Is a 1996 ram 1500 with the 5.9L magnum, 270,000 miles a good idea for $1,500? It's a new England truck, never used to plow or tow, and has minimal surface rust(rockers are mint cab and bed corners are mint). It's on its second transmission so it's already been ressurected. Been owned by a mechanic who took good care of it, but the last year his son(my buddy) has driven it hard. I know these trucks can make it to 300,000 but I'm going to college next year and my current 96 Ford ranger is on its last leg, I need a reliable vehicle. Please help me out here.

 

With that mileage, it's gonna be a crap shoot. The engine may blow tomorrow, or, it may last another ten years. Has the plenum been fixed? Are there maintenance records? (probably not, as the owner likely did the work himself....) How do his OTHER vehicles look? (as an indication of how well taken care of they are....) Give it a VERY thorough inspection. I might be tempted to even do a compression test, to get an idea about the engine internals......

 

If everything is in decent shape I'd buy it. If need be, you should be able to find a used engine.