I have been looking at replacing my '04 Malibu and one of the things I was kicking around was getting a truck. I've been looking at newer gas trucks but I ran across one on Craigslist that looks pretty nice (in the pictures anyway).It's a '97 F-250 Crew Cab with the 7.3 in it. He's got it listed for $7k. He says the auto is "very good" and it's got new batteries, glow plugs, injectors harness, IDM, AC compressor, alternator, water pump, starter and exhaust. It's got 295,000 miles on it. How many miles are too many? What kind of mileage could I expect out of this? I realize it's a truck but how would it compare to a newer gas truck, i.e. '10 Ram 1500 with a Hemi? If the wife will go for it I was kicking around the idea of getting something with two wheels also to take to work whenever I can which would help mitigate the mpg.

97 would be a direct injection powerstroke. They are pretty reliable. I know of a few friends with 500k on em and they were never maintained. Heres a little info for you. 7.3L Power Stroke vs. 5.9L Cummins vs. 6.6L Duramax

I had the same truck with about the same amount of miles. Those 7.3's sure are tough motors and it sounds like all the usual maintenance items have been taken car of. i was putting over 25,000 miles a year on mine and for the most part it just kept goin. I was gettin about 19mpg with a 5 speed.

That being said, thats too many miles in my opinion. My truck turned into a maintenance nightmare. The oil cooler developed a leak, all the idler pulleys and the tensioner for the serpentine belt failed, a handfull of electrical gremlins started to show up.

AND now for the worst part. The 97 F250's use the twin traction beam front axle which is the biggest POS in the world. Mine ate ball joints at an alarming rate and once the ball joints go the tires start wearing quick. God forbid you ever tear up the center u-joint because you need to disasemble the axle housing to get it apart, same if the seal fails.

If i had the room i never would have sold my truck, it was great for what it was and didnt owe me a dime. But coming from someone who sold an old truck and bought a new one...buy something newer!

7.3's are bullet proof. We took on trade a 97 F-250 with 235k mi & it ran like a bear
. Sold it to my neighbor at work 2 years ago and is still running strong. He has now 283K on it.

I have had many 7.3's, all over 300,000 miles, current is a 2002 with 386,000..... VERY minimal issues, just like anything else, its how it was ktaken care of....

for 7000 it better look new, I paid 9800 for my loaded 4x4 lariat crew cab and its 2002.....but it was Texas, they are CHEAP there and spotless...

I think the type truck you are looking at is a great truck. Wish they had a extended cab with rear doors thou. 7000 is a real fair price for that style truck. (7.3, 4x4, auto, ext. cab) But look it over real good. Have someone else eyeball it. leaking seals in the front axle, Is it rust free? Look at the bed rails and inside the fender wells. Wear on the seat corners. Milage all depends on the gears. Some get 12 MPG some get 21MPG. 97 runs like a raped ape. Have a 01 same motor 300,000. But my 08 6.4 will out pull the 7.3 Good luck. Remember 4 wheels run over top of 2 wheels.

The 7.3 powerstroke will run for a long time even with poor maintenance and was Fords most reliable diesel engine ever produced.
I would not hesitate to get in one with high mileage as a good look over will tell you about the truck. It has been said that Ford has struggled ever since with gaining the reliability back to the level of the 7.3 Engine. They have come a long way since 6.0 disaster and 6.7 shows promise but will never meet the numbers of reliability in volume of the mighty 7.3 Engine. JMO

Godbless

You can't kill a 7.3. I've got an '00 crew cab dually 6spd XLT with 414k but I'll take $5300. Runs great. cold a/c. have had them with up to 600k miles. Most I buy/sell have 2-300k and run strong.

Those are good trucks however beware with higher miles the injectors may start to give you issues, I had the same thing happen to my 95 very very expensive injectors if money is an issue for you right now I would honestly go with an idi 7.3 truck 87-93 they will run forever and are cheap to repair!! good luck!!