I don't think a 2nd gen cummins (with 200k miles) will fit his budget very well.
Going for a 1st gen cummins with that kind of mileage might be though.

Oh, and buy a ram with manual trans to avoid the dodge auto transmission dilemmas. Just keep the fluid in check and don't burn out the clutch, that's about it for maintenance. Plus its much funner to drive, or more annoying to drive depending on who you are

 

^^ +1, Glad I'm not the only diehard gear-banger around here...

 

Definitely not the only one, I hate driving automatics, they're just so boring.
Gord

 

both my S10 and my dodge are manuals...F-autos...

 

(not to get off topic but...)
"Gear-banging" is the only way to go.
I always hate it when I get into an automatic car and try to push in the non-existent clutch before I put it in drive, I do that nearly every time lol.

 

The most important rule, the rule you can never forget, no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he begs, never feed him after midnight.

 

I much prefer standards as well, but my current Ram and Plymouth Acclaim are autos. Before this I hadn't had an auto since my 1990 Dodge Shadow. I would much rather have a standard in my Ram, but they are extremely rare out here.

 

^^^ Yeah, Gizmo was all nice...UNTIL!!!!

 

I'm sure your boyfriend is real happy about that.

 

When I was in the Air force I drove Government vehicles daily. Once I was driving a pickup truck first thing in the morning, before I was fully awake mentally, and rolling up to a stop sign I eased on to the brake, then stabbed the clutch to the floor. Well, it was an auto, and the wide brake pedal extended to where the clutch should have been. 2008 f-150's have good brakes. I laughed out loud in the truck, and chuckled about it all morning.