Should I buy this 6.0 truck?

[wafreeskier]

I've been shopping for a lightly used F-250 for awhile, and came across a 2003 F-250 Crew Cab Lariat (which is the exact build-up I've been looking for) with 46k miles on it. But it's a 6.0.

My wife used to work at the dealership, and a few of my drinking buddies are still there. It's been on the lot for a couple months, and they're really trying to get rid of it, so they're willing to offer it to me at my wife's previous "employee price", plus a couple grand under and a Ford extended warranty at wholesale cost. It comes out at about 8k less than what Kelly, NADA, etc are suggesting. I haven't had them run an OASIS check on it, but that's on the list of things to do.

I took it for a test drive and loved it -- didn't experience any problems, pulled the air filter and EGR and they looked clean, but everybody at the dealership said they'd recommend trying to find a 7.3 if I could.

With all the problems with the 2003 6.0 I've read about, should I let people talk me out of it, or is it the truck I want? Everything about it is fantastic, other than the questionable motor. It test drove fine, which doesn't say much....

Thanks in advance for your advice...


Update: Went and picked up the Oasis report today from the dealer. The truck came in with 45600 miles on it. At 45343k it was reflashed with the 06e017B, "lacked power" and had the EGR valve replaced, which bumped the turbo psi from 18 to 22lbs. At the same time, it had a new head gasket put in, since it was blown. At 36343k the truck was brought in because the turbo self-destructed.

So it's got the reflash, new EGR, new head gasket, and a new turbo. Should I be running, or should I grab the truck because pretty much everything that can go wrong already has?

[timeforadmax]

I would have them run a check on all of the injectors.

[wafreeskier]

Anybody else have any thoughts? What are the chances of the turbo going again or the head gasket? Is it a situation where it gets fixed once, and then done, or what?

Thanks!

[creeper]

Run away , run away fast. Listen to them. Look for a 7.3.

[Rich807]

The Oasis report is critical to have. If it still has the original injectors in it I may be a little leary, but you can have the dealer run a check on them. Other than that YOU need to look at the vehicle hard over, most folks can tell if they look good enough whether a vehicle has been flogged or not. Look for signs of power mods the previous owner may have done, ask the shop guys if they see any signs of mods.

If Oasis doesn't show a long history of repeated problems and you looked it over and didn't see any signs of abuse then go for it. 2 of my employees have 03s and both of them love them.

[kalalp]

Haven't seen creeper for a while. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
My 6.0 runs great. I wouldn't be afraid one bit to buy another, especially at a big discount. It's a buyers market. With a big warranty and your buddies at the dealership you'll do fine. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

[03six0]

I second that. See Sig
Justin

[01F350PSD4x4]

I'm with creeper on this. Don't run, but sprint! Get a 7.3 and build it up and you'll love it everything but the stock tranny.