000 original miles for $4500 this spring. Not perfect needed a seat but $130 and it had a good seat in it agin. I would look around and see whats else is out there. Bandit